Madison County IL Recorder Office: Address, Deed Records, Copies, Search & Recording Help
The Madison County Recorder Office in Edwardsville records, indexes and maintains land records for Madison County, Illinois. The office handles documents transferring land and related instruments such as deeds, mortgages, liens, trusts, easements, plats, UCC filings and DD-214 military discharge documents.
Use this guide to find the Recorder office address, search Madison County land records, request deed copies, understand Direct Search, Laredo and Tapestry options, avoid common document rejections, and separate Recorder questions from assessment, tax-bill and court-record questions.
Where Is the Madison County Recorder Office in Illinois?
The Madison County Recorder’s Office is in the Madison County Administration Building, 157 N. Main St., Suite 211, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Use this office for recorded land documents and copy requests. Use the Chief County Assessment Office for assessed value and property-tax assessment records, and use the Treasurer for property-tax bills and payments.
Recorder Office
Best for deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, releases, easements, UCC filings, DD-214 recordings, land-record copies, recording fees and Recorder document questions.
Main contact: 618-296-4475 or recorder@madisoncountyil.gov.
Chief County Assessment
Best for real estate assessment lookup, assessment records, parcel details, exemptions, assessment changes, township assessor issues and Board of Review questions.
Use when: the issue is value or tax assessment, not a recorded deed image.
Treasurer
Best for property-tax bills, tax payment records, refunds, tax-sale payment issues and county collector questions after values and ownership have been processed.
Use when: the question is payment, not recording.
How to Search Madison County IL Deeds and Land Records
Madison County lists three main land-record access paths from the Recorder’s Land Records Search page: Madison County Real Estate Assessment Information Look-up, Land Records Direct Search, and Tapestry. Choose the tool based on whether you need parcel context, quick document-index data, subscriber access or pay-per-search copies.
Start With the Official Recorder Land Records Search Page
Begin on Madison County’s Recorder Land Records Search page so you do not accidentally use a third-party people-search site. The official county page links the county assessment lookup, land-record direct search, Laredo access and Tapestry.
Use Assessment Lookup When You Only Have an Address
Recorder indexes are usually stronger by name, document number, book/page or reference number. If you only have a street address in Edwardsville, Alton, Granite City, Collinsville, Troy, Highland, Wood River or another Madison County community, first use real estate assessment lookup or GIS to identify the parcel and owner context.
Use Direct Search for a Faster Document-Index Check
Direct Search is the county-linked land-record search option. It is useful when you already have a party name, document number, date range or other recording clue and want to start with county-linked public index access.
Use Laredo for Regular Professional Searching
Laredo is commonly used by title companies, surveyors, attorneys, lenders and frequent searchers. Madison County publishes a dedicated Laredo information phone number: 618-296-4467.
Use Tapestry for Pay-As-You-Go Records
Madison County copy guidance points users to Tapestry for online access, especially for documents recorded after 1984. Use this route when you need online document access but do not have a subscription workflow.
Save the Reference Number Before Requesting Copies
Madison County specifically asks copy requesters to have reference numbers ready because the Recorder does not perform title searches. Save the document number, book/page, recording date, party names and document type before emailing or visiting.
Use a Title Professional When You Need Chain-of-Title Work
If you need a full chain-of-title search, legal ownership conclusion, lien priority review, probate review, boundary answer, fraud analysis or closing-level title work, contact an Illinois attorney or title company.
What Madison County Recorder Records Can Show
Madison County’s Recorder documents page lists many record types. Use this decoder to understand which record is useful for which problem.
| Record Type | What It May Show | Best Use | Do Not Assume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deed / Quit Claim Deed / Deed in Trust | Grantor, grantee, legal description, recording date and transfer-related information. | Finding a sale, family transfer, trust transfer or ownership-change document. | That the deed proves clean title or resolves every legal issue. |
| Mortgage / Release of Mortgage | Borrower, lender, recorded mortgage instrument and later satisfaction or release document. | Checking whether a mortgage has a matching recorded release. | That a loan payoff is reflected unless the release is actually recorded. |
| Mechanic’s Lien / Federal Tax Lien / State Tax Lien | Claimant or government lien filing, release, partial release or related notice. | Identifying possible encumbrances that may affect sale or refinancing. | That the lien is valid, expired, paid or enforceable without legal review. |
| Plat / Plat of Survey / Monument Record | Subdivision, survey-related, monument or legal-description context. | Understanding lot, block, subdivision or survey references. | That a recorded plat replaces a current boundary survey. |
| Lis Pendens / Memorandum of Judgment | Notice of litigation or judgment-related recording that may affect property. | Checking whether litigation or a judgment has been recorded against property or a party. | That court status is current without checking Circuit Clerk records. |
| UCC / Financing Statement / Fixture Filing | Personal-property or fixture-related secured transaction records. | Researching recorded financing statements and fixture filings. | That all UCC records are real-estate title records; verify the record type carefully. |
| Military Discharge / DD-214 | Veteran discharge document recorded for safekeeping and future certified-copy access. | Replacing recorded discharge papers or preserving a veteran document. | That these records are handled like ordinary public land records; privacy rules can apply. |
How to Request Madison County Recorder Copies
Madison County Recorder copy guidance emphasizes one practical point: have the reference number ready. The office says it does not do title searches, so a clean copy request should identify the exact document.
