Montgomery County OH Recorder: Deeds, Property Records, Recording Fees & Search Guide
The Montgomery County Recorder keeps official records for deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, powers of attorney, plats and other documents tied to land ownership and encumbrances in Montgomery County, Ohio.
This guide explains how to search the Recorder’s Information Search System, how to prepare a deed or mortgage for recording, when the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department is involved, what fees to check, and how to use the county’s free Fraud Alert Notification system.
What Does the Montgomery County Recorder Do?
The Montgomery County Recorder records, indexes, preserves and provides access to land-related public records. Use the Recorder for recorded deeds, mortgages, mortgage releases, assignments, liens, plats, powers of attorney, official copies and deed-fraud notification. Use the Auditor for deed transfer and property-search questions, and use the Treasurer for property-tax payment questions.
Use the Recorder For
- Recorded deed and mortgage searches.
- Official record copies and certified copies.
- Recording non-transfer documents.
- FAN property-fraud alert enrollment.
Use the Auditor For
- Deed transfer and parcel ownership updates.
- Property search by address, owner or parcel ID.
- Conveyance forms and transfer fees.
- Legal description and real estate record questions.
Do Not Use the Recorder For
- Legal advice or deed drafting.
- Probate, divorce or court case records.
- Property-tax payment disputes.
- Choosing whether a deed fixes title.
How to Search Montgomery County Recorder Deeds and Records Online
Montgomery County’s official online record tool is the Recorder’s Information Search System, also called RISS. It is the best starting point when you need a recorded deed, mortgage, release, lien, assignment or other land-record reference.
Open the Official RISS Portal
Start at the Montgomery County Recorder’s Information Search System. Avoid private deed-search sites that may charge extra for public records you can identify through the county.
Search by Owner, Party Name or Document Details
Search using the grantor, grantee, current or prior owner name, business name, document type, date range or known instrument reference. Try spelling variations if an older deed does not appear immediately.
Cross-Check the Auditor Property Search
If you only have a property address, use the Auditor’s property search first to identify the current owner, parcel ID and legal description. Then return to RISS for recorded deed and mortgage history.
Write Down the Recording Details
Save the instrument number, book/page reference, recording date, document type, grantor, grantee and legal description reference. These details help the Copy Center or Recorder staff find the exact record.
Use Archives for Older Research
Montgomery County’s home and property research guide explains that deed records can be researched through Recorder deed records, tract indexes and historical records. Records Center & Archives may be useful for older chain-of-title research.
Request Copies Only After You Identify the Record
Once you have the document details, contact the Recorder’s Copy Center or use the county’s instructions for getting a regular or certified copy. For legal use, ask whether certification is required.
How to Get a Copy of a Deed in Montgomery County, Ohio
For a copy of a recorded deed or mortgage, first identify the document in RISS or through your title paperwork. Then contact the Montgomery County Recorder Copy Center. The county’s official pages list the Copy Center phone as 937-225-6494.
Find the Record First
Search RISS by name, date, document type or instrument reference. If you only know the property address, use the Auditor property search to identify owner and legal-description information.
Use the Copy Center
Call the Copy Center at 937-225-6494 with the document information. Ask whether you need a regular copy or certified copy.
Know the Fee Type
The official fee page lists photocopies at $2 per page and certified copies at $2 per page plus $1 certification. Confirm the current fee before requesting.
How to Record a Deed or Property Document in Montgomery County
Recording a deed in Montgomery County may involve both the Recorder and the Auditor. The Recorder records eligible documents, while the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department handles deed transfer for every parcel of real estate in the county.
Confirm the Property Is in Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Recorder records land-related documents for property located in Montgomery County, Ohio. If the property is in Greene, Miami, Clark, Warren, Preble or another county, use that county’s recorder.
Prepare a Recordable Original Document
The document should include original signatures signed and acknowledged before a valid notary when notarization is required. Notarized Ohio documents must include a preparation statement naming who prepared the document.
