Ada County ID Recorder: Deeds, Land Records, Recording Fees & Official Search Guide
The Ada County Recorder is part of the Ada County Clerk/Auditor/Recorder operation in Boise. For real estate, this is the office people use for recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, reconveyances, powers of attorney, plats, surveys, certified copies and document-recording questions for property located anywhere in Ada County.
This guide explains how to search Ada County deed records, which document types may require direct office contact, how recording fees work, what a deed record can and cannot prove, and when to use the Recorder, Assessor or Treasurer instead.
What Does the Ada County Recorder Do?
The Ada County Recorder records and maintains documents related to property ownership and land records in Ada County, Idaho. For a property in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Kuna, Garden City, Star or an unincorporated Ada County area, recorded deed and land-document questions generally route to this county Recorder, not to a city hall.
Use the Recorder For
- Recorded deeds and transfers
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Reconveyances and releases
- Liens, plats, surveys and recorded instruments
- Certified copies of recorded documents
Use the Assessor For
- Parcel lookup and current owner display
- Assessed value and property characteristics
- Land records / GIS questions
- Homeowner property-tax relief and valuation issues
- Parcel maps used for assessment purposes
Use the Treasurer For
- Property-tax bills and balances
- Tax payments and receipts
- Delinquent tax questions
- Tax deed procedure questions
- Tax account help after ownership changes
How to Search Ada County Deed and Recorded Land Records
Ada County’s property-record text says the online search tool can be used by instrument number, party information, or parcel number when available. Use the most exact search key you have, then contact the Recorder if a document image is blocked online.
Start With the Ada County Property Records Page
Open the Ada County Clerk property records page and use the official property-record search route. If you are only trying to identify the current parcel first, use the Ada County Assessor property lookup, then bring the parcel or instrument detail back to the Recorder search.
Search by Instrument Number When You Have It
This is usually the cleanest search. Instrument numbers appear on recorded documents, assessor deed references, closing papers, older title commitments and some mortgage or reconveyance references.
Search by Party Name for Grantor or Grantee Research
If you do not have an instrument number, search names connected to the transaction. Try last name first, business entity names, trust names, prior owners, and spelling variations when a direct search does not return the expected result.
Use Parcel Number When the Portal Supports It
Ada’s record text says parcel-number searches are available when the data exists. If the Recorder search does not return a document by parcel, find the parcel first in the assessor system and then use owner names, deed references or dates.
Check Whether the Document Image Is Blocked Online
Ada’s published property-record text says some document types are blocked from online viewing or downloading, including deeds, liens, affidavits regarding trusts, affidavits in lieu of probate, reconveyances, powers of attorney and several other categories.
Order a Copy or Certified Copy When You Need Proof
An online index result is helpful for research, but many legal, closing, estate, lending and court situations require a copy of the recorded instrument. Ask for a certified copy if the receiving party specifically requires certification.
How to Record a Deed With the Ada County Recorder
Recording is not the same as drafting a legally correct deed. The Recorder can receive and record documents that meet recording requirements, but staff cannot act as your attorney, choose the correct deed type, guarantee title, or fix a bad legal description.
Before You Submit
- Confirm the property is in Ada County.
- Use the correct deed or instrument type.
- Include a complete legal description, not only a street address.
- Make sure the signer has legal authority to sign.
- Get required acknowledgment / notarization before recording.
- Bring or send the correct recording fee.
Do Not Assume the Recorder Will
- Prepare a deed for you.
- Tell you whether to use warranty, quitclaim or trustee deed.
- Decide whether a transfer is tax-safe or estate-safe.
- Verify that your title is clear.
- Correct an incorrect legal description after recording.
- Remove a lien without a proper release or court order.
