Delaware County OH Recorder of Deeds: Search Deeds, Record Documents, Fees & Office Guide
If you searched for the Delaware County Recorder of Deeds, the official Ohio office name you need is the Delaware County Recorder. This office records and indexes real estate records, personal-property records, filing fees and military discharge records for Delaware County, Ohio.
Use this guide to search deed records, understand instrument numbers, prepare a deed or mortgage for recording, estimate common recording fees, avoid wrong-office mistakes, and know when to contact the Auditor, Treasurer, GIS office or Clerk of Courts instead.
Where Do You Search or Record Delaware County Ohio Deeds?
Start with the Delaware County Recorder for recorded deeds, mortgages, leases, powers of attorney, releases, assignments, plats, UCC filings related to real property, military discharge records, copies and certified copies. The office is located at 145 N. Union St., Delaware, OH 43015.
Use the Recorder For
- Deeds, mortgages and leases.
- Recorded document images and copies.
- Book/page and instrument-number lookups.
- Plats, maps and prints.
- Military service discharge recording.
Use the Auditor For
Contact the Delaware County Auditor when the issue is property valuation, tax assessment, real-estate data, GIS parcel data, levy distribution or finding a parcel by owner, address or parcel number.
Auditor phone: 740-833-2900
Use the Treasurer For
Contact the Delaware County Treasurer when you need tax bills, tax payments, prior tax payments, receipts, eBill, escrow payment or tax-payment questions.
Treasurer phone: 740-833-2480
Recorder vs Auditor vs Treasurer vs Clerk in Delaware County OH
A deed record, tax parcel record, GIS map and tax bill can all describe the same property, but they are controlled by different offices. Use this table before calling or visiting.
| Office / Tool | Best For | Not Best For | Local Contact Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware County Recorder | Recorded deeds, mortgages, leases, powers of attorney, releases, assignments, plats, UCC filings related to real estate, copies and certified copies. | Property values, tax bills, legal deed drafting, title opinions or foreclosure case files. | 145 N. Union St.; 740-833-2460; recording cutoff 4:00 p.m. |
| Delaware County Auditor | Real estate data search, owner/address/parcel lookup, valuation, tax assessment, GIS parcel information and levy/tax distribution data. | Recording a deed or certifying a recorded deed copy. | 145 N. Union St.; 740-833-2900. |
| Delaware County Treasurer | Property-tax bills, payments, prior payments, eBill, escrow payments, payment fees, due dates and tax-payment methods. | Determining assessed value or recording ownership documents. | 145 N. Union St., 1st Floor; 740-833-2480. |
| GIS Office | Parcel maps, cadastral mapping, property-location context, GIS data and map-based property research. | Replacing a recorded deed, title search or legal description review. | 145 N. Union St.; 740-833-2070. |
| Clerk of Courts | Common Pleas case filings, foreclosure court case files, certificates of title through title office locations and passport services. | Recorder deed images and land-record indexing. | Legal Division: 117 N. Union St., 300 Level. |
How to Search Delaware County Recorder Records Online
Delaware County’s Recorder search instructions say the online database contains many real estate documents from 1990 to present. Real estate documents prior to 1990 can be found only in the Recorder’s Office. The county says users may search by Name, Book/Page and Instrument Number.
Open the Official Recorded Document Search
Start from the Delaware County Recorder site and open Recorded Document Search. The public access system may use a separate Document Technology Systems portal.
Choose the Right Search Type
Use the instrument number when you already have it. Use book/page when an older deed, mortgage or title reference gives one. Use name search when you only know the grantor, grantee, mortgagor, mortgagee, business, church or school name.
Enter Names in the County’s Preferred Style
The county’s instructions say the most common search is a name search and advises typing a person’s name last name first, first name last. For business searches, type the full business name. If the business begins with a number, the county instructs users to type NUMBER- followed by the business name.
Review Forward and Reverse Index Clues
For a mortgage, the county says you may search by mortgagor or mortgagee. For a deed, you may search by grantor or grantee. Try both sides when one name search does not return the expected document.
