Sangamon County Recorder: Deeds, Land Records, Search, Fees & Copy Guide
The Sangamon County Recorder’s Office is the official land-records office for Springfield and the rest of Sangamon County, Illinois. It records and maintains deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, liens, plats, surveys and other instruments affecting real property.
Sangamon County offers several unusually useful search routes: a free data-only search, pay-per-search Tapestry, subscription-based Laredo and free public terminals in the Recorder’s Office. The best choice depends on whether you only need index information, need an actual document image, or regularly research county land records.
What Does the Sangamon County Recorder Do?
Sangamon County lists Frank J. Lesko as County Recorder. The Recorder’s Office is on the first floor of the County Building at 200 South Ninth Street, Springfield, IL 62701, and the main phone number is (217) 535-3150.
Land Records
Use the Recorder for deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases, property liens, subdivision plats, surveys, monument records and other recorded instruments.
Assessment Records
Use the Supervisor of Assessments and county parcel-search system for assessed value, exemptions, ownership mailing records, property characteristics and assessment complaints.
Tax Bills
Property-tax payments, balances and tax-sale issues belong to the Treasurer/tax system rather than the Recorder’s Office.
How to Search Sangamon County Deeds & Land Records
Sangamon County does not force every researcher into one paid portal. The Recorder publishes four practical search routes: free online data, Tapestry, Laredo and free in-office public terminals.
Free Data Search
Best when you only need land-record index data and do not need document images.
Cost: Free.
Tapestry
Designed for occasional users who need remote searching and recorded-document images.
Current search charge: $8.75 per search, with images included; printed copies are $1 per page.
Laredo
Account-based service intended for users who routinely search Sangamon County records, such as title and real-estate professionals.
Setup: Contact the Recorder at 217-535-3150.
Public Terminals
Free public terminals are available in the Recorder’s Office for people who prefer to research records in person.
Step-by-Step Sangamon County Deed Search
Find the Parcel First if You Only Know the Address
Sangamon County’s parcel system supports searches by parcel number, owner name and property address. Owner names can be entered last name first, and the portal accepts the first few characters of a surname.
Choose Free Data, Tapestry or Laredo
Use free data-only access for index information. Choose Tapestry when you occasionally need images. Laredo is aimed at frequent users who need an account-based professional search environment.
Search by the Strongest Identifier You Have
Tapestry supports searches including grantor/grantee, date range, document number and legal-description information such as subdivision, Parcel ID and metes-and-bounds data.
Match the Correct Instrument
Compare document type, grantor, grantee, recording date and property information. Save the document number or book/page reference before ordering a copy.
Handle Older Records Differently
The county says deed books have been scanned back to February 16, 1901, with deed records from 1950 through 1969 indexed for viewing. A document back to 1901 may be viewable when you already have its document number or book/page reference.
Records that are not readily retrievable online may require the Recorder’s microfiche, microfilm or in-office research resources.
What Sangamon County Recorded Documents Tell You
| Record | Useful For | Do Not Assume |
|---|---|---|
| Deed | Tracing a recorded transfer and identifying grantor/grantee information. | A deed search alone proves a complete, defect-free title chain. |
| Mortgage | Finding a recorded security interest affecting real property. | The original recorded amount equals the current payoff amount. |
| Release / Assignment | Matching later activity to an earlier mortgage or lien. | Every lien is released unless you find the corresponding instrument. |
| Plat / Survey | Researching recorded subdivision, survey or monument information. | An old recorded plat replaces a new survey for every legal purpose. |
| Parcel Number | Connecting property-tax/assessment data to Recorder research. | A parcel number is the same thing as a Recorder document number. |
How to Record a Deed in Sangamon County
Sangamon County accepts qualifying instruments in person, by mail and through approved eRecording channels. A property transfer can also require Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration steps and transfer-tax treatment.
Prepare the Deed or Other Instrument
The Recorder warns that document preparation is specialized work that may require legal advice. Do not depend on Recorder staff to decide which deed form or ownership language fits your transaction.
Include the County-Listed Recording Information
The current fee page says documents must contain the preparer’s name/address, return-to information, tax-bill-to information when applicable, Tax ID number and common address.
The Recorder also specifies black ink.
Check PTAX-203 and Transfer-Tax Requirements
The Recorder FAQ states that when a property transfer is a sale for $100 or more, a PTAX-203 must generally accompany the deed for collection of transfer taxes. Gifts and other qualifying transactions may use an exemption provision instead.
Confirm Standard vs Non-Standard Format
A standard real-property document is currently $64. A document that does not meet the county’s standardization rules is currently listed at $84.
Standard documents use 8½-by-11-inch paper and include at least a 3-by-5-inch blank area in the upper-right corner for recording information.
Submit In Person, by Mail or Electronically
For mailed documents, Sangamon County instructs filers to send the original, include the return location and enclose a check for the exact recording fee.
Professional users can also use approved eRecording vendors listed by the county.
