Fayette County OH Recorder: Search Deeds, Mortgages, Liens & Land Records
Trying to find a property deed in Washington Court House, Jeffersonville, Bloomingburg, New Holland or elsewhere in Fayette County, Ohio? The Fayette County Recorder maintains recorded documents involving real estate, including deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts and plats.
You can begin with the county’s public records search, look up an instrument by party name or document number, and review indexed information or available document text. If you need to record a deed, Fayette County also has specific Auditor and Tax Map requirements to consider before the document reaches the Recorder.
This guide covers the official search options, the county’s 2026 eRecording expansion, recording fees, document formatting, the 3:30 PM processing cutoff, and the Recorder’s office in Washington Court House.
Where Can You Search Fayette County Ohio Deeds?
Start with the official Fayette County Recorder page. It provides the County Fusion Records link, local recording fees, office contacts and eRecording notices. A separate Fayette County-branded public records search interface also offers Quick Search and Advanced Search for real-property documents.
Search Recorded Deeds
Look up grantor or grantee names, recorded document numbers, subdivisions, document types or recorded dates. Use the index and available full-text options to identify a particular instrument.
Follow the search walkthrough →Find a Parcel by Address
When you only know the property address, use the Fayette County Auditor’s real-estate search first. It supports searches by parcel number, owner or address.
Open Auditor Search ↗Record or Request a Document
For recording fees, certified-copy questions, document requirements and official filing instructions, contact the Recorder directly in Suite 305.
Review recording requirements →Fayette County Now Allows eRecording of Conveyance Documents
An older Fayette County notice dated March 5, 2026 permitted electronic recording of non-conveyance documents only. The county has since expanded the service.
Effective June 22, 2026
The Recorder’s current official notice states that Fayette County can accept eligible conveyance and non-conveyance documents through Simplifile.
This is useful for title companies, attorneys, lenders and others who regularly submit recorded instruments.
What eRecording Does Not Remove
Electronic delivery does not eliminate Ohio’s requirements for a valid instrument or any applicable Auditor, Engineer or Tax Map review.
Confirm that your document type, endorsements and required attachments are accepted through the chosen electronic workflow.
How to Search Fayette County Recorder Records Online
Fayette County has an official Recorder page linking to County Fusion, and its county-branded public search interface offers both quick and advanced real-property searches. Start with an exact recording reference if you have one; otherwise use a party name.
Open the Fayette County Records Search
Visit the Fayette County Public Records Search. The page identifies the department as Real Property and provides Quick Search and Advanced Search options.
You may also reach the county’s County Fusion service through the Recorder’s government page.
Enter a Grantor or Grantee Name
Quick Search accepts terms such as grantor, grantee, subdivision, document type or document number.
The grantor is generally the person transferring a property interest. The grantee is generally the recipient. For an older deed, searching the seller’s or previous owner’s name may be more useful than searching only the current owner.
Use a Recording Date Range
The search interface offers a recorded-date range and several recent-period shortcuts.
If you know when a property was purchased, refinanced or transferred, use an appropriate date range to reduce unrelated results. Do not confuse the deed’s signing date with the date it was recorded.
Choose Index Search or Full-Text OCR
The public interface distinguishes two search methods:
- Search Index Only: Searches indexed document information. Multiple search words are treated individually.
- Search Index & Full Text (OCR): Searches available document text and treats multiple search words as a phrase.
Start with index search for names or document identifiers. Try OCR when you need a particular phrase within available document text.
Review the Matching Instrument
Compare the document type, recording date, names and available legal-description or property references.
Do not assume the first result belongs to your property merely because the surname matches. A mortgage, deed, assignment, easement or lien release may involve the same parties.
Inspect the Available Document Information
Open the matching record when the portal permits it. Review any available image or document details.
Full-text search can help locate relevant words, but OCR may misread faint scans, handwritten information or older documents.
Save the Recording Reference
Keep the document number, recording date, instrument type and relevant party names.
These details are useful when requesting a copy, researching a mortgage release or discussing a particular deed with the Recorder’s Office.
