Delaware County Ohio Recorder: Deeds, Public Records Search, Fees & Office
Need a deed, mortgage record or document copy from Delaware County, Ohio? The Delaware County Recorder’s Office at 145 N. Union Street in Delaware maintains and indexes recorded real-estate documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts and plats.
This guide shows how to use the county’s actual document-search system, understand its 1990 online-records cutoff, find older deeds, check current recording fees and avoid confusing the Recorder with the Auditor or Treasurer.
What Can You Do at the Delaware County Recorder’s Office?
The Recorder indexes and preserves instruments affecting real and certain personal property. If you are trying to find the document that transferred ownership, established a mortgage or later released a recorded interest, this is normally your starting point.
Recorded Deeds and Mortgages
Search warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, land contracts, mortgages, mortgage releases, mechanics liens and other recorded instruments.
Parcel and Property Value
Find tax parcel numbers, assessment details and valuation information through the Delaware County Auditor, not the Recorder.
Property-Tax Bills
For payment status, billing and delinquent taxes, contact the Delaware County Treasurer rather than the Recorder.
Delaware County Recorder Office Address, Phone and Hours
The office is at 145 N. Union Street in Delaware, Ohio. The Recorder’s public exam room is useful for older documents and in-person records research.
Delaware County Recorder
Recorder: Melissa Jordan
Office address:
145 N. Union Street, 1st Floor
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2460
Fax: (740) 833-2459
Hours:
Monday–Friday, excluding holidays
Recording and exam room: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Document submission cutoff: 4:00 PM
Get Directions ↗How to Search Delaware County Ohio Deeds Online
The Recorder’s website provides a Document Technology Systems (DTS) Public Access search. Its own instructions explain searches by name, book/page and instrument number. You can search from home without first registering an account.
Open the Recorder’s Search Page
Start at the county’s Recorded Document Search. Read the public-records notice and search instructions, then select the option to continue.
Accept the Public Access Disclaimer
The search system displays terms of use. Review them and choose the confirmation option to proceed. The county also warns that website document images are not equivalent to a certified copy.
Choose the Most Useful Search Method
If you know an owner, seller or buyer, start with a name search. If a closing document already lists an instrument number or book/page, use that identifier because it is more precise.
Enter the Name in the County’s Preferred Format
The Recorder’s instructions describe entering the surname first and given name afterward. For a deed, try both the grantor (person conveying property) and grantee (person receiving it).
For mortgages, try the mortgagor (borrower) and mortgagee (lender). Search name variations when necessary.
Look at the Instrument Number and Recording References
The Recorder assigns each document an instrument number, as well as page and volume references. Compare the document type, parties and recording information before assuming you have the correct property record.
Review the Document Image or Request a Certified Copy
Use available images for preliminary research. For court, title, lending or other formal uses, ask whether a certified copy is necessary rather than relying on an online printout.
Delaware County Recorder Search Tips That Matter
Business and Organization Names
The Recorder publishes special prefixes for certain name searches. For a business beginning with a number, its instructions say to use NUMBER- before the business name.
For a church use CH-, and for a school use SCH-.
UCC Records Have Different Periods
For UCC filings before January 20, 2005, check the UCC Index. For filings after that period, the Recorder directs users toward the tract index for real-estate-related UCC records.
Recent Recordings May Need Checking
The Recorder says its internet information is updated from the mainframe approximately every five minutes, but imaging dates and completeness vary by document type.
Search by Owner, Address or Instrument Number?
| What You Know | Where to Start | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Current or past owner | Recorder name search | Search grantor and grantee names. Try alternate spellings if necessary. |
| Exact instrument number | Recorder instrument search | Enter the recorded instrument number and verify the document details. |
| Book and page | Recorder book/page search | Use the volume and page references shown on an older document. |
| Street address only | Auditor GIS property search | Find the parcel and owner through the Auditor, then use those details with the Recorder. |
| Deed recorded before 1990 | Recorder office exam room | Call about in-office book and historical-index research. |
| Mortgage payoff evidence | Recorder search | Search the mortgage and later satisfaction or release instruments. |
What If Your Delaware County Deed Does Not Appear?
| Problem | Possible Reason | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Owner name returns no results | Spelling or index-name variation | Try prior owner, seller, buyer, full business name or alternate spelling. |
| Older deed missing | Document predates 1990 online coverage | Use the Recorder’s office exam room. |
| Record exists but image is missing | Imaging coverage differs by record type | Request office help or a copy using instrument information. |
| UCC filing missing | Wrong UCC or tract-index period | Review the Recorder’s historical UCC indexing rules. |
| Only know the address | Recorder indexing is centered on parties and recorded instruments | Find current or prior owner through Auditor GIS. |
| New deed is not visible yet | Index or image processing may be incomplete | Confirm recording details with the Recorder. |
How to Record a Deed in Delaware County, Ohio
Ohio has a separate county transfer and recording process. A deed that changes real-property ownership may require conveyance processing through the Auditor before it is recorded by the Recorder.
