Delaware County OH Recorder: Deeds, Records, Fees, Copies & Property Fraud Alerts
The Delaware County Recorder is the official office for recorded real-estate and personal-property records in Delaware County, Ohio. Common recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, IRS liens, mechanic’s liens, land contracts, plats, zoning resolutions, releases and similar instruments.
This guide explains how to search Delaware County recorded documents, when to use the Auditor instead of the Recorder, how online records are indexed, what to do for pre-1990 records, how to estimate common recording costs, and how to use the county’s AlertMe property-fraud notification service.
What Can You Do Through the Delaware County Recorder?
Use the Delaware County Recorder for recorded land-document research, copy requests, recording questions, military service discharge record handling and name-based property-fraud alerts. Do not use the Recorder as the first stop for parcel values, tax bills, tax payments, owner-occupancy reductions or property-tax assessment disputes.
Search Recorded Documents
Search deeds, mortgages, land contracts, IRS liens, mechanic’s liens, plats, zoning resolutions, releases and similar instruments recorded in Delaware County.
Best inputs: party name, book/page or instrument number.
Use the Auditor for Parcel Data
If you need parcel number, owner information, land value, improvement value, sales information, property characteristics or tax district data, start with the Delaware County Auditor’s property tools.
Best inputs: address, owner, parcel or geographic area.
Use AlertMe for New Recordings
AlertMe can email subscribers when a document containing their registered name is recorded through the Delaware County Recorder’s Office.
Best use: early awareness, not proof that fraud occurred.
How to Search Delaware County Recorder Deeds and Records Online
Delaware County’s Recorder search page says online real-estate documents cover 1990 to present, while real-estate documents before 1990 can be found only in the Recorder’s Office. The county says documents are indexed under a tract indexing system, and every recorded document receives an instrument number plus page and volume references.
Open the Official Recorder Search Page
Start from the Delaware County Recorder website and click through the public-record notice before continuing to the search system. Confirm that the portal identifies Delaware County Recorder and Recorder Melissa Jordan before logging in or searching.
Search by Name First for Most Deeds
The county explains that the most common search is a name search. For people, search the name in last-name-first, first-name-last order. For deeds, search either the grantor or grantee. For mortgages, search either the mortgagor or mortgagee.
Use Business and Institution Prefixes Carefully
Delaware County’s search instructions note special name-entry examples: if a business begins with a number, type NUMBER- followed by the business name; for a church, use CH-; for a school, use SCH-.
Search by Book/Page or Instrument Number When You Have It
If a prior deed, title report, closing packet, mortgage release or Auditor record gives you a book/page or instrument number, search that reference directly. This is often faster and cleaner than trying multiple name variations.
Know What Is Not Fully Computerized
The county warns that not every document recorded since 1990 is computerized and that imaging start dates vary by document type. If you are searching old records, federal tax liens, UCC filings or earlier real-estate documents, expect extra limits.
Save the Recorder References
Once you find the correct result, save the grantor, grantee, document type, recording date, instrument number, volume/page and image reference. These fields help you request copies, compare deed chains or ask staff about an older record.
Visit the Office for Pre-1990 Real-Estate Records
If the document is older than the online coverage, the county says real-estate documents before 1990 are found only in the Recorder’s Office. Bring names, approximate dates and any parcel or book/page clues to reduce research time.
What Delaware County Recorder Search Results Mean
Recorder records are document records. They help you understand what was recorded and when, but they do not give the same information as an Auditor property card or Treasurer tax bill.
| Recorder Field | What It Means | How to Use It | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grantor | The party giving, selling, releasing or granting an interest. | Use it to trace sellers, prior owners, lien releases, assignments or easement grantors. | Assuming every grantor is the current owner. |
| Grantee | The party receiving, buying or benefiting from the recorded instrument. | Use it to find buyers, mortgage lenders, easement holders, trustees or lienholders. | Assuming a grantee result proves clean title. |
| Instrument Number | The unique reference assigned to the recorded document. | Use it when ordering copies, citing a record or asking staff to locate a document. | Searching by name when the exact instrument number is already available. |
| Book/Page or Volume/Page | A legacy or indexing reference tied to the recorded image or record set. | Useful for older chains of title, title reports and pre-digital references. | Confusing Auditor parcel numbers with Recorder book/page references. |
| Document Type | The classification, such as deed, mortgage, release, lien, plat, land contract or zoning resolution. | Use it to separate ownership transfers from loans, restrictions, liens and releases. | Opening a mortgage and treating it as a deed transfer. |
| Recorded Date | The date the document was filed and accepted for recording. | Use it to build a document timeline. | Confusing recording date with signing date, sale date or closing date. |
Delaware County Recorder Fees, Copies and Certified Copies
Delaware County’s Recorder fee page states that fees are charged under Ohio Revised Code Section 317.32. The listed basic instrument fee for many 8.5 x 14 or smaller deeds, mortgages, leases, powers of attorney, mergers, releases and assignments is $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page.