Search by Owner Name, Document Number, Address or Parcel
| What You Know | Best System | How to Proceed |
|---|---|---|
| Seller or buyer’s name | Recorder public search | Try the grantor or grantee name, then narrow with available dates. |
| Document or instrument number | Recorder public search | Enter the recording reference in Quick Search or the applicable advanced field. |
| Recording date | Recorder public search | Use the recorded-date range to limit the matching instruments. |
| Subdivision name | Recorder public search | Search the subdivision term and compare the legal description. |
| Street address | Fayette County Auditor | Search by address, identify the parcel and use related ownership information to aid the deed search. |
| Parcel number | Fayette County Auditor | Find the correct parcel account, then search recorded instruments by relevant parties or references. |
| Boundary or mapped parcel location | Fayette County GIS / Tax Map | Use the official map, then verify the full recorded legal description before relying on it. |
Why a Deed May Need Three County Offices Before Recording
Fayette County’s Tax Map Office, Auditor and Recorder are located in the same Main Street government building, in separate suites. Depending on the transaction, a conveyance may need review and transfer endorsement before final recording.
Reviews legal descriptions and surveys against county conveyance standards when applicable. This may matter especially for parcel splits, new descriptions and boundary-related transfers.
Processes real-property transfer information and applicable conveyance or exemption forms, and provides the endorsement required for recording certain deeds.
Accepts the properly prepared and endorsed instrument, collects the recording fee, and records and indexes the document.
The exact approval path depends on the transaction. For example, transferring an existing platted lot may differ from creating a new parcel through a split or survey. Ask the Tax Map Office or Auditor whether your deed requires preliminary review before presenting it to the Recorder.
Fayette County Auditor
Address: 133 S Main Street, Suite 303, Washington Court House, OH 43160
Phone: (740) 335-6461
The Auditor’s official forms include Real Property Conveyance and Exemption from Real Property Conveyance, commonly identified as DTE 100 and DTE 100EX.
Open Auditor Forms →Fayette County Tax Map Office
Address: 133 S Main Street, Suite 306, Washington Court House, OH 43160
Phone: (740) 335-2334
The Tax Map Office reviews legal descriptions and conveyance-related surveys. Fayette County publishes its conveyance standards through the Engineer’s Document Center.
Open Conveyance Standards →What Records Does the Fayette County Ohio Recorder Maintain?
The Recorder maintains several kinds of real-property instruments. Understanding the document type is essential when researching ownership, financing or restrictions affecting land.
Deeds and Land Contracts
Deeds document transfers of property interests. Land contracts may describe installment-purchase arrangements. Examine the parties, legal description and recorded terms rather than assuming every instrument operates like a standard warranty deed.
Mortgages and Assignments
A recorded mortgage generally secures a debt against real property. Assignments may identify a transfer of the mortgage interest. These documents do not establish the current loan balance.
Mechanics Liens and Tax Liens
The Recorder maintains recorded lien instruments, including mechanics liens and certain government tax liens. Search for related releases or other subsequent documents when evaluating their status.
Plats, Easements and Zoning Instruments
Recorded plats, easements, zoning resolutions and similar instruments can affect land use or property rights. Their significance may require reviewing the full document and any related recorded references.
Fayette County Ohio Recorder Fees in 2026
The Fayette County Recorder publishes a fee schedule of $39 for the first one or two pages and $8 for every additional page for standard recording. The county also notes that a $4 marginal-reference fee may apply.
| Number of Pages | Standard Recording Fee | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 page | $39.00 | Minimum standard recording amount |
| 2 pages | $39.00 | Same first-two-page rate |
| 3 pages | $47.00 | One additional page |
| 4 pages | $55.00 | Two additional pages |
| 5 pages | $63.00 | Three additional pages |
| 6 pages | $71.00 | Four additional pages |
| 7 pages | $79.00 | Five additional pages |
| 8 pages | $87.00 | Six additional pages |
| 9 pages | $95.00 | Seven additional pages |
| 10 pages | $103.00 | Eight additional pages |
Estimate Your Fayette County Document Recording Fee
Enter the number of printed pages and any applicable marginal references. This calculator uses the county’s published standard recording amounts and the Ohio nonstandard-document charge.
Two pages at the published standard minimum. No extra charges selected.
