Allen County Recorder Office: Address, Records Search, Deed Copies & Recording Fees
The Allen County Recorder Office in Lima, Ohio records and preserves deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of attorney, subdivision plats and other documents affecting real estate. Recorder Mona S. Losh is the current elected county recorder.
A major office move is scheduled for October 2026. If you are visiting in person, check the dates below before driving to the courthouse because the Recorder will close temporarily and reopen at the new Allen County Government Center.
Allen County Recorder Office Address Is Changing
The county has published a specific move schedule. The older 301 N. Main Street address remains relevant before the closure, while the new Allen County Government Center location becomes the public office when the Recorder reopens on October 26.
Room 204
Lima, OH 45801
Do not plan an in-person recording visit during this period without confirming with the office.
237 N. Main St., Suite 132
Lima, OH 45801
Allen County Recorder
Recorder: Mona S. Losh
Phone:
419-223-8517
Fax: 419-223-8555
Email:
mlosh@allencountyohio.com
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1243
Lima, OH 45802
Published hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:15 PM
Closed for lunch 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
The temporary move closure overrides normal hours on October 20–23, 2026.
What Does the Allen County Recorder Office Handle?
The Recorder is Allen County’s land-record office. It records and preserves documents affecting real estate, but it does not perform every property-related function. The Auditor and Treasurer have separate jobs.
Recorder
- Deeds
- Mortgages
- Liens
- Powers of attorney
- Maps and subdivision plats
- Military discharge records
Auditor
- Parcel and owner records
- Property values
- Deed transfer review
- Conveyance forms and stamps
- Homestead and tax reductions
- Board of Revision valuation complaints
Treasurer
- Property-tax bills
- Tax payments
- Delinquent taxes
- Payment and collection questions
How to Search Allen County Recorder Records Online
Allen County provides a public Recorder index for finding documents recorded with the office. The county explicitly describes the online index as a research guide rather than the official record itself.
Open the Official Recorder Search
Use the Recorder link from Allen County’s official website rather than a paid deed-copy advertisement.
Open Allen County Recorder Search ↗
Start With the Name Used on the Recorded Instrument
Ohio Recorder indexes are built around recorded parties. For deed research, search the grantor or grantee name associated with the transaction. For mortgages and releases, search the borrower, lender or other recorded party when appropriate.
Narrow the Results
Compare recording dates, document types, party names and any document or book/page reference shown by the index. Do not assume the first matching surname belongs to your parcel.
Use the Auditor When You Only Know the Address
If you do not know the owner name or parcel information, use the Allen County Auditor property tools first. Save the parcel number and current owner name, then return to Recorder records to investigate recorded instruments.
Get an Official Copy When It Matters
The Recorder warns that documents displayed online may not be true copies of the original and may contain redactions. Some documents may be removed from Internet display while remaining available in the Recorder’s physical records.
If the Recorder Search Does Not Find the Record
Try a Broader Name Search
- Search only the surname first.
- Remove middle initials.
- Try a prior owner shown by Auditor records.
- Try the legal business, trust or entity name.
- Expand the recording-date range.
When to Contact the Office
- The document may be older or difficult to index.
- The online image may have been redacted.
- A customer may have requested Internet redaction.
- You need a true original or certified copy.
- You are researching a record not displayed online.
What Records Does the Allen County Recorder Keep?
The county describes the Recorder as the official keeper of legal documents affecting land and interests in land.
Deeds
Recorded conveyances showing transfers and other interests affecting real property.
Mortgages
Recorded mortgage instruments and related releases, assignments or modifications.
Liens
Authorized recorded liens, including certain property-tax delinquency and federal lien records.
Maps & Plats
Property-line records, subdivision plats, town lots and other legally recordable maps.
Powers of Attorney
Powers of attorney authorized for recording under Ohio law.
Military Discharges
Veteran discharge records are recorded without a recording fee and receive special privacy protection.
Land Contracts & Leases
Recordable agreements and leases affecting real estate when authorized by Ohio law.
Other Authorized Records
Affidavits, agreements, trusts, easements and other instruments Ohio law authorizes a county recorder to accept.
How to Record a Deed in Allen County, Ohio
A deed transfer is not simply mailed straight to the Recorder. Allen County’s local workflow involves the Auditor before the deed reaches the Recorder for legal recording.
Have the Correct Deed Prepared
The document must accurately identify the transfer, parties and legal property description. The Recorder records documents; it is not a substitute for an attorney or title professional when deed language or ownership rights require legal advice.
Prepare the Conveyance Form
Allen County Auditor states that a conveyance form is required with a real-property transfer. A taxable transfer generally uses the DTE 100 Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement of Value and Receipt. An exempt transaction may require the exemption form instead.
Take the Transfer to the Allen County Auditor
The Auditor maintains property ownership records, processes conveyances and applies the required transfer review before Recorder filing.
Allen County publishes a conveyance fee of $3 per $1,000 of purchase price plus a $0.50 transfer fee per parcel when the transaction is subject to those fees.
