Butler County OH Recorder: Search Deeds, Land Records, Recording Fees, Copies & Office
The Butler County Recorder maintains public land records for Butler County, Ohio, including deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, plats, liens, UCC filings and other instruments authorized for recording. The official record-search portal identifies Danny N. Crank as Butler County Recorder and provides quick and advanced search tools for real-property records.
This guide explains how to search Butler County deeds and mortgages online, how the Recorder differs from the Auditor and Treasurer, how to prepare a document for recording, what the 2025 recording-fee schedule changed, how copy requests work, where the Hamilton office is located, and how to use the county’s Property Alert instead of relying on paid title-monitoring mailers.
Where Is the Butler County OH Recorder?
The Butler County Recorder’s Office is located in the Butler County Administration Building, 130 High Street, 2nd Floor, Hamilton, OH 45011. The Recorder’s published phone is 513-887-3192, fax is 513-887-3198, and copy or general email requests can be sent to recorder@bcohio.gov.
Use the Recorder For
- Deeds, mortgages, leases and land contracts.
- Releases, satisfactions, assignments and modifications.
- Plats, maps, UCC filings and liens.
- Recorded document copies and certification.
- Property Alert and record-image questions.
Use the Auditor For
The Butler County Auditor’s property-search system is the better starting point when you only have a street address, need the Parcel ID, need owner or appraisal information, or must complete conveyance review before a deed can be recorded.
Local note: The Auditor property-search page lists the Conveyance Desk as closing daily at 3:30 p.m.
Legal and Title Warning
The Recorder records and indexes instruments; the office does not guarantee title quality, prepare deeds, perform legal title opinions, or decide whether a transfer is legally correct. For deed drafting, probate, trust transfers, title defects or ownership disputes, contact an Ohio real estate attorney or title professional.
How to Search Butler County Recorder Records Online
Butler County’s official record-search portal supports Quick Search and Advanced Search for real-property recorded documents. Use it for deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, liens and other recorded instruments—not for general tax-bill payment or assessment appeal questions.
Open the Official Butler County Record Search
Start at the official Butler County Recorder search portal. The page is branded for The County of Butler and the Butler County Recorder. Use Real Property as the department when searching deeds and land records.
Choose the Best Search Term
The quick search field is designed for grantor/grantee names, subdivision names, document types and document numbers. If you have a closing packet, title report, mortgage release letter or prior deed, use the document number or book/page reference first.
Use Advanced Search for Names and Book/Page
Advanced Search provides specific fields for party names, grantor, grantee, recorded-date range, document type, document number, book and page, plus OCR text. Use Advanced Search when a broad quick search returns too many results.
Use Recorded-Date Filters Carefully
The search portal includes date presets such as last 24 hours, last 3 days, last week, last month, last 3 months, last 6 months and last year. Use the recorded date, not just the closing date, because a deed or release may be recorded after signing.
Choose Index Search or Full Text OCR
Use Search Index Only for indexed fields such as party names and document numbers. Use Search Index & Full Text OCR when you need to search words inside document text, but verify OCR results because scanned text can be misread.
Use the Auditor Search When You Only Know the Address
If you only know the property address, start with the Butler County Auditor property search. The address search asks for street number and street name and says not to enter the suffix. Save the parcel number and owner spelling before returning to the Recorder search.
What Butler County Deed Search Results Mean
A recorder result is not the same as a tax record. Use this decoder to understand common fields before calling the wrong office or ordering the wrong copy.