Common Recording Fees
- Basic instrument recording: $39 for the first two pages.
- Each additional page: $8.
- Marginal references: $4 each.
- Federal tax lien original, correction, re-file, partial release or subordination: $5.
- Map, plat or print recording/re-recording/certified copy: $40 per page.
- UCC filings related to real property: $12 plus $4 per name indexed.
Copy and Certification Fees
- Photocopies: $2 per page.
- Certified copies: $2 per page plus $2 for certification.
- Local fax copies: $2 per page.
- Long-distance fax copies: $4 per page.
- UCC search copies: $20 for the search and $2 per page for copies.
- Include a postage-paid return envelope or enough money for postage and envelope if documents must be returned by mail.
Delaware County Recording Fee Estimator
This estimator uses the Delaware County Recorder’s listed common fee pattern for many basic instruments. It is not an official invoice and does not cover every specialty document.
Recording a Deed or Real Estate Document in Delaware County
The Recorder records documents that are presented for recording with the correct fee and recording requirements. The office is not a deed-preparation service and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice or title review.
Ohio Format Rules to Check First
- Legible print size not smaller than 10-point font.
- Minimum paper size: 8.5 inches by 11 inches.
- Maximum paper size: 8.5 inches by 14 inches.
- Black or blue ink only.
- No highlighting.
- One-inch side margins and one-inch bottom margin.
- Three-inch blank top margin on the first page.
- One-and-a-half-inch blank top margin on remaining pages.
Local Issues That Cause Delays
- Submitting after the 4:00 PM document-submission cutoff.
- Forgetting postage or a return envelope for mailed documents.
- Trying to record documents before Auditor or tax-map steps are complete.
- Including Social Security numbers or sensitive information in public records.
- Assuming the Recorder can verify whether a deed is legally valid.
- Searching by address in the Recorder system when Auditor parcel data is needed first.
Which Delaware County Office Handles Deeds, Parcel Values, Tax Bills and Foreclosures?
Delaware County separates record recording, property assessment, tax billing and court foreclosure files across different offices. Choosing the wrong office is one of the most common reasons property-record tasks take longer than needed.
| Office | Use This Office For | Do Not Use It For | Local Delaware County Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware County Recorder | Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts, plats, zoning resolutions, military service discharges, copies, certified copies and AlertMe notifications. | Tax assessment, property-tax collection, legal advice, deed drafting or deciding whether a document is truthful. | The Recorder office is at 145 N. Union St., Delaware, OH 43015. |
| Delaware County Auditor | Parcel records, owner information, parcel characteristics, land value, improvement value, sales information, assessment questions and property search tools. | Recorded-document certified copies or Recorder instrument images. | The Auditor’s Query Builder is the better starting point when you only know the address or parcel details. |
| Delaware County Treasurer | Property-tax bills, property-tax payment lookup, tax balances and collection questions. | Recording deeds, updating parcel ownership or preparing conveyance forms. | The Recorder’s “What We Do” page directs tax-bill questions to the Treasurer at 740-833-2480. |
| Clerk of Courts | Sheriff-sale and foreclosure case files. | Recorder deed-index searches and normal real-estate document copies. | The Recorder’s site directs sheriff-sale information to the Clerk of Courts at 91 North Sandusky Street. |
How Delaware County AlertMe Property Fraud Notifications Work
Delaware County Recorder offers a voluntary AlertMe notification service. It can email subscribers when a document containing their registered name is recorded through the Recorder’s Office. The service helps with early awareness, but it does not stop a recording before it happens.