Obtain the Auditor’s Conveyance Stamp
This is especially important for mailed conveyances. The Recorder states that conveyances sent by mail are accepted only when the Allen County Auditor’s conveyance stamp has already been placed on the document.
Check Ohio Recorder Formatting
Ohio’s standard-format rules require at least 10-point print, blue or black ink, no highlighting, 8.5 × 11 to 8.5 × 14 paper, one-inch side and bottom margins, a three-inch blank top margin on page one and a 1.5-inch top margin on later pages.
Remove Restricted Personal Information
Ohio law generally prohibits preparers from placing Social Security numbers and specified personal information in recordable documents unless a legal exception or required affidavit applies. Allen County specifically warns that a document containing a Social Security number may be refused.
Calculate the Recorder Fee
Allen County’s published fee schedule lists $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page for deeds, mortgages, easements, land contracts and many common recorded instruments.
Record and Save the Recording Reference
After acceptance, save the file, instrument, book/page or other recording reference supplied by the Recorder. You may need it later to locate a mortgage release, title document or certified copy.
Ohio Document Formatting Checklist for Allen County Recording
Standard Format
- Minimum 10-point legible print.
- 8.5 × 11 minimum paper size.
- 8.5 × 14 maximum paper size.
- Blue or black ink.
- No highlighting.
- One-inch side margins.
- One-inch bottom margin.
- Three-inch blank top margin on first page.
- 1.5-inch blank top margin on later pages.
Problems to Catch First
- Social Security number included unnecessarily.
- Missing Auditor conveyance stamp on mailed deed.
- Incorrect Recorder fee.
- Pages outside Ohio size requirements.
- Insufficient first-page recording margin.
- Unapproved subdivision map or plat.
Allen County Recorder Fees for Deeds, Copies, Plats and Other Records
The county’s fee sheet is effective January 1, 2025 and remains the published Allen County Recorder schedule reviewed for this 2026 guide. Verify the total immediately before submitting a document because Ohio law and county surcharges can change.
| Service / Document | Published Fee | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages, easements, land contracts, leases and many common instruments | $39 first two pages $8 each additional page |
Count every page before preparing payment. |
| Separate marginal references | $39 first two pages + $8 each additional page + $4 per reference | Can apply to releases, assignments, amendments and modifications. |
| Plats / condominium drawings | $41.40 per page | Approval/certification requirements may apply before recording. |
| Regular copies | $2 per page | County’s published copy rate. |
| Certified copy | $2 per page + $1 per seal | Use when a certified Recorder copy is specifically required. |
| Local / toll-free fax transmission | $2 per page | Confirm transmission availability before relying on fax delivery. |
| Military service discharge recording | No fee | Ohio law also restricts public access to recently recorded discharge records. |
| One certified veteran discharge copy | No fee | Eligibility and access restrictions apply under Ohio law. |
Why a Deed Often Goes to the Auditor Before the Recorder
This is one of the most important local details for someone mailing or hand-delivering a deed. The Auditor processes the ownership conveyance; the Recorder legally records the stamped instrument.
| Step | Office | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepare deed | Attorney / title professional / responsible preparer | Prepare the deed and correct legal description. |
| 2. Complete conveyance form | Allen County Auditor | DTE 100 or applicable exemption/conveyance documentation is reviewed. |
| 3. Pay applicable conveyance fees | Allen County Auditor | $3 per $1,000 purchase price plus $0.50 per parcel when applicable. |
| 4. Receive conveyance stamp | Allen County Auditor | The transfer is processed/stamped for Recorder filing. |
| 5. Record deed | Allen County Recorder | The stamped deed is accepted for recording if statutory recording requirements are satisfied. |
Allen County Recorder eRecording Requirements
Allen County supports electronic recording, but it is not simply a public upload button. The Recorder requires an established escrow account and a completed eRecording agreement.
Before eRecording
- Establish the required escrow account.
- Complete the Allen County eRecording Agreement.
- Follow the vendor submission process.
- Budget for any vendor-added fee.
eRecording Does Not Remove Other Rules
- Document must still be recordable under Ohio law.
- Required conveyance processing still applies.
- Personal-information restrictions still apply.
- Recorder fees still apply.
Official Allen County Recorder and Deed Transfer Resources
Allen County Recorder Official Page
Current office location, move notice, hours, contact details, records, fees and eRecording information.
- Read the current office notice before visiting because of the October 2026 move.
- Confirm hours and any closure notice.
- Use Important Links for Search Records, Plat Books, Veteran Cards or Electronic Recording.
- Scroll to the fee and eRecording sections before submitting documents.
Allen County Recorder Public Access Search
Official online index for recorded documents.
- Read and accept the county’s public-access disclaimer.
- Search the index using the record information available to you.
- Compare names, dates and document type carefully.
- Use the physical Recorder office when you need a true original or a record omitted/redacted online.
Allen County Recorder Fee Schedule
Official county PDF for current published recording, copy, lien and special-record fees.
- Find your document category.
- Count the pages.
- Add any marginal-reference, certification or special-document fees.
- Reconfirm the total with the Recorder if the document does not fit a standard category.