Ada County Recorder Fees for Deeds, Copies, Plats and Searches
Ada County’s published property-record fee text uses Idaho’s predictable-fee structure for several common document types. Verify the final fee with the Recorder before mailing a document, because page count, cover-sheet needs, document type and card convenience fees can change the amount due.
| Recorder Item | Published Fee / Rule | What It Covers | What to Check Before Filing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deeds | $15.00 for deed documents transferring or affecting ownership when within the predictable-fee page limit. | Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee deeds, tax deeds, probate deeds, decree of distribution and similar title-transfer documents. | Confirm document type, legal description, notary acknowledgment and whether any cover sheet is needed. |
| Deed of Trust / Mortgage | $45.00 for deed of trust or mortgage documents within the predictable-fee limit. | Trust deeds, mortgages and related security instruments. | Check if the document exceeds 30 pages; extra pages may add $3.00 per page. |
| Reconveyance / Release | $15.00 for deed of reconveyance, including partial reconveyance. | Documents showing a mortgage or deed of trust has been released or reconveyed. | Use the original loan/trust deed reference so the release can be indexed correctly. |
| Substitution of Trustee | $10.00. | Recorded instrument changing the trustee under a deed of trust. | Verify authority, trust deed reference and correct property legal description. |
| Power of Attorney | $25.00. | Power of attorney instruments recorded for property or other official purposes. | Online viewing may be restricted; ask the Recorder about copy access. |
| Other recorded documents | $10.00 first page plus $3.00 each additional page. | Documents that do not fall under the predictable-fee categories. | Ask whether the document supports a recording label or needs a cover sheet. |
| Copies | $1.00 per page. | Plain copies of recorded documents. | Provide instrument number, party name, date or parcel detail to help staff locate the correct record. |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per document certification, plus copy charges where applicable. | Recorder certification attached to a copy for official use. | Ask the receiving agency whether certification is required before paying for it. |
| Plat and survey items | Published fee text lists separate plat and survey charges. | Subdivision plats, surveys and related recorded mapping documents. | Large-format, plat/survey and special-format filings should be verified with the Recorder before submission. |
Ada County Recorder Fee Estimator
This tool is only an estimate. The Recorder decides the final fee based on document type, page count, cover-sheet needs, format and current Idaho/Ada County rules.
Predictable-fee estimates use the published 30-page threshold. Other documents use $10 first page plus $3 additional pages. Copy estimates use $1 per page, and certified-copy estimates add $1 certification per document.
Ada County Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer
Deeds, parcel records and property taxes are related, but they are not handled by one database or one counter. Use this section to route your question correctly.
Ada County Recorder
Best for: recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, certified copies, recording fees, document image access and instrument-number searches.
Office: 200 W Front Street, Room 1207, Boise, ID 83702
Phone: 208-287-6840
Email: recorders@adacounty.id.gov
Ada County Assessor
Best for: parcel lookup, current ownership display, assessed value, property characteristics, land records/GIS and assessment questions.
Office: 190 E Front Street, Suite 107, Boise, ID 83702
Phone: 208-287-7200
Land Records: 208-287-7262
Ada County Treasurer
Best for: tax bills, payments, receipts, balances, delinquent tax questions and tax-deed procedure questions.
Office: 200 W Front Street, Boise, ID 83702
Phone: 208-287-6800
Email: taxinfo@adacounty.id.gov
How to Read an Ada County Recorded Document Result
A recorder search result is an index entry pointing to a recorded legal instrument. It is not a title insurance policy and it may not show every practical issue affecting the property.
| Field You May See | What It Means | Why It Matters | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument number | The Recorder’s unique recording number for the document. | Best identifier for requesting copies, certified copies or related releases. | Using only the street address when asking for a copy. |
| Recording date | The date the document was officially recorded. | Helps establish recording priority and timeline. | Assuming recording date is always the same as signing or closing date. |
| Document type | Deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien, plat, survey or another instrument type. | Shows what kind of legal event was recorded. | Treating a mortgage/deed of trust as proof that ownership transferred. |
| Grantor / grantee or party names | Names connected to the recorded instrument. | Useful for chain-of-title, lender, release, lien or estate research. | Assuming every named person is the current owner. |
| Legal description | The formal property description used in the document. | More legally important than a mailing address or situs address. | Submitting a deed with only a street address and no valid legal description. |
| Parcel number | Assessor parcel reference, when available in the index. | Connects the recorded document to the assessor’s parcel system. | Assuming every older deed is perfectly indexed by parcel number. |
Ada County Recorder Office Address, Hours, Phone and Map
The Recorder’s property-record text lists the office at 200 W Front Street, Room 1207, Boise, Idaho 83702, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call before visiting if you need a same-day recording, a certified copy, a restricted online image or a large plat/survey filing.
