Fulton County OH Recorder: Find Deeds, Mortgages and Official Land Records
The Fulton County Recorder’s Office in Wauseon, Ohio maintains permanent records of deeds, mortgages, liens and other instruments affecting real estate in Fulton County.
If you need to find a recorded deed, check whether a mortgage release was filed, obtain a document copy or record a new deed, start with the county’s official land records service. Property valuations and conveyance approvals are handled separately through the Fulton County Auditor and other reviewing offices.
What Does the Fulton County Recorder Handle?
Ohio county recorders preserve instruments affecting land ownership and recorded interests. Fulton County has separate offices for document recording, property assessment, conveyance review and tax collection.
Recorder’s Office
Use for recorded real-estate documents, including:
- Deeds and land contracts
- Mortgages and assignments
- Mortgage releases
- Liens and related instruments
- Easements and plats
- Recorded document copies
Auditor’s Office
Use for property and transfer information:
- Parcel records and assessed values
- Ownership information used for taxation
- Real estate conveyance fees
- Transfer processing
- Homestead and other tax programs
- GIS parcel information
Treasurer’s Office
Use for tax-payment matters:
- Real estate tax bills
- Property tax payments
- Payment receipts
- Tax balances
- Delinquent tax questions
Fulton County Recorder Office in Wauseon
The Recorder’s Office is located at 152 South Fulton Street, Suite 175, Wauseon, Ohio. The Fulton County Auditor is also located at 152 South Fulton Street, in Suite 165, which can make an in-person conveyance visit more convenient.
Recorder’s Office Details
Office: Fulton County Recorder
Recorder: Wendy Hardy
Physical address:
152 S. Fulton Street
Suite 175
Wauseon, OH 43567
Telephone: 419-337-9232
Recorder direct extension: 1255
Office hours:
Monday–Friday
8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Email: whardy@fultoncountyoh.com
Get DirectionsHow to Search Fulton County Ohio Deeds Online
Fulton County provides a dedicated Land Records Search / Fraud Sleuth resource through the Recorder’s website. This is different from the Clerk of Courts case search and the Auditor’s property valuation search.
Open the official Recorder website
Visit the county Recorder page and locate the link named Fulton County Land Records Search/Fraud Sleuth.
Gather a searchable name or recording reference
The most useful starting clues are the current owner, previous owner, business name, approximate transfer year, document type and any previously recorded instrument reference.
If you only know the street address, begin with the Auditor’s property search to identify the owner and parcel.
Choose an available search field
Once the Recorder search opens, review the supported search options. Use the name, document type, recording date or instrument-reference fields actually offered by the portal.
Avoid entering an entire property address into a party-name field.
Search both current and previous owners
Deeds are commonly indexed by grantor and grantee. If a recent owner’s name does not locate the expected deed, try the seller’s name, a business or trust name, or a broader date range.
Review the actual recorded instrument
Compare the parties, document type, recorded date, legal description and any recording reference. For mortgages, look for related assignments or releases recorded later.
Request an official copy when required
If the document is needed for a legal proceeding, title transaction or other formal purpose, ask the Recorder whether an ordinary or certified copy is required.
Fulton County Deed Search vs. Auditor Property Search
These two government systems answer different questions. Using them together is often more effective than searching either one alone.
| Question | Use This Office |
|---|---|
| Who is listed as the current property owner for tax purposes? | Fulton County Auditor |
| Where can I find a recorded deed? | Fulton County Recorder |
| What is the parcel’s assessed value? | Fulton County Auditor |
| Was a mortgage release recorded? | Fulton County Recorder |
| Where is my parcel on the county GIS map? | Auditor / Fulton County GIS |
| Where can I pay property taxes? | Fulton County Treasurer |
| Where do I request a certified deed copy? | Fulton County Recorder |
How to Record a Deed in Fulton County, Ohio
Fulton County uses local real-property conveyance standards involving the Auditor and Engineer. These procedures are designed to check legal descriptions and ensure that property is described correctly for tax and mapping purposes.
Prepare the deed correctly
A deed should accurately identify the grantor, grantee and real estate, include an appropriate legal description and satisfy Ohio execution and acknowledgment requirements.
Ask an Ohio attorney or title professional to prepare the instrument when ownership, survivorship, estates, trusts, divorce or other legal rights are affected.
Check Fulton County conveyance standards
The county’s conveyance requirements cover legal descriptions used in deeds, easements, affidavits and other land instruments.
The standards involve Ohio Revised Code Sections 315.251, 319.203 and 5313.02.
Complete Engineer and Auditor review when required
Fulton County’s local conveyance process may require legal-description review and the appropriate Auditor and Engineer approvals before a deed is recorded.