Open the Matching Record and Save the Reference
Review the instrument number, book/page, party names, document type, recording date and image availability. Save the instrument number before ordering a copy or calling the Recorder.
Use the Office for Older Records
If the real estate document is prior to 1990 or a needed image is not available online, plan for an in-office search or contact the Recorder before visiting.
What a Delaware County Deed Record Result Means
The Recorder index helps locate recorded documents, but it is not a full title report. Use these fields to understand what you are viewing before ordering copies or making legal decisions.
| Field | Plain-English Meaning | Why It Matters | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument Number | The Recorder’s unique number assigned to a recorded document. | Best reference to give staff when requesting help or ordering a copy. | Calling with only a street address when the instrument number is already shown. |
| Book / Page | A volume-and-page reference tied to the recorded document. | Useful for older deeds, mortgages, releases, liens and title references. | Confusing book/page with the Auditor’s tax parcel number. |
| Grantor / Grantee | The party giving or receiving an interest in the document. | Important for deed chains and ownership-transfer review. | Assuming one indexed name proves current title without checking later recordings. |
| Mortgagor / Mortgagee | The borrower/property owner and lender in a mortgage record. | Useful when searching mortgage, assignment, release or satisfaction records. | Ordering the mortgage when you actually need the deed. |
| Document Type | Examples include deed, mortgage, lease, release, assignment, power of attorney or plat. | Shows whether the document transfers ownership, secures debt, releases debt or affects property rights. | Treating every recorded document as proof of ownership. |
| Document Image | The scanned or electronic copy of the recorded document. | Needed to read legal description, signatures, notary language and recording stamps. | Relying only on index text when the actual language matters. |
How to Record a Deed or Real-Property Document in Delaware County Ohio
Recording a deed in Ohio usually involves more than submitting paper to the Recorder. A transfer document may also need Auditor review, conveyance forms, tax-mailing information, legal description review, proper signatures, notary acknowledgment and correct fees.
Before You Submit
- Confirm the property is in Delaware County, Ohio.
- Use the correct Ohio deed or real-property document type.
- Make sure required signatures are present.
- Include proper notary acknowledgment when required.
- Use legible text and Ohio document-standard margins.
- Confirm Auditor conveyance requirements before recording a transfer.
- Prepare the correct fee and return envelope.
Recorder Limitations
The Recorder records eligible documents and indexes them for public access. The office does not draft deeds, decide what deed type you need, guarantee clear title, verify every statement inside a document, or provide legal advice.
Use a title company or Ohio real-estate attorney for trust transfers, estate transfers, divorce-related transfers, survivorship issues, deed corrections, LLC transfers, boundary problems or title defects.
Verify County Jurisdiction
Ohio recording is county-based. Make sure the real estate is physically located in Delaware County before sending the document to the Delaware County Recorder.
Prepare the Correct Document
Ohio deeds and other real-property instruments should identify the parties, property, legal description, prior reference when appropriate, tax-mailing address when needed, signatures and notary acknowledgment. Do not rely on a generic online form for complex transfers.
Check Ohio Standard Formatting
ORC 317.114 requires key formatting standards such as legible print size not smaller than 10-point font, paper between 8.5 x 11 and 8.5 x 14, black or blue ink, no highlighting, one-inch side and bottom margins, a three-inch top margin on the first page, and a 1.5-inch top margin on following pages.
Confirm Auditor Conveyance Requirements
Many ownership-transfer documents must pass through the Auditor’s conveyance process before recording. Review Delaware County Auditor forms such as DTE 100 Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement or DTE 100EX when applicable.
Verify the Current Fee and Return Method
Delaware County Recorder fee guidance says to include a postage-paid return envelope or enough money to cover postage and an envelope if documents must be returned. Wrong payment or missing return materials can delay processing.
Submit Before the Daily Cutoff
The Recorder lists recordings from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but document submission cutoff is 4:00 p.m. For same-day recording questions, arrive early or call before visiting.
