Lake County IL Recorder Office: Address, Deed Records, Fees, Online Search & eRecording
The Lake County IL “Recorder Office” is officially the Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office in Waukegan. Use this office for recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats, subdivision records, UCC filings, military discharge recordings, copy requests, property-alert tools and eRecording guidance.
This guide explains the address, office role, online official records search, how to request copies, when to use eRecording, which forms matter for deeds, and what not to confuse with the Assessor, Treasurer or Vital Records Division.
Where Is the Lake County IL Recorder Office?
The Lake County IL Recording Division is located at 18 N County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085. The published phone number is 847-377-2575, and the office email is recorder@lakecountyil.gov. The office is part of the Lake County Clerk’s Office, currently led by County Clerk Anthony Vega.
Use This Office For
Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats, subdivision records, ordinances, annexations, UCC filings, military discharge papers and copy requests for recorded documents.
Best first step: search the official records portal, then contact the Recording Division if you need certified copies or staff help.
Do Not Use It For Tax Values
The Recorder does not decide assessed value, exemptions or tax bills. Use the Lake County property tax/assessment search for parcel ID, assessed value, tax-cycle data and tax office records.
Important: a deed can help identify ownership history, but the tax record is a different system.
Use Property Alert For Monitoring
Lake County’s official records search includes a Property Alert option. Property owners can use it to monitor indexed recording activity tied to names.
Limit: alerts notify you; they do not stop a fraudulent document from being submitted.
Recording Division vs Assessor vs Treasurer vs Vital Records
Lake County has separate offices and systems for recorded documents, property assessment, tax payments and vital records. Choosing the wrong office is the most common reason users waste time.
| Your Question | Correct Lake County Office/System | Why | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| I need a deed, mortgage, lien, release or recorded plat. | Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office | This division records, archives and retrieves documents submitted for recording. | Search official records by party name, document number, subdivision, document type or date range. |
| I need assessed value, parcel ID, tax year data or property card details. | Lake County Property Tax Information / Assessment records | The property-tax system provides parcel assessment and tax office information, not recorder images. | Use parcel ID, street address or advanced search, then verify the selected tax year. |
| I need to pay property taxes or check the bill. | Lake County Treasurer / tax payment system | The Recorder does not collect property-tax payments. | Use the county tax payment or Treasurer resource after confirming the parcel number. |
| I need birth, death, marriage or civil union records. | Vital Records Division of the County Clerk’s Office | Lake County’s Recording Division FAQ says vital-record archives are maintained separately by Vital Records. | Use the Vital Records Division, not the 6th-floor recording counter, for those records. |
How to Search Lake County IL Recorder Records Online
Lake County’s official records search allows users to search land records using a search term and recorded-date range. The portal explains that quick search can look for grantor/grantee, subdivision, document type or document number.
Open the Official Records Search
Start from the county’s official Recording Division page or the official records portal. Confirm the page header says The County of Lake and County Clerk Anthony Vega before entering search terms.
Choose Quick Search or Advanced Search
Use Quick Search when you have a document number, party name, subdivision, document type or broad date range. Use Advanced Search when you need to build a more precise search with specific criteria.
Search Names in Lastname Firstname Format
The official search page advises entering names as lastname firstname, such as SMITH JOHN, for better results. For an exact phrase or exact name, put quotation marks around the search criteria.
Check the Certified-Through Date
The official search portal displays a certification date near the top of the page. If you are checking a very recent closing, release or lien, verify whether the record date you need is newer than the portal’s certified-through date.
Search Index Only or Index & Full Text
When available, Search Index Only searches the indexed fields. Search Index & Full Text may search OCR text. OCR can help, but document images and older records may still require manual review.
Save the Document Reference Before Ordering Copies
Save the document number, recording date, document type, grantor, grantee and any book/page or subdivision information. The Recording Division can help faster when your request includes a precise reference.
What Records Does the Lake County IL Recording Division Maintain?
Lake County says the Recording Division records, archives and retrieves documents submitted to be recorded. The office says its documents date back to 1844 and include far more than ordinary deeds.
