Knox County OH Recorder: Search Deeds, Record Documents & Find the Mount Vernon Office
The Knox County Recorder in Ohio is the county office for recording and maintaining land records such as deeds, mortgages, leases, liens, powers of attorney, plats, UCC-related filings, military discharges and other public instruments recorded in Knox County.
This guide explains how to search Knox County deed records online, when to use the Auditor or Tax Map office first, what Ohio recording standards require, how deed transfers connect to the Auditor’s conveyance process, and where to go in Mount Vernon for Recorder help.
What Does the Knox County Ohio Recorder Do?
The Knox County Recorder keeps the county’s permanent land-record system. Use this office when you need a recorded deed, mortgage, lien, lease, power of attorney, plat, UCC filing, military discharge record, historical index book, or help understanding whether a document has been recorded in Knox County.
Use the Recorder For
- Recorded deeds and deed copies.
- Mortgages, liens, releases and assignments.
- Plats, maps, easements and restrictions.
- Power of attorney, fiduciary and miscellaneous records.
- Military discharge recording and historical index research.
Use the Auditor For
- Real estate search by address, owner or parcel.
- Assessed value, taxable value and property characteristics.
- Homestead, owner occupancy, CAUV and exemption forms.
- DTE 100 conveyance forms and transfer review.
- Board of Revision value complaints.
Use the Treasurer For
- Real-estate tax bills and payment status.
- Tax receipts and payment history.
- Current and delinquent tax questions.
- Mailing-address questions shown on tax bills.
- Online tax-payment help.
How to Search Knox County Ohio Recorder Records Online
Knox County’s online Recorder search interface includes Index Search, Image Search and Vault Indexes. It also displays document categories such as Deeds, Mortgages, Leases, Liens, Fiduciary, Power of Attorney, Partnerships, Military Discharges, Miscellaneous, Plats and UCCs.
Use the Recorder Index Search When You Know a Name or Document Type
Start with the party name that appears on the recorded document: grantor, grantee, borrower, lender, trustee, company, trust, estate, prior owner or current owner. Use date filters carefully because a deed may be signed before it is recorded.
Open Recorder Index Search ↗Use the Auditor First When You Only Know the Address
If you do not know the owner name or parcel number, use the Knox County Auditor’s real estate search first. The Auditor’s site links real-estate search, GIS/tax map, forms, tax rates, homestead and Board of Revision resources.
Open Auditor Site ↗Confirm the Property Is in Knox County, Ohio
Postal addresses near county lines can be confusing. Use the Auditor real-estate search or GIS/tax map first if you only have a street address in Mount Vernon, Centerburg, Fredericktown, Danville, Gambier, Apple Valley or a township area.
Search the Recorder by Party Name
Recorder indexes usually rely on names shown in the document. Try the current owner, former owner, spouse, trust, LLC, estate, lender or trustee name. For older documents, a direct and reverse index may be more useful than a modern address-style search.
Choose the Right Document Category
A deed usually transfers ownership. A mortgage or lien usually affects the property as security or a claim. A release may show that a prior mortgage or lien was released. A plat or map can help describe subdivision or boundary information.
Use Image Search or Vault Indexes for Older Material
Historical and vault-style index books often require a different research method. Search the index book first, identify the book/page or image reference, then open the related image. Do not assume older records will search cleanly by modern address.
Save the Instrument Reference
When you find the right record, save the recording date, document type, book/page, instrument number, party names and image. These details make copy requests faster and help the Auditor, Treasurer or attorney understand the record you are discussing.
How to Get a Copy of a Knox County Ohio Deed
For a recorded deed or other Recorder document, contact the Knox County Recorder’s Office with as much detail as possible: owner name, prior owner name, property address, parcel number, approximate recording date, document type, book/page or instrument number.
Request Through the Recorder
The county lists the Recorder’s Office at 117 East High Street, Suite 114, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050, with public hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Call 740-393-6755 before visiting if you need a certified copy.
- Bring the document reference if you found it online.
- Ask whether a mailed request needs a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Use the Records Center for Specific Historical Requests
Knox County’s Records Center page says the county office cannot complete family searches and can only answer specific requests. It asks requesters to send as much information as possible with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Best for targeted historical or archive-style requests.
- Not designed for broad genealogy research by staff.
- Processing time can vary depending on the number of documents requested.
How to Record a Deed or Real-Estate Document in Knox County Ohio
Recording a deed in Ohio usually involves more than taking a signed document to the Recorder. Many transfers also require Auditor review, DTE conveyance forms, a permanent parcel number, prior deed reference, and Tax Map or Map Department review when the legal description or split is involved.
