Clinton County OH Recorder: Deeds, Land Records, Online Search, Copies & Recording Guide
The Clinton County Recorder in Wilmington, Ohio keeps the official county record of deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts, plats and other instruments that affect real property. Use this office when you need a recorded deed reference, mortgage release, land-record image, certified-copy guidance, property-fraud alert, or deed-recording requirements.
This guide explains how to search the Clinton County Recorder’s Online Records System, when older deed books belong at Archives instead of the Recorder counter, why Ohio deed transfers must pass through the Auditor before recording, and how to avoid common problems that delay recording.
What Does the Clinton County Ohio Recorder Do?
The Clinton County Recorder is the official land-recording office for documents that show conveyances and encumbrances on land in Clinton County, Ohio. Use the Recorder for deed records, mortgage records, releases, liens, plats, recorded document indexes, property-fraud alerts, document recording questions, and record-copy requests.
Use the Recorder For
- Deeds, mortgages, leases and land contracts.
- Mortgage releases, assignments and lien documents.
- Recorded plats, maps and permanent land records.
- Recorder Public Access and Property Fraud Alert links.
Use the Auditor For
- Parcel number, assessed value and property search.
- Real-property transfer and conveyance processing.
- DTE 100, DTE 100EX and transfer forms.
- Conveyance fee and transfer fee questions.
Use the Treasurer For
- Property-tax bills and due dates.
- Tax payments and receipts.
- Delinquent tax balance questions.
- Payment status after a transfer is recorded.
How to Search Clinton County Recorder Deeds and Records Online
Start from the county’s own Recorder Online Records System page. The county says the system allows users to search Recorder records online and that information is updated daily, Monday through Friday. Documents filed with the office are added to the website within a reasonable time.
Open the Recorder Online Records System
Begin on the official Clinton County Recorder’s Online Records System page instead of a third-party property-search page. Read the notice because using the system means accepting the county’s online records disclaimer.
Click the “Public Access” Link
The county page links to the AVA Public Access system. After opening it, use the search options shown by the portal. In most recorder searches, start with party names or known recording references before narrowing by date or document type.
Search Party Names Broadly First
Deeds and mortgages are often indexed by the names of parties to the instrument, such as grantor, grantee, borrower, lender, trustee, business, estate or trust. Try last name only, then add first name or business words if the result list is too broad.
Use Dates and Document Types to Narrow Results
If you know the approximate closing, refinance, release, lien or transfer date, search a date range around that event. For a sale, look for deed-type documents; for a paid-off mortgage, search for release or satisfaction-type documents.
Write Down the Recording Details
Before requesting a copy, save the instrument number, recording date, document type, party names, book/page reference if shown, and page count. These details help the Recorder’s Office locate the exact record faster.
Know When Online Search Is Not Enough
Online indexes are useful for finding records, but a certified copy, old deed book, unclear legal description, missing release or chain-of-title question may require contacting the Recorder, Archives, a title company or an attorney.
Clinton County Deed and Recorder Record Types Explained
A recorder index is not the same as the Auditor property card or the Treasurer tax bill. Use this table to understand what each recorded document usually helps you verify.
| Record Type | What It Usually Shows | Best Use | Important Caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warranty deed / quitclaim deed | Grantor, grantee, legal description, recording date and recording reference. | Finding the recorded transfer document behind an ownership change. | A deed image does not prove that the transfer was drafted correctly or free of title defects. |
| Mortgage | Borrower, lender, loan-security document, recording date and property description. | Researching recorded financing tied to a property. | The recorded mortgage usually does not show the current payoff balance. |
| Release / satisfaction / assignment | Recorded document showing a lien, mortgage or interest was released, satisfied, modified or assigned. | Checking whether a paid mortgage or changed lender has a later recorded document. | Search lender names, borrower names and date ranges when one name search fails. |
| Mechanic’s lien / judgment lien / tax lien | Recorded claim affecting real property or a party’s interest, depending on document type. | Reviewing possible encumbrances before a sale, refinance or title review. | Do not rely on the index alone to decide whether a lien is valid or released. |
| Plat / map / survey-related record | Subdivision, lot, boundary or recorded map reference. | Confirming legal-description references and map records. | Tax Map/GIS or Engineer information may also be needed for current parcel boundaries. |
| Power of attorney / affidavit / memorandum of trust | Supporting authority, title-related statements or trust-related references affecting recorded property. | Understanding why a person signed or transferred property. | These documents can have legal effects; ask an attorney before drafting or interpreting them. |
Recorder Office or Clinton County Archives: Where Should You Ask?
