Lake County IN Recorder: Search Deeds, Mortgages & Property Records
Need a deed for property in Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Schererville, Munster or another Lake County community? The Lake County Recorder maintains recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats and related land documents.
The county operates its own online document-search website, LCRecorder.com. You can search its records, identify the correct instrument and purchase available document images. This guide explains the actual search system, its account requirements, 2026 recording fees, local document-preparation rules and office services.
Where to Search Lake County Indiana Deed Records
The official Lake County government website links to LCRecorder.com for public recorded documents. The Recorder’s own website lists more than three million documents and offers One Line Search and Individual Field Search.
Find a Recorded Deed
Use the Recorder’s Search option to look up the parties or document reference. The portal provides a search account system and tools for purchasing recorded document images.
Follow the search process →Start with a Property Address
Use Lake County’s official assessor parcel search when all you know is a street address. Identify the parcel or owner before switching to the Recorder’s deed index.
Address-search instructions →Purchase a Document Image
The Recorder website lists a document purchase price of $1 per page plus a $3 administrative fee per order. Confirm checkout charges before placing an order.
Copy and certification guidance →How to Search Lake County Recorder Deeds Online
The county’s own website confirms that its record-search system includes One Line Search, Individual Field Search, and a login/registration workflow. Follow these steps to identify a deed without paying an unrelated records-directory site.
Open Lake County Recorder Online Records
Go to LCRecorder.com and select SEARCH from the navigation menu.
Log In or Register an Account
If the site asks for a username and password, log in. New users can select Register from the account page. Follow the provider’s registration and verification instructions before opening the search interface.
Account creation and document purchases are separate steps. Check any displayed charges before authorizing payment.
Choose One Line or Individual Field Search
Lake County’s website advertises both search methods. One Line Search provides a general search entry point, while Individual Field Search lets you use separate available search fields. Choose the method that best matches the information you have.
Enter the Owner or Recording Information
Start with the recorded party’s name if you know it. For an ownership transfer, the grantor is generally the transferring party and the grantee is the receiving party. Use a recording or instrument reference when the interface provides an appropriate field.
Identify the Right Recorded Instrument
Review the parties, document type, recording information and available references. A search for one owner’s name may return deeds, mortgages, releases or other instruments, not just the deed you want.
Compare the Property Description
When an image or document details are available, check the property’s legal description. The recorded deed may identify a subdivision lot, block or legal tract rather than the street address used for property taxes.
Save the Document Reference
Record the instrument number or other displayed recording reference, date and relevant party names. Keep these details for follow-up research or a copy request.
Purchase an Image if Needed
The website lists document purchases at $1 per page plus a $3 administrative fee per order. Check the selected document and total before checkout. If a recipient needs a certified copy, contact the Recorder about certification rather than assuming the purchased image is certified.
How to Find a Lake County IN Deed Using a Property Address
The Recorder’s system is intended for recorded instruments. Lake County separately offers assessor parcel records. Combining those systems is usually more useful than guessing which document might match an address.
Step 1: Find the Parcel
Open the county’s Find Services page.
- Select Search Assessor Parcel Records.
- Use the available address or parcel-search option.
- Choose the property matching the correct street address and locality.
- Record the displayed owner, parcel identifier and property description.
Step 2: Find the Recorded Document
Return to LCRecorder.com and search using the relevant party names or available recording reference.
Compare the legal description in the resulting deed with the assessor parcel information. Do not treat the appraisal owner field as proof of clear legal title.