Prepare the Correct Ohio Document
Common recorded real-estate documents include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, survivorship deeds, transfer-on-death affidavits, mortgages, releases, easements, land contracts and affidavits. The Recorder records documents but does not provide legal advice about which document fits your situation.
Follow Ohio Standard Document Formatting
Ohio recording standards generally require legible print of at least 10-point font, paper from 8.5 by 11 inches up to 8.5 by 14 inches, black or blue ink, no highlighting, one-inch side and bottom margins, a three-inch blank top margin on the first page, and a 1.5-inch top margin on later pages.
Include Parcel Number and Prior Deed Reference
Knox County transfer standards state that all deeds submitted for transfer must include the correct permanent parcel number and prior deed reference with the description. Save-and-except language should also include parcel numbers and deed references.
Use the Auditor’s Conveyance Forms When Required
The Knox County Auditor forms page lists DTE 100 for Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement of Value and Receipt, DTE 100(EX) for exemption from real property conveyance fee, DTE 101 for conveyance of homestead property, and DTE 102 for CAUV property.
Get Split or Legal-Description Review Before Mailing
Knox County’s transfer standards say deeds for split parcels must include parent-parcel identification numbers and acreage and be accompanied by the Proposed Division of Valuation on Split Acreage form. The standards also recommend electronic pre-approval by the Map Department, Auditor and Recorder before mailing documents to be recorded.
Pay Recording Fees and Verify Return Instructions
Ohio recording fees are set by statute, and county-specific totals may include surcharges and special fees. Before mailing, confirm the amount with the Knox County Recorder or the current fee page, and include clear return instructions.
Check the Recorded Result
After the document is accepted, search the Recorder index to confirm the instrument appears with the right party names and image. Then check the Auditor record later if the document changes ownership, mailing address, parcel split or exemption status.
Knox County Recorder Fees: What to Check Before Recording
Ohio recorder fees are largely controlled by Ohio Revised Code section 317.32, while document-format nonconformance rules are addressed in section 317.114. Use the official Knox County Recorder or fee resources for the final amount before mailing or submitting a document.
| Fee / Cost Item | Planning Rule | When It Matters | What to Verify Locally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic recording fee | Ohio law lists $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page for many recorder instruments. | Common deed, mortgage, easement, land contract, affidavit and similar recordings. | Ask Knox County whether a document preservation surcharge or special category changes your total. |
| Document preservation surcharge | Ohio law allows a document preservation surcharge of up to $5 for qualifying recording work. | Most useful to verify before mailing payment. | Confirm the current Knox County fee total rather than relying only on a statewide example. |
| Nonstandard document fee | Ohio standardization rules allow an additional $20 fee for documents that do not conform to standard formatting requirements. | Documents with wrong margins, font size, paper size, ink, highlighting or first-page space. | Fix formatting before submitting instead of planning to pay a nonconforming fee. |
| Conveyance fee | The Knox County Auditor site states the conveyance fee is currently $3 per $1,000 of sale price. | Real-estate transfers where a conveyance fee applies. | Use DTE 100 or DTE 100(EX) as instructed by the Auditor and confirm exemptions before filing. |
| Split parcel review | Split deeds may require a Proposed Division of Valuation on Split Acreage form and map/auditor/recorder pre-approval. | Deeds splitting land or using save-and-except descriptions. | Email or contact the Map Department/Auditor/Recorder for pre-approval before mailing documents. |
| Copy costs | Copy and certification costs depend on the record type and office process. | When ordering certified or non-certified copies of recorded documents. | Call the Recorder before ordering if the online image does not meet your needs. |
Simple Ohio Recorder Fee Estimator
This tool estimates common Ohio recorder base fees. It does not replace Knox County’s current cashier calculation, conveyance review, mortgage-related tax, special-record category, plat/map fees or document-specific review.
Enter details above to estimate common recording and conveyance cost items.
Knox County Recorder Ohio Address, Phone, Hours and Map
The Recorder, Auditor, Tax Map/GIS office and Treasurer are all located around Knox County’s East High Street government offices in Mount Vernon, but each office handles a different part of the property-record workflow.
Knox County Recorder’s Office
Address:
117 East High Street, Suite 114
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Phone: 740-393-6755
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; closed weekends and holidays.
County page lists: Tara Stiltner, Recorder.
Best for: deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, recorded images, index books, copy questions and document-recording questions.