Prepare the Appropriate Deed
Confirm the exact grantor, grantee, legal description, signatures, acknowledgment and other applicable Ohio recording requirements. An attorney or title company should prepare or review documents when legal rights are changing.
Check Auditor Conveyance Requirements
For a real-property transfer, determine whether the transaction requires Ohio form DTE 100 (Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement of Value and Receipt) or DTE 100EX (Statement of Reason for Exemption From Real Property Conveyance Fee).
Do not assume an exemption applies just because the deed transfers property between family members.
Obtain Any Required Transfer Endorsement
Contact the Delaware County Auditor for applicable transfer instructions before presenting the deed to the Recorder. Real-property conveyance fees or transfer requirements are separate from document-recording fees.
Calculate the Recorder’s Recording Charge
The official fee schedule lists ordinary deeds and other qualifying instruments at $39 for the first two pages, plus $8 for each additional page. Some documents carry separate fees.
Prepare the Document Return Method
The Recorder asks for a postage-paid return envelope or enough money for postage and an envelope. Make sure the envelope is large enough to hold the recorded document.
Submit and Confirm Recording
Contact the Recorder about accepted submission methods for your particular instrument. The office publishes a 4:00 PM document-submission cutoff for in-person recording.
After recording, keep the instrument number and check the public index for the recorded reference.
Delaware County Recorder Fees and Copy Charges
These figures come from the Delaware County Recorder’s published fee schedule under Ohio Revised Code section 317.32. They cover Recorder charges—not Auditor conveyance fees, tax charges or attorney/title expenses.
| Service | Published Fee | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deed, mortgage, lease or qualifying instrument | $39 first two pages | Includes a $5 preservation surcharge. |
| Additional pages | $8 each | Applies after the first two pages for standard instruments. |
| Marginal references | $4 each | May apply to releases, assignments, amendments and re-recordings. |
| Maps, plats and prints | $40 per page | Confirm format and handling before submitting. |
| Real-estate UCC filing | $12 plus $4 per indexed name | Separate from the standard deed-recording calculation. |
| Ordinary photocopy | $2 per page | Contact the Recorder for copy requests. |
| Certified copy | $2 per page plus $2 certification | Certified copies may be required for formal use. |
| Veteran’s discharge recording | No fee | Access and privacy considerations may apply. |
Delaware County Deed Recording Fee Calculator
Estimate the county’s standard recording charge using the published first-two-pages and additional-page amounts. This calculator excludes Auditor conveyance fees, postage and special instrument charges.
Standard recording: $39 for pages 1–2, $8 for each subsequent page and $4 for each applicable marginal reference. Copies: $2/page, plus $2 certification for a certified copy. These are estimates, not official invoices.
How to Get an Official or Certified Delaware County Deed Copy
For Personal Research
Use the Recorder’s public search to locate the deed, note its instrument number and review any available document image.
An online copy can be useful for preliminary research but is not automatically a certified county document.
Open DTS Public Access ↗For Certified Copies
Call the Recorder with the instrument number, recorded parties and approximate recording date. Explain that certification is needed.
The published fee is $2 per page plus a $2 certification charge. Confirm the total and accepted order methods before paying.
Call the RecorderDelaware County AlertMe Property Fraud Notifications
Delaware County offers AlertMe, a voluntary email notification system for documents newly recorded under a registered name. It can help property owners notice an unexpected filing.
What AlertMe Does
After signup, it sends an email when a document containing your registered name is recorded through the county Recorder.
It monitors newly recorded documents after registration; it is not an archival document-search replacement.
Important Limitations
AlertMe does not prevent a document from being recorded or prove that a document is fraudulent.
The Recorder explains that Ohio law does not authorize the office to determine the legal validity of document contents when a document otherwise meets recording requirements.
Official Delaware County Ohio Recorder Links
These links lead to government-managed resources or the public systems identified by Delaware County. Follow the steps below each link rather than opening unrelated third-party record-search websites.
1. Delaware County Recorder Home
Official office overview, contact details, hours and services.
- Open the official Recorder website.
- Check the document-submission cutoff and office hours.
- Select Recorded Document Search for deed research.
- Use Fees and Charges for current document costs.
2. Official Recorded Document Search
County instructions and entry to public document-search tools.