Do not assume that every document follows the same path. Confirm whether your particular instrument is a conveyance, exempt transfer, easement, correction or another recording type.
Prepare the conveyance form and payment
For taxable transfers, Ohio’s Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement of Value and Receipt, commonly called DTE 100, is relevant.
For a claimed exemption from the conveyance fee, check the state’s appropriate exemption form and eligibility requirements.
Check Recorder document standards and recording fees
Review Ohio’s document-formatting requirements, page count and any applicable additional charges.
Confirm whether the county currently collects a preservation surcharge or special fee for your particular document.
Submit and verify the recorded document
Once the document has the required approvals, submit it to the Recorder with the correct payment and return instructions.
Keep the recording reference and verify that the new instrument appears in the county land records.
Fulton County Auditor Conveyance and Transfer Fees
The Fulton County Auditor publishes the following charges for real-property transfers.
Conveyance Fee
$4.00 per $1,000 of total consideration, calculated using consideration rounded upward to the nearest $100.
Some transfers may qualify for statutory exemption; do not assume every ownership change is taxable.
Parcel Transfer Fee
$0.50 per parcel transferred.
Transfers involving multiple parcels can have a larger parcel-transfer total.
These charges are administered through the Auditor’s conveyance process and are separate from the Recorder’s document-recording fees.
Fulton County Recorder Recording Fees and Document Standards
Ohio Revised Code Section 317.32 provides the statewide statutory structure for many recorder fees. Fulton County maintains its own Schedule of Recording Fees, which should be checked for the final payable amount and document-specific charges.
| Recording Item | Statutory Amount / Rule |
|---|---|
| Standard recording, first two pages | $34 base including the statutory housing trust fund component |
| Each additional standard page | $8 |
| Document preservation surcharge | Up to $5 if imposed by the county under Ohio law |
| Nonstandard-format document | Additional fee may apply under Ohio document-standardization rules |
| Copies and certifications | Verify the current county fee schedule for the requested service |
| Special documents and plats | May use different statutory or county-listed fees |
Statutory reference: Ohio Revised Code §317.32 . The amounts above are statutory components, not an individualized official invoice.
Fulton County Deed and Conveyance Fee Estimator
This calculator separates the Ohio statutory recording-fee base from Fulton County Auditor conveyance charges. It is intended for preliminary planning, not for determining an official recording invoice.
Which Fulton County Land Record Do You Actually Need?
Deed
Use when researching a recorded ownership-transfer instrument. Check grantor, grantee, legal description, recording date and related references.
Mortgage
Shows a recorded security interest. A mortgage’s appearance does not by itself establish the outstanding loan balance or present lien status.
Mortgage Release
Look for a recorded satisfaction, release or related instrument after a mortgage has been paid or otherwise discharged.
Plat or Survey
Use recorded plats and survey references to investigate subdivision layout or property-description history. A recorded plat is not a substitute for a current boundary survey.
Lien
A recorded lien may affect property interests. Search related releases and consult a title professional to determine priority and continuing legal effect.
Easement
Easements can affect access, utilities or other land-use rights. Review the precise recorded language and legal description.
Fulton County Fraud Sleuth, Plats and Microfilm Records
Land Records Search / Fraud Sleuth
Fulton County identifies a Land Records Search/Fraud Sleuth resource on its Recorder website.
Use the county-provided service to search records or review any available recording-alert functions. Confirm the scope of alerts before relying on them.
Remember: An alert service does not prevent a fraudulent deed from being recorded or establish title validity.
Fulton County Microfilm Center
The county’s former Records Department is now known as the Microfilm Center.
It handles public-record requests and archives-related resources. This service is separate from the Recorder’s land-recording function.
Microfilm Center: 419-337-9234
Records Division: 419-337-9262
Address: 152 S. Fulton Street, Suite 55, Wauseon, OH 43567
Official Fulton County Recorder and Property Records Links
These resources are maintained by Fulton County or the State of Ohio. Each includes a short guide explaining what to do after opening it.
1. Fulton County Recorder Website
Land records search, recording resources, plats, standardization and contact information.
- Locate Fulton County Land Records Search/Fraud Sleuth.
- Open the search and review its available options.
- Search the property parties or recording reference.
- Open the matching instrument and verify the recorded details.
- Return to the Recorder page for fees and document standards.
2. Fulton County Auditor Property Search
Find parcel, valuation and tax-record information before researching a recorded deed.
- Follow the Real Estate Information Property Search link.
- Review the search fields provided by the Auditor system.
- Enter the available property or owner information.
- Identify the matching parcel and record its owner and parcel reference.