Ada County Recorder’s Office
Address:
200 W Front Street, Room 1207
Boise, ID 83702
Phone: 208-287-6840
Email for property records: recorders@adacounty.id.gov
Published hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Open Recorder Map ↗Why an Ada County Deed Search May Not Show the Document
Try These Search Fixes
- Search the exact instrument number from the assessor record or closing paper.
- Try grantor and grantee names separately.
- Remove punctuation from business names and trust names.
- Try prior owner names if the current owner search fails.
- Use the assessor parcel number only when the Recorder index supports it.
- Check whether the property is actually in Canyon, Boise, Gem or Owyhee County instead of Ada County.
When to Contact the Recorder
- The index appears but the deed image is blocked.
- You need a certified copy for a lender, court, estate or agency.
- The record is older or not fully digitized.
- You need help locating a deed by party name and approximate recording date.
- You have a plat, survey, lien or trust-related document that may have special access rules.
Official Ada County and Idaho Recorder Links
Each official link below includes exactly what to do after opening it, so the page is useful even before the reader leaves this guide.
Ada County Clerk — Property Records
Use this for Ada County Recorder property ownership documents, recording fees, copy fees, blocked online document categories and the official property-record search route.
- Open the Ada County Clerk property-records page.
- Review the Recorder office location, hours, phone and email.
- Scroll to the recording-fee table before mailing or bringing a document.
- Use the property record search link to search by instrument number, party information or parcel number when available.
- If a deed, lien, trust affidavit, reconveyance or power of attorney image is blocked online, email recorders@adacounty.id.gov for copy help.
Ada County Assessor — Property Search
Use this when you need the current parcel, owner display, assessment record, property characteristics, land records or parcel/GIS reference before pulling the deed.
- Search by address, owner or parcel detail.
- Open the correct property record, not just the first similar address.
- Copy the parcel number, owner name, legal description and deed reference if shown.
- Return to the Recorder’s property-record search if you need the actual recorded deed or lien document.
Ada County Assessor Interactive Maps
Use this for parcel location, approximate boundaries and map-based property research. Assessment maps are not professional surveys.
- Open the Ada Maps viewer.
- Search by parcel, address or map location when supported.
- Use the map to confirm the parcel and neighboring parcels.
- Do not treat the map boundary as a legal survey; pull recorded surveys, plats or consult a surveyor when boundary precision matters.
Ada County Treasurer — Property Taxes
Use this after you need bill, balance, payment, delinquency, receipt or tax-deed information rather than recorded deed information.
- Open the Treasurer page if the issue is taxes due, payments or receipts.
- Use the parcel number or tax account information from the assessor record.
- Contact the Treasurer at 208-287-6800 or taxinfo@adacounty.id.gov for account-specific help.
- If the deed was recently recorded, verify the assessor ownership update before asking the Treasurer to explain an old-owner bill.
Idaho Code 31-3205 — Recorder’s Fees
Use this state law to understand the statutory foundation for Idaho recorder fees, including predictable fees and per-page charges.
- Open Idaho Code section 31-3205.
- Compare the statute with Ada County’s current local fee table.
- Check whether your document is a predictable-fee document or another per-page document.
- Call the Recorder before relying on a calculated fee for large, unusual or multi-instrument documents.
Idaho Code 55-805 — Acknowledgment Necessary to Authorize Recording
Use this when you need to understand why deeds and other instruments generally require proper acknowledgment before recording.
- Open the acknowledgment statute.
- Confirm that the instrument is signed by the correct person or authorized representative.
- Make sure the notary/acknowledgment certificate is attached or included where required.
- Use a qualified Idaho real-estate attorney or title professional for legal drafting questions.
Idaho State Tax Commission — Contacting Property Tax
Use this to confirm statewide routing: county assessor for assessed value, county treasurer for tax bills, and Tax Commission for property-tax administration oversight.
- Open the Idaho Tax Commission contact page.
- Use the county assessor link for value or parcel questions.
- Use the county treasurer link for bill or payment questions.
- Do not ask the State Tax Commission for a copy of an Ada County deed; deed copies belong with the county Recorder.
Ada County Recorder Mistakes That Delay Deed and Records Work
Avoid These
- Searching only the current owner when the deed is indexed under a prior owner.
- Assuming a parcel summary is the same as a recorded deed.
- Trying to record a deed with no legal description.
- Forgetting acknowledgment or notarization.
