Bonner County Recorder: Deeds & Records

Bonner County, Idaho recorder information reviewed October 5, 2026

Search Bonner County Deeds, Recorded Documents, Plats & Property Records

In Bonner County, the elected County Clerk also serves as ex-officio Recorder and Auditor. The Recording Office records deeds, trust deeds, mortgages, reconveyances, surveys, plats and other legal documents affecting property in Sandpoint and communities throughout Bonner County.

The most important search rule is easy to miss: Bonner County says recorded documents are indexed by name and recording date, not by property address. If all you have is an address, start with the Assessor or Public Parcel Map, identify the owner and legal-description clues, and then move into the Recorder’s document system.

✓ Name-based search explained ✓ Pre-1986 records covered ✓ Current county fees ✓ Mail & e-recording steps ✓ Assessor vs Recorder decoded
Start With the Correct Office

Bonner County Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer vs Court Records

Several Bonner County offices deal with property, but their records answer different questions. A deed search, parcel lookup, tax payment and probate case should not all start at the same counter.

Recording Office

Use for recorded deeds, trust deeds, mortgages, releases, surveys, plats and other official recorded instruments.

Suite 335 • 208-265-1490

County Assessor

Use for current parcel ownership, assessed value, property characteristics, parcel maps, homeowner exemption and GIS questions.

Suite 205 • 208-265-1440

Treasurer

Use for property-tax bills, payments, delinquency and tax-collection questions.

Suite 304 • 208-265-1433

Court Records

Civil, criminal, divorce, juvenile and probate court documents are separate from Recorder land records.

215 S. First Ave. • 208-265-1432

Fast workflow: Address only → Assessor/GIS first. Owner name or reception number → Recorder search. Property-tax balance → Treasurer. Probate/divorce lawsuit → Court Records.
Address-to-Deed Shortcut

What to Do When You Only Know the Property Address

1. Find the Parcel First

Use Bonner County Assessor property records or the Public Parcel Map to identify the current owner, parcel and legal-description context.

The Assessor says its property and mapping data are updated nightly, although a newly recorded document can take several business days to appear in online property records.

2. Move to Recorder Records

Once you have the owner name, search it in the Recorder system. If you are researching older ownership, use the current deed, title report or prior recorded documents to work backward through grantors and grantees.

Save reception numbers, recording dates, legal descriptions and referenced documents as you go.

Bonner County Property Search & GIS Maps

Use this before Recorder research when your starting information is an address or parcel.

Open Property Search ↗
  1. Open the Assessor property-record or Public Parcel Map option.
  2. Find the correct parcel and confirm the situs location.
  3. Record the owner and parcel information.
  4. Review available legal-description or map information.
  5. Search the owner name in the Recorder document index.
Boundary warning: Bonner County says its GIS parcel map is not survey-accurate and should not be used to establish property corners or precise boundaries. Use a recorded survey or licensed land surveyor when boundary location matters.
Older Record Research

What if the Bonner County Record Is Older Than 1986?

Bonner County’s Document Searches page says documents recorded from July 1, 1986 to current are available online. Documents before July 1, 1986 must be researched in the office’s index books.

Online Era

Use the public recorder systems for documents from the county’s online-coverage period forward.

Pre-July 1986

Visit the Recording Office to research the physical index books. The county says staff can show you how to research but cannot perform the search for you.

Research Assistance Window

The county specifically lists in-office research assistance from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Small date discrepancy: The county’s Document Searches page uses July 1, 1986, while the EagleWeb header identifies records “since June 10, 1986.” If a June 1986 recording matters to your search, call the Recording Office at 208-265-1490 rather than assuming it is available online.
Record Decoder

Which Bonner County Property Record Do You Need?

Record What It Usually Helps Show What to Check Next
Deed / Conveyance Recorded transfer of a real-property interest. Confirm grantor, grantee, legal description and later conveyances.
Deed of Trust / Mortgage Recorded security interest tied to a loan or obligation. Search for assignments, reconveyances or releases.
Reconveyance / Release Can show that a previously recorded trust deed or mortgage was released. Match it to the original instrument number.
Plat Subdivision, lot, block and survey-related mapping information. Compare with the legal description in the deed.
Survey Surveyor-prepared boundary or monument information. Do not assume recording a survey alone changes title or tax parcel boundaries.
Easement Rights affecting use of a parcel or part of it. Read the actual instrument and related legal description.
Death Certificate / Estate Record Can support updates after an owner’s death where legally appropriate. Check Assessor estate procedures and obtain legal guidance when title must be changed.
Bonner-Specific Land Record Details

Changing Owners, Finding Easements & Correcting Parcel Information

Changing a Name on the Tax Roll

Bonner County says adding, changing or removing names from a tax bill generally requires recording a deed or other legal document that conveys property.

