Delaware County OH Deed Search: Recorder Records, Copies & Office Guide
Looking for a deed, mortgage or recorded lien in Delaware, Powell, Sunbury, Lewis Center, Westerville-area communities or other parts of Delaware County, Ohio? The Delaware County Recorder maintains the county’s recorded real-estate documents.
The official online search covers real-estate recordings from 1990 to the present. You can search by a person’s name, business name, instrument number or book and page reference. Older documents require research through the Recorder’s office.
This guide explains the county’s actual search rules, how to find deeds using the Auditor’s property map, what to do when a mortgage or lien does not appear, and how much recording or certified copies cost.
Where to Search Delaware County, Ohio Deed Records
Use the Delaware County Recorder’s Recorded Document Search page. Select Continue to Search and accept the public-records disclaimer to open the county’s Document Technology Systems (DTS) search application.
Search a Recorded Deed
Search the Recorder’s index by grantor or grantee name, instrument number or book/page. Use the original party names and recording date to identify the correct document.
Follow the search workflow →Request a Certified Deed
Online document images are for informational use. If a court, lender or other recipient requires official certification, request a certified copy from the Recorder.
Review copying options →Search by Street Address
Start with the Delaware County Auditor’s GIS property search to identify the parcel and owner. Then use those details in the Recorder’s document search.
See the address-to-deed method →How to Search Delaware County Recorder of Deeds Records Online
Delaware County uses a forward-and-reverse recording index and assigns an instrument number plus volume/page references to recorded documents. The official instructions recommend searching personal names last name first.
Open the Recorder’s Official Search Page
Visit the Recorded Document Search page. Read the public-records warning, including the reminder that recorded documents are generally accessible to other people.
Click Continue to Search to reach the county’s public-access application.
Accept the DTS Search Disclaimer
The linked public-access application displays its terms of use. Read the disclaimer and acknowledge it before searching.
Account registration is optional. The DTS site says an account is not required, although registering can save search settings, search history and documents in a cart.
Choose Name, Book/Page or Instrument Number
Use whichever recording information you already have:
- Name: When you know a buyer, seller or lender.
- Book/Page: When another document cites a volume or page reference.
- Instrument Number: When you have the assigned recording identifier.
For a typical deed lookup, name search is often the most practical starting point.
Enter the Name in the County’s Preferred Order
For individuals, enter the last name first, followed by the first name. Search business names using the business’s indexed name.
The county also identifies special indexing conventions:
- NUMBER- for certain business names beginning with a number.
- CH- for churches.
- SCH- for schools.
Check the Grantor and Grantee
If you are tracing a property transfer, compare the parties:
- Grantor: Usually the person transferring the property interest.
- Grantee: Usually the person receiving it.
Search the former owner as well as the current owner when necessary. A deed may appear under either indexed party.
Verify the Recording Reference
Review the recorded date, instrument type, party names and available volume/page or instrument-number information.
Do not select a record solely because one name matches. Two unrelated people may have the same name.
Review the Available Document Image
Open the associated image if the application offers one. Check the legal description, names, recording details and any referenced attachments.
The county warns that online image availability varies by document type and year. An indexed recording does not always mean its full image is available online.
Save the Reference or Request Certification
Keep the instrument number, book/page, recording date and party names.
If you only need to review the deed, an informational copy may be sufficient. If an official recipient requires certification, request a certified copy from the Recorder.
Delaware County OH Deed Search by Name, Instrument Number or Book/Page
| Information You Have | Search Method | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Current owner’s name | Name search | Use surname first and compare matching parties. |
| Former owner’s name | Grantor/grantee search | Useful when tracing earlier transfers. |
| Business name | Entity-name search | Use the business name as indexed; check special prefixes if applicable. |
| Instrument number | Instrument-number search | Enter the exact recording reference. |
| Volume and page | Book/Page search | Check the cited volume and page carefully. |
| Street address | Auditor GIS first | Find owner information and the tax parcel number. |
| Mortgage | Mortgagor/mortgagee name search | Search the borrower and lender when necessary. |
| Older UCC filing | UCC or tract index depending on date | Use the county’s separate historical UCC rules. |
| Deed before 1990 | In-person Recorder research | Take known names, dates and historical references. |
How to Find a Delaware County Deed Using a Property Address
If you know the house address but not the deed’s recorded parties, begin with the Delaware County Auditor’s GIS property search. This is especially useful when you need records associated with a parcel in Lewis Center, Powell, Delaware, Sunbury or another county community.