Email Copy Request
For copy requests, Madison County lists recordercopies@madisoncountyil.gov. Include reference number, document type, party names, recording date and your contact information.
County-published copy note: $2 per page to email copies.
Mail Copy Request
Mail copy requests to the Recorder at 157 N. Main St., Suite 211, Edwardsville, IL 62025. Payment is required before fulfillment, so verify the current amount before mailing.
County-published copy note: $1 per page for mail copies.
In-Person Vault Research
County copy guidance says title companies and surveyors are welcome without appointment during the public vault window, while other patrons use an appointment window. Confirm the current vault process before going.
Best for: older documents, uncertain references and hands-on research.
Madison County Recorder Copy Cost Estimator
This calculator estimates simple per-page copy charges using the Recorder page’s public copy note: $1 per page for mail or $2 per page to email. It does not estimate certified-copy charges, recording fees, online vendor fees, title-company fees, postage, card fees or legal costs.
Always verify the current copy amount, certified-copy charge and payment method with the Recorder before mailing a request. Have document reference numbers ready because the Recorder does not perform title searches.
Recording a Deed or Land Document in Madison County
Recording requirements depend on the document type. Madison County’s Recorder pages link the fee schedule, document requirements, top rejection reasons and margin guidelines. Review them before mailing, walking in or eRecording.
Margin and Paper Rules
Madison County margin guidance says standard paper is 8.5 × 11 inches. Documents must contain a 3 × 5 blank space in the top-right corner for Recorder use, use white paper, keep ½-inch margins and use type no smaller than 10 point.
Common Rejection Problems
County rejection guidance flags incorrect recording fees, incomplete legal description, missing or incomplete permanent parcel number, missing Plat Act Affidavit, missing prepared-by/return-to/future-tax information and incorrect margins.
eRecording
Madison County says eRecording automates document examination, fee collection, image retention and data processing. The county lists vendors including ePN, CSC, Simplifile, Indecomm Global and Hopdox.
Madison County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours & Map
The Recorder is located in the Madison County Administration Building in Edwardsville. Call first when you have a time-sensitive recording, need Laredo access help, or are unsure whether a document belongs with the Recorder, Assessment Office, Treasurer or Circuit Clerk.
Madison County Recorder’s Office
Physical / mailing address:
157 N. Main St., Suite 211
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Main phone: 618-296-4475
Alternate phone: 618-296-4775
Laredo information: 618-296-4467
Email: recorder@madisoncountyil.gov
Copy requests: recordercopies@madisoncountyil.gov
Published hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm, except county holidays.
Open Recorder Map ↗Madison County Recorder vs Assessment Office vs Treasurer vs Circuit Clerk
Madison County real-estate tasks often involve more than one office. Use this table so the user starts in the correct place.
| Your Task | Correct Office | Why | What to Have Ready |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find a deed, mortgage, lien, easement, release or plat. | Madison County Recorder | The Recorder records, indexes and maintains land records and related instruments. | Reference number, party name, document type, recording date, book/page, legal description or parcel number. |
| Request a recorded document copy. | Madison County Recorder | The Recorder provides document copies, but asks users to supply reference numbers because staff do not perform title searches. | Document reference, delivery method, page count if known, contact information and payment readiness. |
| Record a deed or property-transfer document. | Madison County Recorder | The Recorder accepts recordable documents that satisfy formatting, fee, parcel, affidavit and indexing requirements. | Original signed/notarized document, legal description, parcel number, Plat Act Affidavit if required, return-to and future-tax details. |
| Check assessed value, property class, exemptions or assessment records. | Chief County Assessment Office | Assessment records and valuation issues are separate from recorded deed images. | Property address, parcel number, owner name, assessment notice or exemption documents. |
| Pay or verify a property-tax bill. | Madison County Treasurer | The Treasurer handles collection, receipts, tax payment and tax-bill questions. | Tax bill, PIN, payment receipt, owner name or parcel details. |
| Search lawsuits, judgments or court filings. | Circuit Clerk | Court records are not the same as Recorder land records, even if a judgment may affect real property. | Case number, party name, court division, filing date or judgment details. |
Madison County Property Fraud Alert and Deed Scam Warning
Madison County Recorder pages link to Property Fraud Alert and warn about deed-copy scams. A property alert can help you notice new activity tied to a monitored name, but it does not stop a document from being recorded, prove fraud, guarantee title or replace legal review.
