Lee County Recorder: Deeds & Records

Lee County, Iowa | Recorder’s Office | Reviewed October 2026

Lee County Recorder: Search Deeds, Land Records, Fees and Office Locations

The Lee County Recorder in Iowa records and preserves deeds, mortgages, contracts, releases, liens, plats and other documents affecting real estate in Lee County.

The main office is in Fort Madison, with limited services at the Keokuk office. Lee County’s recorded land documents date back to 1836, but the method for finding a document depends on its recording year.

This guide explains which records are available through Record Room or Iowa Land Records, how to request a deed from the undigitized 1984–2001 period, and how to calculate recording fees, Auditor transfer fees and Iowa real-estate transfer tax.

Search Deed Records Office & Map Recording Fees

Find the Correct Office

Which Lee County Recorder Does This Guide Cover?

This guide covers Lee County, Iowa, where the official county office is named Lee County Recorder. Other Lee Counties have different recording offices, websites and state laws.

Lee County, Iowa

Fort Madison / Keokuk

The County Recorder directly maintains land records, collects recording fees and performs additional vital-record and licensing services.

Lee County, Florida

Fort Myers

Deeds and official records are handled by the Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, not the Iowa Recorder.

Lee County, Illinois

Dixon

Land documents are recorded by the Lee County Clerk & Recorder. Illinois recording fees and search systems differ from Iowa’s.

Start with the property’s location: The Recorder responsible for a deed is generally the recorder serving the county where the real estate is located, not the county where the owner lives.

Online Search

How to Search Lee County Iowa Deeds and Land Records

Lee County’s strongest search feature is its historical coverage. Unlike counties with one continuous online image database, Lee County divides access into three recording periods.

Recording Period	Where to Search	What Is Available	Best Next Step
1836–1983	Record Room	Online images of recorded documents.	Open the county’s Record Room image-search link and verify names, dates and book/page references.
1984–2001	Record Room	Online document indexes; images have not been digitized.	Find the index entry, then request the image from the Recorder’s office microfiche records.
2002–present	Iowa Land Records	County-linked online record searches and available document images.	Create the required free search account and locate the matching instrument.

Important gap: If a deed was recorded between 1984 and 2001, you may locate its index entry online without finding an image. This does not mean the deed is missing. The county says the images are on microfiche in the Recorder’s office. Call 319-376-1070 to obtain a copy.

Step-by-Step Lee County Deed Search

Collect the Owner and Property Information

Gather the current property owner’s name, former owner’s name, approximate purchase date, property address, township or city, legal description and any book/page or document reference.

If you only know an address, use the county-linked Beacon property search to obtain assessment and parcel clues first.

Choose the Search Tool by Recording Year

Open the official Lee County Land Records page.

Select Record Room for older images or indexes, or Iowa Land Records for documents recorded from 2002 onward.

Search Different Party Names

Look for the grantor, grantee, former owner or business entity. Try alternate spellings and name variations if the first search fails.

A deed transferring property may appear under the seller’s name, the buyer’s name or both, depending on the index.

Verify the Recorded Document

Match the recording date, document type, party names and legal description. Record the book/page or instrument number.

Search later releases or assignments if the property history involves a mortgage or lien.

Check North Lee and South Lee References

Lee County’s fee instructions explain that related documents recorded from 1984 through 2014 must use an N or S designation to identify North Lee or South Lee records.

For references dated before January 1, 1984, use the original Book and Page notation.

Request an Official Copy if Necessary

If the image is unavailable, too old, unclear or needed as a certified copy, contact the Recorder with the recording reference.

Ask for the document’s page count before mailing payment.

Lee County research tip: Always retain the full document reference, including the N/S designation where applicable. Omitting that letter from a 1984–2014 reference can make an otherwise valid Lee County recording harder to locate.

Office Locations

Lee County Recorder Office Address, Phone and Hours

Lee County operates a main Recorder office in Fort Madison and a limited-schedule office in Keokuk. Check the correct location before traveling or mailing records.

