St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds: Search Land Records, Copies, Fees & Office
The St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds is the official land-record office for real estate in Belleville, O’Fallon, Fairview Heights, East St. Louis and the rest of St. Clair County, Illinois. The office records deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats, easements, UCC filings and other public instruments.
St. Clair County offers three distinct remote search routes: a free AVA index-only search, pay-per-search Tapestry Eon, and subscription-based Laredo Anywhere. Choosing the right system can save money if you only need an index reference instead of a paid document image.
What Does the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds Handle?
St. Clair County lists Michael Crockett as Recorder of Deeds. The office is at 10 Public Square, 5th Floor, Belleville, IL 62220, and its published phone numbers are (618) 825-2481 / 2482.
Land Records
Use the Recorder for deeds, mortgages, releases, property liens, plats, ordinances, annexations, UCC filings and other recorded instruments affecting real estate.
Assessment & Parcel Data
Use the St. Clair County Assessor for parcel details, real-property assessments and exemptions. The Assessor specifically says its focus is value, not tax collection.
Property-Tax Payment
Use the St. Clair County Treasurer for tax bills, payments, delinquent real-estate taxes, payment plans and tax-sale questions.
How to Search St. Clair County Deeds & Land Records Online
St. Clair County partners with FIDLAR Technologies for remote land-record access. The county offers three different tools depending on whether you need only indexed data, occasional document images or regular professional access.
AVA — Free Index Search
AVA is the best first step when you only need record-index information.
- Party name
- Recorded date range
- Parcel number
- Document number
- Document type
Images: not available in AVA.
Tapestry Eon
Tapestry is designed for occasional remote users who need both index results and document images.
Current search charge: $8.75 per index/image search.
Printed copies: $1 per page.
Laredo Anywhere
Laredo is an account-based system designed for frequent users such as title companies, law firms, lenders and professional researchers.
Plans currently begin at $75 per month for up to 250 minutes, with higher tiers available.
Step-by-Step St. Clair County Recorder Search
Find the Correct Parcel if You Only Know the Address
Use the St. Clair County Assessor Parcel Inquiry before searching Recorder records if you do not know the property’s parcel number or current assessed owner.
Open AVA for a Free Index Search
AVA supports party name, recorded-date range, parcel number, document number and document type.
The county gives a specific parcel-number format for AVA: 00-00-0-000-000.
Search by Party Name if You Do Not Have a Parcel Number
Use a grantor, grantee, borrower, lender, company, trust or prior owner name. Narrow broad results with document type and date range when available.
Use the Document Number for Exact Lookup
A document number is usually the cleanest identifier once you have located the correct deed, mortgage, release or other instrument.
Move to Tapestry or a Copy Request Only if You Need the Image
Do not pay for image access until you have matched the parties, document type, recording date and property reference.
Use the Office for Historic or Genealogy Research
The Recorder FAQ says records date back as far as the 1790s. The office does not perform genealogy research for users, but the public can inspect records and staff can point visitors toward the appropriate indexes.
AVA vs Tapestry vs Laredo vs In-Office Research
| Search Method | Best For | Images | Current Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVA | Finding a document number or index reference before paying for images. | No | Free |
| Tapestry Eon | Occasional deed, mortgage or lien research from home. | Yes | $8.75 per search; $1/page printed copy |
| Laredo Anywhere | Frequent professional searches. | Yes | Monthly plans beginning at $75; usage tiers apply |
| Recorder Office Terminals | In-person public research, older material and users who do not need remote access. | Available through office system | Search is free; workstation copies currently $2/page |
How to Get a Copy of a St. Clair County Deed
St. Clair County says copies of most documents recorded from January 1986 forward are available through remote land-record access. Older or unavailable documents can be requested directly from the Recorder.
Find the Document Number or Book/Page First
The county states that in-office copy requests must include the correct document number or book and page number.
Choose a Basic or Certified Copy
A regular copy is often enough for personal research. Use a certified copy only when a court, agency, lender, title company or attorney specifically requires certification.
Use Phone or Email for Small Non-Certified Requests
The county says requests for fewer than 10 non-certified documents that are not already available online may be made by phone or email.
Mail Certified or Larger Requests
Certified-copy requests and requests for 10 or more documents must be mailed with payment according to the Recorder’s current copy instructions.
| Copy Type | Current County-Listed Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard 8½×11 copy | $2 per page |
| Full plat | $5 per page |
| 30×36 plat | $10 first page; $5 each additional page |
| UCC copy | $1 per page |
| State/federal tax lien copy | $1 per page |
| Certified real-estate copy | County calculates from the original recording fee less the applicable surcharge; call for exact amount. |
How to Record a Deed in St. Clair County Illinois
St. Clair County currently provides a Quit Claim Deed informational packet that gives a useful local checklist. The Recorder warns that legal and tax consequences can result from recording and recommends legal advice for estates, heirs, probate, deceased owners and special circumstances.