| Field / Item | Where You See It | What It Usually Means | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grantor | Recorder index | The party transferring, releasing, assigning or otherwise giving an interest. | Assuming the grantor is always the current owner. |
| Grantee | Recorder index | The party receiving the interest, release, assignment or benefit of the recorded document. | Ignoring trusts, LLCs, estates, former names or spelling variations. |
| Document Number | Quick or advanced search result | The unique record reference used for copies, follow-up calls and document review. | Calling for a copy without the document number or book/page reference. |
| Book and Page | Older and indexed documents | A traditional recorded-document reference that can locate older records and imaged books. | Assuming an old deed is missing when it may need a book/page search. |
| Recorded Date | Recorder index | The date the county accepted the document into the public record. | Confusing signing date, closing date and recorded date. |
| Parcel Identification Number | Auditor search / deed requirements | The parcel identifier used for property-tax, assessment and conveyance workflows. | Submitting a deed without the required parcel identification number. |
| Document Image | Recorder portal | The scanned or electronic copy of the recorded instrument when available. | Relying only on index text without reviewing the actual deed or release image. |
Which Butler County Office or Portal Should You Use?
Pick the task closest to your situation. This tool points to the likely starting point; official staff, title professionals or attorneys should verify final recording and legal decisions.
Best starting point
Choose a task and click the button.
Why You Cannot Find a Butler County Deed or Mortgage
Problems to Fix First
- Searching the Auditor property portal when you need the Recorder document index.
- Searching a deed by closing date instead of recorded date.
- Using only one spelling of a name, trust, LLC or estate.
- Failing to search both grantor and grantee fields.
- Using a street suffix in the Auditor address search even though the page says not to enter suffix.
- Looking for an old book/page document only by modern party-name fields.
- Expecting a DD214 or protected record to appear as a normal public online image.
Better Search Strategy
- Try the grantor and grantee separately.
- Try business names with and without punctuation.
- Use document number or book/page when available.
- Use the Auditor address search to identify the parcel number first.
- Widen the recorded-date range by several days or weeks.
- Use OCR text only as a secondary tool and verify the image.
- Email recorder@bcohio.gov if an expected image is not available online.
How to Record a Deed or Land Document in Butler County OH
A deed or transfer document may require both Auditor conveyance review and Recorder recording. Do not mail or eRecord a deed until parcel numbers, legal description, conveyance/exemption form, tax payment and recording format have been checked.
Prepare the Legal Instrument
Prepare the deed, mortgage, release, lease, assignment, affidavit, plat or other recordable instrument. Ohio law requires county recorders to record qualifying instruments presented for recording when the required fees are paid, but the Recorder can refuse documents that are not authorized or appear materially false or fraudulent.
Confirm Legal Description and Parcel Numbers
Butler County’s fee schedule says legal descriptions are required with all documents submitted for recording, and parcel identification numbers are required with all deeds. Use the Auditor property search if you need to confirm the parcel number.
Complete Conveyance or Exemption Paperwork
Butler County’s fee schedule states that a conveyance/exemption form is required with all deeds. Taxable transfers also involve a conveyance fee, and the schedule says a check for both conveyance tax and parcel transfer fee should be payable to the Butler County Auditor.
Check Formatting Before Recording
The 2025 fee schedule lists non-standard rules including at least 10-point computer font, letter or legal paper, black or blue ink, no highlighting, one-inch side and bottom margins, three-inch top margin on the first page, and one-and-a-half-inch top margin on remaining pages.
Add Required Notary and Prepared-By Information
The Recorder’s fee schedule notes that documents notarized in Ohio require a Prepared By statement. Make sure the notary certificate, signatures, dates, names and acknowledgement language are complete and legible before submission.
Choose In-Person, Mail or Electronic Recording
Ohio law now requires county recorders, auditors and engineers to make electronic recording methods available for qualifying real-property conveyance instruments by June 30, 2026. For Butler County, check the Recorder website or call before using an eRecording vendor, especially if your deed also needs Auditor conveyance review.