Main Recorder Office — Fort Madison

Recorder: Nancy Booten

Street address:
North Lee County Administration Building
933 Avenue H
Fort Madison, IA 52627

Mailing address:
Lee County Recorder
P.O. Box 190
Fort Madison, IA 52627

Phone: 319-376-1070

Fax: 319-372-7033

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Fort Madison Directions

Use the Fort Madison office’s official mailing address for documents and copy requests. The county asks filers to include a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

Keokuk Recorder Office

Location:
Lee County Courthouse — South
25 North 7th Street
Keokuk, IA 52632

Phone: 319-313-7257

Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays only

Morning: 8:30 AM–12:00 PM

Afternoon: 1:00 PM–4:30 PM

Important: The county asks visitors to call to confirm availability of services.

View Keokuk Office Directions

Before visiting Keokuk: Do not assume every Recorder service is available every weekday. The published schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays with a noon-to-1:00 PM break. Call before traveling, especially for recording packages or certified copies.

Recording a Deed

How to Record a Deed in Lee County, Iowa

The Recorder records qualifying instruments; it does not provide legal advice or guarantee that a deed establishes valid title. A typical conveyance requires both properly formatted documents and the appropriate Iowa transfer information.

Prepare the Correct Conveyance Document

Confirm the grantor and grantee, legal description, original signatures, notarial acknowledgment and appropriate ownership language.

Consult an Iowa attorney or title professional for estate, trust, correction, joint ownership or other legally sensitive transfers.

Follow Iowa Recording Format Standards

Use white paper, proper margins, legible text and the required first-page information. Iowa requires a three-inch first-page top margin reserved for the Recorder.

Confirm that signatures and acknowledgments comply with applicable Iowa law.

Prepare the Declaration of Value

When required for a property transfer, complete the Iowa Real Estate Transfer Declaration of Value and identify the relevant consideration or statutory exemption.

The county’s Real Estate page links to Declaration of Value resources and instructions.

Review Groundwater Hazard Requirements

Iowa’s groundwater hazard requirements must be checked for qualifying conveyances. The current rule distinguishes properties with reportable conditions from those qualifying for the statutory no-known-conditions statement on the deed.

Do not submit a blank or unnecessary groundwater form without reviewing Iowa Code §558.69 and the current DNR instructions.

Calculate Recording Fees, Auditor Fees and Transfer Tax

A standard recording begins at $7 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. A deed conveying real estate also generally carries a County Auditor transfer fee and, unless exempt, Iowa real-estate transfer tax.

Use the county fee schedule and verify the applicable amount before submitting checks.

Submit and Verify the Recording

Submit the deed through an accepted recording method with correct payment and return instructions.

The county says processing can take up to two weeks. Keep the recording reference and verify the document after processing.

Electronic recording: Iowa Land Records also supports electronic document submission for attorneys, agents and other authorized users. A free search account does not necessarily grant professional e-submission access.

Document Checklist

Iowa Recording Requirements That Matter in Lee County

Formatting Requirements

Pages no larger than 8½ × 14 inches.
White paper weighing at least 20 pounds.
Three-inch top margin on the first page.
At least ¾-inch margins elsewhere.
Preprinted text generally at least eight points.
Other typed or computer-generated text at least ten points.
Signatures in black or dark-blue ink.
Names typed or printed beneath original signatures.

First-Page Information

Preparer’s name, address and telephone number.
Complete return address.
Taxpayer name and mailing address for conveyances.
Document title.
Grantor and grantee names.
Complete legal description.
Applicable parcel or prior-instrument references.
Page references if required information is elsewhere in the document.

Nonconforming documents: Iowa Code §331.606B provides for an additional $10 fee in qualifying cases. Paying the charge does not cure every defect. Illegibility, missing taxpayer information and certain signature problems cannot simply be ignored.