The county recommends obtaining help from a title company or attorney for property-rights questions.

Owner Has Died

The county says a death certificate should be recorded. In certain non-probate situations involving a deceased spouse without established survivorship rights, the Assessor may provide an affidavit-of-non-probate procedure.

Easement Research

Bonner County says easement information may appear in historical deeds and plats. A title report may be useful when a complete easement history is needed.

Survey does not transfer ownership: Bonner County specifically explains that recording a survey does not itself convey ownership, change property boundaries or create a new Assessor parcel number. A deed containing the new legal description may also be required.
Recording Workflow

How to Record a Deed or Other Document in Bonner County

You can record through the office, by mail, or—when eligible and subscribed—through an approved e-recording provider. The Recorder does not supply deed forms or provide legal advice about which deed should be used.

1

Prepare the Correct Legal Document

Make sure the instrument reflects the intended transaction, contains the correct legal description and is properly signed and notarized where required.

2

Leave a Three-Inch Blank Margin

Bonner County requires a three-inch blank margin across the entire top of the first page.

If the document does not provide that space, attach a cover sheet with the document title centered at least three inches down. The cover sheet counts as an additional page for fee purposes where the page-based fee applies.

3

Calculate the Current Recording Fee

Deeds, grants and conveyances of real property that are 30 pages or fewer are listed at $15. Other instrument types have their own statutory fee structure.

4

Record Before the 4:30 PM Counter Cutoff

The Recording Office is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday excluding holidays, but the county states that documents can be recorded only until 4:30 PM.

5

Keep the Recording Reference

After recording, save the reception/instrument number and recording date. Related documents such as later reconveyances and releases often reference the original instrument number.

Do not ask Recorder staff to draft your deed: Bonner County says the Recorder’s Office does not provide deed forms and staff are not authorized to give legal guidance. Use a qualified attorney or title professional when you need help choosing or preparing a document.
Mail Recording

How to Record a Bonner County Document by Mail

Bonner County publishes unusually clear mail-recording instructions. A complete packet reduces the chance that an original document is returned without recording.

Include These Items

  • Original signed and notarized document.
  • Required three-inch top margin or cover sheet.
  • Check payable to Bonner County Recorder.
  • Self-addressed return envelope.
  • Return postage when practical.
  • Submitter’s name and telephone number.

Useful County Mailing Tips

  • If unsure of the exact fee, the county says you may submit a “Not to Exceed” check.
  • The office will return a receipt showing the actual charge.
  • If multiple documents must be recorded in sequence, state the desired order.
  • Include the original instrument number when a new document relates to an existing recording.
Mail to:
Bonner County Recorder
1500 Hwy 2, Suite 335
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Electronic Recording

Does Bonner County Accept E-Recording?

Yes. Bonner County’s Recording Office states that electronic recording is available by subscription through Simplifile or CSC.

E-recording is generally more useful for title companies, attorneys, lenders and other frequent professional submitters than for a homeowner recording a single document.

Before subscribing: Open the county Recording page, confirm that your instrument type is eligible for e-recording, then use the provider enrollment process. A document-search account is not automatically the same thing as an e-recording submission account.
County-Published Fee Schedule

Bonner County Recorder Fees and Copy Costs

Service Published Fee Useful Detail
Deed, grant or conveyance $15 Published flat fee when the instrument is 30 pages or fewer.
Trust deed / mortgage $45 Applies to qualifying instrument of 30 pages or fewer, including specified related provisions in the same instrument.
Reconveyance / mortgage release $15 Includes qualifying substitution of trustee when contained in the same instrument.
Power of Attorney $25 County-listed recording fee.
General instrument $10 first page + $3 each additional Applies where a special flat statutory fee does not control.
Survey filing $5 per page Separate survey fee.
Recorded-document copy $1 per page Ordinary recorded-document copy.
Certification $1 per document Added when a certified copy is required.
Survey copy $4 per page Different from ordinary document-copy pricing.
Conformed copy $1 You provide the copy to be conformed.
Military discharge No fee County lists no recording or copy charge for military discharge documents.
30-page rule: The special flat fees for several instrument categories are published for documents of 30 pages or fewer. If you have an unusually long instrument, confirm the exact fee directly with the Recording Office before submitting payment.
Recording Fee Estimator

Estimate a Basic Bonner County Recording Fee

This lightweight tool applies the fee amounts published by Bonner County. It is an estimate only and does not determine whether your document is legally recordable.

