Sangamon County IL Recorder: Search Deeds, Mortgages & Land Records
Need a deed for a property in Springfield, Chatham, Rochester, Sherman, Riverton or another Sangamon County community? The Sangamon County Recorder maintains the county’s recorded land documents, including deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats and surveys.
The Recorder offers three ways to search remotely: a free data-only search, Tapestry for occasional paid searches, and Laredo for account-based research. You can also use free public research terminals at the Recorder’s Springfield office.
Official county links · Historic deed coverage · Copy and recording fees
Where to Search Sangamon County Recorder Records
The Recorder’s official Land Records Search page separates access based on what you need. If you only need to identify a deed’s parties or recording reference, try the free data search first. If you need the scanned instrument, choose a document-image option or visit the office.
Free Data Search
Best for: Finding index information without paying for images.
The county clearly describes this service as land-records data only, with no document images.
Open Free Search ↗Tapestry
Best for: Occasional remote land-record research.
Tapestry charges per search. Review its fees and document-access terms before entering payment.
Access Tapestry ↗Laredo
Best for: Frequent or professional land-record searches.
Laredo is an account-based research service. Contact the provider or Recorder about current access terms.
Review Laredo ↗How to Search Sangamon County Deeds Online
Open the Official Search Directory
Visit Sangamon County Land Records Search. Select the free index, Tapestry or Laredo depending on your purpose.
Start With a Recorded Party Name
Use the available grantor or grantee search fields. The grantor is generally the party transferring an interest; the grantee is the receiving party. Try the previous owner’s name if you are searching for a deed.
Apply Available Date Filters
Use a recording date or date range if the chosen service provides that option. A deed might be signed before it is recorded, so allow a wider date range when only the closing date is known.
Review the Results Carefully
Compare party names, recording dates, document categories and reference numbers. The same person may appear in deeds, mortgages, releases and other instruments.
Save the Instrument Reference
Record the instrument number or book/page, document type, recorded date and relevant names. Keep this information for image access, copy orders or further research.
Get the Document Image When Needed
The free data-only system does not provide images. Use an image-capable service, visit the county’s public terminals, or request a regular or certified copy from the Recorder.
Verify the Property Description
Review the underlying deed before relying on an index match. Compare the legal description, parties, deed type and any referenced earlier instruments.
How Far Back Do Sangamon County Deed Records Go?
Sangamon County’s official search page describes different levels of historical access. These dates matter because an older instrument may have a scanned image without being searchable by a person’s name.
| Period | County-Published Availability | Best Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 to present | Online index data and document images | Start with online records search |
| 1950–1969 deeds | Deed records indexed and available to view | Use available historic index references |
| February 16, 1901 onward | Deed books scanned; images can be found using a document number or book/page | Search by historical reference |
| Early 1800s and other older records | Historical records held by the Recorder | Ask staff about microfilm and microfiche research |
Sangamon County also notes that its historical records include instruments associated with Abraham Lincoln. For family history or historical land research, the in-office microfilm and microfiche collections may be more useful than a modern name search.
Search by Owner Name, Address, Parcel Number or Book/Page
| What You Know | Start Here | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Former owner’s name | Recorder land-record index | Grantor/grantee and deed date |
| Document number | Recorder reference search | Instrument number and document type |
| Book and page | Recorder historical records | Book/page and recorded instrument |
| Street address only | County property-tax/assessment search | Owner, parcel and legal description |
| Parcel number | Assessment records and GIS | Correct land parcel and associated parties |
| Older farm parcel | Parcel viewer and historical Recorder index | Legal description and earlier conveyances |
What Does the Sangamon County Recorder Maintain?
Warranty and Other Deeds
These may document real-property conveyances. Check the grantor, grantee, legal description and reservations. A deed’s legal effect depends on its terms and ownership history.
Mortgages and Releases
Mortgage records can identify a security interest. A later release may relate to that mortgage. Reviewing only one instrument may not resolve its current status.
Liens and Recorded Notices
Recorded liens and notices can affect property interests. Some state tax liens and releases may also need checking through the Illinois Department of Revenue lien registry.
Plats, Surveys and Easements
Recorded plats, surveys and easements can help investigate boundaries, rights-of-way and subdivision restrictions. An older document may still be relevant to current land use.
How to Record a Deed in Sangamon County, Illinois
The Recorder’s office records qualifying documents, but preparation of a valid deed can require legal expertise. Before filing, check the original instrument, its tax and return information, the county’s formatting rules and whether transfer declarations apply.