Privacy: Do not place Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit account numbers or debit account numbers in documents presented for public recording unless an applicable legal provision requires it.

Lee County-Specific Detail

Understanding North Lee, South Lee and Historical Document References

Lee County’s historical land records include separate North Lee and South Lee references. This detail is especially important for older recordings that appear in deeds, mortgages or title documents.

Document Date	Reference Detail	What to Do
Before January 1, 1984	Traditional Book and Page	Keep the original book/page reference exactly as recorded.
1984–2014	North Lee or South Lee designation	Include the N or S indicator in references to related recorded documents.
2002 onward online searches	Iowa Land Records search details	Record the full instrument number and related document references.

Why this matters: An old mortgage release or assignment may refer to a prior Lee County recording. If the north/south designation is missing from the reference, matching the later document to the original can become more difficult.

Recording and Copy Fees

Lee County Recorder Fees and Iowa Real-Estate Transfer Tax

Lee County’s published recording schedule lists $7 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. Deeds conveying property usually have additional Auditor transfer fees and may require state real-estate transfer tax.

Service	Published Amount	Explanation
Standard recording, first page	$7	Applies to an ordinary qualifying recorded instrument.
Additional recording pages	$5 each	For each additional page of the recorded document.
Auditor transfer fee	$5 per applicable transfer unit	Generally based on each township section or city block under the county’s published instructions; statutory maximum of $50 per qualifying transfer instrument.
Iowa real-estate transfer tax	$0.80 per $500 or fraction above the first $500	For taxable transfers. Statutory exemptions can apply.
Nonstandard document	Additional $10 when applicable	Only for eligible format defects under Iowa recording law.
Ordinary recorded-document copy	$1 per page	Recorder copy fee.
Certified recorded-document copy	$5 certification + $1 per page	For copies requiring county certification.

Payment instructions: Lee County asks filers to make checks payable to Lee County Recorder. Separate checks for recording fees and real-estate transfer tax are appreciated. Include a self-addressed stamped return envelope with filings.

Lee County Deed Recording Cost Calculator

This calculator estimates standard recording, Auditor transfer fees and Iowa real-estate transfer tax for a simple transaction.

Recorded pages

Property consideration ($)

Transaction type

Transfer-tax assumption

Auditor transfer units

Nonstandard charge

Optional copy pages

Certified copy

Illustrative total $335.40

Recording: $12.00 | Auditor: $5.00 | Transfer tax: $318.40 | Other charges: $0.00

Estimates assume one instrument and one recording transaction, with the first $500 of consideration excepted from transfer tax. “Exclude transfer tax” is a planning choice, not proof of a legal exemption. The Recorder determines the final payable amount.

Example: For a two-page deed conveying property for $200,000 with one applicable Auditor transfer unit, the illustration is $12 recording fee + $5 Auditor fee + $318.40 real-estate transfer tax = $335.40. Exemptions or additional transactions can change the actual amount.

Required Forms

Declaration of Value and Groundwater Hazard Statement in Iowa

A deed may require more than the instrument itself. Iowa’s Declaration of Value and groundwater-hazard requirements depend on the nature of the conveyance.

Real Estate Transfer Declaration of Value

The Declaration of Value supplies information about the property transaction, parties and consideration where filing is required.

Lee County links to the state’s Declaration of Value instructions from its Real Estate page.

Review any statutory exception before treating a deed as exempt from reporting or transfer tax.

Groundwater Hazard Statement

Under Iowa Code §558.69, a groundwater hazard statement is required in specified situations.

If there are no listed conditions, the statutory procedure generally uses the required no-known-conditions statement on the first page of the conveyance rather than submitting an unnecessary groundwater form.

When a reportable condition is present, the current DNR form and appropriate supporting information may be necessary.

Form accuracy matters: The property owner is responsible for the accuracy of groundwater hazard information. If there is a private well, septic system, burial site, storage tank, disposal site or another potentially reportable condition, review the current DNR instructions and obtain appropriate professional advice.

