Kankakee County Recorder: Deeds, Land Records, Online Search and Office
The Kankakee County Recorder of Deeds maintains recorded property documents for Kankakee County, Illinois, including deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats and other land records.
Whether you need to find a deed online, obtain a recorded copy, prepare a new deed or check current recording charges, this guide covers the county’s actual search options, office details and local filing requirements.
Reviewed October 14, 2026 • Official county sources • Independent information
What Does the Kankakee County Recorder Do?
The Recorder preserves and indexes instruments affecting real estate. The office can help you find a recorded document, request copies and understand recording procedures. It cannot draft deeds, provide legal descriptions or perform a guaranteed title examination.
Recorder of Deeds
Use for recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, mortgage releases, subdivision plats, property fraud alerts and document recording.
Property Assessment / GIS
Use for parcel identification numbers, assessment records, location information and property maps. A PIN can help you identify the correct land.
County Clerk / Treasurer
The Clerk maintains vital records and other county services. The Treasurer handles property-tax bills, balances and payments.
Kankakee County Recorder Address, Phone, Hours and Map
Kankakee County Recorder’s Office
Recorder: Lori Gadbois
Address:
189 East Court Street
Kankakee, Illinois 60901
Building: Kankakee County Administration Building
Phone: 815-936-5536
Additional recorder contact number: 815-937-2980
Email: Recorder@kankakeecountyil.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Closed for lunch: 12:30 PM–1:30 PM
Get Google Maps Directions ↗How to Search Kankakee County Deeds and Recorded Documents Online
Kankakee County offers three search routes. Selecting the right one matters because one provides images for a per-search charge, another requires subscription access, and the data-only option does not provide document images.
| Search System | Best For | Published Access / Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tapestry | Homeowners and occasional researchers who need a deed, mortgage or recorded image. | $8.75 per index/image search; $1 per printed page. Pay-as-you-go option available. |
| Laredo | Title companies, lenders, attorneys and frequent researchers. | Subscription access. County lists monthly plans from $100 to $320 according to minutes used. |
| Direct Search | Checking recorded land-document index information without retrieving images. | Data-only search; no document images. County states the information is 10 days behind current data. |
Step-by-Step Kankakee Deed Search
Open the Official Online Access Page
Go to Kankakee County Recorder Online Access. Choose Tapestry, Laredo or Direct Search based on the type of record and whether you need an image.
Search the Grantor or Grantee
For Tapestry, the Recorder instructs users to enter names as LASTNAME FIRSTNAME, separated by one space and without a comma. Start with one party name rather than filling every search field.
Use a Broad Search First
The county recommends using fewer search terms. Start with a surname or subdivision name, then narrow by recording date or document type where available. Searching by PIN is not recommended on the county’s Tapestry instructions.
Check the Correct Recorded Instrument
Compare the names, recording date, document type, legal description and related document references. A deed, mortgage, release and lien can all involve the same property but have very different legal meanings.
Review and Obtain the Document
Open the image if your selected access option permits it. Save the document number and page count. Contact the Recorder if you need a certified copy or if older records cannot be located remotely.
How Far Back Do Kankakee County Deed Records Go?
The online-access page states that indexed records are available back through 1984. The Recorder’s historical grantor/grantee books date to the county’s founding in 1853.
Not every historical record is available online. For an older deed, the Recorder’s FAQ directs researchers to the office, where historical indexes may be consulted. Staff does not perform full historical title research for the public.
How to Record a Deed in Kankakee County, Illinois
The county’s Recorder publishes deed preparation, document-format and transfer-declaration rules. A recorded document becomes part of the public land-record system, but recording does not guarantee that the document was drafted correctly.
Prepare the Correct Deed
Confirm the grantor, grantee, legal description, signatures and acknowledgment. The county provides courtesy warranty-deed and quitclaim-deed forms, but Recorder staff cannot tell you which instrument is appropriate for your legal situation.
Include the Property Information
The Recorder requires a complete legal description. Include the relevant lot, block, subdivision, section, township and range details as appropriate, plus the property’s Permanent Index Number (PIN) and complete address.
Add Preparer and Tax-Bill Information
Include who prepared the deed and the recipient and mailing address for future real-estate tax bills. Check the notary signature, seal or stamp, and date.
Complete the 2026 MyDec PTAX Requirement
Effective January 1, 2026, Kankakee County accepts only MYDec PTAX forms generated through the Illinois Department of Revenue’s MyDec system for applicable deed recording. Complete the declaration through the Illinois MyDec system.
The county identifies three stages: Declaration Submitted, Declaration Accepted, and Closing Completed. Print and submit the complete declaration only once its status is Closing Completed. For e-recording, attach it as a helper document.