How to Use AlertMe
- Open the official Delaware County Recorder Property Fraud page.
- Use the AlertMe registration link.
- Register your email address.
- Add the name versions you want monitored.
- Check alerts promptly if a document is recorded using a matching name.
AlertMe Limits
Delaware County states that AlertMe applies only to documents recorded after sign-up. The Recorder also says it does not own, develop or maintain AlertMe and does not guarantee the accuracy of information provided through the system.
If you suspect fraudulent activity, the county says to contact local law enforcement as soon as possible.
Delaware County Recorder Address, Phone, Fax, Hours and Map
Use this office for in-person records research, recording logistics, copies, certified copies and older records that are not available online. Call before visiting when you need pre-1990 records, unusual documents, military discharge handling or help finding a record reference.
Delaware County Recorder
Recorder: Melissa Jordan
Address:
145 N. Union St.
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: 740-833-2460
Fax: 740-833-2459
Hours: Monday–Friday, excluding holidays. Recordings: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. Document submission cutoff: 4:00 PM. Exam Room: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.
Open Recorder Map ↗Official Delaware County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
These official links are included for actions that require a live portal, current fee verification, current office instructions or direct county tools.
Delaware County Recorder Official Website
Use this for the Recorder’s contact information, hours, office notices, record-search link, fee page and related Recorder resources.
- Confirm the site header says Delaware County Recorder.
- Review the current contact and hours section.
- Use the quick links for Recorded Document Search, Fees and Charges, Property Fraud or Contact Us.
- Check the 4:00 PM document-submission cutoff before visiting near the end of the day.
Delaware County Recorded Document Search Page
Use this page before opening the public access portal because it explains search coverage, name-search rules and record-index limitations.
- Read the public-record notice about recorded documents being publicly accessible.
- Note that online real-estate documents are listed from 1990 to present.
- Use name, book/page or instrument number as your main search method.
- For deeds, try grantor and grantee; for mortgages, try mortgagor and mortgagee.
- Use the Continue to Search button only after reviewing the limitations.
Delaware County Recorder Public Access Portal
Use this live portal to search recorded documents after reading the Recorder’s official search instructions.
- Allow downloads in your browser if you plan to download purchased or available images.
- Create an account or sign in if the portal requires it for your search or document access.
- Search by the party name, book/page or instrument number.
- Save the instrument number and recording details for copy or certification requests.
Delaware County Recorder Fees and Charges
Use this to verify current recording fees, copy charges, certification fees and mailing instructions before submitting payment.
- Find your document category: basic instrument, UCC, map/plat, lien, zoning resolution or copy.
- Count pages before estimating the total.
- Add marginal-reference fees where needed.
- Add copy and certification fees if you are requesting certified copies.
- For returned documents, include a postage-paid envelope or enough money for postage and envelope.
Delaware County Recorder AlertMe Property Fraud Page
Use this to register for name-based email alerts when documents are recorded through the Recorder’s Office after sign-up.
- Read the warning that the Recorder cannot stop a recording that meets legal recording requirements.
- Use the AlertMe registration link from the official page.
- Register your email and name profile.
- Use the forgot-password option if you were imported from the older Property Check system.
- Contact local law enforcement promptly if a new-recording alert appears suspicious.
Delaware County Auditor Property Information Query Builder
Use this when your search starts with an address, parcel, owner, property value, sales data or tax district question instead of a Recorder document number.
- Choose whether you want the whole county, a township, municipality, school district, subdivision or new community authority.
- Use the question-and-answer filters to narrow the parcel list.
- Review parcel number, owner information, land value, improvement value and sales information.
- Use owner names or parcel clues from the Auditor record to search the Recorder portal.
Ohio Revised Code Section 317.114
Use this controlling Ohio law section for statewide recording-format requirements such as font size, paper size, ink color and margin rules.
- Read division (A) for the standard recording-format checklist.
- Check the first-page top margin and remaining-page top margin rules before printing.
- Review division (B) for the additional fee on nonconforming documents.
- Review division (C) for categories that are excluded from the standardization rule.
Common Delaware County Recorder Mistakes
Mistakes That Cause Delays
- Searching only by street address in the Recorder portal.
- Ignoring the Recorder’s 1990-present online coverage limit.