Records Available

What Records Does the Lee County Recorder Maintain?

The Recorder’s official land-record listing includes the following document categories. Most recorded land instruments are available for public inspection, but access rules differ for military service records.

Deeds and Contracts

Recorded conveyances and contracts affecting real property. Compare legal descriptions and later transfers when researching the chain of title.

Mortgages and Releases

Mortgages, assignments, releases and related instruments. A recorded mortgage does not establish the current unpaid loan balance.

Liens

Federal and state tax liens and other eligible recorded instruments. Legal priority and enforceability may require a title professional.

Plats and Surveys

Survey plats, section corner certificates and related land information. An old recorded survey may not replace a current boundary survey.

Easements and Leases

Records involving access, property use, leases and certain agreements. Review the instrument for its actual terms.

Military Service Records

Military service records are maintained by the Recorder but are not ordinary open public land records. Eligibility and access restrictions apply.

Other Recorder services: The office also handles certain birth, death and marriage records, marriage licenses, boat registrations and ATV/ORV/snowmobile registrations. These are separate from the land-record search service.

Document Copies

How to Get a Copy or Certified Copy of a Lee County Deed

For a Recent Deed

Search Iowa Land Records for the recorded instrument.
Save the document number, date and names.
Check whether the available online image meets your needs.
Contact the Recorder for certification if a receiving institution requires it.

For a Historical Deed

Use Record Room to identify the document.
For 1836–1983, check the available online image.
For 1984–2001, obtain the book/page or index reference and call the office about microfiche.
Confirm the number of pages and total cost before ordering.

Published copy pricing: Lee County lists ordinary recorded-document copies at $1 per page and certified copies at $5 certification plus $1 per page. A certified four-page deed would therefore cost $9 under the published copy schedule, excluding any mailing charges.

Official Resources

Official Lee County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them

These government resources lead to the actual Recorder, search systems, filing requirements and transfer forms.

1. Lee County Recorder’s Office

Official Lee County Iowa Recorder homepage

Confirm the main office and Keokuk service schedule.
Open the Real Estate section.
Choose Land Records, Recording Fees or Document Formatting Standards.
Call the Recorder for unusual filing or copy requests.

2. County Land Records and Record Room

Official Lee County land-record search links

Read the county’s date-coverage explanation.
Select the Record Room image search for 1836–1983 documents.
Select the Record Room index search for 1984–2001 documents.
Use Iowa Land Records for documents from 2002 onward.
Contact the office when an image exists only on microfiche.

3. Iowa Land Records

Iowa Land Records official statewide service

Locate the search or public-record access option.
Create the free user account required for searching.
Select Lee County and search the recorded parties or document reference.
Check the available image and save the recording information.
Use electronic submission only if you are an authorized filer.

4. Lee County Recording Fees

Official Recorder fee schedule

Count the recorded pages.
Calculate $7 for page one and $5 for each additional page.
Add applicable Auditor transfer fees for conveyances.
Check whether transfer tax or a nonstandard-document charge applies.
Follow the county’s mailing and return-envelope instructions.

5. Iowa Document Formatting Standards

Official Iowa recording format checklist

Check paper dimensions, type size and ink.
Confirm the first-page three-inch top margin.
Review preparer, return address, taxpayer and legal-description fields.
Check whether the document qualifies for a statutory format exception.

6. Real Estate Transfer Forms

Official Lee County real-estate forms and tax information

Find Declaration of Value forms and instructions.
Review Iowa transfer-tax calculation resources.
Open the Groundwater Hazard Statement instructions.
Complete the forms or statutory statements required for your specific conveyance.

7. Iowa Department of Revenue Transfer-Tax Information

Official Iowa real-estate transfer-tax rate information

Find the Real Estate Transfer Tax section.
Review the rate of $0.80 per $500 or fraction.
Check the first-$500 exception and statutory exemptions.
Confirm the final amount with the Recorder before payment.