Lake County Indiana Recorded Document Types Explained
The official Recorder website lists deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, leases, subdivision plats, UCC filings, assumed business names and military discharges among the documents maintained by the office.
| Document | What It May Tell You | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty Deed | Records a conveyance and the warranties expressed in the instrument. | Review grantor, grantee and legal description. |
| Quitclaim Deed | Transfers whatever interest the grantor possesses without equivalent title warranties. | Check related prior deeds and title history. |
| Mortgage | Records a security interest relating to a property loan. | Look for later assignments or releases. |
| Mortgage Release | May show that a specified mortgage interest has been released. | Match the release to the original mortgage reference. |
| Lien | Records certain claims or interests affecting property. | Review its type, parties and any subsequent release. |
| Easement or Lease | May document access, use or leasehold interests. | Check which property or parties are affected. |
| Subdivision Plat / Survey | Provides mapped or legal land-description information. | Compare recorded plat references with the deed. |
| UCC Filing | May document certain secured transactions. | Confirm whether the filing is relevant to the property or collateral. |
Lake County Recorder Fees for Deeds, Mortgages and Copies
Lake County’s published fee guidance follows Indiana Code §36-2-7-10. Indiana generally uses flat document recording fees rather than charging ordinary deeds by their page count.
| Service | Published Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary deed or most other documents | $25 | Standard non-oversize recorded instrument. |
| Mortgage recording | $55 | Separate flat mortgage recording fee. |
| Large-format document | $25 first large page | $5 for each additional large page under the statutory schedule. |
| Multiple-transaction instrument | Additional charges may apply | Check statutory transaction rules and office acceptance. |
| Online recorded-document purchase | $1 per page + $3 per order | Amount published by LCRecorder.com. |
| Ordinary office copy | $1 per standard page | Confirm current copy and format requirements. |
| Certification or attestation | Confirm current charge | Request the current official certification total before ordering. |
Example: Recording a Regular Deed
For a qualifying standard deed, the published Recorder fee is $25, regardless of the ordinary number of pages.
This does not include separate transfer, endorsement, vendor or other transaction-specific expenses.
Example: Purchasing an Online Copy
Suppose you purchase one five-page recorded document from the Recorder’s online store:
5 pages × $1 + $3 order fee = $8.
This is an illustrative purchase subtotal. Check checkout for any additional applicable charges.
Open County Recorder Fee Schedule ↗
Review the county fee schedule or contact the Recorder before paying. Statutory fees, multi-transaction rules and vendor charges can require different calculations.
Lake County Indiana Deed Recording Requirements
Lake County publishes a joint e-recording requirements memo involving the Recorder, Auditor and Assessor. It highlights several reasons submitted documents may be rejected or delayed.
Document Preparation Checklist
- The instrument must concern property in Lake County, Indiana.
- Include an applicable legal property description.
- Use the required notarization and acknowledgment.
- Printed names must correspond to written signatures.
- Include a document preparer’s statement when required.
- Include the grantee’s full address as instructed by the office.
- Ensure all text and pages are legible and correctly oriented.
- Include required Indiana notarial affirmation statements where applicable.
Check Transfer Endorsements First
Lake County’s joint recording guidance says transfer documents must receive the applicable approvals from the Assessor and Auditor before being recorded.
Assessor: 219-755-3100
Auditor: 219-755-3120
Ask each office which endorsement, tax or document-review requirements apply to your specific transfer.
Can You Electronically Record a Deed in Lake County Indiana?
Yes. Lake County reports accepting e-recordings since March 2021. The county describes e-recording primarily as a workflow for title companies, attorneys, lenders and businesses that regularly submit real-estate documents.
Simplifile
The county identifies Simplifile as supporting transfer and non-transfer documents.
For a deed conveying property, this distinction matters because transfer instruments can involve additional county endorsements.
CSC
The county lists Corporation Service Company for non-transfer documents only.
Verify instrument eligibility before selecting a submission provider.
Indecomm Global Services
The county lists Indecomm for non-transfer documents only.
Provider fees and account rules are separate from the Recorder’s statutory charges.
Open Official E-Recording Instructions ↗
On the county page, review the vendor list, instrument limitations and joint e-recording memo. Contact your chosen provider to verify current submission and service charges.
How to Get a Copy of a Lake County Indiana Recorded Deed
The online system offers document purchases, but a purchased image is not necessarily a certified copy. Choose the correct request method for the organization that will receive the document.
Find the Document
Search LCRecorder.com for the deed. Review the parties and recording details to confirm that the result is the right property transfer.
Check the Image Purchase Total
The online website advertises $1 per page plus a $3 administrative fee per order. Review the document page count, purchase terms and total before payment.
