Summit County Recorder Search: Deeds, Records, Copies, Fees & Akron Office Guide
The Summit County Recorder Search is managed through the Summit County Fiscal Office Recording Division in Akron, Ohio. Use this office for recorded deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats, living wills, medical powers of attorney, military discharge recordings, certified copies, eRecording guidance and property-record alerts.
This guide explains how to search Summit County recorded documents online, when to use the 1840–1988 Index Book Archive Viewer, how deed copies and certifications work, what the current recording and conveyance fees mean, and when the Property Transfer Department or Tax Map process matters before a deed can be recorded.
Where Do You Search Summit County Deeds and Recorder Records?
Use the Summit County Fiscal Office Recording Division for deed records, mortgage records, liens, plats, recorded-document copies, certified copies and eRecording. The official office location is 175 South Main Street, 4th Floor, Akron, OH 44308.
Use Recording Division For
Recorded deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats, UCC-related recorder questions, living wills, medical powers of attorney, military discharge recording, certified copies and record-index access.
Customer service: 330-643-2712, 330-643-2713, 330-643-2720.
Use Property Transfer For
The Property Transfer Department approves legal descriptions contained in transfer-of-title documents and the conveyance of property before a new deed is ready for recording.
Same-day tip: properly prepared transfer forms should be received by 3:30 p.m. for same-business-day completion.
Use Property Tax & Appraisal For
Use the Fiscal Office property search when your task is parcel information, owner name, tax value, tax bill, appraisal record, neighborhood sales or property-tax details.
Do not confuse: a tax parcel search is not the same as a recorded deed search.
Recorder vs Property Transfer vs Property Tax Search in Summit County
Summit County uses the Fiscal Office for several related but different functions. This table helps readers avoid low-value confusion and go to the correct service first.
| Your Task | Correct Summit County Service | Why | Best Starting Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find a deed, mortgage or lien image | Recorded Documents Search / Recording Division | Recorded documents are indexed and made available through the online document search and public computers. | Party name, recording date, document type, instrument detail or older book/index clue. |
| Search 1840–1988 historical records | Index Book Archive Viewer | The Fiscal Office FAQ says records from 1840–1988 are available in IBAV. | Grantor/grantee name, approximate year, book/page or older title-reference clue. |
| Record a new deed or title transfer | Property Transfer Department + Recording Division | A new deed must first receive legal-description and transfer approval, then it is ready for recordation. | Prepared deed, legal description, conveyance form, sale price or exemption, lot count and required approvals. |
| Find tax value, parcel details or current owner on tax roll | Property Tax & Appraisal Search | Parcel data and appraisal/tax information are separate from the recorded-document index. | Parcel number, owner name or property address. |
| Replace a lost DD Form 214 | Recording Division / Veterans support | Military discharges are not viewable online. Certified copies are treated differently from public land records. | Contact the Recording Division or Veterans Service Commission guidance. |
How to Search Summit County Recorder Records
Summit County’s recorded-document search has two practical paths: the modern online document search for 1988-forward records and the Index Book Archive Viewer for older 1840–1988 records. You can also use public computers in the 4th-floor customer service area.
Start with the modern Recorded Documents Search
Use the new document search when you need deeds, mortgages, releases, liens or other recorded documents from 1988 forward. Search by name and narrow with document type, date range or reference details when the result list is too broad.
Use IBAV for older records from 1840–1988
If the document is older than the modern online window, use the Index Book Archive Viewer. Older deed research may require grantor/grantee searching, book/page references, spelling variations and approximate year ranges.
If you only know the property address, start with parcel data
A property address may not be enough for a clean recorder search. Use the Summit County property-tax and appraisal search to identify owner names, parcel details and sales clues, then return to the recorded-document search.
Confirm document type before using the record
Deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, liens, plats and legal documents can look similar in a results list. Confirm the document title, recording date, parties and legal description clues before relying on the record.
Request a copy or certification only when needed
A standard copy may be enough for reference. A certified copy may be needed for official, legal, title, estate or lender use. The FAQ says mail deed-copy requests should include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Use Property Record Alert for monitoring
Summit County links to a Property Record Alert service through its document-search environment. Use it to monitor name-based recording activity, but do not treat alerts as title insurance or fraud prevention.