Prepare the Correct Deed
Determine the appropriate deed form and complete the parties, legal description and other transaction details. Seek professional help when transferring an estate, trust or contested ownership interest.
Check the Required Information
The county lists the preparer’s name and address, return-to information, tax-bill recipient where applicable, tax identification number, common address and legal description among its recording requirements.
Meet the Standard Document Format
The county’s standard category describes 8½ × 11-inch paper and a blank 3 × 5-inch space in the upper-right corner. The Recorder requires black ink. Documents outside the standard can incur higher charges.
Sign and Notarize Where Required
For a property ownership transfer, the county says a new deed must be prepared, signed, notarized and recorded. Check whether the particular instrument requires additional acknowledgments.
Complete Transfer Declarations
The county explains that a sale of property for $100 or more generally requires a PTAX-203 declaration to accompany the deed. Determine whether the transaction is taxable or qualifies for an exception.
Confirm Fees and Payment
Check the standard or nonstandard recording category, and whether state or county transfer-tax stamps apply. The office lists cash, checks and credit cards as accepted payment forms for recordings.
Submit and Keep Your Reference
File the document at the Springfield office or mail an original instrument with the exact fee and return instructions. Retain the recording reference and returned document.
Sangamon County Recording Fees and Certified-Copy Costs
The Recorder’s published fee schedule incorporates the Illinois Rental Housing Support Program surcharge increase effective July 1, 2023. Use the current county fee page before submitting a document, since the classification affects the amount.
| Item | Published Fee | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Standard real-property instrument | $64 | Standard-size, qualifying format |
| Nonstandard real-property instrument | $84 | Nonstandard category with applicable surcharge |
| Standard surcharge-exempt instrument | $45 | Only where the statutory exemption applies |
| Nonstandard surcharge-exempt instrument | $65 | Applicable exempt category |
| Certified recorded-document copy | $26 | Except plats |
| Noncertified copy | $2 first two pages | $0.25 per additional page |
| 11 × 17-inch plat copy | $3 | County-listed plat copy charge |
| Large plat copy, up to 30 × 36 inches | $5 | County-listed large plat copy charge |
| Real estate transfer stamps | State $0.50 / $500; county $0.25 / $500 | Subject to transaction-specific applicability and exemptions |
How to Request a Sangamon County Certified Deed Copy
Regular Research Copy
For a copy needed for your own files, ask for an ordinary noncertified copy. The county’s fee is $2 for the first two pages and $0.25 for each additional page.
Certified Copy
If a lender, court or other recipient requires certification, request an official certified copy. The county lists $26 for a certified recorded document other than a plat.
- Find the deed using the Recorder index or office research terminals.
- Save the instrument number or book/page and recorded parties.
- Call the Research Department at (217) 535-3150 to confirm pages and fulfillment.
- Choose in-person, mailed or another officially offered copy-request method.
- Pay the applicable amount and retain the document-copy reference.
Sangamon County Recorder Office: Address, Phone and Hours
Sangamon County Recorder
Recorder: Frank J. Lesko
Address:
200 South Ninth Street
First Floor, County Building
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: (217) 535-3150
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, excluding county closures.
Get Directions ↗Before Visiting
- Bring the recorded document number if you have it.
- Use free public terminals if you need to research images.
- Confirm the copy charge before ordering several pages.
- Bring original documents if recording a new deed.
- Check the recording-fee classification and any PTAX-203 requirement.
- Confirm office availability during holidays.
The map shows the Sangamon County government building. Confirm the current public entrance, parking and accessibility details before visiting.
Sangamon County Property Fraud Alert
The Recorder provides a Property Fraud Alert service to help property owners monitor certain recording activity associated with their registered information. An alert is a notification tool, not a guarantee that a suspicious document will be prevented or automatically invalidated.
How to Find the Alert
- Open the Recorder’s government page.
- Select Property Fraud Alert.
- Read the provider’s enrollment terms.
- Register the names or details allowed by the service.
- Investigate unfamiliar notifications with the Recorder.
Be Careful With Paid Deed Offers
A recorded deed is a public document. Private services sometimes offer homeowners copies for more than the Recorder’s actual fee.
Before responding to a mailed solicitation, compare its price with the published Recorder fees. You do not need a private intermediary simply to request an official copy.
Common Sangamon County Land Records Search Problems
No Deed Appears Under the Owner
- Search the previous owner or seller.
- Try alternate spellings, initials or business names.