Butler County OH Recording Fees, Copy Fees and Conveyance Fee Notes
Butler County’s Recorder fee schedule effective January 1, 2025 increased the common base recording fee. Always verify the live county fee page before mailing payment, because document type, page count, references, plats, UCC indexing and conveyance charges can change the final amount.
| Item | Published Detail | Practical Tip | Best Starting Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deed, mortgage, lease and other documents | $39 up to and including two pages. | Count pages before preparing payment. Attachments can increase the page count. | 2025 Recorder Fee Schedule |
| Additional pages | $8 per additional page after the first two pages. | Do not forget exhibits, riders, legal-description pages or required attachments. | 2025 Recorder Fee Schedule |
| Non-standard fee | $20 per document. | Review font, paper, margin, ink and highlighting rules before submission. | Fee Schedule + ORC 317.114 |
| Reference fee | $4 per reference for satisfactions, releases, assignments, rerecords, amendments, modifications, lien releases and revocations. | Count every prior-record reference that must be indexed. | 2025 Recorder Fee Schedule |
| Plats | 18×24 plats: $43.20 per page. 24×36 plats: $86.40 per page. | Survey and plat filings may have extra technical review needs. | Recorder + Engineer/Auditor if applicable |
| Conveyance tax | $3.00 per $1,000.00 purchase price. | Use Auditor guidance for taxable versus exempt transfers. | Butler County Auditor Conveyance Desk |
| Auditor parcel transfer fee | 50¢ per parcel number payable with deeds. | Parcel identification numbers are required with all deeds. | Auditor Property Search / Conveyance Desk |
| UCC recording fees | $12 plus $4 for each name indexed, including debtor, secured party and property owner. | Confirm whether the document is UCC-related before calculating payment. | Recorder Fee Schedule |
| Copies and certification | Copies are listed at $2 per page; certification is $1 per document. | Have document number or book/page ready before requesting copies. | recorder@bcohio.gov |
Butler County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Email and Map
For recording questions, copy requests, book/page image problems, property-alert issues, UCC recording, plats and public land-record questions, contact the Butler County Recorder’s Office in Hamilton.
Butler County Recorder’s Office
Office:
Butler County Administration Building
130 High Street, 2nd Floor
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: 513-887-3192
Fax: 513-887-3198
Email: recorder@bcohio.gov
Current office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., subject to county holidays and office notices.
Open Office Map ↗Related Butler County Contacts
Chief Deputy Recorder:
Denise Goll, denise.goll@bcohio.gov, 513-887-3195
Butler County Auditor / Conveyance Desk:
513-887-3154
Auditor office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, with the Conveyance Desk closing daily at 3:30 p.m.
Call before visiting for time-sensitive deeds, multi-parcel transfers, UCC filings, older books, copy requests above free daily limits, or documents that were rejected for formatting or transfer reasons.
Recorder vs Auditor vs Treasurer in Butler County Ohio
Butler County property tasks often involve more than one office. The fastest path is to start with the office that owns the specific record you need.
| Your Question | Best Office / Portal | What to Search or Bring | What It Does Not Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| I need a deed, mortgage, release, assignment, lien, lease or plat. | Butler County Recorder / official record search. | Grantor, grantee, document number, document type, book/page or recorded date. | Does not provide legal title opinions or draft deed language. |
| I only know the street address. | Butler County Auditor property search. | Street number and street name without suffix, parcel number, owner or map search. | Does not replace the recorded deed image. |
| I am recording a deed that transfers property. | Auditor Conveyance Desk plus Recorder. | Prepared deed, legal description, parcel ID, conveyance/exemption form, tax/fee payment and return envelope. | The Recorder does not decide all conveyance-tax exemption questions alone. |
| I need to pay property taxes. | Butler County Treasurer. | Tax bill, parcel number, payment amount, due date and payment status. | The Recorder does not collect ordinary real-estate tax installments. |
| I want to challenge my value or tax assessment. | Auditor / Board of Revision process. | Value notice, comparable sales, property-condition evidence and filing deadline. | Recording a deed alone does not automatically change the appraised value. |
| I need veteran ID card information. | Butler County Recorder and Veterans Service Commission. | Recorded DD214, current identification and eligibility documents. | Public online search should not be used to expose confidential discharge records. |
Butler County Property Alert, DD214 Recording and Veteran ID Cards
Butler County’s official record-search portal includes a Property Alert option. The Recorder’s Office also works with veteran records and the Butler County Veteran Identification Program, where honorable veterans who have recorded an original or certified DD214 may request a Veteran ID card with required identification.