What Alerts Can Help With
- Monitoring a personal, business, trust or family name.
- Reviewing unexpected land-record activity quickly.
- Spotting a possible scam letter or suspicious recording sooner.
- Prompting a follow-up with the Recorder, attorney or title professional.
What Alerts Cannot Do
- They do not prevent recording.
- They do not verify the legal validity of a deed.
- They do not replace a title search.
- They do not give legal advice or title insurance coverage.
Official Madison County IL Recorder and Property Record Links
Use these official resources for live land records, copy requests, recording rules, eRecording, property-tax assessment lookup and tax payment issues. Each link includes what to do after opening it.
Madison County Recorder Home
Official Recorder page for the office overview, land-record history, contact information, deed-scam note and copy request guidance.
- Confirm you are on the Madison County, Illinois government website.
- Read the Recorder’s office overview and copy-request note.
- Save the Recorder phone, email and copy email before contacting staff.
- Use the left-side Recorder menu for Land Record Search, Recording Fees, Common Errors and Contact Us.
Madison County Land Records Search
Official county page linking the real estate assessment lookup, Land Records Direct Search, Laredo Access and Tapestry.
- Open the county Land Records Search page.
- If you only know the property address, open the real estate assessment lookup first.
- If you know a party name or document number, try Land Records Direct Search.
- Use Laredo for regular professional searching or Tapestry for internet document access.
Madison County Recorder — Recording Fees
Official page linking the Document Fee Schedule, top rejection reasons, document requirements and fee distribution breakdown.
- Open the Recording Fees page before preparing payment.
- Open the current Document Fee Schedule from that page.
- Check your document class and any non-standard rules.
- Verify the amount again before mailing, eRecording or visiting.
Madison County Recorder — Common Errors
Official page listing common reasons submitted documents are rejected or delayed.
- Compare your document against each listed rejection reason.
- Confirm the legal description is complete.
- Confirm the permanent parcel number is included where required.
- Confirm prepared-by, return-to and future-tax name/address information appears where needed.
Madison County Recorder — Margin Guidelines
Official page for paper size, blank recording space, margins, paper color/weight and type-size rules.
- Check that the paper is standard 8.5 × 11 inches.
- Leave a 3 × 5 blank space in the top-right corner for Recorder use.
- Use white paper, ½-inch margins and at least 10-point type.
- Review the non-standard fee risk before submitting oversized or poorly formatted documents.
Madison County Recorder — eRecording
Official county page for electronic recording and vendor information.
- Use this page if you are a title company, law firm, lender or frequent filer.
- Review the county’s listed eRecording vendor options.
- Confirm document type, fees and rejection rules before submitting electronically.
- Keep your eRecording confirmation for follow-up.
Madison County Recorder — Documents
Official page listing document categories recorded by the Recorder, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, UCC filings and military discharge records.
- Open the Documents page when you are unsure what document type to search.
- Use the list to match deed, lien, mortgage, release, plat, UCC or judgment-related terms.
- Search more than one document type if the transaction could be recorded under a different label.
- Use legal help if you need interpretation of the document’s effect.
Property Fraud Alert
County-linked alert service for monitoring recorded-document activity connected to a name.
- Select Madison County, Illinois if available in the alert system.
- Register the name exactly as it appears on recorded documents.
- Add separate name variations for trusts, businesses, initials or married names.
- Review any alert in the official Recorder records before taking action.
Madison County Chief County Assessment
Official assessment office for property assessment records, values, exemptions and parcel assessment issues.
- Use this office if your issue is assessed value, exemption status or property-tax assessment records.
- Have the parcel number, address and owner name ready.
- Do not ask Assessment staff to record a deed; deed recording belongs to the Recorder.
Madison County Treasurer
Official county office for property-tax bills, payments and County Collector functions.
- Use the Treasurer for tax payment or tax-bill issues.
- Have the property PIN, tax bill or receipt details ready.
- For ownership record mismatch, first confirm the deed was recorded, then contact the correct office.
Illinois Counties Code — Recorder Fee Law
State law source for Illinois recorder predictable-fee framework, copy-fee authority and document recording standards.