Keep the Recording Reference
When accepted, the office assigns a document number, date and time, then scans, indexes and verifies the instrument as part of the permanent public record.
Sangamon County Recorder Fees & Copy Costs
The Recorder’s current fee page reflects the predictable-fee structure and the statewide Rental Housing Support Fee increase that became effective July 1, 2023.
| Service | Current Posted Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard real-property document | $64 | Standard 8½×11 document meeting county formatting requirements. |
| Non-standard real-property document | $84 | Includes non-standard surcharge when document does not meet standardization requirements. |
| Standard RHSP-exempt document | $45 | Only for documents qualifying for the Rental Housing Support surcharge exemption. |
| Non-standard RHSP-exempt document | $65 | Exempt document that also fails standardization requirements. |
| Certified copy | $26 | County lists this for certified copies of documents other than plats. |
| Non-certified copy | $2 first 2 pages | Additional pages are currently listed at $0.25 each. |
| Plat 11×17 | $3 | Copy charge. |
| Plat up to 30×36 | $5 | Copy charge. |
| DD-214 with ID | No charge | County lists veteran discharge record service at no charge. |
Sangamon County Deed Transfer Tax & PTAX-203
Recording cost and transfer tax are different charges. A taxable deed may require Illinois and Sangamon County transfer-tax stamps in addition to the Recorder’s recording fee.
State Transfer Tax
Sangamon County’s fee page currently describes the state transfer-tax component as $0.50 per $500 of value.
County Transfer Tax
The same county page lists the Sangamon County component as $0.25 per $500 of value.
How to Get a Copy of a Sangamon County Deed
Locate the Document First
Search online or through the parcel records and save the Recorder document number, book/page, grantor/grantee names and approximate recording date.
Choose Certified or Non-Certified
A basic personal copy costs less. A court, lender, government agency or formal transaction may require a certified copy.
Request the Copy
Sangamon County says deed copies can be requested in person, by mail or by phone. The county also provides an online Copy Requests form.
Confirm the Number of Pages
For a regular copy, the current fee is $2 for the first two pages plus $0.25 for each additional page. The Research Department can tell you how many pages a particular deed contains.
Recorder vs Supervisor of Assessments vs Treasurer vs Circuit Clerk
| Your Task | Correct Office / System | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Find a deed, mortgage, release, lien or plat | Recorder | These are recorded land documents. |
| Record a new deed | Recorder | Recorder accepts and indexes qualifying legal instruments. |
| Check owner display, assessment value or exemptions | Supervisor of Assessments | This office maintains county assessment and exemption information. |
| File an assessment complaint | Supervisor of Assessments / Board of Review | Assessment appeals are not Recorder functions. |
| Pay property tax or review tax-sale status | Treasurer / County Tax System | Tax collection is separate from recording. |
| Search court cases | Circuit Clerk | Court filings are separate from Recorder land records. |
| Determine whether title is legally clear | Attorney / title company | The Recorder maintains public records but does not insure or certify a complete legal title opinion. |
Sangamon County Recorder Address, Phone & Hours
Sangamon County Recorder’s Office
Recorder: Frank J. Lesko
Office:
First Floor — County Building
200 South Ninth Street
Springfield, IL 62701
Main phone: (217) 535-3150
Published hours:
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CST
County holiday closures can affect weekday hours. If you are bringing an original instrument or need older-record research, call before traveling.
Official Recorder Page ↗Official Sangamon County Recorder Resources
Sangamon County Recorder
Official office homepage with current Recorder, address, phone, hours and department links.
- Confirm the current officeholder, location and hours.
- Use the Recorder menu for land-record searches, fees, forms, copies and eRecording.
- Call 217-535-3150 before bringing an unusual document or older-record request.
Official Land Records Search Options
County page connecting users to free data search, Tapestry, Laredo, property-tax search and GIS.
- Choose Free Data Search when you only need index data.
- Choose Tapestry for occasional paid searches with images.
- Choose Laredo if you are a recurring professional user.
- Use Property Tax Search or GIS when the task is parcel identification rather than deed retrieval.
Tapestry
Pay-per-search remote land-record option aimed at occasional users.
- Review the current $8.75 search fee before continuing.
- Search by grantor/grantee, date, document number or legal-description data.
- Open the matching image; image viewing is included in the search fee.
- Print only the pages you need because printed copies are billed separately.
Laredo
Subscription land-record system for users who search Sangamon County regularly.
- Call 217-535-3150 to discuss the current subscription structure.
- Complete account setup and obtain login credentials.
- Download/use Laredo through the provider route identified by the county.
- Use research@sangamonil.gov for county-published Laredo research contact help.
Recorder Fee Schedule
Current recording, copy, plat, lien, UCC and genealogical-search fee information.
- Identify the document type.
- Determine whether it satisfies standard-document requirements.
- Check whether it is exempt from the Rental Housing Support surcharge.
- Verify transfer-tax stamps separately when recording a deed, easement or lease.