- Forgetting that real-estate documents before 1990 require office research.
- Submitting documents after the 4:00 PM document-submission cutoff.
- Mailing documents without return postage or a properly sized return envelope.
- Putting Social Security numbers or sensitive data into a document that becomes public record.
- Assuming an AlertMe notice proves fraud without reviewing the document.
Better Local Workflow
- Use the Auditor search first when you only know the address.
- Use the Recorder search once you have a name, book/page or instrument number.
- Try grantor and grantee for deeds; try mortgagor and mortgagee for mortgages.
- Save the instrument number before requesting copies.
- Check Ohio format rules before calculating recording fees.
- Register name variations in AlertMe for future document alerts.
- Call the Recorder for recording logistics, not legal drafting advice.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need a deed, mortgage, lien, land contract, release or plat record. | Use the Recorder’s official search instructions and search by name, book/page or instrument number. | Delaware County Recorder Search |
| You only know the property address. | Start with the Auditor Query Builder to find parcel and owner details, then use those names in the Recorder search. | Delaware County Auditor |
| You need a pre-1990 real-estate document. | Prepare names, date ranges and property clues, then contact or visit the Recorder’s Office. | Recorder Office Exam Room |
| You are recording a deed or mortgage. | Check document format, page count, marginal references, Auditor-related steps and the 4:00 PM submission cutoff. | Recorder + Auditor where required |
| You want to monitor new recordings in your name. | Register for AlertMe and add name variations. | Recorder AlertMe |
| You need property-tax bill or payment information. | Use the Treasurer’s property-tax tools instead of the Recorder. | Delaware County Treasurer |
Delaware County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Delaware County Recorder’s Office?
The Delaware County Recorder is located at 145 N. Union St., Delaware, OH 43015. The office phone number is 740-833-2460 and the fax number is 740-833-2459.
What are the Delaware County Recorder hours?
The Recorder lists hours as Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Recordings are from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, the document submission cutoff is 4:00 PM, and the Exam Room is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
How far back do Delaware County online real-estate records go?
The Recorder’s search page says the website contains real-estate documents from 1990 to present. Real-estate documents before 1990 can be found only in the Recorder’s Office.
How do I search Delaware County deeds online?
Open the Recorder’s recorded-document search page, continue to the public access system, then search by name, book/page or instrument number. For deeds, try the grantor and the grantee. Search personal names last name first and first name last.
Can I search Delaware County Recorder records by address?
The Recorder search instructions focus on name, book/page and instrument number searches. If you only have a property address, use the Delaware County Auditor’s property search first to identify owner, parcel and sales details, then use names or document references in the Recorder search.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Delaware County?
For many basic instruments such as deeds, mortgages, leases, releases and assignments, Delaware County lists $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. Marginal references are listed at $4 each, and some specialty documents have different fees.
How much is a certified copy from the Delaware County Recorder?
The Recorder’s fee page lists photocopies at $2 per page and certified copies at $2 per page plus $2 for certification. If requesting documents by mail, include the correct fees and a postage-paid return envelope or enough money to cover postage and an envelope.
What is Delaware County AlertMe?
AlertMe is a voluntary property-fraud notification service offered by the Delaware County Recorder. It emails subscribers when a document containing their registered name is recorded through the office after sign-up. It does not guarantee that fraud occurred or stop a recording before acceptance.
Does the Recorder verify whether a deed is valid?
No. Delaware County’s property-fraud page explains that, under Ohio law, the Recorder does not have authority to verify the validity or accuracy of a document’s contents and must accept a document that is properly executed, meets recording requirements and is submitted with the correct fees.
Which office handles Delaware County property taxes?
The Recorder is not responsible for assessing or collecting real-estate taxes. The Auditor handles property assessment information, and the Treasurer handles property-tax bills and collection questions.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with the Delaware County Recorder, Delaware County Auditor, Delaware County Treasurer, Delaware County Clerk of Courts, Ohio Legislature or any title company.
This page explains public-record and recording workflows for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice or a consumer report. Do not use property-owner or recorded-document information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes.
Recording acceptance, copy fees, certification, document standards, search availability, AlertMe notices, tax assessment and legal effects are determined by the responsible public office, Ohio law and, where applicable, a court or qualified legal professional.