- Mailing a recording without confirming the fee.
- Assuming blocked online images mean the document is not public.
- Using the Recorder for tax payment questions.
- Using the Assessor map as a boundary survey.
Do This Instead
- Search instrument number first when available.
- Save the recording date and document type.
- Email recorders@adacounty.id.gov when a blocked image is needed.
- Use the assessor parcel lookup to gather parcel details.
- Call 208-287-6840 before unusual recordings.
- Ask for certified copies only when the recipient requires them.
- Use a title company or attorney for title-clearing questions.
- Keep a copy of every recorded instrument confirmation.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of your deed. | Search by instrument number, party name or parcel number if available; contact the Recorder if the deed image is blocked online. | Ada County Recorder |
| You want to record a new quitclaim or warranty deed. | Make sure the deed is legally drafted, signed, acknowledged and includes a full legal description before submitting it with the proper fee. | Ada County Recorder; legal/title professional for drafting |
| The property owner name is wrong on the parcel record. | Confirm the deed was recorded, then ask the Assessor about ownership update timing or correction. | Ada County Assessor |
| Your tax bill still shows an old owner or wrong mailing issue. | Check the assessor record first, then contact the Treasurer with parcel/tax account details. | Ada County Assessor, then Treasurer |
| You need to know whether a lien, mortgage or deed of trust is still active. | Search for the original document and any release, reconveyance, satisfaction or court order. Do not assume the absence of one result clears title. | Ada County Recorder; title company or attorney for title opinion |
Ada County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Ada County Recorder located?
The Ada County Recorder’s Office is listed at 200 W Front Street, Room 1207, Boise, Idaho 83702. The published phone number is 208-287-6840, and the property-records email is recorders@adacounty.id.gov.
What records does the Ada County Recorder keep?
The Recorder maintains recorded land and property documents such as deeds, mortgages or deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, plats, surveys, powers of attorney and other recorded instruments affecting real property in Ada County.
Can I search Ada County deed records online?
Yes. Ada County’s property-record text says documents can be searched by instrument number, party information or parcel number when available. Some document images may be blocked from online viewing or downloading, so you may need to contact the Recorder directly for copies.
Why can I see an index but not download the deed image?
Ada’s property-record text says certain document types are currently blocked from online viewing or downloading. The list includes deeds, liens, affidavits regarding trusts, affidavits in lieu of probate, reconveyances, powers of attorney and other sensitive or restricted categories. Email recorders@adacounty.id.gov for copy help.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Ada County?
Ada’s published fee text lists deeds at $15.00 when the predictable-fee document is 30 pages or fewer. Documents exceeding 30 pages may add $3.00 per additional page. Always verify the final fee with the Recorder before submitting.
How much are Ada County recorded document copies?
Ada’s published property-record fee text lists copies at $1.00 per page and certification at $1.00 per document. A certified copy may be needed for courts, lenders, estate matters or government agencies.
Does the Ada County Recorder provide blank deed forms?
Ada County’s property-record text says the Recorder’s Office does not carry blank documents for recording purposes. Staff may provide notary services for documents submitted for recording, but they cannot choose the correct deed form or provide legal advice.
Is a deed search the same as an Ada County property search?
No. A deed search looks for recorded legal instruments in the Recorder’s system. An Ada County property search through the Assessor shows parcel, owner, value, land records and assessment information. For title history, use both systems together.
Who handles Ada County property tax bills?
The Ada County Treasurer handles property-tax bills, payments, receipts and delinquent tax matters. The Idaho State Tax Commission also explains that assessed-value questions go to the county assessor while tax-bill questions go to the county treasurer.
Is this website the Ada County Recorder?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational resource. It is not the Ada County Recorder, Ada County Clerk, Ada County Assessor, Ada County Treasurer, Idaho State Tax Commission, a title company, a law firm or a consumer reporting agency.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with Ada County, the Ada County Clerk/Auditor/Recorder, the Ada County Assessor, the Ada County Treasurer, the Idaho State Tax Commission, any title company or any law firm.
Recording acceptance, document indexing, image access, certified-copy issuance, recording fees, title status, tax-bill balances and legal effects are determined by the responsible official office, Idaho law and the recorded documents themselves. This page is not legal, tax or title advice.
Property-owner and recorded-document data 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.