County-Listed Deed Elements
- Deed dated and signed by the grantor.
- Notarized signatures.
- All parties identified.
- Grantee address.
- Complete legal description.
- Parcel/PIN number.
- Property address approved through Mapping & Platting where required.
- Preparer name and address.
- Return-to name and address.
- Taxpayer name and address for future tax bills.
- Signed exemption statement or completed PTAX-203 when applicable.
Recorder Cannot Finish the Deed for You
The Recorder FAQ says the office cannot change a name on an existing deed. A new deed must be prepared.
The office also does not provide legal opinions, does not have staff complete the document and does not provide notary service.
The county recommends a title company or real-estate attorney when you need help preparing a deed.
St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds Fee Schedule
The county publishes predictable fees by document category. The “with RHSP fee” column includes the Illinois Rental Housing Support Program surcharge where applicable.
| Document Group | With RHSP Fee | Without RHSP Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Deeds Transfer tax may also apply. |
$55 | $36 |
| Leases | $46 | $27 |
| Mortgages | $55 | $36 |
| Easements | $53 | $34 |
| Miscellaneous recordings | $49 | $30 |
| Plats / restrictions / ordinances | $49 | $30 |
| Municipal liens | Not applicable | $33 |
| Judgments | Not applicable | $29 |
| State / federal liens | Not applicable | $11 |
| UCC filings | Not applicable | $31 |
| Military discharge | No fee | No fee |
St. Clair County eRecording: Important Deed Rule
St. Clair County supports eRecording through approved vendors, but the current county page contains an important limitation for deeds.
Approved Vendor Options
The county currently lists:
- Simplifile
- CSC Global
- Indecomm Global Services
- eRecording Partners Network
- Hopdox
Deeds Must Use Simplifile
The county’s current eRecording page specifically states that if submitting a deed, Simplifile must be used at this time.
St. Clair County Property Fraud Alert
St. Clair County offers a free Property Fraud Alert service that can notify an enrolled user by phone, text or email when a document is recorded containing the monitored name.
What It Does
Property Fraud Alert creates an awareness layer after a document matching the enrolled name enters the Recorder’s index.
What It Does Not Do
St. Clair County explicitly says the program does not prevent a fraudulent recording and that Illinois does not provide a way to “lock” a title against recording.
Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer in St. Clair County
| Your Task | Correct Office | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Find or record a deed | Recorder of Deeds | Recorder maintains legal land-record instruments. |
| Find mortgage, release, lien or plat | Recorder of Deeds | These are recorded public instruments. |
| Check parcel value or property characteristics | Assessor | Assessor maintains valuation and assessment records. |
| Apply for a property-tax exemption | Assessor / assessment office | Exemptions affect taxable value, not deed recording. |
| Pay a real-estate tax bill | Treasurer | Treasurer handles tax collection and payment questions. |
| Determine boundary lines | Professional surveyor | The Recorder can provide deed/plat records but does not establish boundary locations on the ground. |
| Determine whether title is free of liens | Title company / attorney | The Recorder states that a full title search should be performed professionally. |
St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds Address, Phone & Hours
St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds
Recorder: Michael Crockett
Office / overnight address:
10 Public Square
5th Floor
Belleville, IL 62220
Regular mail:
Recorder of Deeds
PO Box 543
Belleville, IL 62222
Phone:
(618) 825-2481 / 2482
Email:
recorder@co.st-clair.il.us
Published hours:
Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Items received after 3:00 p.m. are recorded the next business day according to the county’s current Recorder page.
Official St. Clair County Recorder Resources
St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds
Official office page with fees, contact details, office hours and department tools.
- Confirm the current officeholder, address and hours.
- Review the live fee table before recording.
- Use Department Tools for remote access, copies, forms, eRecording and fraud alerts.
Remote Record Access
Official explanation of AVA, Tapestry and Laredo options.
- Choose AVA when index-only data is enough.
- Choose Tapestry for occasional image searches.
- Choose Laredo for recurring professional research.
- Use the correct parcel-number format shown by the county.
Free AVA Search
Index-only remote search with no document images.
- Choose the available party, date, parcel, document-number or document-type search.
- Enter parcel numbers in the county-required 00-00-0-000-000 format.
- Open the matching index result.
- Save the document number before purchasing an image elsewhere.
Copy Requests
Official instructions and fees for deed copies, plats and certified documents.
- Find the correct document number or book/page first.
- Decide whether you need a standard or certified copy.
- Use phone/email for eligible small non-certified requests.