How to Get Summit County Deed Copies
The Fiscal Office FAQ says homeowners usually receive a copy of the original deed shortly after closing. If you cannot find it, the Recording Division can provide copies, and certification is available for an additional charge.
Online Copy Path
Search recorded documents online for 1988-forward records. When the document appears, confirm the parties, date and type before printing or requesting a formal copy.
Mail Copy Request
The FAQ says a mailed deed-copy request should include payment and a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The FAQ example says the cost of a deed copy is $4, with $1 added if certification is needed.
In-Office Search Help
Visit the Recording Division customer service area on the 4th floor if you need public computer access or help locating the correct record set.
How to Record a Deed or Document in Summit County OH
Summit County recording is not just a payment step. For title transfers, the deed must be prepared correctly, legal descriptions may need Property Transfer approval, conveyance forms and fees may apply, and then the document is presented for recordation.
Confirm the property is in Summit County
Record real estate instruments in the Ohio county where the property is located. If the property is in another county, use that county’s recorder or fiscal office.
Prepare a legally recordable deed or document
The Recording Division can accept properly prepared instruments, but it does not prepare deeds for you. For name changes on a deed, the FAQ says a new deed must be prepared and Ohio law allows only the person requesting the change or an attorney to prepare it.
Check witness, acknowledgement and notary requirements
Summit County’s recording guide reminds users to properly witness and/or acknowledge all documents according to Ohio law and to include a complete and legible notary seal and expiration date.
Get Property Transfer approval when needed
For new deeds and transfers of title, the prepared deed must be presented to the Fiscal Office Property Transfer Department for approval of the legal description and conveyance. The deed is then ready for recordation in the Recording Department.
Calculate recording, conveyance and lot fees
Basic recording is $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. Conveyance fee is $4 per $1,000 rounded up to the next $100 of sale price, and the lot fee is 50¢ per lot in the legal description for both exempt and non-exempt transfers.
Use separate checks for extra fees when appropriate
The recording guide advises checking your work and issuing separate checks for extra fees to ensure proper processing and avoid rejection at the recording office.
Submit in person, by mail or through eRecording
Mail or visit the Recording Division at 175 South Main Street, 4th Floor, Akron, OH 44308. eRecording is available through Simplifile, CSC and ePN for eligible submitters.
Summit County Recording and Conveyance Fee Estimator
This calculator uses common Summit County fee items from the official fee page and FAQ. It is an estimate only. Always check the current fee schedule before submitting a document.
Formula used here: $34 first two recording pages + $8 each additional page + $4 each cross-reference + $20 non-compliant fee if selected + $2/page copy fee + $1 certification if selected + $4 per $1,000 conveyance fee rounded up to the next $100 of sale price + 50¢ per lot. This does not include every possible lien, plat, UCC, zoning, map, title or special-document charge.
| Fee / Rule | Published Amount | When It Applies | Practical Warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic recording | $34.00 for first two pages | Most standard recorded documents. | Each additional page is $8.00. |
| Additional pages | $8.00 each additional page | Page three and beyond. | Count all pages before mailing. |
| Non-compliant document fee | $20.00 per document | Documents that do not meet Ohio document-standard requirements. | Review formatting, margins, legibility and required recording details before submitting. |
| Document copies | $2.00 per page | Copies from recorded documents. | FAQ deed-copy examples may vary by deed length; verify the exact page count. |
| Certification | $1.00 per document | Certified copy requests. | Ask for certification only when an official certified copy is required. |
| Conveyance fee | $4.00 per $1,000 rounded up to the next $100 of sale price | Non-exempt transfers. | Exempt transfers still may need forms and lot fees. |
| Lot fee | 50¢ per lot | Both exempt and non-exempt transfers. | Count lots in the legal description accurately. |
Summit County eRecording and Property Record Alert
Summit County supports eRecording through approved vendors and links to a Property Record Alert service for name-based monitoring of recorded documents.
