Pott County Recorder: Search Deeds, Historical Records & Office Information
Searching for a property deed, mortgage, release or historical land transfer in Council Bluffs, Carter Lake, Avoca, Oakland, Underwood or elsewhere in Pottawattamie County, Iowa? The responsible office is the Pottawattamie County Recorder.
Local residents often shorten Pottawattamie County to “Pott County.” The Recorder offers more than one land-record search: a current AVA records system, digitized historical grantor/grantee index books dating from 1853 to 1989, and statewide Iowa Land Records access.
This guide helps you choose the correct database, locate a recorded deed, request historical copies, review current recording fees and documents, and visit the Recorder at the Council Bluffs courthouse.
Which “Pott County Recorder” Are You Looking For?
“Pott County” can refer to different counties depending on the state. This guide focuses on Pottawattamie County, Iowa, whose official website uses the address pottcounty-ia.gov. It does not cover the Oklahoma County Clerk’s deed records or the Kansas Register of Deeds.
Pottawattamie County, Iowa
Office: County Recorder.
City: Council Bluffs.
Records: Deeds, mortgages, releases, plats and other recorded instruments.
Official Iowa Recorder →Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma
Office: County Clerk.
City: Shawnee.
Recording address: 309 North Broadway Avenue, Shawnee, OK 74801.
Official Oklahoma Clerk →Pottawatomie County, Kansas
Office: Register of Deeds.
City: Westmoreland.
Recording address: 207 N. 1st Street, Westmoreland, KS 66549.
Official Kansas Register →Where to Search Pottawattamie County Deeds Online
The County Recorder has an official Real Estate Record Search page that links users to three record-search resources. Pick the one that best matches the age and location of your property document.
County AVA Search
Best for: Recorded documents after 1989 and more recent deed, mortgage or release research.
Start through the county’s official Search Pottawattamie County Records (AVA) link.
See the modern-record steps →Historical Index Books
Best for: Older land transfers indexed in books from 1853–1989.
Browse grantor or grantee index books by year, category and surname initial.
See historical-search steps →Iowa Land Records
Best for: Searching documents from multiple Iowa counties rather than just Pottawattamie County.
The county says first-time users need a free account to search the statewide system.
Open statewide-search link →How to Search Pott County Deed Records Using AVA
The County Recorder links its newer records through the AVA search system. The following workflow is useful when looking for a deed, mortgage, assignment or release from the modern record period.
Open the County’s Official Search Directory
Visit the Real Estate Record Search page.
Under Pottawattamie County Recorded Documents, select Search Pottawattamie County Records (AVA).
Choose an Available Search Field
Use a name, document number, recording-date range or document-type filter when offered by the current AVA interface.
If you know the recorded document number from a title report or earlier deed, use that reference rather than trying to reconstruct the entire ownership history.
Search Both Sides of a Property Transfer
On a typical conveyance, the grantor transfers the interest and the grantee receives it.
Try the buyer and seller’s names if you are unsure which name will retrieve the relevant record.
Check the Document Type and Recording Date
Review the document category rather than choosing the first matching surname. A person may appear on deeds, mortgages, releases and other instruments.
The date of signing and the date of recording can differ, so widen your date range when necessary.
Verify the Property Description
Open the indexed result and any available image. Compare the legal description, names and recorded reference with your title or closing documents.
A matching owner name alone does not confirm the correct parcel.
Save the Reference and Request a Copy if Needed
Keep the recording date, document identifier and book/page details when displayed.
If you need a certified copy or an image not available online, call the Recorder at (712) 328-5612 and ask about the current copy procedure and any charges.
Search Historical Pott County Deed Index Books, 1853–1989
The Pottawattamie County Recorder digitized historical index books covering lots and land transfers from 1853 through 1989. This is useful for older deeds, property-history research, inheritance records and tracing prior ownership.
Open the Historical Recorder Database
Visit records.pottcounty-ia.gov and select the index-book collection.
You can also open the Index Books directly.
Choose Grantor or Grantee Books
Use Grantor Books to look for the person transferring land or Grantee Books to look for the person acquiring it.
For a complete transfer history, searching both may be necessary.
Filter by Year and Category
The historical database includes a year-search control and categories such as Lots, Lands, Lots and Lands and Miscellaneous.
Select a book covering the likely period of the transaction.
Locate the Surname in the Book
Browse to the relevant first letter of the transaction party’s last name and inspect the scanned index pages.
Older handwriting, spelling variations and historical indexing conventions may require checking several entries.