Clinton County’s Recorder pages point some historical records to Archives and later deed records to the Recorder’s Office. This matters for genealogy, old title references, farm histories and older legal descriptions.
Start With Clinton County Archives For
- Tax records from 1820–1907 listed by the county.
- Marriages from 1810–1928 listed by the county.
- Wills from 1810–1979 listed by the county.
- Deed volumes around 1798–1856, Volumes A–Z.
When requesting Archives help, include the record type, full name or best-known name, approximate date range and whether you want email, pickup or mailed copy handling.
Start With the Recorder For
- Deeds after approximately 1856.
- Recent deed, mortgage, lien and release records.
- Online Recorder Public Access searches.
- Property Fraud Alert signup questions.
Save the book/page, instrument number or party names before calling. Recorder staff can locate records faster when you provide a specific recording reference.
How to Record a Deed in Clinton County, Ohio
Recording a deed in Clinton County usually involves more than taking a signed document to the Recorder. The county Auditor page says all real-estate transfer-related documents must be presented to the County Auditor before recording.
Prepare the Deed Correctly Before Filing
Confirm the deed type, grantor and grantee names, legal description, parcel information, signatures, notary acknowledgment, return address and tax-bill mailing address where applicable. Recorder staff can explain recording requirements, but they cannot choose the legal language for you.
Get Tax Map / GIS Approval When Required
Clinton County Auditor guidance says the legal description must be approved by Tax Maps/GIS and stamped before a deed can be processed. The Auditor page lists Tax Maps/GIS contact at 937-382-4335.
Present the Transfer to the Clinton County Auditor
The Auditor handles the conveyance step, parcel-numbering/tax identification work and local transfer fees. Clinton County lists a conveyance fee of $3.50 per $1,000 of consideration and a transfer fee of $0.50 per parcel number transferred.
Then Record With the Clinton County Recorder
After the Auditor step is complete, the document can move to the Recorder for official recording and indexing. The Recorder is located in the same Administrative Campus building, Suite 305.
Use Mail or eRecording Carefully
The Auditor page says deed filing by mail should include processing order, contact information, a self-addressed stamped envelope, correct documents and correct fees. It also says eRecording is available for deeds and mortgages through Simplifile, CSC, EPN and Indecomm Global Services.
Confirm the Record Appears Online Later
After recording, search the Recorder’s online system later by party name, document type or recording date. The county says online information is updated daily Monday through Friday, but newly filed documents are added within a reasonable time.
Clinton County Recorder Fees, Ohio Standards and a Simple Fee Estimator
Ohio recorder fees are set largely by state law, while a county-level preservation surcharge may vary. Clinton County also links a 2026 Recorder fee schedule on its official Recorder pages. Use the current county fee schedule or call the Recorder before submitting original documents.
