McHenry County Recorder: Search Deeds, Request Copies & Use the Woodstock Office
The McHenry County Recorder is the official land-records office for McHenry County, Illinois. It records and maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, subdivision documents, releases, powers of attorney, military discharge records and other documents that become part of the county’s public record system.
This guide explains how to search McHenry County deed records, when Free Web Search is enough, when Tapestry or Laredo is better, how to order copies, what to check before recording a deed, and when to contact the Assessments Office or Treasurer instead of the Recorder.
What Does the McHenry County Recorder Do?
The McHenry County Recorder records, indexes, scans and preserves land records and related public documents. If you need a recorded deed, mortgage, release, lien, plat, property fraud alert, recording form, certified copy, or eRecording guidance, this is the office to start with.
Use the Recorder For
- Recorded deeds, mortgages and releases.
- Liens, foreclosure-related recorded documents and assignments.
- Subdivision plats, condominium plats and surveys.
- Military discharge records and protected veteran copy requests.
- Property Fraud Alert and deed-fraud referral questions.
Use Assessments For
- Property owner, parcel and assessed-value questions.
- Exemptions, assessment notices and assessment complaints.
- Township assessor contact information.
- Parcel maintenance, mapping and property-location updates.
- Questions when you only have a PIN or address.
Use the Treasurer For
- Real-estate tax bills and payment status.
- Online tax payments and receipts.
- Current and delinquent property taxes.
- Tax sale and back-tax questions.
- Installment due-date reminder programs.
How to Search McHenry County Recorder Records Online
McHenry County offers several search routes. The best choice depends on whether you need free index information, pay-as-you-go document access, frequent professional searching, or copy ordering.
| Search Option | Best For | County-Published Detail | Practical Search Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorder’s Free Web Search | Basic index lookup by name, parcel identification number, address and similar fields. | The county says Free Web Search allows multiple search methods and provides indexed information, but it does not offer document images. | Use it first when you only need to identify a document number or confirm whether a deed exists. |
| Tapestry Eon | Non-subscribers and occasional users who need pay-as-you-go online access. | The county describes Tapestry Eon as an internet search program for non-subscribers that uses a credit-card pay-as-you-go method. | Use this when you need only a few records or images and do not want a monthly Laredo plan. |
| Laredo Anywhere | Title companies, law offices, lenders and real-estate professionals needing daily land-record access. | The county says Laredo offers expanded searches by party name, document number, recording dates, document types, parcel, subdivision tract, address and associated documents, with images viewable and printable. | Use this for frequent professional research; new users should review and return the Laredo agreement. |
| Assessments / parcel records | When you only know the property address, owner, PIN or tax-parcel information. | The Recorder’s FAQ directs parcel-owner questions to the Assessor’s office at 815-334-4290. | Start with Assessments if the problem is “Who owns this parcel?” rather than “Which document was recorded?” |
Confirm You Are Searching McHenry County, Illinois
McHenry County includes communities such as Woodstock, McHenry, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Cary, Huntley, Harvard, Marengo, Richmond, Spring Grove, Fox River Grove, Johnsburg, Lake in the Hills, Wonder Lake and surrounding township areas. Verify the county before paying for a record search.
Search by Grantor or Grantee Name
The Recorder’s FAQ explains that ownership can be traced through grantor and grantee name indexes. Try the current owner, former owner, spouse, trust, LLC, lender, trustee or estate name when the first search does not work.
Use PIN, Address and Document Number When Available
McHenry County’s Free Web Search allows more than one search method, including name, parcel identification number and address. Laredo adds expanded fields, including document number, document type, subdivision tract and associated documents.
Remember That Sale Date and Recording Date May Differ
A deed might be signed or closed on one day and recorded later. Widen the date range if a deed, mortgage, release, lien or PTAX/MyDec document does not appear under the exact date you expected.
Save the Document Number Before Ordering Copies
Save the document number, recording date, party names, PIN, document type and image reference. McHenry County document numbers may appear in a format similar to a year, the letter “R” and seven digits, such as 2020R0000000.
How to Get a Copy of a McHenry County Deed
The Recorder’s FAQ says deed copies can be requested in person, by mail, email, fax and phone. If the request is by phone, email or fax, you need to pay by credit card. If mailing, include the correct payment amount and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Request in Person
Visit the McHenry County Recorder at 667 Ware Road, Room 109, Woodstock, IL 60098. Bring the owner name, property address, PIN, document number or recording date if you have it.
