McLean County Recorder: Deeds, Land Records, Recording Fees & Search Guide
If you need a deed, mortgage, lien, plat or other recorded land document in McLean County, Illinois, the recording function is handled by the McLean County Clerk’s Recording Division. McLean County voters approved combining Recorder duties with the County Clerk, and the change took effect December 31, 2013.
This guide shows how to use the official Recorder eSearch system, what records are available, what a deed must contain before recording, current county-listed recording fees, where to request help, and which county office to use when your problem is really about taxes, parcel values or legal title.
Who Is the McLean County Recorder?
In McLean County, Illinois, deed and land-record recording duties are performed by the McLean County Clerk’s Recording Division. Kathy Michael is listed by the county as County Clerk/Recorder. The Recording Division is at 115 E Washington Street, Room M104, Bloomington, IL 61702, with a main recording phone number of (309) 888-5170.
Recorder / Recording Division
Records, archives and retrieves deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, releases, ordinances, annexations, powers of attorney, military discharge records and other documents submitted for recording.
Assessment & Parcel Records
If you need parcel value, assessment information or property-tax assessment records rather than a recorded deed, use McLean County’s parcel-information and assessment systems instead of treating the Recorder database as an assessor search.
Property-Tax Payment
The Recorder does not collect your property-tax bill. Tax-payment and delinquent-tax questions belong with the McLean County Treasurer or the appropriate tax office.
How to Search McLean County Recorder Deeds & Land Records
McLean County uses a Cott Systems eSearch portal for recorded-document access. The county’s Access page points users to Recorder’s Records, and the eSearch site includes a Certified Dates tool so you can check the indexed date range before assuming an older document is searchable online.
Open the Official Recorder eSearch
Use the McLean County Recorder eSearch system rather than a commercial people-search or property-data website.
Check Certified Dates First
The portal specifically recommends checking its Certified Dates utility before searching. The official-record index currently identifies January 1, 1973 as the beginning date for the online Official Records index.
If your deed, mortgage or other transaction predates the indexed online range, contact or visit the Recording Division because the office says its underlying records date back to 1831.
Use the Search Fields Available in eSearch
Search the portal using the indexed information available for the document you need. Depending on the record and access level, common land-record searches may use party names, document information or property-related identifiers.
If you already know the recorded document number from a deed, mortgage, title commitment or previous record, use that identifier when the portal offers it because it is usually more precise than a broad name search.
Open the Correct Indexed Record
Match the grantor/grantee names, recording date, document type, legal description or PIN information to the property and transaction you are researching. Do not assume that every same-name result concerns the same owner.
Use the Recorded Document for the Right Purpose
A deed helps identify a recorded conveyance. A mortgage shows recorded security interests. A release may show satisfaction of a previously recorded lien or mortgage. A plat helps define subdivisions or surveyed lots. These are different from assessor parcel-value records or tax-payment records.
Request Help When the Online Index Is Not Enough
The eSearch page directs users who cannot resolve a database-use problem through its Help Center to contact the Recording Division at (309) 888-5170 or recorderinfo@mcleancountyil.gov.
What McLean County Recorder Records Can Tell You
| Record Type | What It Commonly Shows | Useful For | What It Does Not Replace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deed | Recorded parties, legal description, recording information and transfer-related details. | Tracing a recorded conveyance or locating the instrument used to transfer property. | A professional title opinion or legal determination of ownership. |
| Mortgage | Borrower/lender information, property description and recording data. | Checking whether a mortgage was recorded against property. | Current loan payoff information. |
| Release / Satisfaction | Reference to a prior mortgage, lien or other recorded instrument being released. | Checking whether a recorded encumbrance was later released. | A complete title search. |
| Plat | Subdivision, lot, boundary or survey-related recorded information. | Understanding a subdivision layout or recorded plat reference. | A current boundary survey prepared for your property. |
| Lien | Recorded claimant/debtor information and related instrument details. | Identifying certain public-record liens. | Legal advice about validity, priority or enforceability. |
McLean County Deed Recording Requirements
McLean County publishes a specific deed-requirements page. A deed submitted for recording must contain more than the owner names and street address.
County-Listed Deed Requirements
- Statement of exemption or transfer-tax declaration.
- Name of the person who prepared the deed.
- Name and address for future tax statements.
- Notary seal, date and signature.
- Original signatures; photocopied or digital signatures are not accepted under the county’s published deed guidance.
- Complete legal description.
- Permanent Index Number associated with the legal description.
- Complete return address.
Legal Description Matters
The county says the legal description should identify the property through a specific lot, block and subdivision, or through the appropriate quarter-section, section, township and range description.