Write Down the Index Reference
Save the book/page or other reference provided by the historical index, along with names and approximate year.
The index entry points toward a record; it is not necessarily a complete reproduction of the deed itself.
Request a Digital Copy From the Recorder
The county instructs users to select the Help link in the historical database header and complete the request form when they identify the desired index entry.
Contact the office if the corresponding deed cannot be located.
How to Find a Pott County Deed When You Only Know the Address
A street address may be easier to search in the Assessor’s property database than in an older deed index. The Pottawattamie County Assessor’s site includes owner, address and parcel-number searches.
Start With the County Assessor
- Open the Pottawattamie County Assessor property search.
- Use the address fields for street and town, or search by owner or parcel number.
- Open the matching assessment account.
- Note the parcel and relevant owner details.
- Return to the Recorder’s AVA or historical index search.
Assessor vs. Recorder
Assessor: Property valuation, parcel identification, tax-related ownership information and assessment details.
Recorder: Recorded legal instruments, including deeds, mortgages and releases.
Auditor: Real-estate transfer records used for taxation and transfer tracking.
The Assessor warns that legal descriptions on its website are for tax purposes only.
What Can You Find in Pottawattamie County Land Records?
Real Estate Deeds
Documents conveying ownership interests in land or property. Check the grantor, grantee and legal description.
Mortgages
Security instruments related to real-estate lending. Related assignments and releases may be recorded later.
Mortgage Releases
Recorded releases can help establish whether a specified mortgage was discharged.
Subdivision Plats
Maps and plats identifying subdivisions or property boundaries. The county provides an additional subdivision list.
Real Estate Contracts
Recorded contracts and assignments may show contractual property interests requiring further review.
Easements and Affidavits
Recorded documents affecting access, utility rights, property facts or interests in real estate.
Pottawattamie County Recorder Fees for Deeds, Mortgages and Releases
Pottawattamie County publishes different recording fees depending on document type. Deeds generally cost more for the first page because the listed deed charge includes a transfer fee for the first real-estate parcel.
| Document Type | First Page | Each Additional Page |
|---|---|---|
| Deed | $12 | $5 |
| Contract | $12 | $5 |
| Change of Title | $12 | $5 |
| Assignment of Contract | $12 | $5 |
| Mortgage | $7 | $5 |
| Assignment of Mortgage | $7 | $5 |
| Release | $7 | $5 |
| Non-transfer affidavit | $7 | $5 |
| Lease | $7 | $5 |
| Plat, survey or corner certificate | $7 | $5 |
Three-Page Deed Example
First page: $12.
Two additional pages: 2 × $5 = $10.
Illustrative recording charge: $22.
Assumes one parcel and no nonstandard-format or additional-transaction fees.
Four-Page Mortgage Example
First page: $7.
Three additional pages: 3 × $5 = $15.
Illustrative recording charge: $22.
Other charges may apply to a specific instrument.
How to Record a Deed in Pottawattamie County
Pottawattamie County follows Iowa’s document-formatting rules and requires additional transfer paperwork for certain conveyances. This checklist is important for anyone submitting a deed or contract for recording.
Prepare the Correct Legal Instrument
Have the deed or conveyance prepared by a qualified Iowa real-estate attorney or title company where appropriate.
The Recorder states it cannot practice law or prepare legal documents.
Check Iowa Paper and Margin Requirements
The Recorder lists:
- White paper, printed on one side only.
- Paper weight of at least 20 pounds.
- A top margin of at least three inches.
- Other margins of at least three-quarters of an inch.
- Legible text of at least eight points, with ten points for filled-in information.
- Black-ink signatures, with printed or typed names beneath signatures.
Include the Required First-Page Information
The county identifies the following details:
- Name, address and phone number of the document preparer.
- Taxpayer name and complete address.
- Return address.
- Title of the document.
- Grantor and grantee names.
- Legal description or reference to the page containing it.
Check the Declaration of Value
For a qualifying transfer, Iowa requires a Declaration of Value unless a statutory exemption applies.
Check the exemption rules before omitting this form from the recording package.
Check the Groundwater Hazard Statement
The county states that a Declaration of Value filing also requires a Groundwater Hazard Statement or qualifying disclaimer within the transferring document.
Documents exempt from the Declaration of Value are also exempt from that statement under the county’s guidance.
Calculate the Recording Charge
Count the document pages and determine whether more than one parcel or transaction is involved.
Check nonstandard-format fees and separate transfer-related amounts before submission.
Submit at the Recorder or Through Iowa Land Records
The county accepts documents over the counter and through online electronic submission.