This tool does not calculate Auditor conveyance fees, exempt-transfer determinations, plat recording, special statutory instruments, certified copies, electronic vendor charges or legal preparation costs. Ohio Revised Code §317.114 includes exceptions to the nonstandard-format fee. Confirm your exact charge with the Recorder.
Ohio Recording Requirements Before Filing a Deed
Ohio Revised Code §317.114 establishes standard formatting for many recordable instruments. Preparing the document correctly helps avoid an additional nonstandard-document charge.
Standard Document Checklist
- Use legible text, generally at least 10-point font.
- Use paper at least 8.5 × 11 inches and no larger than 8.5 × 14 inches.
- Use black or blue ink.
- Do not use highlighting.
- Leave at least one-inch side margins.
- Leave at least a one-inch bottom margin.
- Leave a three-inch blank top margin on the first page.
- Leave a 1.5-inch top margin on subsequent pages.
Potential Additional Fee
Ohio law generally provides an additional $20 fee for instruments that fail applicable standard-format requirements.
The law also contains exceptions, including certain court and government documents and specified incidental markings. Some signatures, notarial stamps and seals have special treatment under the statute.
Check whether an exception applies before assuming every minor margin issue automatically triggers the fee.
Read Ohio Recording Standards →Forms Commonly Needed Before Recording a Fayette County Deed
Ohio deed transfers may require a conveyance statement or an exemption statement through the Auditor. Fayette County publishes the relevant forms on the Auditor’s website.
| Form | Purpose | Where to Start |
|---|---|---|
| DTE 100 Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement |
Used for reportable real-property conveyances subject to the applicable filing and fee requirements. | Fayette County Auditor |
| DTE 100EX Exemption from Real Property Conveyance Fee |
Used when a transfer qualifies for a statutory conveyance-fee exemption. | Fayette County Auditor |
| DTE 101 Statement of Conveyance of Homestead Property |
Addresses certain homestead-related circumstances involving a property conveyance. | Fayette County Auditor |
| County Conveyance Standards | Local legal-description and survey review standards used in conveyance processing. | Fayette County Engineer / Tax Map Office |
How to Submit Documents to the Fayette County Recorder
In Person
Bring the properly completed document to Suite 305 at 133 S Main Street in Washington Court House.
The office accepts cash or check and lists no credit or debit card payments at the counter.
Documents received after 3:30 PM are processed the following business day.
By Mail
Confirm the correct fee and include the necessary recording materials.
Fayette County requires a self-addressed stamped envelope when recorded documents need to be returned by mail.
Contact the Recorder before mailing a conveyance with unresolved endorsements or transfer requirements.
Electronically
Fayette County’s current notice identifies Simplifile eRecording for eligible conveyance and non-conveyance instruments, effective June 22, 2026.
Confirm vendor registration, supported document types, required endorsements and applicable transaction charges.
Fayette County Ohio Recorder Address, Phone, Email and Hours
Fayette County Recorder’s Office
Recorder:
Kim Coil-Butler
Physical address:
133 S Main Street
Suite 305
Washington Court House, OH 43160
Phone:
(740) 335-1770
Fax:
(740) 333-3521
Email:
kim.coilbutler@fayette-co-oh.com
Office hours:
Monday–Friday
8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Excluding county holiday closures
Plan Your Visit
The Recorder, Auditor and Tax Map Office are located at the same South Main Street government address in different suites.
- Suite 303: County Auditor
- Suite 305: County Recorder
- Suite 306: Tax Map Office
If you are filing a conveyance, confirm whether a Tax Map review or Auditor endorsement must be completed before presenting the document to the Recorder.
For copy requests, bring or provide the recording reference whenever possible. For mailed filings, remember the return envelope.
The Recorder lists Kim Coil-Butler as Recorder, along with deputy clerks Tanya Allen and Jennifer McMurray.
Official Recorder Office ↗Map: 133 S Main Street, Washington Court House, Ohio. The Recorder’s public office is Suite 305.