Confirm Format and Fees
Standard paper must be 8.5 × 11 inches and leave an empty 3 × 5-inch space at the top right of the first page. Confirm the correct recording category and fees before submitting the document.
Submit and Retain the Recording Details
Submit the original by an accepted method, with the required payment and return information. The county allows mailed recording packages, and professional submitters may use approved e-recording vendors. Keep the recorded document number after processing.
Document Formatting That Affects Fees
Standard Recording Format
- 8.5 × 11-inch white paper.
- Paper weight of at least 20 pounds.
- At least half-inch margins.
- Blank 3 × 5-inch space at the top right of the first page.
- Font size of at least 10 points.
- No more than five associated document numbers, legal descriptions and PINs in the county’s standard classification.
Potential Nonstandard Issues
- Oversized or incorrect paper dimensions.
- Insufficient blank recording space.
- Unreadable text or small font.
- More than five associated document numbers, legal descriptions or PINs.
- Incomplete legal-description or deed information.
- Incorrect MyDec documentation or missing exemption statement.
Kankakee County Recorder Fees for 2026
The Recorder’s published fee schedule became effective July 1, 2025 following a county-approved GIS fee increase. These are the current amounts listed on the official Recorder website as reviewed in October 2026.
| Recording Category | Published Fee | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Standard document | $82 | Most qualifying standard real-estate recordings with five or fewer associated document numbers, legal descriptions and PINs. |
| Exempt standard document | $63 | Qualifying Illinois government agencies and local government entities, including certain schools, libraries and utilities. |
| Nonstandard document | $107 | Recordings that fail standard classification rules, including excess references or nonstandard dimensions. |
| Exempt nonstandard document | $88 | Qualifying governmental filings that fail standard-document requirements. |
| Plat recording | $103 | Plat records under the published dimensions and classification rules. |
| UCC termination or continuation | $50 | Specified Uniform Commercial Code continuation or termination filings. |
| Federal liens and releases | $25 | Qualifying federal lien and release documents. |
Why the Standard Recording Fee Is $82
The county identifies these components in its July 2025 schedule:
Recorder and Computer Funds
$25 general recording fee, plus $8 computer fund.
GIS and Housing Charges
$30 GIS fee, plus $18 Rental Housing Support Program fee and $1 administration charge.
Together, the components total $82 for a qualifying standard recording. For example, two independently recordable standard documents would generally mean two recording fees, not one combined $82 charge. Confirm whether the instruments must be recorded separately.
How to Get a Kankakee County Deed Copy or Certified Record
You can research a document online or contact the Recorder for a copy. The best method depends on whether you need an ordinary research image, an official copy or certified evidence for a lender, court or other institution.
Online Research Copy
Tapestry lists printed images at $1 per page, in addition to the applicable search charge.
Use it when you know the correct owner, document number or recording details and need an ordinary reference copy.
Recorder-Assisted or Certified Copy
Use the Recorder’s Document Request Form, or call the office with the document number, names, date and type.
Confirm the current staff-copy and certification charges before paying. Do not assume a Tapestry printout is certified.
Other Kankakee Recorder Services Worth Knowing
E-Recording
The county accepts eligible deeds and MyDec declarations through authorized e-recording channels.
Its official page lists providers including eRecording Partners Network, Simplifile, CSC, Nationwide Title Clearing and Hopdox. Contact the Recorder and provider to verify current participation, account setup, accepted document types and service charges.
Read Kankakee e-recording instructions ↗Property Fraud Alert
Kankakee County provides a free Property Fraud Alert program to notify subscribed users if a document is recorded under a monitored name.
Users can choose an available email or phone notification. Alerts do not stop recording or prove that a particular document is fraudulent.
Open the county fraud-alert guide ↗Military Discharge Records
The Recorder provides DD214 recording information and forms. Military discharge records have special privacy considerations and should not be treated like unrestricted deed-index research.
Contact the office before filing or requesting discharge information.
Older Grantor and Grantee Books
The county has been restoring historical grantor/grantee index books dating back to 1853. These records can be important when researching older title histories.
For older-than-online searches, ask the office about in-person index access or use a professional title researcher.
Kankakee Recorder Search and Filing Problems
| Problem | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Tapestry finds no deed. | Search surname only, remove punctuation, try the previous owner and avoid using multiple criteria at once. |
| You have a PIN but cannot find the record. | Use the PIN to identify the property, then search Recorder records by owner name or document number. The county discourages PIN searching in Tapestry. |
| Direct Search shows a result but no image. | Direct Search is a data-only system. Use Tapestry or Laredo for images when available. |
| A recent document is missing from Direct Search. | The county says Direct Search runs 10 days behind current data. Use the appropriate current-record search or contact the Recorder. |
| A new deed has an incomplete MyDec. | Complete the declaration until it reaches Closing Completed status before recording. |
| You found a mortgage but no release. | Search later recording dates, lender variations and related instrument references. Get professional assistance for lien status. |
Kankakee County Recorder Official Links and What to Do After Opening Them
1. Kankakee County Recorder Official Website
Open the Kankakee Recorder website ↗
- Confirm office address, phone and hours.