- Expand the recorded-date range.
- Check whether the instrument is in historical books.
- Confirm the property is in Sangamon County.
You Need the Image but Only See Data
The county’s free search is data only. Use a document-image option such as Tapestry or Laredo, visit a free public research terminal, or request a copy from the Recorder.
Only Have a Street Address
Start with the county assessment or parcel viewer, identify the owner and legal description, and then search grantor/grantee records. If researching farm ground, the county says a parcel number is important.
Searching Before 1982
Older indexed coverage is not continuous in the same way as recent records. Use known book/page references where possible, or visit the Recorder for historical microfilm and microfiche research.
Sangamon County Recorder Search, Fees, Forms and Property Links
1. Recorder Land Records Search
Official directory for free index data, Tapestry and Laredo.
- Choose Free Data Search for index-only research.
- Use Tapestry if occasional image access is worth its per-search charge.
- Review Laredo if you need ongoing research access.
2. Recording Fee Schedule
Standard documents, nonstandard charges and copy costs.
- Check whether your document meets the standard format.
- Identify any surcharge-exempt category.
- Check transfer stamps separately from recording charges.
3. Recorder Frequently Asked Questions
County answers about deed copies, mailing and ownership changes.
- Read the mailing and original-document requirements.
- Review PTAX-203 guidance for property sales.
- Call the Research Department if the page count is unknown.
4. Property Tax and Assessment Search
Use an address or parcel to identify the property before searching deeds.
- Search the property address or parcel details.
- Confirm the matching owner and parcel.
- Use party names to search the Recorder’s records.
5. Recorder Copy Requests
Procedures for obtaining recorded documents.
- Gather instrument number, parties and recording date.
- Choose a regular or certified copy.
- Confirm fulfillment method and total charge.
6. Recorder eRecording
Electronic submission information for qualifying recording users.
- Review approved electronic recording options.
- Confirm eligibility and provider requirements.
- Submit a compliant document using the supported process.
Sangamon County IL Recorder FAQs
1. Where is the Sangamon County Recorder in Springfield?
The Recorder is at 200 South Ninth Street, First Floor, Sangamon County Building, Springfield, IL 62701. The telephone number is (217) 535-3150.
2. Who is the Sangamon County Recorder?
The county’s official website lists Frank J. Lesko as Sangamon County Recorder. The office maintains deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats and other recorded land instruments.
3. Can I search Sangamon County deeds for free?
Yes. The county offers a free data-only land records search without images. Its Springfield office also provides free public research terminals. Online image access through services such as Tapestry or Laredo may involve charges.
4. How far back do Sangamon County online deed records go?
The county reports online data and images from 1982 onward. Deed books have been scanned back to February 16, 1901, with historical indexing available for 1950–1969. Older searches may need a book/page reference or in-office research.
5. What are the Recorder’s Springfield office hours?
The office lists Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding county holidays and closures.
6. How much does it cost to record a deed in Sangamon County?
The published fee schedule lists $64 for a standard real-property document and $84 for a nonstandard instrument. State and county transfer taxes or other applicable charges are separate.
7. How much does a certified Sangamon County deed copy cost?
The published Recorder fee is $26 for a certified recorded document other than a plat. An ordinary noncertified copy costs $2 for the first two pages and $0.25 for each additional page.
8. Can I mail a deed to the Sangamon County Recorder?
Yes. Send the original recordable instrument, the exact recording fee and return instructions to Sangamon County Recorder, 200 South Ninth Street, First Floor, Springfield, IL 62701.
9. Is PTAX-203 required when transferring property in Sangamon County?
The Recorder says that sales of property for $100 or more generally require PTAX-203 to accompany the deed for transfer-tax purposes. Check exemptions and the requirements for your particular transaction before filing.
10. Can the Sangamon County Recorder confirm clear title?
No. The Recorder maintains recorded instruments but does not guarantee that ownership is free from liens, restrictions or other title issues. A title examination may be needed for legal assurance.
Official Sources and Independent Publication Notice
Information checked: October 24, 2026.
This guide draws on the Sangamon County Recorder’s official office page, land-record search instructions, historical coverage, recording-fee schedule and frequently asked questions.
Primary resources: Recorder Office · Land Records Search · Fee Schedule · Official FAQ.
This independent educational resource is not affiliated with Sangamon County Government. It does not issue certified records, prepare legal documents or provide title examinations. Verify current procedures, fees and document requirements with the Recorder before filing.