Lee County Recorder of Deeds: Search Land Records, Record a Deed & Visit the Dixon Office
The office residents often call the Lee County Recorder of Deeds is officially the Lee County Clerk & Recorder in Dixon, Illinois. It records deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats, surveys and other documents affecting real estate in Lee County.
This guide explains the county’s direct land-record search, Tapestry and Laredo options, current recording fees, deed requirements, eRecording hours, Plat Act affidavit rule, property-fraud alerts and the difference between the Recorder and the Chief County Assessment Office.
Where Do You Search Lee County Illinois Deeds?
Lee County links three land-record tools from the Clerk & Recorder page: Direct Search, Tapestry and Laredo Connect. For an occasional public search, start with Direct Search or Tapestry. Laredo is generally more relevant to repeat professional land-record users.
Direct Search
The county links directly to FIDLAR’s Lee County Direct Search. Use this when you want to reach the local land-record search interface from the county website.
Open Direct Search ↗Tapestry
Lee County also links to FIDLAR Tapestry for remote official-record searching. Search availability, document images and charges may depend on the search session and platform.
Open Tapestry ↗Laredo Connect
Lee County lists Laredo Connect as another land-record access option. It is designed more for users who regularly search county land records.
Tip: occasional homeowners usually do not need to begin with a professional-search workflow.
How to Search Lee County Recorder of Deeds Records
The county website does not require you to begin with a property-tax screen. Use the recorder land-record tools when the document itself—deed, mortgage, release, lien or plat—is what you need.
Open Lee County’s Land Record Search
Open the Clerk & Recorder page or the county-linked Direct Search system. Verify that you are searching Lee County, Illinois before entering names.
Start With the Recorded Party Name
Search the grantor, grantee, borrower, lender or other indexed party associated with the document. If the exact spelling fails, shorten the search and try likely name variations.
Narrow the Result
Use document type, recording date, document number or other available filters. A known document number is usually more reliable than a common surname.
Compare the Property and Parties
Confirm that the parties, recording date, parcel reference, legal description and document type match the property you are researching before relying on the result.
Save the Recording Reference
Record the document number, recording date and other index details. Those references make later copy requests and title research easier.
What to Try When a Lee County Deed Search Fails
| Problem | Try This | Why |
|---|---|---|
| No result for a full name | Search the surname or shorter version of the entity name. | Recorded indexing may differ from the name format you expect. |
| Too many results | Add a recording-date range or document type. | This separates people or businesses with similar names. |
| You know an old deed number | Search by document/instrument reference when supported. | A recording reference can be more precise than a party name. |
| You are looking for property value | Use Lee County Property Tax Search or Property Record Cards. | Assessment data is not the same as recorded deed data. |
| You need parcel boundaries | Use the county GIS portal. | The GIS provides parcel-reference mapping, but the county warns it is not a legal survey. |
| The instrument is difficult to interpret | Use a title professional or Illinois attorney. | The Recorder records documents but does not provide legal opinions or title searches. |
What Does the Lee County Clerk & Recorder Record?
Lee County states that the Clerk & Recorder records documents pertaining to real estate. Its recorder operation includes deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats, surveys and other instruments affecting land.
Deeds
Conveyances transferring an interest in real estate. Lee County imposes a special Illinois Plat Act affidavit/exemption requirement on most deeds.
Mortgages & Releases
Mortgages and later releases or related instruments can be followed through the Recorder’s index as part of land-record research.
Plats & Surveys
Lee County records qualifying plats and surveys. The current predictable-fee page separately lists a $111 fee for plats meeting the stated requirements.
Liens & Other Instruments
The Recorder also handles real-estate-related liens and other recordable instruments, including certain federal and state tax liens.
How to Record a Deed in Lee County Illinois
Recording is not merely dropping off a signed deed. Lee County applies Illinois predictable-fee rules, document-format standards and a local Plat Act affidavit/exemption requirement.