Recorder Copy Request
Official county request form used to expedite recorded-document copy requests.
- Locate the deed or document reference first whenever possible.
- Complete all required request fields.
- Choose certified or non-certified service based on your actual need.
- Confirm current payment requirements before submitting the request.
Sangamon County Parcel Search
Best starting point when you know an address or owner but not the parcel or Recorder reference.
- Search by parcel number, owner name or property address.
- For owner search, enter last name then first name or the first few surname characters.
- For an address, use house number and street name; numbered streets may require a leading zero.
- Save the 11-digit parcel number before moving to Recorder research.
Sangamon County eRecording
The Recorder supports electronic recording for title companies, financial institutions, law firms and other businesses using approved eRecording vendors.
Avoid These Recorder Search & Filing Problems
What Often Goes Wrong
- Paying for a Tapestry search before trying free index data.
- Searching the Recorder when the real need is assessed value or tax payment.
- Expecting all early-1900s records to be fully name-indexed online.
- Mailing a deed without the exact recording fee.
- Ignoring PTAX-203 or transfer-tax requirements.
- Submitting a non-standard document and budgeting only the $64 standard fee.
Better Workflow
- Find the parcel and owner first if you only know an address.
- Use free data search before paying for an image search.
- Save document number or book/page references immediately.
- Check the fee schedule on the filing day.
- Keep recording confirmation and copy references.
- Allow for the county’s stated 4–6 week assessment ownership-update lag after a deed records.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step |
|---|---|
| You need the latest deed. | Find the parcel/owner, search Recorder data, then retrieve the matching document image or copy. |
| You need one occasional document image. | Use Tapestry rather than setting up a recurring Laredo subscription. |
| You are a frequent title/real-estate researcher. | Contact the Recorder about Laredo subscription access. |
| You need a deed older than the easy online index. | Use known book/page or document information, or visit/contact the Recorder for older microfilm/microfiche research. |
| You just recorded a deed but the tax record still shows the seller. | Allow for the Supervisor of Assessments’ stated average 4–6 week ownership-update period before assuming the deed failed to record. |
| You are recording a sale deed. | Check deed preparation, PTAX-203, transfer-tax stamps, standard-document formatting and the current fee before submission. |
Sangamon County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Sangamon County Recorder’s Office?
The Recorder’s Office is on the first floor of the Sangamon County Building at 200 South Ninth Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. The main phone number is 217-535-3150.
What are the Sangamon County Recorder office hours?
The county publishes Recorder hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday, subject to county holiday closures.
Can I search Sangamon County deeds online for free?
Yes. Sangamon County offers a free land-record data-only search without images. If you need document images, the county also offers Tapestry and subscription-based Laredo access.
How much does a Tapestry search cost in Sangamon County?
The county currently lists Tapestry index/image searches at $8.75 per search. Viewing images is included in that search charge, while printed copies are listed at $1 per page.
How far back do Sangamon County Recorder records go?
The Recorder says the office’s records date to the early 1800s. Deed books have been scanned back to February 16, 1901. Deed records from 1950 through 1969 are indexed for viewing, while some older material may require document/book-page information or in-office microfilm and microfiche research.
How much does Sangamon County charge to record a standard deed or real-property document?
The Recorder’s current fee schedule lists $64 for a qualifying standard real-property document and $84 for a non-standard document. Transfer taxes may be separate.
How much does a Sangamon County deed copy cost?
A non-certified copy currently costs $2 for the first two pages and $0.25 for each additional page. The county lists $26 for a certified copy of a document other than a plat.
Can I mail a deed to the Sangamon County Recorder?
Yes. The Recorder FAQ says an original document can be mailed to the office. Include the return address and a check for the exact recording fee. The mailing destination is Sangamon County Recorder, 200 South 9th Street, First Floor, Springfield, IL 62701.
Why does my tax record still show the previous owner after my deed was recorded?
The Sangamon County Supervisor of Assessments says recorded deeds are transmitted electronically from the Recorder, but the average time for the ownership record to change in the assessment system is approximately four to six weeks.
Does the Sangamon County Recorder prepare deeds or provide title advice?
No. The Recorder records qualifying legal documents but warns that document preparation can require legal knowledge or advice. Use an Illinois attorney or title professional when you need a deed drafted, title reviewed or an ownership dispute resolved.
Independent Sangamon County Records Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with Sangamon County Government, the Sangamon County Recorder, Supervisor of Assessments, Treasurer, Circuit Clerk, Illinois Department of Revenue, FIDLAR Technologies, Tapestry or Laredo.
Recording fees, portal charges, document availability, transfer-tax requirements, office hours and filing procedures can change. Verify time-sensitive information with the responsible government office before recording a document, paying a fee or relying on a land record for a legal transaction.
A recorded-document search is not a professional title examination. Deed chains, liens, estates, trusts, mineral interests, boundary disputes and other legal-title questions may require an Illinois attorney or title professional.
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.