Recorder, Auditor, Tax Map Office or Treasurer: Who Handles What?
| Your Question | Responsible Office | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Where is my deed recorded? | Fayette County Recorder | Search recorded instruments or contact the Recorder. |
| How do I record a new deed? | Recorder, after applicable transfer steps | Confirm endorsements, recording fee and document requirements. |
| Where can I find my parcel number? | Fayette County Auditor | Search the real-estate account by owner, address or parcel. |
| Who reviews a new survey or legal description? | Tax Map Office | Review county conveyance standards and contact the department. |
| Who handles real-property transfer forms? | Fayette County Auditor | Use the applicable DTE conveyance or exemption form. |
| Who maintains assessed property values? | Fayette County Auditor | Review the parcel’s assessment and valuation records. |
| Where can I pay property taxes? | Fayette County Treasurer | Use the Treasurer’s official property-tax system. |
| Who can determine whether title is clear? | Qualified title professional or Ohio attorney | Obtain an appropriate title examination. |
How to Find a Property Before Searching Its Recorded Deed
Fayette County publishes an Auditor real-estate search and a GIS mapping system. These can help identify a property when the Recorder’s document index is difficult to search using only a street address.
Start With the Auditor’s Real-Estate Search
Open Fayette County Auditor Real Estate Search.
The public search supports parcel number, owner name and address information.
Select the Correct Property Account
Confirm the location, parcel reference and available owner information. Multiple properties can have similar street names, and some owners may hold more than one parcel.
Use GIS for Location and Parcel Context
Fayette County’s official GIS page links to an interactive map. The county maintains tax parcel, lot-line, subdivision, aerial imagery and other map datasets.
The map can help you identify the relevant parcel or subdivision before reviewing recorded instruments.
Return to the Recorder Search
Use the relevant owner, former owner, subdivision or document-reference information to search recorded deeds and related instruments.
Why a Fayette County Deed May Not Appear in the Online Search
| Problem | Possible Reason | What to Try |
|---|---|---|
| No results for the owner’s name | The name may be recorded differently or the instrument may be under a former owner. | Try fewer words, another spelling, the grantor or a business/trust name. |
| Too many name matches | Common surnames can appear across unrelated transactions. | Add a recorded-date range or another known identifier. |
| Document number returns nothing | Incorrect identifier, wrong county or unavailable index coverage. | Verify the exact reference and contact the Recorder if necessary. |
| OCR search misses an older document | The text may not have been recognized accurately. | Try Search Index Only with names or document references. |
| Newly filed deed does not appear | The public search may not yet reflect the latest recording. | Check the portal’s Certified Through date and contact the office. |
| Street address does not help | Recorder records focus on instruments rather than tax-account address searches. | Find the parcel through the Auditor, then search by party or reference. |
| Mortgage release cannot be found | The release may use a different party, reference or date. | Search the original mortgage parties and related instruments. |
| County Fusion page is unavailable | A service link may be temporarily inaccessible. | Try the Fayette-branded public search or call the Recorder. |
How to Request a Copy of a Fayette County Ohio Deed
First identify the correct instrument in the public search. If a lender, court, estate representative or another recipient requires a certified copy, confirm the certification process with the Recorder.
Ordinary Recorded Copy
- Find the deed in the Recorder’s search system.
- Save the document number and recording date.
- Check the available viewing or copying options.
- Confirm any portal-specific charge before ordering.
Certified Copy
- Identify the exact document and recording reference.
- Call the Recorder at (740) 335-1770.
- Explain that the receiving organization requires certification.
- Confirm the number of pages, certification fee and delivery arrangements.
Fayette County Ohio Recorder, Auditor, Tax Map and GIS Resources
These government sources serve different purposes. Use the instructions under each resource rather than starting with an unrelated property-record directory.
1. Fayette County Recorder
Official recording office, fee schedule, eRecording notice, payment rules and contact information.
- Review the published Recorder duties.
- Use the County Fusion Records link for its search service.
- Read the current standard recording-fee chart.
- Check the June 22, 2026 eRecording update.
- Confirm the 3:30 PM processing cutoff and payment methods.
2. Fayette County Public Records Search
Fayette-branded quick and advanced search for recorded real-property instruments.
- Start with Quick Search.
- Enter a grantor, grantee, subdivision, document type or recording number.
- Choose an appropriate recorded-date range.
- Compare index-only and full-text OCR options.
- Check the Certified Through date and save the recording reference.