Use the Correct Legal Instrument
The Recorder’s staff expressly states that it does not provide legal advice, legal descriptions or title searches. If the transaction changes ownership or fixes a title issue, have the correct deed or other instrument prepared before recording.
Check Standard-Document Formatting
Lee County’s recording page requires standard documents to use individual 8.5 × 11-inch sheets, legible black printing, white paper of at least 20-pound weight and clean margins of at least one-half inch.
Leave the Recorder’s First-Page Space
The first page must provide a blank recording area measuring at least 3 × 5 inches in the upper-right corner.
Prepare the Plat Act Affidavit or Exemption
Lee County says a Plat Act affidavit or Plat Act exemption is required with or on all deeds except deeds in the Woodhaven Lakes subdivision.
Count PINs and Prior Document References
A document referencing six or more parcel identification numbers or six or more previously recorded document numbers is treated as a non-standard document under Lee County’s current fee schedule.
Calculate the Predictable Fee
The county currently lists $88 for a standard document and $69 for a qualifying RHSP-exempt standard document. Non-standard documents are generally listed at $97.
Bring an Original or Certified Copy
Lee County instructs customers to present original or certified copies for recording. A self-addressed stamped envelope is required for document return.
Use an Accepted Payment Method
The Recorder’s recording page currently states that the office accepts cash or check only and does not accept credit or debit cards for recorder transactions.
Lee County Recorder of Deeds Recording Fees
Lee County’s current public recording page identifies its predictable-fee schedule as effective July 1, 2023. Confirm the schedule again immediately before filing because Illinois statutory fees can change.
| Document / Service | Published Fee | Lee County Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard document | $88 | Applies when the document conforms to the county’s standard-document requirements. |
| RHSP-exempt standard document | $69 | Lower published predictable fee for a qualifying Rental Housing Support Program-exempt document. |
| Non-standard document | $97 | Includes documents that do not conform to the listed standard requirements. |
| 6+ parcel identification numbers | $97 | County classifies documents referencing six or more PINs as non-standard. |
| 6+ recorded document numbers | $97 | County also applies the non-standard fee in this situation. |
| Federal tax lien | $18 | Separately listed recorder fee. |
| State tax lien | $11 | Separately listed recorder fee. |
| Plat | $111 | County states the plat must meet its size and submission requirements. |
| UCC filing | $51 | Uniform Commercial Code filing fee shown on the recording page. |
| UCC search | $16 per name | Separate UCC search charge. |
| UCC termination | $23 | Separate published termination fee. |
Lee County Plat Act Affidavit Requirement
This is one of the most important Lee County-specific deed-recording details. The Recorder requires an affidavit or applicable Illinois Plat Act exemption with deeds, except Woodhaven Lakes subdivision deeds.
What the Affidavit Does
The affidavit tells the Recorder whether the conveyance divides land and, when a division occurs, which exemption from the Illinois Plat Act is being claimed.
Lee County’s form includes exemptions for certain five-acre divisions, adjoining-owner exchanges, public-purpose conveyances, correction deeds and other qualifying transactions.
Do Not Guess at the Exemption
The county form itself identifies the affidavit as a legal document and advises users to consult an attorney. Local zoning and subdivision ordinances can also apply even when a Plat Act exemption is available.
Lee County IL eRecording Partners and Hours
Lee County accepts electronic recordings from approved submitters. The county currently states that electronic recordings are accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m..
CSC
Corporation Service Company / eRecording.com
Phone: 866-652-0111
eRecording Partners Network
Also listed by Lee County as an approved eRecording partner.
Phone: 888-325-3365
Simplifile
Approved electronic-recording submitter listed by the county.
Phone: 801-223-1056
Hopdox
Another eRecording partner published on the county page.
Phone: 385-501-5103
Lee County Property Fraud Alert
Lee County links a Property Fraud Alert signup service from the Clerk & Recorder page. The service is designed to alert registered users when documents containing a monitored name are recorded.