Open the Auditor’s GIS Property Search
Visit Delaware County Auditor GIS. Find the Property Search section.
Select the Address Field
The GIS site offers three principal property-search fields: Owner Name, Address and Tax Parcel Number. At least one field is required.
Enter the property address. The GIS instructions recommend proper street suffixes such as Rd or St.
Open the Correct Parcel
Compare the selected parcel’s address, owner name and parcel number. Use available property information to confirm that you selected the right location.
Save the owner name and parcel identifier for your records.
Return to the Recorder Search
Open the Recorder’s search page. Search the identified owner’s name, then compare dates and document types.
Check the Legal Description
Once you locate a likely deed, compare its legal description and recorded parties against the property you intended to research.
Do not assume a parcel’s GIS boundary drawing is a legally certified property survey.
What Types of Property Records Does the Delaware County Recorder Maintain?
The Recorder’s office maintains instruments affecting real estate and certain other recordable interests. Each document type answers a different question.
Deeds and Land Contracts
Recorded deeds can document property conveyances, while land contracts may reflect particular purchase arrangements. Check the parties, recording date and legal description to understand the specific instrument.
Mortgages and Releases
Mortgages are recorded security instruments. A later satisfaction or release may document discharge of the referenced mortgage. Search related filings rather than assuming the original mortgage alone shows current loan status.
Mechanics Liens and Federal Tax Liens
The Recorder maintains certain lien filings. Their legal effect depends on the particular document and applicable law. A search result is not a determination that every recorded claim remains enforceable.
Plats, Easements and Zoning Instruments
Recorded plats and other land-related instruments may help explain subdivision layout, easements or restrictions. These documents can be relevant when researching access, parcel configuration or property use.
Delaware County Pre-1990 Deeds, UCC Filings and Federal Tax Liens
Delaware County publishes specific historical indexing limits. They matter when a search comes back empty even though the document may have been recorded.
| Record Category | County Search Limitation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Real-estate documents before 1990 | Not available through the current online date range | Research at the Recorder’s office |
| Federal tax lien images | Images available after January 1, 1995 | Ask the office about older images |
| UCC before October 1, 1993 | Manually indexed | Ask which historical UCC index applies |
| UCC October 1993–January 25, 2005 | Financing Statement System; real-estate-related filings also indexed in the tract system | Search the relevant UCC index and real-property tract records |
| Real-estate-related UCC from January 26, 2005 | Indexed and scanned in the tract system | Use the current tract-related index |
| Non-real-estate UCC since July 1, 2001 | Generally handled by the Ohio Secretary of State | Use the appropriate state UCC service |
Delaware County Ohio Deed Recording Fees and Copy Costs
The Recorder’s official Fees and Charges page lists the following rates under Ohio Revised Code Section 317.32. Fees are based on the type of instrument, number of pages and any applicable additional charges.
| Service | Published Fee | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Standard recording, first two pages | $39.00 | Applies to eligible deeds, mortgages, leases, releases and other listed instruments |
| Each additional recorded page | $8.00 | Added after the first two pages |
| Marginal reference | $4.00 each | May apply to releases, amendments, assignments or re-recordings |
| Map or plat recording | $40.00 per page | Separate map/plat category |
| Photocopy | $2.00 per page | Recorder-provided ordinary copy |
| Certified copy | $2.00 per page + $2.00 certification | Official certified record copy |
| UCC filing | $12.00 + $4.00 per indexed name | Published charge for qualifying UCC filings |
| UCC search | $20.00 | Published search charge; additional copies may be charged separately |
| Veteran’s discharge recording | No fee | Recorder’s published veteran-recording service |
How to Obtain a Certified Delaware County Deed Copy
The county’s online DTS public-access system warns that its document images are informational and should not be treated as legally equivalent to certified copies supplied by the Recorder.