- Best when you need staff help identifying the document.
- Ask whether you need certified or non-certified copies.
- Use the public search workflow before ordering multiple copies.
Request by Phone, Email, Fax or Mail
Call 815-334-4110 for copy-order help. The county fee schedule says copy requests can be picked up in the office or returned by postal mail, fax or email.
- Email: recorders@mchenrycountyil.gov
- Fax: 815-334-0276
- Mailing address: McHenry County Recorder, Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098
McHenry County Copy Cost Estimator
This tool estimates common copy costs from the county fee schedule. It does not include every special delivery, payment-processing, map, plat, condominium or certified lien situation.
How to Record a Deed or Land Document in McHenry County
McHenry County’s recording tips focus on preventing avoidable rejections: complete the document, make it legible, follow Illinois recording standards, include transfer declarations when required, and submit the correct fees and return instructions.
Choose the Correct Recording Form
McHenry County provides some forms as a courtesy, including PTAX-203, quit claim deed, warranty deed, release deed, Plat Act affidavit, memorandum of judgment, RHSP exemption declaration and other common Recorder forms. The county warns that it cannot provide legal assistance or tell you which form is right for your situation.
Complete the Deed Details Before Submission
Deeds should be checked for grantor signatures, grantee address, full McHenry County legal description, “Prepared By” name and address, and “Mail To” or “Return To” information. A street address alone is not a full legal description.
Handle Illinois Transfer Declarations Correctly
McHenry County’s tips say all deeds must be accompanied by a completed exemption paragraph with date and signature or a completed Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration Form, such as PTAX-203 or MyDec. The page also notes that if a deed is exempt under paragraph B or K, PTAX-203 or MyDec is still required.
Use the Plat Act Affidavit When Needed
If the deed uses a metes-and-bounds legal description, McHenry County says a properly completed, signed and dated Plat Act Affidavit must accompany the deed. Plats and subdivision-related documents may have additional signature, certificate and approval requirements.
Check Document Quality and Scanning Requirements
Use white paper, clear printing, correct margins, legible signatures, and yellow highlighting only. The county warns that other highlight colors may scan as black marks and make information unreadable. Leave a clear 3-by-5-inch space in the upper-right corner or use a cover sheet to avoid a nonconforming fee.
Submit Before the Practical Recording Cutoff
The county’s recording tips recommend delivering documents before 4:00 p.m. when possible. The Recorder’s general information says conforming documents with proper fees are recorded the same day they are received and the office strives to return documents within about two working days.
Use eRecording for Business Workflows
McHenry County allows eRecording through approved vendors including CSC, EPN, Hopdox, Indecomm and Simplifile. eRecorded documents are electronically submitted, processed and returned to the submitter.
McHenry County Recorder Fees: Common Deed, Copy and Recording Costs
McHenry County uses a predictable fee schedule for many recording classes. Final cost can depend on whether the document is a deed, lease, mortgage, easement, miscellaneous document, UCC filing, lien, plat, condominium document, nonstandard document or RHSP-exempt filing.