- Use Online Access for searching recorded documents.
- Open Forms for deed preparation and document requests.
- Open Recording Fees before submitting payment.
2. Tapestry, Laredo and Direct Search
Open official online-record access instructions ↗
- Choose Tapestry for occasional paid searches, Laredo for subscribed research or Direct Search for index-only data.
- Use LASTNAME FIRSTNAME when searching Tapestry by party name.
- Start with a single criterion, then broaden or narrow your search.
- Check the published pricing before paying for a search or printing images.
3. Recorder Forms and Deed Requirements
Open Kankakee deed forms and recording guidance ↗
- Find the relevant document type, such as Warranty Deed or Quit Claim Deed.
- Read the Recording a Deed requirements below the forms list.
- Confirm the PIN, legal description, preparer, future-tax-bill address, notary and stamp-space requirements.
- Use the Document Request Form when a copy is needed.
4. January 2026 MyDec Requirement
Read the official Kankakee MyDec notice ↗
- Read the January 1, 2026 effective-date notice.
- Open the linked Illinois Department of Revenue MyDec service.
- Complete the declaration through Closing Completed status.
- Print the full completed form, or attach it as a helper document when e-recording.
5. Recorder Fee Schedule
Check official 2026 recording charges ↗
- Verify that the published schedule still uses the July 1, 2025 amounts.
- Identify the standard, nonstandard, exempt, plat or special recording category.
- Check payment methods and whether the document must be submitted separately.
- Call the office before mailing a check if any classification is uncertain.
6. E-Recording and Property Fraud Alerts
Open official e-recording instructions ↗
Open official property fraud alert enrollment ↗
- For e-recording, verify your selected vendor, document type and MyDec attachment requirements.
- For fraud alerts, open the county-linked signup platform and select Kankakee County.
- Register the names to monitor and choose an available notification method.
- Investigate unexpected recording alerts through the Recorder, not through unsolicited payment links.
Kankakee County Recorder FAQs
1. Where is the Kankakee County Recorder located?
The Kankakee County Recorder is located at 189 East Court Street, Kankakee, Illinois 60901, in the County Administration Building.
2. Who is the Kankakee County Recorder?
The official Recorder website identifies Lori Gadbois as Kankakee County Recorder.
3. What is the Kankakee County Recorder phone number?
The official Recorder website lists 815-936-5536. Other county Recorder resources also list 815-937-2980.
4. What are the Kankakee County Recorder office hours?
The office lists Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with a lunch closure from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.
5. Can I search Kankakee County deeds online?
Yes. Kankakee County offers Tapestry for occasional searches, Laredo for subscription research and Direct Search for index-only records without document images.
6. How far back do Kankakee County deed records go?
The Recorder’s online-access page says searchable indexes are available back through 1984. Historical grantor and grantee index books date back to 1853, but older records may require office research.
7. How much does it cost to record a deed in Kankakee County?
The current published standard recording fee is $82, effective July 1, 2025. Nonstandard documents are listed at $107, with other categories having separate fees.
8. What MyDec form is required for a Kankakee County deed in 2026?
Effective January 1, 2026, Kankakee County requires applicable MyDec PTAX forms generated through the Illinois Department of Revenue system to reach Closing Completed status before submission with the deed.
9. Can I mail a deed to the Kankakee County Recorder?
Yes. The Recorder allows original documents to be mailed to 189 East Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901, with return instructions and a check for the exact recording fee.
10. Can the Kankakee County Recorder perform a title search?
No. The Recorder provides access to public recording information but does not perform or guarantee a legal title search. A title company or qualified Illinois attorney can help examine title and lien issues.
Independent Information and Recording Disclaimer
This guide is independently published and is not affiliated with the Kankakee County Recorder’s Office, Kankakee County government, Fidlar Technologies or the Illinois Department of Revenue.
The information is intended to help users navigate actual county services. Recording rules, document fees, public-record coverage, payment methods and online portal conditions can change. Always verify the current requirements with the Recorder before submitting a legal instrument or paying a recording fee.
Recorded documents may contain legal rights and obligations that are not obvious from the public index. This guide is not legal advice, a title report, a certified record or an official government service.
Public-record information should not be used as a consumer report for employment, housing, credit, insurance or other decisions regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This independent publisher is not a consumer reporting agency.