Estimated published recording fee $15.00 Call 208-265-1490 before mailing payment if your document has unusual length or special requirements.
Copy Strategy

Plain Copy, Certified Copy or Online Image?

Online Record

Good for locating document metadata and researching an instrument. Availability of images can depend on which county search interface or access level you use.

Plain Recorder Copy

Bonner County lists recorded-document copies at $1 per page.

Certified Copy

Certification is listed at $1 per document in addition to the applicable copy charge. Confirm that the receiving party actually requires certification.

No-Result Troubleshooting

What to Try When You Cannot Find a Bonner County Deed

Common Search Mistakes

  • Trying to search the Recorder index only by street address.
  • Using one spelling of a person or trust name.
  • Searching only the current owner for an older deed.
  • Ignoring a company, LLC or trust as the indexed party.
  • Using an unnecessarily narrow recording-date range.
  • Expecting pre-1986 documents to be fully online.

Better Bonner County Workflow

  • Identify the owner through Assessor/GIS first.
  • Try alternate name spellings.
  • Use the * wildcard when helpful.
  • Search grantor and grantee separately.
  • Try document type and date filters.
  • Use reception number when available.
  • Use Find Related from a known record.
  • Visit the office for older index-book research.
Recording Office

Bonner County Recorder Address, Phone, Email, Hours & Map

Bonner County Recording Office

Clerk & Recorder: Michael W. Rosedale
Address: 1500 Highway 2, Suite 335, Sandpoint, ID 83864
Phone: 208-265-1490
Email: recording@bonnercountyid.gov

Public office hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Excluding county holidays

Document recording cutoff: 4:30 PM.

Older-record research help: 8:30 AM-3:30 PM, Monday-Friday excluding holidays.

Open Directions ↗

Same-Building Property Offices

Assessor:
Suite 205 • 208-265-1440
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Treasurer:
Suite 304 • 208-265-1433
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

This same-building arrangement can be useful when a deed has already been recorded but the Assessor’s ownership record or tax account has not yet caught up.

Bonner County says changes to Assessor data and maps are updated nightly, but a newly recorded document may still take several business days to appear.

Official Resources + Micro-Guides

Official Bonner County Recorder & Property Resources

Bonner County Recording Office

Recording requirements, mail instructions, fees, copies and e-recording information.

Open Recording Office ↗
  1. Confirm the current office hours and 4:30 PM recording cutoff.
  2. Review the three-inch first-page margin rule.
  3. Check the exact fee for your document type.
  4. Read the mail-recording checklist before sending an original document.
  5. Review Simplifile/CSC information if you use professional e-recording.

Bonner County Document Searches

County guidance for online versus older physical index records.

Open Search Guide ↗
  1. Check whether the recording falls within the online date range.
  2. Open the Recorded Document Search for newer records.
  3. Use the office index books for older records.
  4. Visit between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM when you need instruction using the physical indexes.

Bonner County Assessor & Public Maps

Best starting point for address-based property research.

Open Assessor Search ↗
  1. Locate the property or parcel.
  2. Confirm the current owner and parcel information.
  3. Use legal-description clues to improve the Recorder search.
  4. Do not treat GIS parcel lines as survey-accurate property boundaries.

Bonner County Land Records Q&A

Local guidance for ownership changes, legal descriptions, easements and surveys.

Open Land Records Guide ↗
  1. Use the ownership section when a name on the tax record needs updating.
  2. Use the legal-description section to locate the deed.
  3. Review the easement guidance before assuming the GIS map shows an easement.
  4. Read the survey warning before using mapped parcel lines as legal boundaries.

Bonner County Treasurer

Tax bills, tax payments, delinquency and tax-deed matters.

Open Treasurer ↗
  1. Use the property-tax search when your question concerns the bill rather than the deed.
  2. Verify the parcel before paying.
  3. Contact 208-265-1433 for billing or payment questions.
  4. Return to the Recorder only when you need the underlying recorded instrument.
Avoid These Bonner County Mistakes

Common Recorder Search and Filing Errors

What Causes Problems

  • Searching Recorder records only by property address.
  • Assuming GIS parcel lines are legal boundaries.
  • Going to Court Records for a deed.
  • Mailing a deed without the required top margin.
  • Forgetting that a cover sheet can affect page-based fees.
  • Expecting Recorder staff to prepare the deed.
  • Ignoring spelling variations in indexed names.
  • Expecting old pre-1986 records to be fully searchable online.

