(a) The Judge of Probate of Limestone County in conformity to the duties set out in Section 12–13–41, shall maintain a general register for all transactions now recorded by the probate office and having a general direct and general reverse index for every instrument filed. Specifically included in the general register are those instruments described in subdivision (11) of Section 12–13–41 (deeds and mortgages, etc.); subdivision (13) of Section 12–13–41 (adverse possession); Section 35–4–52 (bankruptcy petitions); Section 35–4–53 (bonds for title); Sections 35–4–69 and 35–4–71 (affidavits relative to chain of title of land); Section 35–4–76 (options to buy land); Section 35–4–90 (agreements to convey land); Section 35–4–91 (wills which convey real property); Section 35–4–130 (lis pendens and hospital liens); Sections 36–5–3, 36–5–4, 36–5–5, and 36–5–6 (official bonds, notary bonds, and oaths of office); Section 10–2A–93 (corporations); Section 10A–20–2.07 (church minutes which grant trustees the authority to convey land); Section 6–9–210 (liens of judgment); subsection (d) of Section 40–1–2 (tax liens); military discharges; medical records, and any and all other miscellaneous documents may be so registered at the discretion of the judge of probate.

(b) These instruments excluded from this section, mainly subdivisions (2) and (3) of Section 12–13–41 (minutes of official acts); subdivision (4) of Section 12–13–41 (probate docket); Section 43–2–502 (final settlements); Sections 18–1A–11 and 18–1A–282 (condemnation orders); Section 40–10–15 (tax sales); subsection (a) of Section 35–2–51 (plats); Section 12–19–45 (fees), shall be maintained as specified by the heretofore existing laws.

(c) Each instrument contained in the general index shall be numbered consecutively and filmed.