- Read the public-records notice.
- Choose Continue to Search and accept the DTS disclaimer.
- Search by name, instrument number or book/page.
- Verify indexed parties and recording references before using a result.
3. Recorder Fees and Charges
Official county recording, marginal reference, UCC and copy fees.
- Find the document type you intend to record.
- Count all recordable pages and applicable references.
- Add copy or certification charges only if ordering those services.
- Prepare enough return postage or a postage-paid return envelope.
4. Delaware County Auditor GIS Search
Useful when you know only the street address or parcel number.
- Enter Owner Name, Address or Tax Parcel Number.
- For address searches, use proper street suffixes such as Rd or St.
- Open the matching parcel result and note owner and parcel information.
- Return to the Recorder search with the owner or prior owner name.
5. Property Fraud AlertMe Signup
County-identified email notification system for newly recorded documents.
- Review the county’s alert service information.
- Sign up for name-based recording notifications.
- If migrating from Property Check, use the forgot-password option.
- Investigate unfamiliar alerts and contact law enforcement if fraud is suspected.
6. Recorder Public Records Request Contact
Use for Recorder-maintained records not adequately handled by the ordinary online search.
- Find the Recorder’s Office in the public-records contacts.
- Identify the document or record you need.
- Contact Recorder Melissa Jordan using the published records-request details.
- Ask about inspection, copy or certified-copy options where relevant.
Who Should Handle Your Delaware County Property Question?
| Your Situation | What to Do | Correct Office |
|---|---|---|
| Find a deed or mortgage | Search the official DTS public index. | Recorder |
| Record a new deed | Prepare deed, complete required Auditor conveyance processing and arrange recording. | Auditor + Recorder |
| Find assessed value or parcel number | Use the Auditor’s property search. | Auditor |
| Pay property taxes | Find the parcel and tax balance through county tax-payment tools. | Treasurer |
| Find a deed before 1990 | Contact the Recorder and use in-person historical records. | Recorder |
| Research foreclosure court proceedings | Check the relevant court case file. | Clerk of Courts |
| Confirm clear legal title | Request a professional title review. | Attorney / Title Company |
Delaware County Ohio Recorder FAQs
Is Delaware County Recorder in Ohio or Delaware state?
This page covers the Delaware County Recorder in Ohio (OH), based in the city of Delaware. Delaware state (DE) is a different jurisdiction and has a different recording-office structure.
Where is the Delaware County Ohio Recorder’s Office?
The Recorder is located at 145 N. Union Street, 1st Floor, Delaware, Ohio 43015.
What is the Delaware County Recorder phone number?
Call (740) 833-2460 for recorder services, document recording, historical deed research and copy questions.
What are the Recorder’s document submission hours?
Office recording and exam-room hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, excluding holidays. The document submission cutoff is 4:00 PM.
Who is the Delaware County Ohio Recorder?
Melissa Jordan is the Delaware County Recorder.
How far back do Delaware County online deed records go?
The county’s official search page says its website contains real-estate documents from 1990 to the present. Records predating 1990 are available only through the Recorder’s Office.
Can I search Delaware County deeds without paying for an account?
The DTS public access system says an account is not required to use the search. Registration is recommended for conveniences such as saved searches, history and saved document-cart settings. Specific copies or services may carry charges.
How much is it to record a deed in Delaware County Ohio?
The Recorder’s published schedule lists standard deeds at $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. Auditor conveyance fees, postage and special charges may apply separately.
How much does a certified deed copy cost?
The published schedule lists $2 per page plus $2 for certification. Contact the Recorder to verify the cost and ordering method for your document.
What is the Delaware County AlertMe service?
AlertMe is a voluntary email notification service. It alerts registered users when a document containing their name is newly recorded. It does not prevent recording or establish that a document is fraudulent.
Can the Recorder provide legal advice about my deed?
The Recorder can explain recording procedures and public-record access but cannot replace a qualified Ohio attorney or title professional for deed drafting, legal ownership disputes or title opinions.
Independent Public Records Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with the Delaware County Recorder, Delaware County Auditor, Treasurer, Clerk of Courts, Delaware County government or the State of Ohio.
This article is educational and does not provide legal advice, a title examination, tax advice or a guarantee that a document will be accepted. Recording fees, office procedures and search availability may change. Verify current requirements directly with the responsible government office.
Official reference sources: Delaware County Recorder’s Office; Recorded Document Search; Fees and Charges; Property Fraud / AlertMe; Delaware County Auditor GIS; Delaware County Public Records Requests.
Property information should not be used for employment, tenant, credit, insurance or other regulated eligibility screening. This independent website is not a consumer reporting agency.