Ask Whether Certification Is Required
If the deed is for a court, government application or other formal purpose, confirm whether an ordinary image is acceptable. If not, ask the Recorder for the certified-copy procedure.
Contact the Recorder for an Official Certified Copy
Call 219-755-3730 with the recording reference and document details. Confirm certification availability, applicable charges and collection or delivery arrangements.
Lake County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours and Directions
Lake County Government Center
Office: Lake County Recorder
Recorder: Gina Pimentel
Location:
Building A, 2nd Floor
2293 N. Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: 219-755-3730
Fax: 219-648-6028
Published hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Central Time
Before You Visit
The Recorder’s official government page reports that office staff include people who speak Spanish and use sign language.
Before making a trip, call to confirm:
- Whether the specific record is available online.
- Whether a certified copy can be prepared.
- Current document-recording intake procedures.
- Accepted payment methods.
- Whether you need Assessor or Auditor approval first.
- Holiday closures or changes to office hours.
Main office map. Parking and building-entry conditions should be checked with county staff if you need special access arrangements.
Lake County Recorder’s Gary Satellite Office: What to Know
The City of Gary announced a Lake County Recorder satellite service at Gary City Hall in May 2024. Its original announced service was limited to contractor-related bond recordings, not general deed transactions.
For deed recording, certified land records and complex filing questions, use the current Crown Point office instructions unless the Recorder confirms another authorized location.
Read the City of Gary’s original satellite-office announcement.
Lake County Recorder vs. Assessor vs. Auditor vs. Treasurer
Lake County separates recorded legal documents from property assessment, transfer processing and tax collection. Use the correct office for the task you actually need to complete.
| Your Task | Correct Office | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Find a recorded deed | Recorder | Search LCRecorder.com |
| Find mortgages, liens or releases | Recorder | Use recorded-document search |
| Request a certified deed | Recorder | Provide recording details to the office |
| Search a parcel using a street address | Assessor | Use the county parcel-search service |
| Review property valuation | Assessor | Open the current property assessment record |
| Complete required deed-transfer endorsement | Assessor and Auditor | Check local transfer requirements |
| Pay a property tax bill | Treasurer | Use the official county tax-payment service |
| Resolve a legal title issue | Qualified Indiana attorney or title professional | Arrange an appropriate title examination |
Why Your Lake County Indiana Deed Search May Not Work
The Search Page Requests Login
This is part of the current Recorder website workflow. Use Register if you do not already have an account. After signing in, open Search or Advanced Search and review the available fields.
No Match for the Current Owner
Try an earlier owner, a trust or business name, or another appropriate name-search combination. The Recorder index may identify recorded parties differently from the county’s property-tax listing.
Only Have a Street Address
Start with Lake County’s assessor parcel search. Identify the matching parcel and owner, then move to LCRecorder.com to locate recorded deeds or mortgage documents.
An Old Deed Image Is Missing
Save any recording reference and contact the Recorder. The office maintains historical documents, but online indexing and availability may not be the same for every time period or record.
Property Fraud Alerts and Free Military Discharge Recording
Property Fraud Alert
Lake County’s official Recorder page links to Property Fraud Alert, a service designed to notify registered users about certain newly recorded documents involving monitored names.
- Open the county Recorder homepage.
- Select Property Fraud Alert.
- Review the linked service’s registration instructions.
- Enroll the applicable name and contact details.
- Investigate any unexpected alert.
A fraud alert does not automatically stop a questionable recording or replace legal protection.
Veterans’ Discharge Records
The Recorder’s website states that military discharge documents are recorded free of cost. It also advertises a mobile veteran-recording service.
Before recording a DD214 or similar document, ask the office about privacy restrictions and public access protections for sensitive military records.
Contact the Recorder at 219-755-3730 for current veteran-service instructions.
Lake County Recorder Search, Recording and Fee Resources
These resources are connected to the county government or the Recorder’s own website. Follow the short instructions below each link to reach the right service.
1. Lake County Recorder Online Search
Official recorded-document website with search-account and document-purchase features.