The Recording Division specifically warns that staff will not create or provide legal descriptions or give legal advice. If the deed’s description is uncertain, resolve that issue before presenting the document for recording.
McLean County Recorder Recording Fees
McLean County’s current posted predictable recording fee schedule is effective from July 2023 and remains the fee document linked by the Recording Division. Confirm the amount immediately before submitting because county fee schedules can change.
| Document Category | Posted Fee | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Standard document | $61 | Must meet the county’s standard-document formatting and reference requirements. |
| RHSP-exempt standard document | $41 | Applies only when the document falls within the county-listed Rental Housing Support Program fee-exempt categories. |
| Non-standard document | $75 | Applies when a document fails the listed standard-document requirements. |
| RHSP-exempt non-standard document | $55 | For qualifying RHSP-exempt documents that are non-standard. |
| State tax lien / release | $11 | County schedule notes an additional $1 for additional names. |
| Federal tax lien / release | $11 | County schedule notes an additional $1 for additional names. |
| Plat | $104 | Plat-specific requirements apply. |
| RHSP-exempt plat | $84 | Only for qualifying fee-exempt plats. |
| Military discharge recording / certified copy | No charge | The county’s posted fee schedule lists no recording or certified-copy charge for military discharge records. |
McLean County Standard Recording Format
Paper & Printing
Standard documents use separate 8½-by-11-inch sheets and must be legibly printed in black ink. Larger attached exhibit drawings or plats can cause the filing to be treated as non-standard.
Margins & First Page
The county’s fee schedule calls for a clear ½-inch margin around page edges and a 3-by-5-inch blank space in the upper-right corner of the first page for recording information.
PIN & Document References
A standard document may contain five or fewer PIN references and five or fewer related document-number references. The county asks filers to associate each PIN with its legal description or tract to reduce indexing errors.
Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer vs Circuit Clerk in McLean County
| Your Task | Best Office | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Find or record a deed | County Clerk – Recording Division | Handles recorded real-estate and legal instruments. |
| Find a recorded mortgage, release, lien or plat | County Clerk – Recording Division | These are recorded-document functions. |
| Check parcel information or assessed value | Property/assessment records system | Assessment records answer valuation and parcel-assessment questions, not the Recorder index. |
| Pay a property-tax bill | McLean County Treasurer | Tax collection is separate from recording. |
| Find a court case or court-filed judgment | McLean County Circuit Clerk | Court records are maintained separately from Recorder land records. |
| Resolve a deed drafting or title dispute | Attorney / title professional | Recorder staff do not provide legal opinions or determine legal title. |
McLean County Recorder Address, Phone, Hours & Map
McLean County Clerk – Recording Division
Physical address:
115 E Washington Street
Room M104
Bloomington, IL 61702
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 2400
Bloomington, IL 61702
Recording Division phone:
(309) 888-5170
Fax: (309) 888-5927
Email:
recorderinfo@mcleancountyil.gov
Published hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
County holiday closures can affect weekday hours. If you have a time-sensitive closing or recording, confirm the office is open before traveling or mailing overnight documents.
Official McLean County Recorder Resources
These are the official county resources most useful for deed and recorded-document tasks. Each link includes the next steps so you do not have to guess what to click after opening it.
McLean County Recording Division
Official landing page for Recorder responsibilities, office contact information and recording resources.
- Confirm the Recording Division phone, hours and office location.
- Use the Recorder-related navigation for records access, fees and deed requirements.
- If your task is recording rather than searching, verify the current fee PDF before sending the document.
McLean County Recorder eSearch
Official Cott Systems land-record database used by the McLean County Recording Division.
- Open Certified Dates before searching to see the available indexed date range.
- Use the available indexed search method that best matches the information you already know.
- Open the matching document entry and verify parties, recording date, document type and property references.
- If you need an account, follow the portal’s account-creation instructions; the site notes that activation may require a signed User Agreement.
- Use the Help Center first for portal-use questions, then contact the Recording Division if needed.
Certified Dates
Official tool showing which recording-date ranges are indexed in the online eSearch system.
- Select or confirm McLean County.
- Review the beginning and ending dates shown for Official Records.
- If your transaction predates the online index, contact the Recording Division about older records.
Official Deed Requirements
McLean County’s checklist for deeds submitted for recording.
- Compare your deed with every listed requirement.
- Check the transfer-tax statement or exemption statement.
- Verify preparer, tax-statement address, original signatures and notarization.
- Confirm the full legal description and PIN are included.
- Do not ask Recorder staff to create a missing legal description.
Current Recording Fee Schedule
County-posted predictable fee schedule for standard, non-standard, RHSP-exempt documents, liens, plats and military discharges.
- Identify whether your instrument is standard, non-standard or RHSP-exempt.