| Fee / Requirement | Current Verified Rule | Why It Matters | Before You File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Ohio recorder documents | Ohio Recorders’ Association lists $34 for the first two pages plus $8 for each additional page for many common documents. | Used for deeds, mortgages, leases, easements, land contracts, powers of attorney and similar documents. | Check Clinton County’s current fee schedule for county-specific surcharge and exact payable amount. |
| Preservation surcharge | Ohio guidance says a permissive preservation surcharge of up to $5 per document may be assessed and varies by county. | Can change the final total even when the state baseline fee is known. | Ask the Clinton County Recorder whether the surcharge applies to your document. |
| Marginal reference documents | ORA lists $34 for the first two pages plus $8 each additional page plus $4 for each reference. | Can apply to releases, assignments, modifications, waivers, subordinations and similar documents. | Count each reference before calculating payment. |
| Non-standard document fee | Clinton County standardization guidance says a nonconforming signed document triggers an additional $20 recording fee. | Formatting mistakes can create extra cost or delay. | Check font, margins, paper size, ink and top-space rules before signing. |
| Auditor conveyance fee | Clinton County Auditor lists a conveyance fee of $3.50 per $1,000 of consideration, rounded up to the nearest $100. | This is an Auditor fee, not a Recorder-only fee. | Make Auditor checks payable as instructed by the Auditor. |
| Auditor transfer fee | Clinton County Auditor lists a transfer fee of $0.50 per parcel number transferred. | Multi-parcel deeds need additional transfer-fee math. | Count parcel numbers before visiting or mailing. |
Estimate a Basic Ohio Recorder Fee
This tool uses the Ohio standard baseline from the Ohio Recorders’ Association and lets you add a possible preservation surcharge and marginal references. It is not an official Clinton County fee quote.
Conveyance fees, transfer fees, special document fees, plats, UCC filings, copy fees, certified-copy fees, postage, tax-map review and legal preparation costs are not included. Confirm exact payment with Clinton County before submitting originals.
Clinton County Recorder vs Auditor vs Treasurer vs Archives
Several Clinton County offices appear in property research. Calling the correct office first saves time.
| Your Task | Correct Office | Why | Best First Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find a deed, mortgage, release, lien, plat or recorded document. | Clinton County Recorder | The Recorder keeps permanent land records and makes recorded documents accessible. | Search Public Access or contact the Recorder with party names and approximate dates. |
| Find parcel number, assessed value, property characteristics or transfer forms. | Clinton County Auditor | Ohio county auditors maintain property assessment and transfer/conveyance records. | Use the Auditor property search or Real Property Transfer & Conveyance page. |
| Pay taxes, check tax due dates or confirm payment status. | Clinton County Treasurer | The Treasurer handles property-tax billing and collections. | Use the Treasurer page, not the Recorder search. |
| Research deed books around 1798–1856, early tax records, older marriages or older wills. | Clinton County Archives | The county lists these historical record ranges under Archives. | Submit a records request with record type, name and approximate date range. |
| Correct deed language, remove someone from title or resolve a lien dispute. | Attorney / title company | The Recorder records documents but does not provide legal advice or title insurance. | Get legal/title guidance before re-recording or signing a new instrument. |
Clinton County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours and Map
The Recorder is located at the Clinton County Administrative Campus in Wilmington. The Auditor’s Office is in Suite 303 and the Recorder is in Suite 305, which matters when recording a deed that must go through conveyance processing first.
Clinton County Recorder
Recorder: Tanya K. Day
Address:
Clinton County Administrative Campus
1850 Davids Drive, Suite 305
Wilmington, OH 45177
Phone: 937-382-2067
Fax: 937-382-8097
Email: Day.Tanya@clintoncountyohio.us
Hours listed by county: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm.
Open Recorder Map ↗Official Clinton County Recorder, Auditor and Ohio Links
Use these official resources for live records, filing rules, forms and final verification. Each link includes what to do after opening it.
Clinton County Recorder — Official Department Page
Official office page for the Recorder’s location, phone, email, hours, staff links, online records link, Archives notes and Property Fraud Alert link.
- Confirm the current office location and hours before visiting.
- Use the Recorder contact information for deed, mortgage, lien, copy and recording questions.
- Scroll to the online records and Property Fraud Alert links.
- Check the Archives note if your record is from the 1800s or early county history.