Save the Recording Reference
After recording, keep the instrument number, book/page reference, receipt, recorded copy and any Auditor-transfer paperwork. You may need these later for refinancing, selling, probate, insurance, tax records or a future title search.
Delaware County Recorder Fees to Check Before Recording
Delaware County’s Recorder fee page says Ohio recorder fees are collected under ORC 317.32. Use these figures for planning, then verify the live fee page or call the office before mailing payment.
| Document / Service | County-Listed Fee Detail | What to Check Before Paying |
|---|---|---|
| Basic instrument recording | Deeds, mortgages, leases, powers of attorney, releases, assignments and similar instruments: $39 for the first two pages, plus $8 for each additional page. | Count pages and confirm whether the instrument is 8.5 x 14 or smaller. |
| Marginal references | Releases, amendments, assignments, re-recordings and similar marginal-reference items: $4 each. | Ask whether your document needs one or more marginal references. |
| Maps, plats and prints | Recording or re-recording a map, plat or print; certifying a copy of a map, plat or print from the record: $40 per page. | Verify whether Engineer, GIS, subdivision or survey review is needed before recording. |
| Real-estate-related UCC filings | UCC items listed by the Recorder: $12 plus $4 for each name indexed. | Confirm whether your UCC belongs with the Recorder or Ohio Secretary of State. |
| UCC search copies | $20 for search, with no fee for findings; $2 per page for copies relating to UCC searches. | Ask what name/file number should be searched before ordering. |
| Photocopies | $2 per page. | Provide instrument number or book/page to avoid ordering the wrong document. |
| Certified copies | $2 per page plus $2 for certification. | Request certification only when a lender, court, title company or agency requires it. |
| Veteran’s discharge | No fee listed for veteran’s discharge and no fee for veteran’s discharge expungement. | Ask staff about privacy and copy rules before recording or requesting military discharge records. |
Delaware County Recording Fee Planning Calculator
This estimator is for planning only. It uses the county-listed $39 first-two-pages basic instrument fee, $8 per additional page, $4 per marginal reference, $2 per photocopy page, and $2 certification charge.
Formula used: basic documents × $39 + extra pages × $8 + marginal references × $4 + map/plat pages × $40 + copy pages × $2 + certification + other quoted fees. This is not an official invoice.
Ohio Deed Recording Requirements to Know Before Filing
Ohio law controls many recording requirements statewide, while the Delaware County Recorder handles local intake, indexing and public access. Use this section as a plain-English precheck, not as legal advice.
Signature and Acknowledgment
ORC 5301.01 generally requires deeds, mortgages, land contracts, leases of real property interests and memoranda of trust to be signed by the appropriate party and acknowledged before an authorized official such as a notary public.
Standard Format
ORC 317.114 sets statewide recording-format standards, including paper size, ink color, margins, font size and no highlighting. Nonconforming documents may create extra fees or recording issues.
Recordable Instruments
ORC 317.08 lists many instruments county recorders record, including deeds, mortgages, leases, memoranda, plats, liens, releases, certain powers of attorney and other documents affecting real property.
Delaware County AlertMe: Deed and Property Record Notification
Delaware County Recorder offers a voluntary alert system called AlertMe. The county explains that the Recorder cannot stop a properly executed document from being recorded, but subscribers may receive an email alert if a document bearing their registered name is recorded after signup.
When AlertMe Helps
AlertMe can help homeowners, heirs, trustees, landlords and businesses notice new documents recorded under a monitored name. It is especially useful for owners who do not regularly search Recorder records.
It applies only to documents recorded after signup, so it does not replace a search for already-recorded documents.
What to Do After an Alert
Open the recorded document, save the instrument number, compare names and property details, and contact the Recorder or local law enforcement if fraudulent activity is suspected.
For title correction, deed fraud or unauthorized transfer concerns, contact a qualified Ohio attorney or title company quickly.