What It Helps With
Monitoring a name can make it easier to notice a newly recorded document that you did not expect. This can be useful for homeowners and property owners who want an additional land-record monitoring step.
What It Does Not Do
An alert does not stop a document from being recorded, prove that a document is fraudulent or replace title insurance, legal advice or regular review of your land records.
Recorder vs Assessment vs Treasurer in Lee County
A deed, parcel record and tax bill can all describe the same property but come from different county systems.
| What You Need | Correct Office / System | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Deed, mortgage, release, lien, plat or recorded document | County Clerk & Recorder | The Recorder records and indexes real-estate instruments. |
| Assessed value, exemptions, property-transfer assessment processing | Chief County Assessment Office | The assessment office administers assessments, exemptions, transfers and Board of Review functions. |
| Building details, sketch, photo and property record card | Property Record Cards | These are assessment records rather than Recorder deed images. |
| Parcel-boundary map | Lee County GIS | GIS provides aerial parcel-reference mapping; the county warns it is not a legal boundary survey. |
| Property-tax payment | Property Tax / Treasurer system | Tax collection is separate from recording the deed. |
| Legal ownership or title opinion | Attorney / title professional | The Recorder expressly does not provide legal advice, legal descriptions or title searches. |
Lee County Recorder Office Address, Phone & Hours
The Clerk & Recorder is located on the second floor of the Old Lee County Courthouse in downtown Dixon.
Lee County Clerk & Recorder
Clerk & Recorder: Nancy Petersen
Physical address: 112 E Second Street, Dixon, IL 61021
Location: Old Lee County Courthouse, second floor
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 329
Dixon, IL 61021
Phone: 815-288-3309
Fax: 815-288-6492
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays
Official Lee County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
Lee County Clerk & Recorder
Use this as the main official hub for land-record search links, recording, eRecording, office information and fraud alerts.
- Confirm the current Clerk & Recorder contact information.
- Choose Direct Search, Tapestry or Laredo depending on your record-search need.
- Open the Recording page before submitting a document.
- Check eRecording if you are an approved electronic submitter.
Lee County Direct Land Record Search
County-linked FIDLAR portal for Lee County land records.
- Verify Lee County, Illinois.
- Search the recorded party name or known instrument reference.
- Narrow results by document type or date when available.
- Open the matching instrument and save its recording details.
Lee County Recording Fees and Requirements
Official predictable-fee and document-format guidance.
- Determine whether your document is standard or non-standard.
- Check the listed fee.
- Confirm first-page blank space, paper size, margins and attachment rules.
- Review the Plat Act requirement for deeds.
- Bring or send the required payment and self-addressed stamped envelope.
Lee County eRecording
Official list of approved eRecording providers and county intake hours.
- Confirm that your submitting organization uses an approved partner.
- Prepare the recordable document and required supporting forms.
- Submit during the county’s published 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. electronic-recording window.
- Retain the electronic confirmation or rejection information.
Lee County Property Information
Use this instead of the Recorder when you need assessments, exemptions, tax bodies, tax bills or building details.
- Choose Property Tax Search for assessment, exemptions, taxing bodies and tax-bill information.
- Choose Property Record Cards for building characteristics, sketches and photos.
- Use the PIN, owner name or property address to search.
- Return to the Recorder portal when you need the actual deed or recorded instrument.
Lee County GIS Portal
Useful for parcel-reference maps and aerial imagery.
- Open the county GIS portal.
- Search the property by available parcel or address information.
- Use the map to understand parcel location and nearby features.
- Do not treat GIS lines as a legal boundary survey; use a licensed surveyor when boundary confirmation matters.
Mistakes to Avoid With Lee County Recorder Records
Do Not
- Confuse the Recorder’s land-record search with property-tax search.
- Assume an online deed result is a complete title opinion.
- Record a deed without reviewing the Plat Act affidavit requirement.
- Use the $88 standard fee when the document is actually non-standard.
- Bring only a credit or debit card when the recording page says cash or check only.