Use Correct Deed-Specific Requirements
For deeds, Montgomery County’s checklist says the grantor’s marital status must be set out, and the grantor’s spouse must release dower rights by signing before a valid notary even if that spouse was not on the original deed.
Include the Full Legal Description
A full legal description with the “situated in” clause is required. The county says it can be found on the previous deed or by contacting the Recorder Copy Center at 937-225-6494.
Route Transfers Through the Auditor When Required
The Auditor is responsible for maintaining accurate ownership records through deed transfer. If the document changes ownership, confirm the correct conveyance form, transfer fee and Auditor Deed Transfer routing before expecting the Recorder to record it.
Pay Exact Recording Fees
The current basic recording fee is $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. If the top of the first page lacks a clear 3-inch margin, an extra $20 standardization fee may apply.
Include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope
Montgomery County’s checklist says to include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Documents are held overnight to secure imaging and returned the next business day to the envelope address.
Montgomery County Recorder Fees, Copy Fees and Transfer Costs
Fees depend on document type, page count, indexing, mortgage release/assignment notation, certification, conveyance status and whether the document is a transfer deed. Always verify the current official fee page before mailing payment.
| Fee / Cost | Current Published Amount | When It Applies | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic recording fee | $39 first two pages; $8 each additional page. | Deeds, mortgages, leases, powers of attorney and many common instruments. | Page count, document type, standardization, margins and special add-ons. |
| Mortgage release / assignment marginal notation | $4 added to release of mortgages and assignment of mortgages only. | When the recorded document requires the county’s marginal notation fee. | Whether the document is a release, satisfaction, assignment or other mortgage-related filing. |
| Standardization fee | $20 if the top of the first page does not have a clear 3-inch margin. | Nonstandard formatting under Ohio recording requirements. | First-page margin, legibility, ink, paper size and format. |
| Photocopy | $2 per page. | Regular copy request for recorded instruments. | Document number, book/page, parties and recording date. |
| Certified copy | $2 per page plus $1 certification. | When a certified recorded copy is required. | Whether each document needs separate certification. |
| Deed transfer / conveyance fee | $3 per $1,000 of actual sale price plus $0.50 for each parcel transferred. | Taxable transfers handled through the Auditor’s deed-transfer process. | Sale price, exemption status, conveyance form and parcel count. |
| Plats | $0.10 per square inch, $40 minimum. | Plat recording or related map/print recording. | Sheet size, Engineer review, recording category and fee calculation. |
Montgomery County Recording and Copy Fee Estimator
This educational calculator estimates basic recording and copy/certification fees only. It does not calculate conveyance fees, exempt-transfer review, UCC indexing, plat square-inch fees, mail costs, eRecording vendor charges, tax-map review or legal preparation costs.
Recording formula: $39 for first two pages and $8 each additional page, per document. Copy formula: $2 per page plus $1 certification when selected. Conveyance estimate: $3 per $1,000 sale price plus $0.50 per parcel.
Recorder vs Auditor vs Treasurer vs Court: Which Montgomery County Office Do You Need?
Many deed and property questions require the wrong office first. Use this local role guide before visiting the County Administration Building or mailing a document.
Recorder
Use for recorded deed records, mortgages, liens, releases, powers of attorney, plats, copies, certification, RISS searches and FAN property alerts.
Auditor
Use for deed transfer, conveyance forms, property search, parcel ID, legal description, assessed value, owner information and real estate record updates.
Treasurer
Use for real estate tax bills, payment history, receipts, delinquencies, tax due dates, escrow issues and property-tax payment records.
Courts / Legal Help
Use Probate Court, Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Court or an attorney for estate cases, divorce orders, title disputes and legal drafting.
Montgomery County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours and Map
The official Recorder page lists the office on the 5th floor of the Montgomery County Administration Building. Parking is available in the adjacent garage, which can be entered from Second Street or Vista View.
Montgomery County Recorder’s Office
Office / mailing address:
451 W. Third Street, 5th Floor
Dayton, OH 45422-1387
Main line: 937-225-4275
Copy Center: 937-225-6494
Fax: 937-225-6388
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Document recording ends at 4 p.m.