- Select SEARCH.
- Log in or register if requested.
- Choose One Line Search or Individual Field Search.
- Find the instrument and check document-image purchase options.
2. Lake County Recorder Government Page
Office location, staff information, contact details, hours and linked services.
- Review the Crown Point address and office hours.
- Use Search Public Records for recorded instruments.
- Find links for fees, e-recording, fraud alerts or redacted-address forms.
3. Lake County Recording Fees
Government fee information for mortgages, deeds and other recording services.
- Open the linked fee schedule.
- Find the charge for your specific instrument.
- Check special document and copy charges.
- Confirm the total with the Recorder before submission.
4. Lake County E-Recording Instructions
Official vendor details and transfer-versus-non-transfer limitations.
- Identify whether your document transfers property.
- Compare the listed vendors and eligible document types.
- Review the joint Assessor/Auditor recording memo.
- Confirm vendor account and service charges.
5. Lake County Property and Tax Search Menu
Official government links for assessor parcels and property-tax records.
- Select Search Assessor Parcel Records to identify a property.
- Use the available parcel or address-search fields.
- Select Search Property Tax Records only when reviewing tax billing.
- Return to the Recorder for legal instruments.
What Should You Do Next?
You Found the Correct Deed
Save the recording reference, names and date. Read the legal description and decide whether you need a regular downloaded image or an officially certified copy.
The Assessor Owner Looks Different
Compare the recorded conveyance with the assessor parcel record. Ask the appropriate county office about updating the tax listing, but seek title assistance if the discrepancy concerns legal ownership.
You Need to Record a Transfer
Confirm legal-document preparation, required notarization, grantee address, Assessor/Auditor transfer processing and Recorder acceptance requirements before presenting the instrument.
You Found a Mortgage or Lien
Look for later releases, assignments or related instruments. If the record affects a purchase, refinance or legal dispute, obtain professional title or legal review rather than relying on an incomplete search.
Lake County Indiana Recorder FAQs
1. Where can I search Lake County Indiana deeds online?
Use the official Lake County Recorder website at LCRecorder.com. Select Search and log in or register if requested. The portal advertises One Line Search and Individual Field Search for recorded documents.
2. Who is the Lake County Indiana Recorder?
The official Lake County government page identifies Gina Pimentel as County Recorder. The office is located in Building A, Second Floor, at 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point.
3. Is the Lake County Recorder online search free?
The website provides an account-based search service. Its published document purchase charge is $1 per page plus a $3 administrative fee per order. Review any applicable account or search charges on the portal before payment.
4. Can I find Lake County deed records by street address?
Start with the county’s Search Assessor Parcel Records link to identify the correct parcel and owner. Then use the recorded party names or document reference in LCRecorder.com to research the deed.
5. How much does Lake County Indiana charge to record a deed?
The published standard Recorder fee is $25 for most non-mortgage documents. Mortgage recording generally costs $55. Specialized instruments, transfer processing or vendor fees may involve additional charges.
6. Where is the Lake County Recorder office?
The main office is in Building A, Second Floor, Lake County Government Center, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307. Its telephone number is 219-755-3730.
7. Can I record a deed electronically in Lake County?
Lake County accepts electronic recording. Its official guidance lists Simplifile for transfer and non-transfer documents, while CSC and Indecomm are listed for non-transfer documents only. Confirm current provider eligibility before submission.
8. How do I obtain a certified Lake County deed copy?
Find the document and save its recording reference, then contact the Recorder at 219-755-3730. Ask for the current certified-copy fee and request procedure. An ordinary purchased online image may not be certified.
9. Does Lake County Indiana offer property fraud alerts?
Yes. The county Recorder website links to Property Fraud Alert. Open the Recorder’s official government page, choose Property Fraud Alert and follow the provider’s enrollment instructions.
10. Does the Lake County Recorder handle property taxes?
No. The Recorder maintains recorded legal instruments. The Assessor handles property assessment information, the Auditor has transfer-related responsibilities, and the Treasurer handles property-tax collection.