- Use that information when searching the Recorder’s land records.
3. Real Property Transfers & Conveyances
Fulton County’s local deed-description standards and Auditor conveyance fees.
- Read the explanation of local property-description requirements.
- Open the Conveyance Standards / Land Transfer Policies PDF linked on that page.
- Check which documents require legal-description review.
- Verify the Auditor conveyance and parcel-transfer charges.
- Contact the Auditor or Engineer before submitting an unusual deed.
4. Fulton County Auditor Forms
Official Ohio conveyance and exemption forms, including DTE 100.
- Find the section for Additional Real Estate Forms.
- Locate DTE 100 for a taxable real-property conveyance.
- Use the statement of reason for exemption when an applicable conveyance-fee exemption is claimed.
- Review the form instructions, signatures and supporting information.
- Confirm filing requirements with the Auditor before recording.
5. Fulton County GIS
County parcel maps, address data and geographic reference information.
- Review the GIS Department’s available map resources.
- Open the applicable mapping tool or Geo-Library link.
- Locate the property using available map-search functions.
- Review parcel boundaries, roads and other mapped context.
- Use the map as a research aid, not as a legal boundary survey.
6. Ohio Revised Code — Recorder Fees
State law governing recording charges and permitted surcharges.
- Read §317.32(A) for the standard recording-fee components.
- Check the current effective date shown on the Ohio Laws page.
- Review exceptions or special instrument provisions when relevant.
- Ask Fulton County Recorder whether a local preservation surcharge applies.
Common Fulton County Deed Search and Recording Mistakes
When Searching Records
- Searching court case records instead of Recorder land records.
- Using only a street address without checking Auditor owner data.
- Ignoring a previous owner or business-name variation.
- Assuming a recorded mortgage has not been released.
- Assuming an online search covers every historical record.
- Using a map as proof of legal boundaries.
When Recording Documents
- Sending an unstamped conveyance to the Recorder.
- Using an incomplete legal description.
- Overlooking Auditor and Engineer approval requirements.
- Using an outdated recording-fee schedule.
- Failing to check Ohio document-formatting rules.
- Submitting the wrong conveyance or exemption form.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Next Step |
|---|---|
| Need a copy of a deed? | Identify the instrument in Recorder records, then ask about copy or certification options. |
| Need to record a property transfer? | Review conveyance standards, obtain approvals where required and submit to the Recorder. |
| Property ownership shown by Auditor seems outdated? | Verify the recorded deed first, then ask Auditor Real Estate about its transfer record. |
| Mortgage appears on a title report? | Search Recorder records for releases or assignments and obtain professional title review if needed. |
| Need parcel size or boundaries? | Use the Auditor GIS and recorded surveys; consult a surveyor for legal boundary questions. |
| Need tax payment information? | Contact the Fulton County Treasurer rather than the Recorder. |
Fulton County OH Recorder FAQs
Where is the Fulton County Ohio Recorder’s Office?
The Fulton County Recorder’s Office is located at 152 S. Fulton Street, Suite 175, Wauseon, Ohio 43567.
Who is the Fulton County Ohio Recorder?
Fulton County lists Wendy Hardy as the County Recorder.
What is the Fulton County Recorder phone number?
The main Recorder office phone number is 419-337-9232. Wendy Hardy is also listed at extension 1255.
What are the Fulton County Recorder office hours?
The office lists Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Confirm holiday closures before visiting.
Can I search Fulton County Ohio deeds online?
Yes. The Fulton County Recorder website provides a Land Records Search/Fraud Sleuth resource for accessing the county’s recorded land-document information.
How do I find a deed if I only know the property address?
Start with the Fulton County Auditor property search to identify the owner and parcel. Then use that information to research the matching deed in Recorder records.
How much does Fulton County charge for conveyance fees?
The Fulton County Auditor publishes a conveyance fee of $4.00 per $1,000 of consideration, with consideration rounded upward to the nearest $100, plus a transfer fee of $0.50 per parcel. Exemptions may apply.
Do Fulton County deeds require Auditor or Engineer approval?
Fulton County has local conveyance standards involving legal-description review and the Auditor and Engineer. Confirm the approvals required for your specific deed before recording.
Does Fulton County have a property fraud monitoring resource?
The Fulton County Recorder website identifies a Land Records Search/Fraud Sleuth resource. Review the county service for current monitoring features and enrollment options.
Can the Fulton County Recorder provide legal advice about deeds?
The Recorder handles document recording and public-record access, not individualized legal advice. For deed drafting, ownership disputes, trusts, probate transfers or legal title issues, consult a qualified Ohio attorney or title professional.