Open Recorder Map ↗Knox County Auditor
Address: 117 East High Street, Suite 120, Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Main phone: 740-393-6750
Real estate: 740-393-6745
Use for: real-estate search, parcel value, transfer forms, homestead, CAUV, owner occupancy and Board of Revision questions.
Tax Map & GIS
Address: 117 East High Street, Suite 131, Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Phone: 740-393-6754
Use for: parcel maps, tax-map questions, legal-description review, split questions and GIS mapping support.
Knox County Treasurer
Address: 117 East High Street, Suite 103, Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Phone: 740-393-6735
Use for: real-estate tax bills, payment status, receipts, tax collection and tax-payment questions.
Official Knox County Recorder and Property Record Links
Use these official or county-linked resources to complete the actual deed or property-record task. Each link includes what to do after opening it.
Knox County Recorder / Records Center Page
Official county page listing Recorder office location, phone, public hours, Records Center request guidance and copy-related archive information.
- Confirm the office address and public hours before visiting.
- Use the Recorder phone number for deed, mortgage, lien, plat or copy questions.
- For historical Records Center requests, send specific details rather than broad family-search requests.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope when the Records Center instructions require one.
Knox County Recorder Online Index Search
County-linked search interface with Index Search, Image Search and Vault Indexes for Knox County recorded-document research.
- Open Index Search for party-name and document-type searching.
- Use Image Search when you already have a document image or book/page-style reference.
- Use Vault Indexes or historical index tools for older records that may not behave like modern indexed records.
- Save the recording date, book/page and instrument number before requesting a copy.
Knox County Recorder Files and Resources
Official page for subdivision plat resources, township zoning resolutions, historical deceased-veterans indexes and other Recorder resource files.
- Use the subdivision plat list if you are researching Apple Valley, Mount Vernon, Centerburg, Danville, Fredericktown, Gambier or township plats.
- Use the zoning resolution links only as a starting point; verify current zoning with the township or county planning office.
- Use the historical veteran index links for specific veteran-record research.
- Contact the Recorder if the resource page does not contain the document series you need.
Knox County Auditor Real Estate Search
Official Auditor site for parcel, owner, value, tax-rate, homestead, owner occupancy, Board of Revision and real-property forms.
- Choose Real Estate Search from the Auditor site menu.
- Search by owner name, address or parcel number.
- Use the parcel number and owner details to support your Recorder search.
- Use the Auditor, not the Recorder, for assessed-value, homestead, owner-occupancy or Board of Revision questions.
Knox County Auditor Forms
Official forms page for DTE 100, DTE 100(EX), DTE 101, DTE 102, Board of Revision forms, homestead and owner-occupancy forms.
- Use DTE 100 for Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement of Value and Receipt when required.
- Use DTE 100(EX) when claiming a real-property conveyance-fee exemption.
- Use DTE 101 when the transfer involves homestead property where required.
- Use DTE 102 when the transfer involves CAUV property where required.
Knox County Transfer Standards PDF
Official county transfer-standard document for parcel numbers, prior deed references, split parcels and pre-approval guidance.
- Review the deed-transfer rules before preparing a deed for recording.
- Confirm the permanent parcel number and prior deed reference are included.
- For split parcels, confirm parent parcel numbers, acreage and the Proposed Division of Valuation on Split Acreage form.
- Email or contact the Map Department, Auditor and Recorder for pre-approval when the standards recommend it.
Knox County Tax Map & GIS
Official county page for tax map and GIS questions, located with the Auditor and Recorder offices on the first floor of the Knox County Service Center.
- Use this office for parcel-map and tax-map questions.
- Ask about survey, split or legal-description issues before recording a deed that changes parcel boundaries.
- Use GIS to verify parcel location before ordering a deed copy.
- Contact the Recorder only after you know the document you need or are ready to record.
Ohio Revised Code 317.32 and 317.114
State law pages for county recorder fees and standard document-format rules.
- Use ORC 317.32 to understand the statewide recorder fee framework.
- Use ORC 317.114 to check font, paper, ink, margin and first-page formatting rules.
- Do not rely only on statewide law for the final payment; ask Knox County for the current local total.
- Fix nonstandard formatting before filing when possible.
Avoid These Knox County Ohio Deed Record Mistakes
Mistakes That Delay Recording or Research
- Searching deed records by modern address only instead of owner or party name.
- Confusing the Recorder with the Auditor, Treasurer or Tax Map office.
- Submitting a deed without the permanent parcel number or prior deed reference.
- Using DTE 100(EX) without confirming that the transfer is actually exempt.