- Use the state law link when you need statutory background.
- Search within the page for recorder fee and predictable fee sections.
- Do not rely on statute text alone for final payment; Madison County’s current fee schedule controls local submission planning.
Why a Madison County Deed or Record Search May Show No Results
Empty results often mean the search started with the wrong clue, not that the document does not exist. Try these fixes before assuming the property record is missing.
Common Search Mistakes
- Searching property-tax payment records when you need recorded deeds.
- Using only a street address instead of party name, document number or legal description.
- Ignoring trusts, LLCs, estates, maiden names and previous owners.
- Assuming closing date and recording date are the same day.
- Searching only modern online images when the needed record may be older.
- Expecting Recorder staff to perform a title search.
Better Search Moves
- Try grantor and grantee names separately.
- Use last-name-only or business-keyword searches first.
- Use assessment lookup or GIS to identify parcel context.
- Search document types beyond deeds, including mortgages, releases, liens and plats.
- Use reference numbers when asking for copies.
- Use a title company or attorney for chain-of-title work.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need to find a Madison County deed. | Start with the official Land Records Search page, then try Direct Search, Laredo or Tapestry depending on your access need. | Recorder Land Records Search |
| You need a deed copy. | Find the reference number first, then email recordercopies@madisoncountyil.gov or contact the Recorder. | Madison County Recorder |
| You need to record a deed. | Review margin guidelines, recording fees, common errors and Plat Act Affidavit requirements before submitting. | Recorder Recording Fees / Common Errors |
| Your deed was recorded but tax records still look wrong. | Save the recording reference, then contact the assessment office or tax office depending on whether the issue is ownership, value or billing. | Recorder + Chief County Assessment / Treasurer |
| You need a property boundary answer. | Use recorded plats and GIS for context, but hire a licensed surveyor for final boundary determination. | Recorder / GIS / Surveyor |
| You need legal interpretation of a deed or lien. | Contact an Illinois attorney or title company. The Recorder records documents but does not provide legal advice. | Attorney / title professional |
Madison County IL Recorder Office FAQs
Where is the Madison County IL Recorder Office?
The Madison County Recorder’s Office is located at 157 N. Main St., Suite 211, Edwardsville, IL 62025 in the Madison County Administration Building.
What is the phone number for the Madison County Recorder?
The main Recorder phone number is 618-296-4475. The alternate number is 618-296-4775. Madison County also lists a Laredo information number of 618-296-4467.
What are the Madison County Recorder office hours?
The Recorder’s Office publishes hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, except county holidays. Call before visiting for a time-sensitive recording or copy request.
How do I search Madison County deeds online?
Open the official Madison County Recorder Land Records Search page. The county links Madison County Real Estate Assessment Information Look-up, Land Records Direct Search, Laredo Access and Tapestry. Use assessment lookup when you only have an address; use Direct Search, Laredo or Tapestry when you have a party name, document number or recording clue.
Can the Madison County Recorder search records for me?
No. Madison County’s Recorder page says the office does not do title searches. For copy requests, have the reference number ready. For title search work, use a title company or Illinois attorney.
How much are Madison County Recorder copies?
The Recorder page states that copies requested through the office are $1 per page for mail or $2 per page to email. Verify current certified-copy charges and payment instructions before submitting a request.
How long do Madison County Recorder copy requests take?
Madison County copy guidance says requests are handled in order of receipt and may take 5–7 business days, although the office tries to complete them sooner when possible.
What documents does the Madison County Recorder record?
The Recorder records land-transfer documents and related instruments, including deeds, mortgages, liens, trusts, easements, plats, UCC filings, military discharge records, out-of-county birth certificates and marriage licenses.
What are common reasons Madison County Recorder documents are rejected?
Common issues include incorrect recording fees, incomplete legal descriptions, missing or incomplete permanent parcel numbers, missing Plat Act Affidavit, missing prepared-by/return-to/future-tax name and address, and incorrect margins.
Is County-Appraisal-District.org the official Madison County Recorder website?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational resource. It is not Madison County Government, the Madison County Recorder, the Chief County Assessment Office, the Treasurer, the Circuit Clerk, 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 Madison County Government, the Madison County Recorder’s Office, the Chief County Assessment Office, the Treasurer, the Circuit Clerk, the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Illinois General Assembly, any title company or any law firm.
Recorded documents, copy rules, recording fees, eRecording rules, margin requirements, parcel records, tax bills and legal title questions are controlled by official government offices, statutes, courts and qualified professionals. Always verify current requirements with the responsible office before filing, paying or relying on a record.
Property-owner records and recorded-document information 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.