- Ask Recorder staff to draft a legal description or provide legal advice.
- Use the GIS map as proof of a legal property boundary.
Better Workflow
- Start with the official Lee County Clerk & Recorder page.
- Use Direct Search for actual recorded documents.
- Save the document number once you find the correct instrument.
- Check the current fee page immediately before filing.
- Include the required return envelope for paper submissions.
- Keep your electronic or in-person recording receipt.
- Use an attorney or title professional for legal ownership questions.
Choose the Right Lee County Property Office
| Your Situation | Next Step |
|---|---|
| You need a copy of a recorded deed or mortgage. | Use Direct Search or Tapestry, then contact the Recorder if you need an office-provided copy. |
| You want to record a deed. | Check recordability, Plat Act status, predictable fee, payment method and return-envelope requirements first. |
| You need the parcel’s assessed value or exemption information. | Use the Chief County Assessment Office / Property Tax Search instead of the Recorder. |
| You need a parcel aerial map. | Use Lee County GIS and remember that map boundaries are reference data, not a survey. |
| You need to change legal ownership. | Determine the proper legal instrument with an Illinois attorney or title professional before submitting it for recording. |
| You suspect a fraudulent new recording. | Review the recorded instrument, use the Property Fraud Alert service for future monitoring and get legal advice promptly when necessary. |
Lee County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
What is the official name of the Lee County Recorder of Deeds office?
The official Lee County, Illinois office is the Lee County Clerk & Recorder. It performs the county recorder function and records documents pertaining to real estate.
Where is the Lee County Clerk & Recorder located?
The office is on the second floor of the Old Lee County Courthouse at 112 E Second Street, Dixon, IL 61021. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 329, Dixon, IL 61021.
What are the Lee County Recorder office hours?
The county lists Clerk & Recorder hours as Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding legal holidays.
How do I search Lee County Illinois deeds online?
Lee County links Direct Search, Tapestry and Laredo from its Clerk & Recorder page. For an occasional deed search, start with Direct Search, enter the recorded party information, narrow the results and save the instrument details for the correct record.
How much does Lee County charge to record a standard document?
Lee County’s recording page lists $88 for a standard document under its predictable-fee schedule effective July 1, 2023. A qualifying RHSP-exempt standard document is listed at $69, while many non-standard documents are $97.
Does every Lee County deed need a Plat Act affidavit?
Lee County states that a Plat Act affidavit or Plat Act exemption is required with or on all deeds except Woodhaven Lakes subdivision deeds. The correct exemption depends on the transaction, so legal advice may be appropriate.
Can I pay Lee County deed recording fees with a credit card?
The current Lee County recording page says the Recorder accepts cash or check and does not accept credit or debit cards for these recording transactions.
Does Lee County accept deeds electronically?
Yes. Lee County accepts eRecording from approved submitters and currently lists CSC, eRecording Partners Network, Simplifile and Hopdox. The county states that electronic recordings are accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Can the Lee County Recorder tell me who legally owns a property?
The Recorder can provide access to recorded instruments, but its staff states that it does not provide legal advice, legal descriptions or title searches. Use a title professional or Illinois attorney when you need a legal ownership or title opinion.
Where do I find assessed value and property-tax information for Lee County?
Use Lee County’s Property Information Links and Chief County Assessment Office rather than the Recorder. The property-tax search can show assessment, exemptions, taxing bodies, sales and real-estate tax bill information.
Independent Lee County Land-Records Guide
This website is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with Lee County, the Lee County Clerk & Recorder, the Lee County Chief County Assessment Office, the Treasurer, FIDLAR Technologies or the State of Illinois.
Recorder search results show recorded public documents and should not be treated as a legal title opinion. Recording acceptance, deed validity, Plat Act compliance, transfer-tax treatment and ownership rights depend on the specific document and applicable law.
Public land-record and property-owner information should not be used for employment, tenant, credit, insurance or other regulated consumer-reporting decisions. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.