Clinton County Recorder’s Online Records System
Official county page that explains the online records system, update timing and Public Access disclaimer.
- Read the disclaimer statement before using the search system.
- Click Public Access to open the AVA records search.
- Search broadly by party name or known recording reference.
- Write down document number, date, parties, type and page count before requesting copies.
AVA Public Access — Clinton County Recorder Search
Direct public search portal linked from the Clinton County Recorder’s Online Records System.
- Wait for the AVA search screen to load.
- Use the search fields available in the portal, starting with party name or known document reference.
- Use document date or document type filters only after a broad search is too large.
- Do not build automated query URLs or attempt to bypass the normal search screen.
Clinton County Auditor — Real Property Transfer & Conveyance
Official Auditor page for DTE forms, conveyance fee, transfer fee, deed filing methods, Tax Map/GIS requirement and eRecording vendors.
- Open this page before recording a deed.
- Download the correct DTE conveyance form if your transfer requires one.
- Calculate Auditor conveyance and transfer fees separately from Recorder fees.
- Confirm Tax Map/GIS approval and stamp requirements for the legal description.
- Use the listed eRecording vendor route only if your document type and provider support it.
Clinton County Document Recording Standardization Guidelines
Official county page explaining Ohio recording-format standards and the $20 non-standard fee.
- Check font size, paper size, ink color and margin rules before signing.
- Leave the required blank space at the top of the first page.
- Do not use highlighting on recorded documents.
- Use the standards template if you are unsure about the page layout.
Clinton County Recorder — 2026 Fee Schedule
Official county PDF linked from the Recorder’s online records page for the current local Recorder fee schedule.
- Open the PDF before mailing or eRecording a document.
- Confirm whether your document is a basic recording, marginal reference document, UCC, plat, copy or certification request.
- Check whether a preservation surcharge or special fee applies.
- Call 937-382-2067 if your document has unusual pages, multiple references or mixed document types.
Ohio Recorders’ Association — Fee Guide
Statewide recorder-fee reference based on Ohio Revised Code sections used by county recorder offices.
- Use this for the statewide fee framework.
- Compare the state baseline with Clinton County’s current fee schedule.
- Check basic recording, marginal references, UCC, plats, federal liens and non-standard fees separately.
- Use the county fee schedule for the final amount due.
Ohio Revised Code 317.08 — Instruments the Recorder Records
Official Ohio law section listing categories of instruments county recorders must record when properly presented and fees are paid.
- Use this page for legal context on recorder duties.
- Search within the statute for deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, powers of attorney or memoranda of trust.
- Do not treat the statute as a deed-preparation guide.
Clinton County Records Request
County request form useful for Archives-style historical records where the county asks for record type, name and approximate date.
- Enter first name, last name and email address.
- In the request box, include record type, full name, approximate year and whether you want email, pickup or mail handling.
- Use this for historical Archives-style requests, not as a substitute for the Recorder Public Access search.
Common Clinton County Recorder Search and Filing Mistakes
Mistakes That Waste Time
- Using the Recorder when you only need assessed value, tax bill or parcel characteristics.
- Trying to record a deed before Auditor conveyance processing.
- Forgetting Tax Map/GIS legal-description approval when required.
- Mailing original documents without confirming correct fees and return envelope instructions.
- Searching only the current owner when the deed may be indexed under a prior owner, trust, estate or lender.
- Assuming an online index result is a certified copy.
Better Local Workflow
- Search Auditor property records first if you only know the address.
- Copy the parcel number, owner name and legal description clues.
- Search Recorder Public Access by party name and recording date range.
- Use Archives for deed volumes around 1798–1856.
- Calculate Auditor and Recorder fees separately.