Delaware County Recorder Address, Phone, Hours & Map
The Recorder’s Office is in the county government area at 145 N. Union St. in Delaware, Ohio. If you are recording a document, plan around the 4:00 p.m. document-submission cutoff.
Delaware County Recorder
Recorder: Melissa Jordan
Address:
145 N. Union St.
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: 740-833-2460
Fax: 740-833-2459
Recording hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
Document submission cutoff: 4:00 p.m.
Exam room: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Open Recorder Map ↗Official Delaware County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
These are the most useful official action links for deed searching, document recording, property-value lookup, GIS context, tax payment and fraud alerts. Each link includes the exact next steps.
Delaware County Recorder
Official Recorder homepage for office role, contact information, recording hours, cutoff time and quick links.
- Confirm the current address, phone, fax and office hours.
- Use Recorded Document Search for deed and mortgage records.
- Use Fees and Charges before preparing payment.
- Call before visiting if your document involves a trust, estate, correction, transfer-on-death issue or unusual legal description.
Delaware County Recorded Document Search
Official search instructions for real estate documents, name search, book/page search and instrument-number search.
- Read the public-records notice before opening the search portal.
- Confirm whether the document is likely from 1990 to present or pre-1990.
- Search by name, book/page or instrument number.
- Try grantor and grantee for deeds, and mortgagor and mortgagee for mortgages.
Delaware County Recorder Public Access Portal
Document Technology Systems public access portal for Recorder documents and AlertMe signup access.
- Allow downloads in your browser if the site asks, especially for purchased/downloaded images.
- Create an account only if you want saved searches, history or cart features.
- Use the search reference from the Recorder instructions.
- Save the instrument number before ordering, downloading or calling the office.
Delaware County Recorder Fees and Charges
Official fee page for basic instruments, marginal references, plats, UCC filings, copies, certified copies and return-envelope guidance.
- Identify your exact document type.
- Count pages, marginal references and indexed names if applicable.
- Add copy, certification, postage or envelope needs.
- Call 740-833-2460 if the fee is uncertain before mailing payment.
Delaware County Recorder — What We Do
Official office-role page explaining Recorder duties and separating Recorder, Auditor, Treasurer and Clerk responsibilities.
- Review the list of real estate records such as deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts and plats.
- Read the note explaining that Recorder fees are set by the State of Ohio.
- Use the Auditor link for assessment and real-estate value questions.
- Use the Treasurer contact for tax-bill and payment questions.
Delaware County Auditor Real Estate Data Property Search
Official parcel and tax-assessment search by owner, address or parcel number.
- Choose owner, address or parcel number search.
- Open the correct parcel record.
- Use the parcel and owner details to support a Recorder deed search.
- Do not treat Auditor data as a title report.
Delaware County GIS
Official county GIS page for parcel mapping, cadastral base map data and property-location research.
- Use Auditor’s GIS website for parcel map context.
- Confirm the property location and parcel relationship.
- Use GIS as a research aid, not as a recorded deed replacement.
- Return to the Recorder search for the actual recorded document.
Delaware County Property Fraud / AlertMe
Official Recorder page explaining the voluntary property-record alert service and its limits.
- Read the Recorder’s warning that the office cannot verify the validity of every properly submitted document.
- Open the AlertMe registration link from the county page.
- Register the name or information you want monitored.
- If an alert looks suspicious, search the document and contact law enforcement or legal help as needed.
Ohio Revised Code 317.114 — Recording Standards
Official Ohio law for statewide document-format standards used by county recorders.
- Review font, paper size, ink, highlighting and margin requirements.
- Check the three-inch top margin on the first page.
- Check the 1.5-inch top margin on remaining pages.
- Fix formatting before submitting a deed or mortgage for recording.
Ohio Revised Code 5301.01 — Acknowledgment
Official Ohio law for signatures and acknowledgments on deeds, mortgages, land contracts, leases and memoranda of trust.
- Review who must sign the deed or real-property instrument.
- Check the acknowledgment requirement.
- Verify notary language before recording.