- Mail certified or larger requests with the full required fee.
Recorder Documents & Forms
Official PTAX, quitclaim, fraud-alert, redaction and related Recorder forms.
- Choose the exact form you need rather than downloading every Recorder form.
- Use PTAX-203 materials for applicable Illinois real-estate transfers.
- Use the Quit Claim Deed information only as a reference, not legal advice.
- Use the redaction form only for eligible personal-number removal requests.
St. Clair County Assessor Parcel Inquiry
Best supporting system when you know the property address but not the parcel number.
- Search the property through the Assessor system.
- Confirm the parcel and property address.
- Copy the parcel number.
- Reformat it as needed for the AVA Recorder search.
Avoid These St. Clair County Recorder Mistakes
What Often Goes Wrong
- Paying for a Tapestry search before checking free AVA data.
- Entering the parcel number in the wrong AVA format.
- Expecting the Recorder to perform a full lien/title search.
- Expecting Recorder staff to prepare or notarize a deed.
- Submitting a deed without PIN, legal description, tax-mailing address or PTAX/exemption information.
- Submitting an eRecorded deed through a vendor other than Simplifile when the county currently requires Simplifile for deeds.
- Dropping off a document after 3:00 p.m. and expecting same-day recording.
Better Workflow
- Find the parcel first if you only know the address.
- Use free AVA to identify the exact document.
- Save document number and recording date.
- Buy or request only the copy you actually need.
- Check the current fee before recording.
- Use Property Fraud Alert for ongoing monitoring.
- Use a title professional when you need a legal title conclusion.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step |
|---|---|
| You need the current deed. | Find the parcel, use free AVA to locate the document number, then retrieve or request the image. |
| You need one occasional image. | Use Tapestry rather than opening a recurring Laredo account. |
| You regularly search land records. | Contact the Recorder about Laredo Anywhere. |
| You need a certified deed copy. | Locate the document number, call the Recorder for the exact certified-copy fee, then follow the mail instructions. |
| You want to record a deed. | Prepare and notarize it, verify PIN/legal description/PTAX requirements, confirm the current fee, then record in person, by mail or through the permitted eRecording route. |
| You received an unexpected fraud alert. | Pull the exact recorded document immediately and contact a qualified attorney/title professional if ownership or title is threatened. |
| You need your property-tax balance. | Use the St. Clair County Treasurer, not the Recorder. |
St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Who is the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds?
St. Clair County currently lists Michael Crockett as Recorder of Deeds. The office handles recorded land documents for real estate throughout St. Clair County, Illinois.
Where is the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds office?
The Recorder’s Office is at 10 Public Square, 5th Floor, Belleville, Illinois 62220. Regular mail should be sent to Recorder of Deeds, PO Box 543, Belleville, IL 62222.
What are the St. Clair County Recorder office hours?
The office publishes hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The county says items received after 3:00 p.m. will be recorded the next business day.
Can I search St. Clair County deeds online for free?
Yes. The county provides AVA as a free index-only search. AVA supports party name, recorded date range, parcel number, document number and document type, but it does not provide document images.
How much does a Tapestry search cost in St. Clair County?
The county’s current remote-access page lists Tapestry Eon at $8.75 per index/image search. Viewing the image is included in the search fee, while printed copies are currently $1 per page.
How much does it cost to record a deed in St. Clair County?
The current county fee schedule lists $55 for deeds subject to the RHSP surcharge and $36 for qualifying documents without that surcharge. Transfer tax may also apply to a deed.
How do I get a copy of my St. Clair County deed?
First locate the document number or book/page. Copies of most documents recorded from January 1986 forward are available through remote record access. For other copies, call 618-825-2481/2482 or email recorder@co.st-clair.il.us and follow the county’s copy-request instructions.
Can the Recorder change the name on my deed?
No. The Recorder FAQ says a new deed must be prepared to change a name. The office cannot provide legal advice or complete the document for you.
Can the Recorder tell me whether my house is free of liens?
No. St. Clair County says a title company should perform a full title search if you need assurance that property is free of liens or other title issues.
Does St. Clair County offer a property fraud alert?
Yes. The county offers a free Property Fraud Alert that can send a phone, text or email notification when a new recorded document contains the enrolled name. The service does not prevent a fraudulent document from being recorded.
Independent St. Clair County Records Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with St. Clair County Government, the Recorder of Deeds, Assessor, Treasurer, Illinois Department of Revenue, FIDLAR Technologies, Tapestry or Laredo.
Recording fees, search charges, portal functions, copy fees, transfer requirements and office 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 public deed or Recorder search is not a professional title examination. Liens, estates, trusts, ownership disputes, legal descriptions and boundary issues may require an Illinois attorney, title professional or licensed surveyor.
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.