3. Fayette County Auditor Real Estate Search
Parcel, address, owner, valuation and property-tax account information.
- Use the available search bar.
- Enter the parcel number, owner or property address.
- Open the matching property account.
- Record the parcel identifier and relevant owner information.
- Use those details to assist with the Recorder search.
4. Fayette County Auditor Conveyance Forms
Official DTE transfer and conveyance-exemption forms.
- Review the Real Property Conveyance and Exemption from Real Property Conveyance entries.
- Identify the form appropriate for the transaction.
- Check the required property, consideration, exemption and signature information.
- Contact the Auditor if you need confirmation before submission.
5. Fayette County Tax Map and Conveyance Standards
Official local review requirements for conveyance legal descriptions and surveys.
- Open the Engineer’s Document Center.
- Select the Conveyance Standards PDF.
- Check whether your transaction involves a new survey, split or legal description needing review.
- Contact the Tax Map Office at (740) 335-2334 when clarification is needed.
6. Ohio Revised Code Recording Requirements
Statewide statutory rules for formatting and recording charges.
- Review the standard paper, font, ink and margin rules.
- Check exceptions to the nonstandard-document fee.
- Use ORC §317.32 for statutory Recorder fee categories.
- Confirm Fayette County’s local surcharge and final charges with the Recorder.
What Should You Do After Finding a Fayette County Deed?
If You Found the Correct Deed
Save the recording reference and review the complete legal description. Request a certified copy when a lender, court or other recipient specifically requires one.
If the Owner Name Is Incorrect
Determine whether the recorded deed or only the Auditor’s parcel account contains the problem. Contact the appropriate office, and seek professional guidance for a substantive conveyance error.
If You Found a Mortgage or Lien
Search for assignments, satisfactions or releases. A recorded mortgage alone does not establish the current debt balance or whether the obligation remains enforceable.
If the Deed Cannot Be Located
Try the former owner’s name, a wider date range or an instrument number. Check the Certified Through date. If the reference remains missing, contact the Recorder’s Office.
Fayette County Ohio Recorder FAQs
Where is the Fayette County Ohio Recorder’s Office?
The Fayette County Recorder is located at 133 S Main Street, Suite 305, Washington Court House, OH 43160. The office phone number is (740) 335-1770.
Who is the Fayette County Recorder?
Kim Coil-Butler is listed as the Fayette County, Ohio Recorder. The office maintains recorded real-property and certain personal-property records.
How do I search Fayette County Ohio deeds online?
Use the county’s public real-property search. Quick Search accepts grantor or grantee names, subdivisions, document types and document numbers. You can also use a recording-date range and choose index-only or full-text OCR searching.
Can I find Fayette County deeds by street address?
For a street-address search, start with the Fayette County Auditor’s real-estate database. Identify the parcel and available ownership information, then search the Recorder’s recorded instruments using relevant names or document references.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Fayette County Ohio?
Fayette County’s published standard recording schedule is $39 for the first one or two pages and $8 for each additional page. Marginal-reference, nonstandard-format and other applicable charges can increase the total.
What are the Fayette County Recorder office hours?
The Recorder lists Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, excluding holiday closures. Documents received after 3:30 PM are held for recording on the following business day.
Does Fayette County Ohio allow eRecording of deeds?
Yes. The current county notice states that, effective June 22, 2026, Simplifile eRecording is available for eligible conveyance and non-conveyance documents. Required Auditor and other conveyance approvals still apply.
Does the Recorder accept credit or debit cards?
The Fayette County Recorder lists cash or check as payment options and states that credit and debit cards are not accepted at the office. Electronic-recording providers may have separate payment arrangements.
Do I need the Auditor’s approval before recording a deed?
Ohio Revised Code §317.22 generally requires the County Auditor’s applicable endorsement before deeds of absolute conveyance and certain mineral conveyances can be recorded. Fayette County’s Tax Map Office may also need to review legal descriptions or surveys depending on the transfer.
Can the Recorder confirm that a property has clear title?
No. The Recorder records and indexes instruments; the office does not guarantee ownership, resolve title disputes or determine that all liens have been released. A qualified title professional or Ohio attorney may be needed for a title examination.