- Use legal help if the transaction involves trusts, estates, survivorship or corrections.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of a deed. | Search Recorder records by name, book/page or instrument number. Save the instrument number before requesting a copy. | Delaware County Recorder Search |
| You need to record a new deed. | Have the deed prepared correctly, verify Auditor conveyance requirements, check Ohio formatting standards, confirm fees and submit before cutoff. | Recorder + Auditor + legal/title help if needed |
| You only have a street address. | Use Auditor property search or GIS first to identify parcel and owner details, then return to Recorder search. | Auditor Real Estate Search / GIS |
| The owner name is wrong on tax records. | Check the deed chain in Recorder records, then contact Auditor if the tax parcel record needs review. | Recorder first, then Auditor |
| The property-tax bill is the issue. | Use Treasurer payment tools, prior tax payment lookup, eBill or payment instructions. | Delaware County Treasurer |
| You worry about deed fraud. | Sign up for AlertMe, search existing Recorder records, save suspicious instrument numbers and contact law enforcement or legal help if needed. | AlertMe + Recorder + law enforcement |
Delaware County OH Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Is “Delaware County Recorder of Deeds” the correct office name in Ohio?
The common search phrase is “Delaware County Recorder of Deeds,” but the official Ohio office name is the Delaware County Recorder. This is the office for recorded deeds, mortgages, plats, real-estate-related UCC filings, copies and certified copies in Delaware County, Ohio.
Where is the Delaware County Recorder office located?
The Delaware County Recorder is located at 145 N. Union St., Delaware, OH 43015. The office phone is 740-833-2460 and the fax number listed by the Recorder is 740-833-2459.
What are the Delaware County Recorder recording hours?
The Recorder lists recordings from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The document submission cutoff is 4:00 p.m., and the exam room is listed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How do I search Delaware County deed records online?
Open the official Recorder Recorded Document Search page, continue to the public access search, and search by name, book/page or instrument number. For people, the county instructs users to search last name first, first name last. For deeds, try both grantor and grantee names.
How far back do Delaware County online deed records go?
The Recorder search instructions say the website contains real estate documents from 1990 to present. Real estate documents prior to 1990 can be found only in the Recorder’s Office.
What is an instrument number in Delaware County Recorder records?
An instrument number is the Recorder’s assigned reference number for a recorded document. Save it when you find a deed, mortgage, release, assignment or plat because it is the best reference for copy requests and staff questions.
What does it cost to record a deed or mortgage in Delaware County Ohio?
The Recorder fee page lists basic instrument recording at $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page for deeds, mortgages, leases, powers of attorney, releases, assignments and similar documents. Extra charges may apply for marginal references, plats, copies, certification, postage and other services.
Can the Delaware County Recorder prepare a deed for me?
No. The Recorder records eligible documents and maintains the public record, but it does not prepare deeds, decide which deed type you need, guarantee clear title or provide legal advice. Use an Ohio real-estate attorney or title company for deed drafting and legal questions.
Does the Delaware County Recorder handle property values or tax bills?
No. The Recorder handles recorded documents. The Delaware County Auditor handles property values, assessment data and real estate property search. The Delaware County Treasurer handles tax bills, payments, prior payments and tax-payment services.
Is this website affiliated with Delaware County government?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational website. It is not the Delaware County Recorder, Delaware County Auditor, Delaware County Treasurer, Delaware County GIS Office, Ohio Legislature, a title company, a law firm or a consumer reporting agency.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with Delaware County, Ohio, the Delaware County Recorder, Delaware County Auditor, Delaware County Treasurer, Delaware County GIS Office, Delaware County Clerk of Courts, the Ohio Legislature, any title company, any law firm or any court.
Recorded documents, ownership interests, title status, legal descriptions, transfer requirements, Auditor conveyance review, recording acceptance, copy fees, filing fees and public-record availability are controlled by official county offices, Ohio law, title records and applicable legal documents. This page is not legal, tax, title or financial advice.
Public deed and property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.