Real Estate Records
- Deeds and mortgages
- Liens and releases
- Plats of subdivision
- Ordinances and annexations
Business / Financing Records
- Uniform Commercial Code filings
- Articles of incorporation when recorded
- Assignments and releases
- State and federal lien-related filings
Military and Other Records
- Military service discharge papers
- Recorded historical documents
- Document copies
- Certified-copy requests when needed
How to Record a Deed or Land Record in Lake County IL
Lake County provides recording forms as a courtesy and strongly recommends legal counsel before taking final action because ownership changes may affect taxes, inheritance and other legal rights. The Clerk’s Office cannot provide legal advice.
Choose the Correct Document Type
Do not guess between a quitclaim deed, warranty deed, release, assignment, plat affidavit or transfer-tax document. A recorded document can change legal rights even if the Recording Division accepts it for recording.
Check Lake County Forms
The county forms page includes a quitclaim deed packet, Plat Act Affidavit, plat recording guidelines, transfer-tax exemption statement, PTAX-203 links and other recording-related forms. Use only the form that fits your transaction.
Follow Document Formatting Rules
Lake County’s fee page describes standard-document rules including white paper, legibility, clean margins and a blank 3-inch by 5-inch space from the upper-right corner of the first page. Do not staple or attach items to a page.
Check PTAX and Transfer-Tax Requirements
Many real-estate transfers require an Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration, commonly known as PTAX-203. Lake County also links PTAX-203-A, PTAX-203-B and PTAX-203-NR resources for special situations.
Verify Municipal Stamp or Exemption Rules
Lake County’s eRecording guidance says deeds for property in Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Mettawa or North Chicago require a signed exemption certificate or municipal revenue stamps before eRecording.
Submit In Person, By Mail or Through an Approved eRecording Workflow
Lake County forms guidance says recordings can be submitted in person to the Recording Division in the County Building or mailed to the Lake County Clerk’s Office Recording Division at 18 N County St, 6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085-4358. Professional users may use eRecording when the document type is eligible.
Lake County IL Recording and Copy Fees
Lake County lists predictable recording and copy fees on its official Recording & Copy Fees page. Always verify the current county page before submitting payment because transfer taxes, municipal stamps, vendor fees and special document issues may change the final amount.
| Item | Officially Listed Fee / Rule | What It Means | Before You Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard document | $70 | Common recording fee for a standard real-estate-related document. | Check whether transfer taxes or municipal stamps also apply. |
| Government-exempt standard document | $50 | Listed for standard documents submitted by a federal, state or local government agency exempt from the Rental Housing Surcharge Program fee. | Do not use this lower fee unless your agency/document actually qualifies. |
| Federal/state liens or releases; UCC termination | $43 | Listed for these specific lien/UCC termination filings. | Confirm document type before choosing this fee. |
| UCC-1 and UCC-3 filings | $58 | Listed for original financing statements and certain amendments, assignments, continuations and partial releases. | Use the correct UCC form and filing category. |
| Recorded document copy | $1 per page | General copy fee for recorded document pages. | Ask about certification or delivery fees if an official copy is needed. |
| Plat copy | $5 per page | General copy fee for plats. | Provide the plat name, subdivision or document number when possible. |
| PTAX forms | $1 per form | Listed fee for PTAX forms. | Use the exact PTAX form required for your transaction. |
| Military discharges | Free to the veteran | The county lists military discharges as free to the veteran. | Ask about identity and authorization requirements before requesting copies. |
Lake County Recording and Copy Fee Estimator
Use this tool only as a planning estimate based on the listed county fees above. It does not calculate Illinois real estate transfer tax, municipal transfer stamps, nonstandard-document charges, eRecording vendor fees, postage or certification add-ons.
For standard document, government-exempt document, lien/UCC and UCC filing estimates, the unit is the number of documents. For recorded copies, plats and PTAX forms, the unit is the number of pages or forms. Always verify final charges with Lake County before recording.
Lake County IL eRecording: What to Know Before Submitting
Lake County’s eRecording page describes Speed eRecord as the Recording Division’s eRecording service. eRecording can speed up business workflows, but the document still must be eligible, properly prepared and approved for recording.