For eRecording, use the official Iowa Land Records link and follow its approved submission process.
Meet the Daily Processing Window
The county states it accepts recording submissions until 4:00 PM, but documents received after 3:00 PM will not be uploaded until the following business day.
Plan for the earlier processing threshold if the timing of the document is important.
Pott County Real Estate Transfer Tax and Conveyance Paperwork
Recorder filing fees and real-estate transfer tax are different charges. Iowa uses a state transfer-tax framework, and the Pottawattamie County Recorder links to an official transfer-tax calculator.
Use the County Transfer Tax Calculator
- Open the Pottawattamie County Recorder website.
- Select Transfer Tax Calculator.
- Enter the consideration or other information requested.
- Review the displayed result.
- Confirm whether an exemption or special rule applies before recording.
Check the Transfer Forms
Before submitting a conveyance, review whether the transaction needs:
- A Declaration of Value.
- A Groundwater Hazard Statement.
- Applicable statutory exemption language.
- Additional parcel-transfer fees.
- Other transaction-specific documents.
How to Get a Copy of a Pottawattamie County Deed
For a Modern Deed
- Open the county’s AVA search.
- Find the record by name, date or reference.
- Check the matching document details.
- Use the available image or copy option.
- Ask the Recorder if official certification is required.
For an 1853–1989 Deed
- Open the historical index-book database.
- Choose the correct grantor/grantee book.
- Find the surname and year.
- Save the index reference.
- Use the database’s Help link to request a digital record copy.
Pottawattamie County Recorder Office Address, Phone and Hours
Pottawattamie County Recorder
Pottawattamie County Courthouse
227 South 6th Street
Second Floor
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Phone:
(712) 328-5612
Fax:
(712) 328-4738
Real estate filing hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Recorder: Andrew Moats, as identified on the county’s official Recorder page.
Get Directions ↗Before Visiting the Recorder
- Bring the recorded reference or party names for a document search.
- Use the historical index first when researching older property transfers.
- Check whether your deed needs the Declaration of Value.
- Prepare a Groundwater Hazard Statement if required.
- Review applicable recording fees and parcel counts.
- Arrive before 3:00 PM if same-day upload timing matters.
- Confirm the office is open on your intended date.
Upcoming county-listed closures include: Veterans Day on November 11, Thanksgiving Day on November 26, and November 27, 2026.
The Recorder is on the second floor of the Pottawattamie County Courthouse. Check the county website for accessibility, security and holiday information before traveling.
Recorder vs. Auditor vs. Assessor in Pottawattamie County
| Your Question | Responsible Office | Correct Starting Point |
|---|---|---|
| Where can I search for a recorded deed? | Recorder | AVA or historical index books |
| How do I obtain a recorded mortgage release? | Recorder | Search the instrument index or request a copy |
| Who maintains parcel assessment data? | Assessor | Owner, address or parcel-number search |
| Who tracks real-estate transfers for tax purposes? | Auditor | Real Estate transfer books and records |
| Who can prepare a quitclaim deed? | Attorney or title company | Seek professional document preparation |
| Where do I obtain a property abstract? | Abstract or title company | Request an abstract/title service |
| Where can I pay county property taxes? | Treasurer | Official tax payment services |
What if Your Pott County Recorder Search Has No Results?
The Owner Name Does Not Match
- Search the previous owner or grantor.
- Try different name spellings.
- Look for a trust or business entity.
- Use a wider date range.
- Compare the legal description.
The Record Is Before 1990
- Use the historical index-book database.
- Search grantor and grantee books.
- Choose the appropriate year range.
- Check both lots and lands categories.
- Use the Help request for a digital copy.
You Only Have an Address
Use the county Assessor search to identify owner or parcel details. Then use those names in the Recorder’s AVA system or historical indexes.
The Index Entry Has No Image
Save its book/page and names, then contact the Recorder. The historical database’s online coverage is not guaranteed to include every index record.
Pottawattamie County Property Fraud Alert: How to Enroll
The Recorder provides a free Property Fraud Alert service for recordings involving monitored names. It can help owners become aware of new documents that may require attention.
Open the Official Fraud Alert Page
Visit the county’s Property Fraud Alert page.
Select the Free Enrollment Link
Read the service description and select Enroll for Free.
Register Your Monitored Name
Follow the provider’s instructions for name registration and notification settings.
Review Unexpected Alerts
If an unfamiliar recording appears, inspect the actual document and consider appropriate professional or legal assistance.