- Call the Recorder before submitting unusual documents, plats or multiple-reference releases.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Resource |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of a deed or mortgage. | Search Recorder Public Access first, then contact the Recorder with document details if you need an official copy. | Clinton County Recorder |
| You only know the street address. | Use the Auditor property search to find owner and parcel clues, then search Recorder records by party name or recording reference. | Auditor first, then Recorder |
| You are recording a deed. | Check legal description, Tax Map/GIS approval, Auditor forms, conveyance fee, transfer fee and Recorder fee before filing. | Tax Map/GIS → Auditor → Recorder |
| You found an old deed reference from the early 1800s. | Use Clinton County Archives because the county lists deed volumes around 1798–1856 under Archives. | Clinton County Archives |
| You got a suspicious deed or lien alert. | Save document number, request the record, compare it with known ownership, and contact legal/title help if unauthorized. | Recorder + attorney/title professional |
| Your issue is taxes, payment or delinquency. | Use the Treasurer rather than the Recorder because the Recorder does not collect property-tax payments. | Clinton County Treasurer |
Clinton County OH Recorder FAQs
Where is the Clinton County Ohio Recorder located?
The Clinton County Recorder is located at the Clinton County Administrative Campus, 1850 Davids Drive, Suite 305, Wilmington, OH 45177. The county lists the Recorder phone as 937-382-2067 and hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm.
How do I search Clinton County Recorder records online?
Open the official Clinton County Recorder’s Online Records System page, read the disclaimer, then click the Public Access link to open the AVA search portal. Start with a broad party-name or recording-reference search, then narrow by date or document type if the portal offers those fields.
What kinds of records does the Clinton County Recorder keep?
The Recorder keeps permanent land records and documents related to conveyance or encumbrance of land, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, releases, assignments, powers of attorney and other instruments accepted under Ohio recorder law.
Where do I find very old Clinton County deeds?
The county lists deed volumes around 1798–1856 under Clinton County Archives. For deeds after approximately 1856, the county directs users to the Recorder’s Office at 937-382-2067.
Do I go to the Auditor or Recorder first to record a deed?
For real-estate transfer documents, start with the Clinton County Auditor process. The Auditor page says real-estate transfer-related documents must be presented to the Auditor before recording. After the Auditor and Tax Map/GIS requirements are satisfied, the document can move to the Recorder.
What are Clinton County Auditor conveyance and transfer fees?
The Clinton County Auditor lists a conveyance fee of $3.50 per $1,000 of consideration and a transfer fee of $0.50 per parcel number transferred. These are Auditor-side fees and should be calculated separately from Recorder recording fees.
What Ohio recording standards can cause an extra fee?
Clinton County lists Ohio document standards including 10-point minimum font, 8½×11 minimum paper, 8½×14 maximum paper, black or blue ink only, no highlighting, required margins and required blank top space. A signed document that does not conform may trigger an additional $20 recording fee.
What is the basic Ohio recorder fee for many documents?
The Ohio Recorders’ Association lists $34 for the first two pages plus $8 for each additional page for many common recording documents, with possible county-level preservation surcharge rules. Always check Clinton County’s current 2026 fee schedule or call the Recorder for the final amount.
Can I eRecord deeds and mortgages in Clinton County?
Yes. The Clinton County Auditor page says eRecording is available for deeds and mortgages in Clinton County and lists Simplifile, CSC, EPN and Indecomm Global Services as vendor options. Confirm vendor requirements and fees before submitting.
Is this website the Clinton County Recorder’s official website?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational resource. It is not the Clinton County Recorder, Clinton County Auditor, Clinton County Treasurer, Clinton County Archives, Ohio Recorders’ Association or any Ohio government office.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with the Clinton County Recorder, Clinton County Auditor, Clinton County Treasurer, Clinton County Archives, Ohio Recorders’ Association, Ohio Department of Taxation or the State of Ohio.
Recorder indexes, document images, copy fees, recording requirements, Auditor conveyance requirements, Tax Map/GIS review and office procedures can change. Verify current instructions directly with the responsible official office before mailing originals, recording a document, relying on a record, or paying fees.
Public property and recorder 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.