What eRecording Helps With
eRecording can reduce paper handling, speed return of recorded images and support professional recording workflows for title companies, lenders, attorneys and government users.
Municipal Stamp Warning
Deeds for property in Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Mettawa or North Chicago need a signed exemption certificate or municipal revenue stamps before eRecording.
Paper PTAX-203 Limitation
Lake County’s eRecording page says deeds with a paper PTAX-203 cannot be submitted for eRecording through the eRecording system.
Lake County IL Recorder Office Address, Hours, Phone and Map
Visit the Recording Division for in-person recording and document-copy help. Because the office is inside the Lake County Court and Administrative Complex, review visit/parking/security information before going downtown Waukegan.
Recording Division of the County Clerk’s Office
Address:
18 N County Street, 6th Floor
Waukegan, IL 60085
Mailing for recordings:
Lake County Clerk’s Office
Recording Division
18 N County St – 6th Floor
Waukegan, IL 60085-4358
Phone: 847-377-2575
Email: recorder@lakecountyil.gov
Published hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM.
Open Recorder Map ↗Official Lake County IL Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
Use these official links to verify current requirements before ordering copies, submitting a deed, using eRecording, checking fees or searching records.
Lake County Clerk — Recording Division
Official recorder home area for services, records, forms, fees, eRecording, holidays and contact details.
- Confirm you are on lakecountyil.gov and the page is for Lake County, Illinois.
- Use the Recording Division links for records, forms, fees, eRecording and office information.
- Check the contact block before visiting or mailing documents.
- Use the holiday page if you plan to visit near a county closure date.
Official Records Search
Official Lake County online records search for land records using quick search or advanced search.
- Select Quick Search for a broad search or Advanced Search for a more controlled search.
- Enter a grantor/grantee name, subdivision, document type or document number.
- Use lastname-first format for names, such as SMITH JOHN.
- Use quotation marks for exact phrase or exact name searches.
- Check the certified-through date before relying on very recent recordings.
Recording & Copy Fees
Official county page listing recording fees, copy fees, payment options and standard-document requirements.
- Review the standard-document fee and any special UCC or lien fee.
- Check whether your transaction also needs state/county transfer taxes.
- Review the standard-document formatting requirements before printing.
- For mailed recordings, make the check payable to Lake County Clerk only after confirming the total.
Forms — English
Official forms page for recording-related packets and documents, including quitclaim deed packet, Plat Act Affidavit and transfer-tax exemption statement.
- Read the county’s legal-advice warning before using any deed form.
- Select the specific form that matches your transaction.
- Open the instructions and verify whether a PTAX form or municipal stamp is required.
- Submit the completed document with the correct fee to the Recording Division.
PTAX-203 Forms
Official Lake County page linking Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration forms and related PTAX resources.
- Choose PTAX-203 for ordinary real estate transfer declaration needs.
- Use PTAX-203-A, PTAX-203-B or PTAX-203-NR only when your transaction fits those special instructions.
- Confirm with the Recording Division or a closing professional before recording if you are unsure.
eRecording Information
Official county eRecording page for Speed eRecord, deed eligibility notes and municipal-stamp warnings.
- Read the county’s “Most Deeds Are Now Eligible for eRecording” section.
- Check whether your municipality requires stamps or an exemption certificate.
- Do not submit deeds with paper PTAX-203 through eRecording if the county page says they are not accepted.
- Contact the Recording Division before submitting unusual or rejected documents.
Lake County Property Tax Information
Separate county property-tax and assessment record search for parcel ID, street address, tax office records and assessment data.
- Use this only when you need parcel, assessment or tax information.
- Search by parcel ID, street address or advanced search criteria.
- Check the tax year selector because Illinois property taxes operate on a two-year cycle.
- Use the Recorder only if you need the recorded deed or instrument image.
Common Lake County Recorder Search and Filing Mistakes
Mistakes That Delay Users
- Searching the wrong Lake County in another state.
- Using the Recorder when the question is about assessed value or property-tax payment.
- Searching names in firstname-lastname order when the portal recommends lastname-firstname.