Pott County Recorder Search, Historical Books and Recording Resources
1. Official Real Estate Record Search
County AVA, historical index books, statewide Iowa Land Records and subdivision lookup.
- Select the local AVA search for newer recordings.
- Use Index Books for older records.
- Choose Iowa Land Records for a statewide search.
- Use the subdivision list for related plat references.
2. Pottawattamie Historical Index Books
Digitized grantor and grantee books covering 1853–1989.
- Choose Grantor or Grantee Books.
- Filter by year and record category.
- Locate the surname and index reference.
- Use Help to request a digital copy when necessary.
3. Document Recording Information
Recording fees, formatting rules and Iowa transfer-related forms.
- Review page-format rules.
- Confirm required first-page information.
- Check the Declaration of Value and Groundwater Hazard Statement.
- Calculate the recording charge and note daily processing cutoffs.
4. Pottawattamie County Assessor Search
Property lookup by owner, address or parcel.
- Enter owner name, street/town or parcel number.
- Open the matching assessment account.
- Verify the property identity.
- Use the information to research recorded instruments.
5. Recorder Property Fraud Alert
Free recording notifications associated with registered names.
- Read the county’s alert explanation.
- Select free enrollment.
- Register the monitored name.
- Review unexpected notifications against actual records.
6. Recorder’s Office and Frequently Asked Questions
Official office contacts and answers about deeds, transfers, forms and recording services.
- Find the Real Estate questions.
- Check the relevant record or form requirement.
- Contact the Recorder for document-specific copy requests.
- Use a qualified attorney or title company for deed drafting.
What to Do After Finding a Pottawattamie County Deed
Found the Correct Deed?
Save the recording reference and compare the legal description. Request a certified document if an agency, lender or court requires official certification.
Found a Mortgage but No Release?
Look for a related release. Check names and recording references. If an expected discharge has not been recorded, follow up with the lender or loan servicer.
Need to Change Ownership?
Have a qualified Iowa attorney or title company prepare the correct instrument. Check transfer forms, property-tax implications and recording requirements before filing.
Historical Deed Is Missing?
Use the scanned index-book references, then contact the Recorder. For a complete ownership history, consider professional title or abstract research.
Pott County Recorder FAQs
1. What is the official Pott County Recorder office?
For Pottawattamie County, Iowa, the responsible office is the Pottawattamie County Recorder at the courthouse in Council Bluffs. Its official website is pottcounty-ia.gov, and its telephone number is (712) 328-5612.
2. Where is the Pottawattamie County Recorder located?
The Recorder is on the second floor of the Pottawattamie County Courthouse at 227 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. Real-estate filing hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
3. How do I search Pott County deed records online?
Open the county’s Real Estate Record Search page and choose Pottawattamie County Records (AVA). Use the available name, date, document number or document-type fields to find the recorded instrument.
4. Can I search Pottawattamie County historical deeds from the 1800s?
Yes. The Recorder provides digitized grantor and grantee index books covering 1853–1989. Browse the historical database by year and category, then use its Help link to request a digital copy when you identify the desired entry.
5. How much does it cost to record a deed in Pottawattamie County?
The county lists $12 for the first page of a deed and $5 for each additional page. The first-page fee includes a $5 transfer fee for the first parcel. Additional parcels, transactions or nonstandard formatting may increase the charge.
6. Does Pott County require a Declaration of Value with a deed?
The county says qualifying deeds and conveyances must include a Declaration of Value unless a statutory exemption applies. Check the Recorder’s document-recording instructions before submitting the instrument.
7. Is a Groundwater Hazard Statement required in Pottawattamie County?
When a Declaration of Value is required, the county also calls for a Groundwater Hazard Statement or a qualifying disclaimer within the conveying instrument. Transfers exempt from the Declaration of Value are also exempt from that statement under the county’s guidance.
8. Can I find a Pottawattamie County deed by street address?
Begin with the Pottawattamie County Assessor’s property search, which supports address, owner and parcel-number searches. Use the owner information to help locate the recorded deed through AVA or the historical index books.
9. Can I electronically record a document in Pott County?
Yes. The Recorder says it accepts electronic submissions through Iowa Land Records. Documents are received for recording until 4:00 PM, but those received after 3:00 PM are not uploaded until the next business day.
10. Is the Pott County Recorder the same as Pottawatomie County in Oklahoma or Kansas?
No. This guide covers Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma records land documents through the County Clerk in Shawnee, while Pottawatomie County, Kansas uses the Register of Deeds in Westmoreland.