Property Alert Is Useful When
- You own a home, rental, farm or commercial parcel in Butler County.
- You recently bought, inherited or transferred property.
- You manage a trust, LLC, estate or family-owned property.
- You want notice when matching documents appear under a registered name.
Veteran ID / DD214 Notes
- Veteran ID cards are tied to a recorded original or certified Armed Forces Discharge Record.
- The brochure says applicants must provide two current valid forms of identification, with at least one photo ID.
- The brochure lists Veteran ID card issuance hours as 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
- Contact the Recorder or Veterans Service Commission before bringing original military documents.
Official Butler County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
Use these official and government resources for searching records, recording documents, checking fees, locating parcel numbers, understanding Ohio recorder duties, and monitoring property-record activity.
Butler County Official Record Search
Search official Butler County Recorder real-property records by grantor/grantee, subdivision, document type, document number, recorded date, book/page and OCR text.
- Confirm the page says The County of Butler and County Recorder Danny N. Crank.
- Use Quick Search for grantor/grantee, subdivision, document type or document number.
- Use Advanced Search for party names, grantor, grantee, date range, document types, book and page.
- Check the Certified through date before assuming a recent document is missing.
- Choose Search Index Only first, then use OCR only when needed.
Butler County Recorder Website
Official Recorder office site for updates, office hours, copy-request email, geographic indexes, fee notices and office contact information.
- Check the top notices for office hours, fee updates and record-image announcements.
- Use the current email address, recorder@bcohio.gov, for copy requests or missing image questions.
- Use the office address before visiting: 130 High Street, 2nd Floor, Hamilton.
- Contact Chief Deputy Denise Goll if the update notice directs you to do so.
Butler County 2025 Recorder Fee Schedule
Official fee schedule effective January 1, 2025 for basic recording, additional pages, non-standard fee, references, plats, conveyance fee, UCC fees, copies and certification.
- Find your document category before preparing payment.
- Count pages and attachments.
- Add reference, non-standard, plat, UCC, copy or certification fees when applicable.
- For deeds, separately check conveyance tax and parcel transfer fee payable to the Butler County Auditor.
Butler County Auditor Property Search
Use this to find parcel number, address record, owner information, map links and assessment details before recorded-document research or deed conveyance.
- Use Address Search if you only know the street address.
- Enter street number and street name only; do not enter the street suffix.
- Save the Parcel ID and owner spelling from the result.
- Return to the Recorder search and search the owner or document details.
- For deed transfers, note that the Auditor Conveyance Desk closes daily at 3:30 p.m.
Butler County Property Alert
Free monitoring option linked from the official Recorder record-search portal for matching recorded activity.
- Open the Property Alert link from the official Recorder search portal.
- Register the names or business names you want monitored.
- Use an email account you check regularly.
- If an alert appears suspicious, search the document in the official Recorder portal and save the reference number.
Ohio Revised Code Section 317.13
State law describing recorder duties, recording in official records, refusal authority for certain documents, electronic recording deadlines and electronic public access requirements.
- Read division (A) for recorder duty to record qualifying instruments.
- Read division (B) for refusal authority when a document is not authorized or appears materially false or fraudulent.
- Read division (E) for electronic recording availability requirements.
- Read division (F) for electronic indexes and instruments recorded on or after January 1, 1980.
Butler County Veteran ID Card Brochure
Official veteran-identification program brochure explaining DD214 recording, ID requirements, location and Veteran ID card issuance hours.
- Read the DD214 recording requirement before visiting.
- Bring two current and valid forms of identification, with at least one photo ID.
- Check the listed issuance hours before traveling.
- Contact the Recorder or Veterans Service Commission if your discharge record or ID documents are unusual.