Online Image
Use the public-access search to locate the record and view an available image. The system notes that purchased image downloads require browser download permissions.
Account registration can help retain search settings and a document cart.
In-Person Certified Copy
Bring the instrument number, volume/page, parties and approximate recording date to the Recorder’s office.
Request the official certification needed for your particular purpose.
Mail Request
Contact the Recorder to confirm the document reference, number of pages, fee and accepted payment method.
The county instructs customers mailing documents to include a postage-paid return envelope or sufficient return postage.
Before Recording a New Deed in Delaware County, Ohio
A new ownership-transfer deed involves more than simply paying the Recorder. Depending on the transaction, the document must comply with the Delaware County Auditor and Engineer’s transfer/conveyance standards and Ohio real-property transfer rules.
Documents and Details to Check
- Accurate grantor and grantee names.
- Legally sufficient property description.
- Correct parcel and conveyance details.
- Signatures and acknowledgments required for the instrument.
- Applicable conveyance statement or exemption documentation.
- Compliance with county map and transfer standards.
- Appropriate payment and return-document instructions.
Auditor Conveyance Forms
The Delaware County Auditor provides several transaction-related forms:
- DTE 100: Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement of Value.
- DTE 100EX: Conveyance Fee Exemption statement.
- DTE 101: Statement of Conveyance of Homestead Property.
- DTE 102: Agricultural conveyance statement.
The correct form depends on the transfer; not every deed requires every form.
View official Auditor forms →Determine the Legal Transfer Method
Identify the appropriate deed or other conveyance instrument. The correct document depends on the transaction and ownership circumstances.
Review County Transfer Standards
Delaware County publishes transfer and conveyance standards through the Engineer and Auditor. For a new legal description, lot split, boundary change or subdivision-related transfer, ask whether Map Department review is required.
Complete Applicable Auditor Paperwork
Review the Auditor’s forms for taxable conveyances, exempt transfers and special property categories. Provide supporting information where required.
Confirm the Transfer Sequence
Before submitting a deed to the Recorder, confirm which Auditor, Engineer or other approvals are required for the specific transaction. Do not assume a document can bypass those reviews.
Submit the Recordable Instrument
Verify the Recorder’s current recording fee, document requirements, accepted payment methods and delivery procedure. The posted document-submission cutoff is 4:00 PM.
Find Delaware County Recorded Plats and Surveys
Delaware County GIS has a useful workflow for connecting a parcel to subdivision plats and available surveys. This can help when the legal description on a deed is difficult to recognize.
Open Delaware County GIS
Visit the Auditor’s GIS map and search the parcel by owner, address or parcel number.
Turn On Subdivision or Survey Layers
Use Layers. Under Boundaries, enable Subdivisions for recorded subdivision information. For surveys, check the available survey-point layer.
Select the Parcel or Survey Point
Click the parcel or survey symbol and use the information popup to move between parcel details and associated plat or survey information.
Open the Available PDF
Use the supplied document link if a scanned plat or survey is available. Check the lot/block or survey information against the deed.
Delaware County Ohio Recorder Address, Phone, Hours and Directions
Delaware County Recorder
145 N. Union Street
1st Floor
Delaware, OH 43015
Recorder: Melissa Jordan
Phone: (740) 833-2460
Fax: (740) 833-2459
Recording hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Document submission cutoff: 4:00 PM.
Exam room: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.
Open Recorder Directions ↗Plan Your Visit
The Recorder is located at the county government offices on North Union Street in Delaware. The county’s official contact directory identifies the office on the first floor.