- Mailing a transfer deed before Auditor or Map Department review when a split is involved.
- Ignoring Ohio margin, ink, font and first-page formatting rules.
- Assuming recording a deed proves the document was legally drafted correctly.
Better Local Workflow
- Use the Auditor’s real-estate search first if you only know the property address.
- Use the Recorder index for deeds, mortgages, liens, plats and recorded instruments.
- Save book/page or instrument details before requesting copies.
- Check DTE conveyance forms before transferring property.
- Use Tax Map/GIS before recording split or legal-description changes.
- Confirm final fees before mailing payment.
- Review the recorded image after filing.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need to find a deed, mortgage, lien, release, plat or UCC-related record. | Use the Knox County Recorder online Index Search, Image Search or Vault Indexes and save the document reference. | Recorder Index Search |
| You only know the property address. | Search the Knox County Auditor first to confirm owner, parcel number, property class and tax-map details. | Knox County Auditor |
| You need to record a new deed. | Prepare the deed, verify Ohio format standards, complete Auditor transfer forms, confirm parcel/prior deed references, and check fees. | Auditor + Tax Map/GIS + Recorder |
| You are splitting land or changing parcel boundaries. | Review Knox County Transfer Standards and contact the Map Department/Auditor/Recorder for pre-approval before mailing documents. | Tax Map/GIS + Auditor + Recorder |
| Your tax bill or payment is the problem. | Contact the Treasurer. The Recorder does not collect real-estate taxes. | Knox County Treasurer |
| Your assessed value or owner record is wrong. | Contact the Auditor and review property-record correction or Board of Revision options. | Knox County Auditor |
Knox County OH Recorder FAQs
Where is the Knox County Ohio Recorder located?
The Knox County Recorder’s Office is listed at 117 East High Street, Suite 114, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. The office phone is 740-393-6755, and the public hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What records can I search through the Knox County Recorder?
The online Recorder interface shows categories such as Deeds, Mortgages, Leases, Liens, Fiduciary, Power of Attorney, Partnerships, Military Discharges, Miscellaneous, Plats and UCCs. Availability and indexing can vary by record period and document type.
How do I search Knox County deed records online?
Open the Knox County Recorder online search interface and use Index Search, Image Search or Vault Indexes. Start with the grantor, grantee, owner, former owner, trust, company or lender name, and widen the recording-date range if needed.
Should I use the Recorder or Auditor if I only know the property address?
Use the Knox County Auditor’s real-estate search first if you only know the address. The Auditor record can help you identify the owner, parcel number and property details before you search Recorder documents.
Can the Knox County Recorder change the name on my deed?
The Recorder records documents; it does not simply edit an old deed to change ownership. A name change or ownership change usually requires a new or related legal document to be prepared, signed, acknowledged, transferred through the required county process and recorded.
What form is used for a Knox County Ohio real-estate transfer?
The Knox County Auditor forms page lists DTE 100 for Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement of Value and Receipt and DTE 100(EX) for Statement of Reason for Exemption from Real Property Conveyance Fee. Transfers involving homestead or CAUV property may require additional DTE forms.
What formatting rules apply to Ohio recording documents?
Ohio standard-format rules generally require legible 10-point or larger print, paper between 8.5 by 11 inches and 8.5 by 14 inches, 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 later pages.
What happens if my Ohio recording document does not meet standard formatting?
Ohio law allows county recorders to accept some nonconforming documents but charge an additional nonstandard-format fee. It is still better to fix formatting before submitting because a document may also have legal-description, acknowledgment, transfer or fee problems beyond formatting.
Who handles Knox County Ohio tax bills?
The Knox County Treasurer handles real-estate tax bills and payments. The Auditor’s Q&A explains that tax bills are mailed and collected by the Treasurer’s Office. Use the Recorder only for recorded documents, not tax payment questions.
Is this website the Knox County Recorder?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational resource. It is not the Knox County Recorder, Knox County Government, Knox County Auditor, Knox County Treasurer, Tax Map/GIS office, a law firm, title company or consumer reporting agency.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Knox County Recorder, Knox County Government, Knox County Auditor, Knox County Treasurer, Tax Map/GIS office, Ohio Recorders’ Association, Ohio Legislative Service Commission, or any Ohio court or agency.
Recording acceptance, transfer approval, document sufficiency, legal title, recording fees, conveyance fees, parcel splits, tax consequences and copy certification are determined by official offices, Ohio law, courts and qualified professionals. This page is not legal, title, financial or tax advice.
Property-owner 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.