| Fee Area | County-Listed Amount / Rule | When It Matters | Before You Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard deed recording | $83 per document; RHSP-exempt deed listed at $64. | Common deeds affecting McHenry County real estate. | Confirm whether the RHSP surcharge applies and whether transfer declaration documents are complete. |
| Standard mortgage recording | $93 per document; RHSP-exempt mortgage listed at $74. | Mortgage and deed-of-trust style real-estate financing instruments. | Verify document class before mailing payment. |
| Standard lease / easement / other | Lease $88, easement $79, other $81; RHSP-exempt amounts vary by class. | Leases, easements and miscellaneous real-estate documents. | Use the fee schedule and call the Recorder if document class is unclear. |
| Nonstandard document fee | Add $16 for the first four pages and $2 for each additional page for nonstandard documents. | Documents that do not meet formatting rules or fall into nonstandard categories. | Fix formatting, excess references, parcel-division issues and attachments before filing when possible. |
| UCC recording | Filing $71, termination $51, search per name $10, copies $1 per page. | Uniform Commercial Code filings handled through Recorder records. | Confirm whether the filing belongs with the county Recorder or another filing office. |
| Plat of subdivision | The fee schedule lists $111 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. | Subdivision plats up to 24 by 36 inches. | Check surveyor, owner, notary, County Board, municipality, tax, FEMA and Health Department certificate requirements. |
| Standard copies | First page up to 8.5 by 14: $1.50; additional pages per document: $0.50. | Non-certified deed and document copies. | Provide document number or enough search detail before ordering. |
| Certified copies | Certified copies up to four pages: $12; additional pages per document: $1. | When a lender, court, agency, title company or legal process requires a certified recorded copy. | Ask the requesting party whether certification is required before paying. |
| DD-214 military discharge | Military discharge records and the first two certified copies are listed as no charge; each additional certified copy is listed as $1. | Veteran identity-protection and military-record requests. | Completed application and photo identification are required for original military record information or copies. |
Simple McHenry County Recording Fee Estimator
This tool estimates selected standard document and nonstandard fees from the county fee schedule. It does not replace the Recorder’s final fee decision, transfer tax review, MyDec/PTAX requirements, plats, UCC filings or special-document handling.
Enter details above, then verify the final fee with the Recorder before mailing or recording.
McHenry County Property Fraud Alert and Fraud Referral Process
McHenry County offers a free Property Fraud Alert program that can notify subscribers by email, text message or telephone when a document is recorded in their name. In 2026, the McHenry County Clerk and Recorder also announced a Fraud Referral and Review process to help residents report suspected deed or title fraud.
Use Property Fraud Alert For
- Monitoring your name after buying McHenry County property.
- Watching for unexpected deeds, liens, mortgages or releases.
- Helping older owners, heirs and family members react faster to suspicious filings.
- Receiving a prompt after a document is recorded with your name.
Do Not Confuse It With
- A guarantee that fraud cannot happen.
- Title insurance or an attorney review.
- A lock that blocks recording before it occurs.
- A paid deed-copy solicitation letter.
- A full title search by the Recorder’s staff.
McHenry County-Specific Recording Issues to Know
These are not generic deed-recording notes. They come from McHenry County’s own Recorder pages and are the details most likely to help a local homeowner, title user or family member avoid delays.
MyDec Must Be Complete
McHenry County’s recording tips specifically mention Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration forms and say MyDec must state “Closing Completed”. Do not submit a deed before confirming the transfer declaration is complete.
Plat Rules Are Detailed
Subdivision plats may require black-ink signatures, notary acknowledgments, surveyor certificates, municipal or County Board approval, tax certificates, FEMA flood-area language, Health Department approval and other certificates.
Unlawful Covenant Modification
McHenry County has a specific guide for submitting a Restrictive Covenant Modification to an Unlawful Covenant. This may help property owners address old title language that violates Illinois law.
McHenry County Recorder Address, Phone, Hours and Map
McHenry County lists a separate walk-in location for the Recorder and a mail-to address at the Government Center. Use the walk-in office for in-person help and the mailing address when sending copy or recording requests by U.S. mail.
McHenry County Recorder
Walk-in address:
McHenry County Recorder
Administration Building
667 Ware Road, Room 109
Woodstock, IL 60098
Mail-to address:
McHenry County Recorder
Government Center
2200 N. Seminary Ave.
Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: 815-334-4110
Fax: 815-334-0276
Email: recorders@mchenrycountyil.gov
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Open Recorder Map ↗McHenry County Assessments Office
Office location: 667 Ware Road, Room 106, Woodstock, IL
Mailing address: Office of Assessments, 2200 North Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: 815-334-4290
Email: assessments@mchenrycountyil.gov
Use for: property assessment, exemptions, parcel questions and owner/PIN help.
McHenry County Treasurer
Office location: 2100 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098
Mailing address: Office of Treasurer, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: 815-334-4260
Email: treasurer@mchenrycountyil.gov
Use for: property-tax bills, payments, receipts and tax-sale questions.
GIS and Parcel Mapping
McHenry County’s fee materials explain that GIS supports cadastral data, online maps, aerials, topography, assessments, land use planning, zoning, emergency management and other county operations.
Use for: parcel map context before deed, plat or tax-record research.
Official McHenry County Recorder Links
Use these official county pages to complete the actual task. Each resource below tells you what to click or verify after opening it.