If you need a deed recorded, plan to arrive before the 4:00 PM submission cutoff. Do not confuse that cutoff with the later office closing time.
For records before 1990, bring available names, document dates and any book/page references.
If mailing a document or original, call first to confirm payment and return-mail arrangements.
Official Contact & Hours ↗Map shows the current county-listed Recorder address. Contact the office for parking, accessible entry and holiday schedule questions.
Recorder vs. Auditor vs. Treasurer in Delaware County, Ohio
| Question | Correct Office | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Where can I find a recorded deed? | County Recorder | Search the official recording index |
| How can I obtain a certified deed? | County Recorder | Request an official certified copy |
| What is my parcel number or assessed value? | County Auditor | Search real-estate and GIS records |
| Where do I get a conveyance fee statement? | County Auditor | Review DTE 100 or applicable form |
| Does a new legal description require review? | Engineer Map Department / Auditor | Check transfer and conveyance standards |
| Where do I check real-property taxes? | County Treasurer | Review the official tax-payment system |
| Where can I find subdivision plats? | GIS and Recorder | Use parcel layers and recorded document references |
| Does a property have clear title? | Title professional / Ohio attorney | Request a proper title examination |
Delaware County AlertMe: Monitor New Recorded Documents
The Recorder offers AlertMe, a voluntary email notification service for documents recorded under a registered name. It is especially useful for homeowners who want to know when a new instrument matching their name enters the county’s public records.
How AlertMe Works
- Open the Recorder’s official Property Fraud page.
- Select the AlertMe registration link.
- Follow the service’s current name and email registration instructions.
- Monitor emails for future matching recorded documents.
- Investigate any unfamiliar recording promptly.
What AlertMe Does Not Do
It does not block a recording, determine whether a deed is valid, or replace title insurance or legal remedies.
The county states that alerts apply only to documents recorded after sign-up.
Users of the former Property Check service from September 29, 2020 through December 6, 2024 were imported into AlertMe and may use the forgot-password process to establish access.
Why Your Delaware County OH Deed Search Returns No Results
Owner Name Gives No Match
- Enter the last name first.
- Try possible spelling variations.
- Search the previous owner.
- Use a trust or business name if applicable.
- Search both grantor and grantee references.
Recorded Image Is Missing
- Verify that the record is within the indexed date range.
- Check the available instrument reference.
- Remember that image start dates differ by document type.
- Contact the Recorder if an indexed document image is unavailable.
Only Have an Address
- Open Delaware County GIS.
- Search the property address.
- Save the correct owner and parcel information.
- Return to the Recorder’s name search.
- Compare the deed’s legal description.
Historical Search Fails
- Check whether the deed predates 1990.
- Use book/page references if available.
- For UCC records, identify the filing period.
- For old federal tax liens, check the image cutoff.
- Call the Recorder about in-person research.
What to Do After Finding a Delaware County Recorded Deed
If You Found the Right Deed
Save the instrument number, book/page and recording date. Obtain certification from the Recorder if the document is needed for an official transaction.
If You Found a Mortgage or Lien
Search for related releases or satisfactions and compare references. Do not assume an older lien is outstanding merely because its original recording appears.
If a Recorded Deed Has an Error
Compare the recorded instrument with your transaction documents. A correction may require legal review or a properly prepared corrective instrument.
If the Property Tax Record Is Wrong
Contact the Auditor for parcel or assessment questions, or the Treasurer for tax payments. The Recorder does not determine a parcel’s taxable value.
Delaware County Deed Search: Official Recorder, Auditor and GIS Resources
Use these official county resources for the specific task described below. Each link is paired with practical steps rather than a generic directory listing.
1. Recorder — Recorded Document Search
Official gateway to real-property documents and the county’s search instructions.
- Read the Public Records Notice.
- Select Continue to Search.
- Accept the DTS disclaimer.
- Search by name, book/page or instrument number.
- Save the relevant recording reference.