Email: mcrecorder@mcohio.org
Open Recorder Map ↗Montgomery County FAN System: Free Deed-Fraud Notification
The Montgomery County Recorder offers the free Fraud Alert Notification system so property owners can receive a notice when a document is recorded concerning registered property. It does not block a recording, but it can help owners spot suspicious activity sooner.
Enroll Your Property
Use parcel, owner or property-address search inside the FAN system to find the property you want to monitor, then register for notifications.
Choose Notification Method
The FAN materials describe notifications by mail, email or text depending on enrollment method and system options.
Act Fast on Suspicious Alerts
If you receive an alert for a document you did not authorize, contact the Recorder’s Office immediately and consider legal, title or law-enforcement help.
Official Montgomery County Recorder Links
Use these official resources before paying a private deed-copy, title-search or records website. Each link includes what to do after opening it.
Montgomery County Recorder — About Us
Official Recorder page with office location, recording hours, phone numbers, mail/walk-through/eRecording notes and contact details.
- After opening this link: confirm the 5th-floor office location and document recording hours.
- Use the main line for general recorder questions and the Copy Center line for deed copies.
- Open Records Online Search if you need to identify an instrument before ordering copies.
- Open eRecording only if the document is a non-transfer document.
RISS — Recorder’s Information Search System
Official online search system for Montgomery County recorded documents.
- After opening this link: accept any legal disclaimer if prompted.
- Search by grantor, grantee, owner/business name, document type, recording date or instrument reference.
- Write down document number, book/page, date and party names.
- Use those details for copies, title review or Recorder follow-up.
Document Preparation Checklist
Official checklist for recordable documents, fees, margins, notarization, deed marital status, legal description and return envelope.
- After opening this link: verify the current recording fee and margin rule.
- Check original signature, notary, preparation-statement and legal-description requirements.
- For deeds, read the marital-status and dower-release requirement.
- Prepare a self-addressed stamped envelope before mailing or walking through documents.
Montgomery County Recorder — Fees & Documents
Official fee page for recording, copies, certified copies, UCC filings, federal liens, plats and special filing types.
- After opening this link: confirm basic recording fees for your page count.
- Check whether the filing needs a marginal notation, UCC name-indexing fee or plat calculation.
- Review copy and certified-copy fees before requesting records.
- Call the office if your filing combines deed, mortgage, UCC or map issues.
eRecording
Official eRecording page explaining that Montgomery County accepts non-transfer documents electronically.
- After opening this link: confirm whether your document is non-transfer.
- Do not eRecord a deed or “No Transfer” stamp item unless the county’s routing allows it.
- Use Simplifile contact details on the county page for vendor setup.
- Remember that all standardization laws still apply.
Auditor — Deed Transfer
Official Auditor page for deed transfers, conveyance fee, DTE 100/DTE 100EX, electronic filing contacts and property search.
- After opening this link: read the explanation that deed transfer is required for every parcel transfer.
- Check whether your transfer needs the non-exempt conveyance form or exemption form.
- Review the $3 per $1,000 conveyance fee and $0.50 per parcel fee.
- Call 937-225-4373 for deed-transfer questions before bringing a transfer deed to the Recorder.
Home & Property Research Guide
Official guide for chain-of-title research, deed records, tract index, Auditor property search and older archive records.
- After opening this link: read “Where Do I Start?” for chain-of-ownership strategy.
- Start with the present owner in the Auditor property search if you only know the address.
- Use the legal description to trace deed books, tract index and older records.
- Contact Records Center & Archives for older deed indexes and historical property research.
Fraud Alert Notification System
Official free FAN system for property owners to receive notice when a document is recorded concerning registered property.
- After opening this link: search for the property by parcel, owner or address.
- Register the property and choose your notification method.
- Save the security phrase if the system requests one.
- If a suspicious document alert arrives, contact the Recorder’s Office immediately.
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 317
State law governing Ohio county recorders, recordable instruments, indexing and recording fees.
- After opening this link: review which instruments Ohio county recorders must record.
- Use Section 317.08 for types of recordable instruments.