McHenry County Recorder — Main Office Page
Official county page for the Recorder department and subpages including search, contact, services, recording forms, fees, eRecording, plats and fraud alert.
- Confirm you are on the official mchenrycountyil.gov domain.
- Use the left-side or subpage menu for Public Records Search Options, Contact Us, Recording Forms and Fee Schedule.
- Check the current page date or contact information before mailing documents.
- Call 815-334-4110 when fees, document class or copy type are uncertain.
Public Records Search Options
Official page explaining Free Web Search, Tapestry Eon and Laredo Anywhere for McHenry County land records.
- Use Recorder’s Free Web Search for indexed information without document images.
- Use Tapestry Eon for occasional pay-as-you-go searches.
- Use Laredo Anywhere for professional daily land-record access.
- Save document numbers and images before ordering copies.
General Information and Recorder FAQ
Official FAQ covering deed copies, title-search limits, copy requests, changing ownership, liens, sale price, assessor referrals and legal-advice limits.
- Read “How do I obtain a copy of my deed?” before requesting copies.
- Read the title-search warning before asking the Recorder to guarantee title.
- Use the Assessor contact if you need owner information from a PIN.
- Use the Treasurer or County Clerk contacts for back-tax or tax-sale questions.
Tips for Good Recordings
Official checklist for document legibility, margins, envelopes, MyDec/PTAX, Prepared By, Mail To, legal descriptions, Plat Act Affidavit and RHSP declaration issues.
- Check signatures, notary, Prepared By, Mail To and legal-description items.
- Confirm MyDec says “Closing Completed” where required.
- Use yellow highlighting only and leave the 3-by-5-inch recording space.
- Deliver documents before 4:00 p.m. when possible.
Recording Forms
Official courtesy forms page for PTAX-203, quitclaim deed, warranty deed, release deed, Plat Act Affidavit, RHSP declaration and other recording-related forms.
- Find the form name that matches the transaction.
- Do not assume a courtesy form is legally correct for your situation.
- Review the county warning about legal assistance and attorney review.
- Open MyDec when an Illinois transfer declaration is needed.
Fee Schedule
Official fee page and county PDF for predictable recording fees, copy fees, certified copies, plats, UCC filings and nonstandard document fees.
- Open the Fee Schedule PDF from the county page.
- Choose the correct document class: deed, lease, mortgage, easement, other, UCC, lien, plat or condominium.
- Check whether RHSP surcharge exemption applies.
- Call the Recorder before mailing a check if the fee is uncertain.
Electronic Recording
Official page explaining eRecording and listing approved vendor options such as CSC, EPN, Hopdox, Indecomm and Simplifile.
- Review what eRecording means before choosing a vendor.
- Contact one of the listed vendors to set up an account.
- Confirm accepted document types and payment process with the vendor.
- Watch for electronic return or rejection notices after submission.
Property Fraud Alert
Official county service page for free name-based recording alerts and property-fraud monitoring.
- Read how email, text or phone notifications work.
- Register your name exactly as it appears in property records.
- Use the Recorder phone number if you receive a suspicious alert.
- Remember that alerts do not replace legal advice, title insurance or your own review.
Plat Requirements
Official McHenry County requirements for subdivision plats, surveyor certificates, approvals, tax certificates, FEMA language and recording fees.
- Check black-ink signature and notary requirements.
- Verify surveyor certificate, owner signature, County Board or municipality approval and tax certificates.
- Review FEMA flood-area certificate language where required.
- Confirm final plat size and fee before presenting the plat for recording.
McHenry County Assessments
Official county department for property assessments, exemptions, parcel data and owner/PIN questions.
- Use this office when the question is owner, parcel, assessment or exemption related.
- Call 815-334-4290 for county assessment help.
- Use township assessor information if the issue belongs with the township assessor.
- Return to the Recorder only when you need recorded document details.
Avoid These McHenry County Deed Record Mistakes
Mistakes That Delay Recording or Research
- Searching the Recorder when the real need is parcel owner, PIN or assessed value.
- Assuming Free Web Search includes document images.
- Submitting a deed without PTAX-203, MyDec or required exemption language.
- Using non-yellow highlighter that scans as a black mark.
- Forgetting the upper-right 3-by-5-inch recording space.