- Mailing a deed with the wrong recording fee or missing transfer-tax paperwork.
- Submitting an eDeed without checking municipal stamp requirements.
- Assuming a recorded document proves clean title without title review.
Better Workflow
- Confirm the property is in Lake County, Illinois.
- Use the official records portal for deed and recording searches.
- Use the county tax search for parcel and assessment details.
- Open the fee page before writing a check.
- Use PTAX and municipal stamp checks before recording deeds.
- Save the document number before requesting copies.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Lake County Resource |
|---|---|---|
| You need a deed, mortgage, lien, release, plat or subdivision record. | Search official records by name, document number, date range, subdivision or document type. | Official Records Search |
| You need a certified copy of a recorded document. | Find the document reference first, then request the copy in person, by mail, by phone or by email. | Recording Division |
| You are recording a new deed. | Review forms, PTAX rules, municipal stamps, formatting rules and current fees before submitting. | Forms + PTAX + Fee pages |
| You are a title company, lender or attorney recording eligible documents electronically. | Review Speed eRecord instructions and municipal-stamp warnings before eRecording. | eRecording page |
| You need tax value, parcel ID or tax payment information. | Use the property-tax/assessment search and check the tax year selector. | Lake County Property Tax Information |
| You are worried about deed fraud. | Use Property Alert and contact the Recording Division quickly if a suspicious document appears. | Property Alert + Recording Division |
Lake County IL Recorder Office FAQs
Where is the Lake County IL Recorder Office located?
The Lake County IL Recording Division of the County Clerk’s Office is located at 18 N County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085. The published office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
What is the phone number for Lake County IL recorder records?
The Recording Division’s published phone number is 847-377-2575. Use this number for deed copies, recording questions, certified-copy requests, eRecording questions and document-submission clarification.
Is the Lake County Recorder separate from the County Clerk?
For Lake County, Illinois, recording services are handled by the Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office. The official county pages use the County Clerk and Recording Division structure rather than a standalone recorder-only office.
Can I search Lake County IL recorded deeds online?
Yes. Lake County provides an official records search for land records. The quick search can be used for grantor/grantee names, subdivision, document type or document number, and the advanced search can help build more specific searches.
How should I search a person’s name in the official records portal?
The official search page recommends lastname-firstname format, such as SMITH JOHN. For exact phrase or exact name searches, put quotation marks around the search term.
How do I request a copy of a deed in Lake County IL?
Search the official records portal first and save the document number, recording date and party names. Lake County’s FAQ says copies can be requested from the office in person, by mail, by phone or by email.
What is the standard document recording fee in Lake County IL?
Lake County lists a standard document recording fee of $70. The final amount may change if state or county real estate transfer taxes, municipal stamps, vendor charges or special document issues apply.
Can I eRecord deeds in Lake County IL?
Lake County provides eRecording through Speed eRecord and says most deeds are now eligible. However, deeds involving Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Mettawa or North Chicago require a signed exemption certificate or municipal revenue stamps before eRecording, and deeds with a paper PTAX-203 cannot be submitted through the eRecording system.
Does the Lake County Recording Division provide legal advice or prepare deeds?
No. Lake County provides forms as a courtesy and warns that ownership changes may have tax, inheritance and other legal ramifications. The Clerk’s Office cannot provide legal advice, so users should consult an attorney or title professional when needed.
Are birth, marriage and death records handled by the Recording Division?
No. Lake County’s Recording Division FAQ says birth, marriage and death record archives are maintained by the Vital Records Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office, which is a separate division from the recording counter.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with Lake County, Illinois, the Lake County Clerk’s Office, the Recording Division of the County Clerk’s Office, the Lake County Treasurer, the Chief County Assessment Office, GovOS, Speed eRecord, or the State of Illinois.
Recording rules, fees, copy options, eRecording eligibility, transfer-tax requirements, municipal stamp rules, office hours and portal features can change. Always verify current requirements with the official Lake County Recording Division before recording a document, mailing payment or relying on a copy fee.
Public land records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency and does not provide legal, tax, title or financial advice.