- Use Section 317.114 for standard format of instruments.
- Use Section 317.32 for recorder fee authority.
Common Montgomery County Recorder Mistakes
Mistakes That Waste Time or Money
- Trying to eRecord a deed that requires Auditor deed transfer.
- Mailing a deed without DTE 100 or DTE 100EX when required.
- Forgetting the 3-inch first-page margin and triggering a $20 fee.
- Leaving out grantor marital status or spouse dower release.
- Using only an address search when a legal description is needed.
- Asking Recorder staff to prepare or choose deed language.
Better Local Workflow
- Search RISS before ordering copies.
- Use Auditor property search to get parcel and legal-description clues.
- Call the Copy Center for deed-copy questions.
- Route transfer deeds through Auditor Deed Transfer first.
- Check current fees before mailing payment.
- Enroll in FAN for free recording alerts.
Montgomery County Recorder FAQs
What is the Montgomery County Recorder?
The Montgomery County Recorder is the county office responsible for recording, indexing, preserving and providing access to land-related public records such as deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, powers of attorney, plats and other documents tied to land ownership or encumbrances in Montgomery County, Ohio.
How do I search Montgomery County deed records online?
Use the official Recorder’s Information Search System, known as RISS. Search by party name, document type, recording date, instrument reference or other record details. If you only know the property address, use the Auditor property search first to identify owner, parcel and legal-description information.
Where is the Montgomery County Recorder located?
The Recorder’s Office is located on the 5th floor of the Montgomery County Administration Building at 451 W. Third Street in Dayton, Ohio. The official page lists document recording Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with general office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What is the Montgomery County Recorder phone number?
The official Recorder page lists the main line as 937-225-4275. The Copy Center is listed as 937-225-6494 for copy-related questions.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Montgomery County?
The county’s document-preparation checklist lists exact recording fees as $39 for the first two pages and $8 per page thereafter. A $20 standardization fee may be added if the first page does not have a clear 3-inch top margin, and some documents have additional fees.
Can I eRecord a deed in Montgomery County?
Usually no for transfer deeds. The Recorder’s eRecording page says the office accepts non-transfer documents through eRecording. Deeds and documents requiring a “No Transfer” stamp, such as certain Transfer on Death designations, easements and affidavits referencing a deed, still need to be mailed or walked through the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department before recording.
What do I need to record a deed?
Montgomery County’s checklist includes exact recording fees, original signatures acknowledged before a valid notary, grantor marital status on deeds, spouse dower release, full legal description with the “situated in” clause, preparation statement, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Transfer deeds may also need Auditor deed-transfer forms and fees.
What is the Montgomery County FAN system?
The Fraud Alert Notification system is a free service from the Montgomery County Recorder that notifies registered property owners when a document is recorded concerning their property. It helps property owners spot possible deed or mortgage fraud sooner, but it does not prevent a document from being recorded.
Can the Recorder prepare my deed or tell me which deed to use?
No. The Recorder’s checklist states that staff cannot give legal advice or assist in completing documents. For deed drafting, survivorship, trust, probate, divorce, correction-deed or title questions, contact an Ohio attorney, title company or other qualified professional.
Is CountyClerkOfCourt.us an official Montgomery County website?
No. CountyClerkOfCourt.us is an independent educational resource. It is not the Montgomery County Recorder, Montgomery County Auditor, Montgomery County Treasurer, Ohio county recorder system, Ohio courts or any government agency. Always verify current records, fees, forms and office hours with the official Montgomery County office.
Independent Educational Guide
CountyClerkOfCourt.us is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Montgomery County Recorder, Montgomery County Auditor, Montgomery County Treasurer, Montgomery County Records Center & Archives, Ohio county recorder offices, Ohio courts or any government agency.
Recording acceptance, deed validity, conveyance forms, dower release, transfer review, recording fees, copy fees, eRecording eligibility, fraud alerts, property search results, tax records and office hours are controlled by official agencies and current law. This guide is educational only and is not legal, title, escrow, tax or financial advice.
Public property 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.