- Mailing documents without a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Expecting the Recorder to perform a full title search or give legal advice.
Better Local Workflow
- Use Assessments first when only an address or PIN is known.
- Use Free Web Search to identify indexed records.
- Use Tapestry for occasional pay-as-you-go document access.
- Use Laredo for frequent professional land-record research.
- Use the official fee schedule before mailing payment.
- Sign up for Property Fraud Alert after buying property.
- Use an attorney for deed drafting, title problems and lien disputes.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need to find a deed, mortgage, release, lien, plat or recorded document. | Start with Recorder’s Free Web Search, then use Tapestry or Laredo if you need document images. | McHenry County Recorder |
| You only know the address or parcel number. | Use Assessments or township assessor information to confirm the owner, PIN and property record before searching documents. | McHenry County Assessments |
| You need a certified copy of a recorded deed. | Call 815-334-4110 or request by in-person, mail, email, fax or phone with document details and payment method. | Recorder Copy Department |
| You need to record a deed transfer. | Prepare the correct deed, include required Illinois transfer declaration or exemption documents, check legal description, and verify fees. | Recorder + attorney/title professional if needed |
| You have a tax bill or tax payment problem. | Contact the Treasurer, not the Recorder. | McHenry County Treasurer |
| You received a suspicious deed alert or see a strange recorded document. | Contact the Recorder at 815-334-4110 and consider legal help quickly. | Property Fraud Alert / Recorder |
McHenry County Recorder FAQs
Where is the McHenry County Recorder located?
The walk-in Recorder office is listed at McHenry County Recorder, Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Room 109, Woodstock, IL 60098. The mail-to address is McHenry County Recorder, Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098.
What is the McHenry County Recorder phone number?
The Recorder phone number is 815-334-4110. The office fax number is 815-334-0276, and the Recorder email listed by the county is recorders@mchenrycountyil.gov.
Can I search McHenry County deed records online for free?
Yes. McHenry County says Recorder’s Free Web Search lets users search indexed information in multiple ways, including name, parcel identification number and address. The free search does not provide document images, so Tapestry or Laredo may be needed for images.
How far back do McHenry County online land records go?
The McHenry County public-records search page says the index of real-estate documents and document images are available from 1839 through the current effective search date. Search fields and image access may differ by system.
What is the difference between Tapestry Eon and Laredo Anywhere?
Tapestry Eon is described by the county as a pay-as-you-go internet search program for non-subscribers. Laredo Anywhere is designed for real-estate-related firms needing daily land-record access, expanded searches and viewable or printable images.
How do I get a copy of my McHenry County deed?
The Recorder’s FAQ says deed copies may be requested in person, by mail, email, fax or phone. Mailed requests should include the correct amount and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Phone, email and fax requests require credit-card payment.
Can the McHenry County Recorder change ownership or add a name to my deed?
No. The Recorder records documents; it does not simply edit an old deed. The county FAQ says changing ownership or adding/removing a name generally requires a new deed, and the office suggests consulting an attorney or title company.
Does the Recorder perform title searches?
No. The Recorder’s FAQ says property ownership can be traced in the office using grantor and grantee name indexes, but by law the Recorder’s Office is not allowed to perform property title searches or guarantee a full title search.
Does McHenry County allow eRecording?
Yes. McHenry County’s electronic recording page says documents can be recorded online by setting up an account through listed vendors including CSC, EPN, Hopdox, Indecomm and Simplifile. eRecorded documents are electronically returned to the submitter.
Is this website the McHenry County Recorder?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational resource. It is not the McHenry County Recorder, McHenry County Clerk and Recorder, McHenry County Government, Assessments Office, Treasurer, a title company, law firm or consumer reporting agency.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the McHenry County Recorder, McHenry County Clerk and Recorder, McHenry County Government, McHenry County Assessments Office, McHenry County Treasurer, Tapestry, Laredo, Property Fraud Alert, any eRecording vendor, title company, law firm or Illinois court.
Recording acceptance, document sufficiency, title effect, ownership transfers, legal descriptions, transfer declarations, recording fees, certified copies, liens, plats, tax issues and fraud investigations are determined by official offices, Illinois law, courts and qualified professionals. This page is not legal, title, tax or financial advice.
Property-owner and deed 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.