- Check page size, margins, first-page blank space and PIN/document-reference count.
- Match your document to the fee category before preparing payment.
- Confirm the fee with the Recording Division if the document has unusual attachments or multiple tracts.
McLean County Parcel Information
Use this instead of Recorder eSearch when the task is parcel information rather than a recorded deed or mortgage.
- Choose Real Estate Parcel Information for parcel-level property data.
- Search using the parcel number, mailing address or property address where supported.
- Use Recorder’s Records only when you need the recorded instrument itself.
McLean County PropertyCheck Recording Alerts
The McLean County Recorder eSearch system links to a newer PropertyCheck service. A recording-alert service can help an owner monitor indexed activity associated with configured names or property information, but an alert does not prevent a document from being recorded and does not establish whether a filing is legally valid.
Common McLean County Recorder Mistakes
What Often Goes Wrong
- Using the Recorder database when the real need is assessed value or a tax bill.
- Assuming a street address alone is the legal description required for a deed.
- Submitting a photocopied signature when the county requires original signatures for deeds.
- Ignoring the 3-by-5-inch first-page recording space.
- Sending the $61 standard fee when the instrument is actually non-standard.
- Assuming an older deed is missing because it does not appear in the post-1973 online index.
Better Workflow
- Start with Certified Dates before an online search.
- Save the document number once you locate the correct instrument.
- Match the PIN to its associated legal tract when preparing documents.
- Check deed requirements before signing and notarizing.
- Check the current fee schedule immediately before submission.
- Keep a copy of the recorded document and recording information after completion.
Choose the Right Next Step
| Your Situation | Next Step |
|---|---|
| You need an existing deed, mortgage, lien, release or plat. | Search the official Recorder eSearch database and check Certified Dates first. |
| The record predates the online index. | Contact or visit the Recording Division because its historical records extend back to 1831. |
| You want to record a new deed. | Review the Deed Requirements and Current Fee Schedule before submitting the original or certified document. |
| Your deed has the wrong legal description or ownership language. | Do not ask Recorder staff to rewrite it; contact a qualified Illinois attorney or title professional. |
| You need assessed value or parcel information. | Use the county’s Real Estate Parcel Information system rather than Recorder eSearch. |
| You need to pay property taxes. | Use the McLean County Treasurer/tax-payment service, not the Recording Division. |
McLean County Recorder FAQs
Does McLean County still have a separate Recorder of Deeds office?
No. McLean County voters approved placing Recorder duties in the County Clerk’s Office in 2012, and the change took effect December 31, 2013. The County Clerk’s Recording Division now performs Recorder functions.
Where is the McLean County Recording Division?
The Recording Division is at 115 E Washington Street, Room M104, Bloomington, IL 61702. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2400, Bloomington, IL 61702.
What are the McLean County Recorder office hours?
The county publishes Recording Division hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. County holidays can affect those hours.
How do I search McLean County deeds online?
Use the official McLean County Recorder eSearch system. Check the Certified Dates page first, then use the available indexed search fields to locate the correct recorded document. Match the parties, document type, date and property references before relying on a result.
How far back do McLean County online Recorder records go?
The official eSearch Certified Dates page lists the online Official Records index beginning January 1, 1973. The Recording Division says its broader office records date back to 1831, so older documents may require office research.
How much does it cost to record a standard document in McLean County?
The county’s current posted predictable fee schedule lists $61 for a qualifying standard document and $75 for a non-standard document. Always check the current county fee schedule before filing because document characteristics and future fee changes can affect the amount.
What does a McLean County deed need before it can be recorded?
The county lists requirements including a transfer-tax declaration or exemption statement, preparer information, future tax-statement address, notarization, original signatures, a complete legal description, the Permanent Index Number and a complete return address.
Will Recorder staff prepare my legal description or tell me which deed to use?
No. McLean County specifically states that Recorder staff do not provide legal advice, legal opinions or legal descriptions. Legal drafting or title issues should be handled by a qualified attorney or title professional.
Can I use the Recorder search to find my assessed property value?
The Recorder system is designed for recorded documents. For parcel information, property address, mailing address and assessment-related data, use McLean County’s Real Estate Parcel Information system instead.
Is this website the McLean County Recorder’s official website?
No. This is an independent informational guide. Official recordings, searches, fees and office policies are controlled by McLean County, Illinois and the McLean County Clerk’s Recording Division.
Independent Records Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with McLean County Government, the McLean County Clerk, the Recording Division, the Treasurer, the Assessor, the Circuit Clerk or Cott Systems.
Recorded-document indexes can help locate public records, but they are not a substitute for legal advice or a professional title examination. Recording a document does not by itself establish that every statement in the document is legally valid.
Public property and land-record information 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.