2. DTS Recorder Public Access
County-linked search application for recorded instruments.
- Read the terms and disclaimer.
- Continue as a public user or create an optional account.
- Choose the appropriate document search.
- Review matching results and image availability.
3. Recorder — Fees and Charges
Current county-posted recording, copying and certification charges.
- Find the Basic Instrument Recording Fee section.
- Count the pages in your document.
- Review additional references or special instrument charges.
- For copies, check photocopy and certification fees.
4. Auditor — Real Estate Property Search
Property ownership, address, parcel and assessment information.
- Choose Search by Owner, Address or Parcel Number.
- Find the correct property account.
- Note the parcel number and owner information.
- Use the details to improve your Recorder search.
5. Auditor GIS — Parcel, Plat and Survey Research
Interactive parcel map with property and subdivision information.
- Open Property Search.
- Search by address, owner or parcel number.
- Select the property.
- Enable Subdivisions or survey-related layers if relevant.
- Open available plat or survey references.
6. Recorder — Property Fraud and AlertMe
Voluntary notification service for future recordings matching a registered name.
- Read the Recorder’s fraud warning.
- Open the official AlertMe registration link.
- Follow name/email enrollment instructions.
- Monitor future alerts and investigate unfamiliar records.
7. Auditor — Conveyance Forms
Ohio transfer forms including DTE 100 and DTE 100EX.
- Locate the conveyance-related form category.
- Identify the form required for your transaction.
- Review all instructions and supporting requirements.
- Confirm approval and recording sequence with the county.
8. County Recorder Contact and Office Hours
Verified address, telephone, recording hours and submission cutoff.
- Confirm the current office schedule.
- Call about pre-1990 deed research or missing images.
- Ask about payment and mailing procedures.
- Plan recording submissions before the posted cutoff.
Delaware County OH Recorder of Deeds Search FAQs
Where can I search Delaware County Ohio deeds online?
Use the Delaware County Recorder’s Recorded Document Search page. Select Continue to Search to open the county-linked DTS public-access system, where records may be searched by name, instrument number or book/page.
How far back do Delaware County online deed records go?
The Recorder’s official search instructions identify 1990 as the beginning of the online real-estate record range. Documents recorded before 1990 must be researched at the Recorder’s office.
Can I search Delaware County deeds by owner name?
Yes. The Recorder recommends entering individual names last name first. Search grantor or grantee names when researching a deed transfer, and try spelling variations if necessary.
Can I find a deed with only a property address?
Start with Delaware County Auditor GIS to identify the parcel and owner. Then search the Recorder’s index by the recorded parties or another available document reference.
Do I need to register an account to use the Recorder’s search?
No. The DTS public-access site says account registration is not required. Creating an account can provide saved searches, search-history settings and a document cart.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Delaware County Ohio?
The official Recorder fee schedule lists $39 for the first two standard pages of an eligible deed and $8 for each additional page. Other document-specific charges may apply.
How much is a certified deed copy?
The county’s posted certified-copy charge is $2 per page plus a $2 certification fee. A three-page certified deed would therefore cost $8 before any applicable mailing or service charges.
Where is the Delaware County Recorder’s office?
The office is at 145 N. Union Street, 1st Floor, Delaware, Ohio 43015. The phone number is (740) 833-2460.
What time is the deed recording cutoff?
The Recorder lists a 4:00 PM document-submission cutoff. Recording and exam-room hours are generally 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
How do I search an older UCC filing?
The correct index depends on the filing date. Some older UCC records were indexed manually or in a separate Financing Statement System. The county says real-estate-related UCC filings from January 26, 2005 onward are indexed in the tract system.
Does the Recorder have a property fraud alert?
Yes. Delaware County offers the AlertMe service, which sends email notifications for certain future documents recorded under a registered name. It does not prevent fraudulent recording or replace a title examination.
Is an online deed image the same as a certified copy?
No. The county’s DTS system states that its online images are informational and are not legally equivalent to certified copies issued by the Recorder.