8. Lee County Property and Maps Search

Official county Maps & Real Estate resources

Open the county-linked Beacon property search.
Locate the matching parcel and assessment information.
Save owner and parcel details.
Use the Recorder’s separate search tools to find the actual recorded deed.

Find Your Next Step

Which Lee County Recorder Service Should You Use?

Your Situation	Best Next Step
Deed recorded in 1875	Use the county’s Record Room historical image search.
Deed recorded in 1994	Find the Record Room index entry, then call the Recorder for the microfiche image.
Deed recorded in 2020	Use Iowa Land Records with a free search account.
Only know the property address	Use Beacon property information to find names and parcel clues, then search recorded documents.
Need a certified deed	Contact the Recorder, provide the document reference and confirm certification and page charges.
Need to record a new deed	Check document format, Declaration of Value, groundwater requirements, fees and legal preparation.
Need property-tax payment details	Contact the Lee County Treasurer rather than the Recorder.
Need proof of clear title	Consult an Iowa attorney or title company. A recorded-document search is not a title opinion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lee County Recorder FAQs

Which Lee County Recorder does this guide cover?

This guide covers the Lee County Recorder in Iowa, with its main office in Fort Madison and a limited-schedule office in Keokuk. Lee County recording offices in Florida and Illinois are separate agencies.

Who is the Lee County Iowa Recorder?

Lee County, Iowa, lists Nancy Booten as County Recorder.

Where is the Lee County Recorder office located?

The main office is at 933 Avenue H, Fort Madison, IA 52627. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 190, Fort Madison, IA 52627. The county also has a limited-schedule office at 25 North 7th Street, Keokuk, IA 52632.

What is the Lee County Recorder phone number?

The Fort Madison Recorder office phone number is 319-376-1070. The county’s land-record pages list 319-313-7257 for the Keokuk Recorder office.

Can I search Lee County Iowa deeds online?

Yes. Lee County links to Record Room for older recorded documents and Iowa Land Records for documents recorded from 2002 onward. Iowa Land Records requires users to create a free search account.

How far back do Lee County Iowa land records go?

Lee County states that recorded land documents date back to 1836. Record Room has online images from 1836–1983, indexes for 1984–2001, and Iowa Land Records provides the county’s online search route for 2002–present documents.

Why can I find a 1990 deed index but not its image?

Lee County says images of documents recorded from 1984 through 2001 have not been digitized and remain on office microfiche. Use the index reference and call the Recorder at 319-376-1070 to request a copy.

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

The county’s published standard recording fee is $7 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. A deed conveying property can also require an Auditor transfer fee and Iowa real-estate transfer tax, unless an applicable exemption applies.

What does N or S mean on an older Lee County recording?

Lee County says related document references from 1984 through 2014 must include N or S to indicate whether the recording was a North Lee or South Lee document. Documents before January 1, 1984, generally use the original Book and Page reference.

How much does a certified Lee County deed copy cost?

Lee County lists ordinary recorded-document copies at $1 per page and certified copies at an additional $5 certification fee plus $1 per page.

Independent Editorial and Government Affiliation Notice

This is an independent informational guide, not a Lee County government publication. It is not affiliated with the Lee County Recorder, Iowa Land Records, Iowa Department of Revenue or any government agency.

The information explains public-record research and recording procedures. It is not legal advice, a title examination, title insurance or a guarantee that a recorded deed conveys valid ownership.

Fees, office hours, forms, search coverage and recording procedures may change. Verify consequential information with the Recorder and responsible state agency before recording or relying on a document.

Public property records must not be used as consumer reports for employment, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated eligibility decisions. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.

Editorial review: October 14, 2026. Primary references: Lee County Recorder, Land Records, Recording Fees, Real Estate, Document Formatting Standards, Iowa Department of Revenue and Iowa Code §§331.507, 331.604, 331.606B, 428A.1 and 558.69.