Better Workflow

  • Find the parcel through Assessor/GIS first.
  • Save exact owner names and legal-description clues.
  • Search grantor and grantee variations.
  • Use reception number whenever available.
  • Review the underlying recorded document.
  • Keep related instrument numbers for cross-reference.
  • Verify the current fee before mailing.
  • Use a legal/title professional for title questions.
What to Do Next

Choose the Next Step Based on Your Problem

Situation Best Next Step Office
You know only the street address. Find the parcel and owner before searching the recorded-document index. Assessor/GIS → Recorder
You need the current deed. Search the owner as a grantee and follow later related recordings. Recorder
You need an older pre-1986 deed. Research the office index books during the Recorder’s research-assistance window. Recorder
You need to add or remove an owner’s name. Determine the legally appropriate deed or other instrument before recording it. Attorney/title professional → Recorder
A deceased owner remains on the tax roll. Review Bonner County’s death-certificate/non-probate guidance and obtain legal help where necessary. Recorder + Assessor
You cannot locate an easement. Search older deeds and plats; consider a title report for a fuller history. Recorder / title professional
Your tax bill is wrong. Determine whether the issue is ownership/assessment or payment/collection. Assessor or Treasurer
You need divorce, probate or civil case records. Use the court-record system instead of the land Recorder index. District Court Records
Frequently Asked Questions

Bonner County Recorder FAQs

Who is the Bonner County Recorder in 2026?

Michael W. Rosedale is the Bonner County Clerk. Under Idaho’s county structure, the elected Clerk also serves as ex-officio Auditor and Recorder. The Recording Office is in Suite 335 at 1500 Highway 2 in Sandpoint.

What is the Bonner County Recorder phone number?

The direct Recording Office phone number is 208-265-1490. The office also publishes recording@bonnercountyid.gov for recording-related contact.

What are the Bonner County Recorder office hours?

The Recording Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Document recording ends at 4:30 PM. The county lists in-person index-book research assistance from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Can I search Bonner County deeds online?

Yes. Bonner County provides public recorded-document search systems. The county’s Document Searches page says documents from July 1, 1986 to current are available online, while older records require in-office index-book research.

Can I search Bonner County Recorder records by property address?

Not directly in the way many property-search systems work. Bonner County says Recorder documents are indexed to names and recording dates rather than to the property itself. Start with the Assessor or GIS when all you have is an address, then carry the owner and document clues into the Recorder search.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Bonner County?

Bonner County currently lists $15 for deeds, grants and conveyances of real property when the instrument is 30 pages or fewer. Different fees apply to mortgages, trust deeds, reconveyances, powers of attorney, surveys and other instruments.

How much does a copy of a Bonner County recorded document cost?

The county lists ordinary recorded-document copies at $1 per page and certification at $1 per document. Survey copies are listed separately at $4 per page.

Does Bonner County accept electronic recording?

Yes. The Recording Office states that e-recording in Bonner County is available by subscription through Simplifile or CSC. Confirm instrument eligibility and provider requirements before submitting electronically.

Will the Bonner County Recorder provide a deed form or help me prepare one?

No. The county says the Recording Office does not provide deed forms, and Recorder staff are not authorized to provide legal guidance. For document preparation or title questions, the county recommends legal assistance.

How do I remove or change a name on a Bonner County property record?

Bonner County says an ownership name on the tax record generally changes after a deed or other legal document conveying the property is recorded. Special estate situations can require additional documents, such as a recorded death certificate and, in qualifying non-probate circumstances, an Assessor affidavit procedure.

Independent Bonner County Records Guide

County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with Bonner County, the Bonner County Clerk and Recorder, Bonner County Assessor, Treasurer, District Court, the State of Idaho, Simplifile or CSC.

A recorded-document index is a research tool and is not a professional title search. Recording an instrument does not by itself establish marketable title, resolve an ownership dispute, locate a legal boundary or guarantee the legal effect of the document.

Public property-owner and recorded-document information should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.

Publication check: Recording fees, portal features, access to document images, office hours and submission procedures can change. Verify the current requirement with the official Bonner County Recording Office before mailing an original legal document or fee payment.

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