What to Do Next Based on Your Butler County Records Problem
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Portal |
|---|---|---|
| You need a deed, mortgage, release, assignment or lien. | Search the official Recorder portal by grantor, grantee, document type, document number, book/page or recorded date. | Butler County Official Record Search |
| You only know the property address. | Use the Auditor address search first, save the Parcel ID and owner spelling, then search the Recorder index. | Butler County Auditor Property Search |
| You are recording a transfer deed. | Check legal description, Parcel ID, conveyance/exemption form, conveyance tax, parcel transfer fee and recording fee. | Auditor Conveyance Desk + Recorder |
| You need a certified copy. | Find the document number or book/page first, then request the copy and certification from the Recorder. | Recorder office / recorder@bcohio.gov |
| Your document was rejected. | Check formatting, margins, font, notary, Prepared By statement, legal description, parcel number, conveyance form and payment. | Recorder + Auditor if transfer-related |
| You are worried about deed fraud. | Register for Property Alert, search any unexpected document, save the reference and contact the Recorder or legal counsel. | Property Alert + Official Record Search |
| You need tax payment or delinquent tax information. | Use the Treasurer instead of the Recorder. | Butler County Treasurer |
Butler County OH Recorder FAQs
What is the official Butler County OH Recorder office?
The official office is the Butler County Recorder’s Office. The official search portal identifies Danny N. Crank as County Recorder, and the office records deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, liens, plats and other instruments authorized for recording in Butler County, Ohio.
Where is the Butler County Recorder located?
The Recorder’s Office is located in the Butler County Administration Building at 130 High Street, 2nd Floor, Hamilton, OH 45011. The published phone is 513-887-3192 and the current office notice lists hours as 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
How do I search Butler County deed records online?
Open the official Butler County Recorder search portal, keep the department set to Real Property, and search by grantor or grantee name, subdivision, document type, document number, recorded date, book/page or OCR text. Use Advanced Search when you need separate grantor, grantee, date, document type, book or page fields.
Should I use the Recorder search or the Auditor property search?
Use the Recorder search for recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments and liens. Use the Auditor property search when you need parcel number, address search, owner record, assessed value, property characteristics, map links or conveyance information.
How much does Butler County charge to record a deed?
The Butler County Recorder fee schedule effective January 1, 2025 lists $39 up to and including two pages for deeds, mortgages, leases and other documents, plus $8 for each additional page. Extra charges may apply for non-standard documents, references, plats, UCC filings, conveyance tax, parcel transfer fee, copies or certification.
What does Butler County require with deeds?
Butler County’s 2025 fee schedule says legal descriptions are required with all documents submitted for recording, parcel identification numbers are required with all deeds, and a conveyance/exemption form is required with all deeds. Documents notarized in Ohio require a Prepared By statement.
How do I request a copy of a Butler County recorded document?
Search the Recorder portal first and save the document number or book/page reference. Butler County’s current notice says copy requests should be sent to recorder@bcohio.gov. The 2025 fee schedule lists copies at $2 per page and certification at $1 per document.
What is Butler County Property Alert?
Property Alert is an option linked from the official Butler County Recorder search portal. It is intended to notify registered users when matching recorded activity appears. It does not block recordings, prove fraud or replace a title search.
Can veterans get a Butler County Veteran ID card from the Recorder?
The Butler County Veteran ID brochure says honorable veterans who have presented an original or certified Armed Forces Discharge Record, such as DD214, to the Butler County Recorder for recording may request a Veteran ID card. The brochure says applicants must provide two valid forms of identification, with at least one photo ID.
Is this website the Butler County Recorder?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational resource. It is not Butler County, the Butler County Recorder, the Butler County Auditor, the Butler County Treasurer, a title company, a law firm or a consumer reporting agency.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with Butler County, Ohio, the Butler County Recorder’s Office, the Butler County Auditor, the Butler County Treasurer, the Ohio Secretary of State, any title agency or any law firm.
Recorded document indexes, deed images, copy fees, certification fees, recording fees, conveyance fees, parcel transfer fees, document acceptance, title issues, legal descriptions and ownership questions must be verified with the responsible government office, title professional or qualified Ohio attorney. This page does not provide legal, tax or title advice.
Public property and deed records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.