Allen County Auditor Conveyance Guide
Local deed-transfer workflow, conveyance fees and the Auditor-to-Recorder process.
- Read Transfer of Ownership.
- Check whether DTE 100 or an exemption form applies.
- Review the $3-per-$1,000 conveyance fee and $0.50-per-parcel transfer fee.
- Complete Auditor processing before taking the deed to the Recorder.
Allen County Auditor Forms
DTE conveyance forms plus Homestead and CAUV transfer forms.
- Go to Real Estate Forms.
- Open the Conveyance subsection.
- Select DTE 100 or the applicable conveyance-fee exemption statement.
- Check whether Statement of Conveyance of Homestead Property or CAUV paperwork is also relevant.
Ohio Recorder Document Standards — ORC §317.114
State law covering font, ink, page size and recording margins.
- Review subsection (A) for the standard document format.
- Compare your font, paper size, ink and margins.
- Read subsection (B) if your document does not conform.
- Check subsection (C) for categories excluded from the standardization rule.
Ohio Recorder Fee Law — ORC §317.32
State statutory framework behind many county recording and copy charges.
- Review recording/indexing fees in subsection (A).
- Check certified-copy and copy provisions.
- Remember that Allen County’s local published schedule includes its permitted preservation surcharge.
- Use the county fee sheet for the actual Allen County filing amount.
Common Allen County Recorder Office Mistakes
Search Mistakes
- Treating the online index as an official title search.
- Assuming an Internet image is a true original.
- Giving up when a record is redacted from Internet display.
- Searching the Recorder for property value instead of the Auditor.
- Using only a current owner when an older grantor/grantee name is needed.
Recording Mistakes
- Mailing a conveyance without the Auditor’s stamp.
- Using an outdated $34 Allen County fee instead of checking the current $39 schedule.
- Including a Social Security number.
- Ignoring Ohio page-margin rules.
- Sending documents during the October 2026 office closure without confirming procedure.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Need | Next Step | Correct Office |
|---|---|---|
| Find an existing deed | Search the Recorder Public Access index and match the correct recorded document. | Recorder |
| Get an official certified deed copy | Identify the recording first, then request the certified copy from the Recorder. | Recorder |
| Record a new deed | Complete Auditor conveyance processing and stamp first, then submit the recordable deed. | Auditor → Recorder |
| Find parcel value or owner display | Use the Auditor property search. | Auditor |
| Dispute property value | Review the Auditor/Board of Revision complaint process rather than contacting the Recorder. | Auditor / Board of Revision |
| Pay property taxes | Contact the Allen County Treasurer. | Treasurer |
| Resolve a title dispute or hidden lien concern | Obtain the underlying records and use a qualified title professional or Ohio attorney. | Recorder records + professional assistance |
Allen County Recorder Office FAQs
Where is the Allen County Recorder Office in Ohio?
As of October 5, 2026, the Recorder is at 301 N. Main St., Room 204, Lima, Ohio 45801. The office will close October 20 at 11:00 AM through October 23 for relocation and reopen October 26 at the Allen County Government Center, 237 N. Main St., Suite 132, Lima, OH 45801.
What are the Allen County Recorder office hours?
The county publishes Monday through Friday hours of 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM, with the office closed for lunch from 11:00 AM to noon. The October 20–23, 2026 move closure temporarily overrides normal hours.
Who is the Allen County Recorder?
Mona S. Losh is the Allen County Recorder. Ohio election records show her current term runs through December 31, 2028.
How do I search Allen County Ohio deed records?
Use the official Allen County Recorder Public Access index. Search for the relevant recorded parties and compare document type, recording date and other identifying information before relying on a result.
Can I use the Allen County online index as a title search?
The county specifically says using the website for title-search purposes is not recommended. Online documents may be redacted or incomplete, and the web index is not a substitute for the Recorder’s official records or a professional title examination.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Allen County?
Allen County’s published schedule lists $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page for deeds and many common real-estate instruments. Additional fees can apply depending on document type or references.
How much does an Allen County Recorder copy cost?
The county’s published schedule lists regular copies at $2 per page. A certified copy is listed at $2 per page plus $1 per certification seal.
Does a mailed Allen County deed need an Auditor stamp?
Yes. The Recorder states that mailed conveyances are accepted only when the Allen County Auditor’s Conveyance Stamp is affixed before the document reaches the Recorder.
Can I eRecord documents with the Allen County Recorder?
Yes, but the county requires an established escrow account and a completed eRecording agreement. The eRecording vendor may also charge a fee.
Are Allen County military discharge records available online?
No. The Recorder’s public-search disclaimer states that DD-214 and other military service records are not displayed on the Internet. Ohio law gives recorded discharge records special privacy protection, while recording the discharge itself is free.
Independent Public-Records Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with the Allen County Recorder, Allen County Auditor, Allen County Treasurer, Allen County Commissioners, the State of Ohio or any title company.
This page does not provide legal advice, prepare deeds, guarantee ownership, perform a title examination or determine whether a document is legally sufficient. Verify current addresses, move dates, fees, hours, forms and recording requirements directly with the responsible government office before submitting an original document or payment.
Public land records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.