Approved eRecording Vendors
The Fiscal Office FAQ lists Simplifile, Corporation Service Company (CSC) and eRecording Partners Network (ePN) for electronic recording.
- Simplifile: 800-460-5657
- CSC: 866-652-0111
- ePN: 888-325-3365
Property Record Alert
Property Record Alert can help monitor new recordings connected with your name. It is useful for early awareness, but it does not stop a fraudulent document, insure your title, remove a recorded document or replace legal help.
- Sign up with name variations you want monitored.
- Review any alert against the official document record.
- Contact the Recording Division and a qualified professional if an alert looks suspicious.
Summit County Recording Division Office in Akron
The Recording Division is located in the Ohio Building in downtown Akron. Use this office for in-person recording, public computer access, deed copy help and document recording questions.
Summit County Fiscal Office — Recording Division
Address:
175 South Main Street, 4th Floor
Akron, OH 44308
Customer service:
330-643-2712, 330-643-2713, 330-643-2720
Toll-free: 1-888-388-5613
Sheriff’s description approval: 330-643-2422
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Open Map ↗Common Summit County Recorder Search Mistakes
Mistakes That Waste Time
- Searching only modern records when the document may be in the 1840–1988 IBAV archive.
- Expecting the Recording Division to perform a title search.
- Trying to change a deed name without preparing and recording a new deed.
- Skipping Property Transfer legal-description approval for a transfer deed.
- Forgetting conveyance fee, lot fee or separate extra-fee checks.
- Assuming military discharge records can be viewed online.
Better Summit County Workflow
- Search 1988-forward documents in the modern recorded-document search.
- Use IBAV for 1840–1988 records.
- Use property tax/appraisal search when you only know an address.
- Use Property Transfer before recording a new transfer deed.
- Calculate recording, conveyance and lot fees before submitting.
- Use eRecording vendors if you are an eligible frequent submitter.
Official Summit County Recorder Search Links
Use these official links to verify search access, copy costs, recording fees and transfer requirements before submitting or paying for anything.
Summit County Recorded Documents Search
Official online search portal for modern recorded documents and property record alert access.
- Open the search portal and choose the recorded-document search option.
- Search 1988-forward records by party name, document type, date or available reference details.
- Confirm the parties, date and document type before relying on the result.
- Use Property Record Alert if you want name-based monitoring.
Summit County Recording FAQs
Official FAQ with address, online access dates, document turnaround, deed-copy instructions, title-search limitation, deed-name-change rule and eRecording vendors.
- Read the mailing address and customer service phone details.
- Review online access dates: 1988-forward search and 1840–1988 IBAV.
- Check deed-copy and certification instructions.
- Review eRecording vendor options if you submit documents regularly.
Recording Fees
Official Summit County recording, copy, certification, plat, conveyance and lot-fee guidance.
- Check $34 first-two-pages recording fee and $8 additional-page fee.
- Review copy and certification fees before ordering.
- Calculate conveyance fee and lot fee for transfers.
- Call the office if the document includes UCC, plat, zoning, lien or special-document issues.
Property Transfer & Tax Maps
Official page explaining legal-description approval and property conveyance before transfer documents can be recorded.
- Use this page before recording any transfer-of-title deed.
- Confirm legal description approval requirements.
- Review the 3:30 p.m. same-day completion timing note.
- Use the county’s conveyance forms and standards where required.
Recording Guide
Official step-style guidance for preparing recordable documents, acknowledgements, prior references and payment handling.
- Check witness, acknowledgement, notary seal and expiration date requirements.
- Verify cross references to previously recorded documents.
- Review payment and separate-check advice.
- Correct formatting issues before submitting to avoid rejection.
Summit County Property Tax & Appraisal Search
Use this when you need owner, parcel, appraisal, tax or address clues before searching deed records.
- Search by owner, address or parcel details.
- Save parcel and owner clues for the recorded-document search.
- Use this system for appraisal/tax details, not as a legal title report.
- Return to Recorder records for actual recorded instruments.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Why This Helps |
|---|---|---|
| You need a Summit County deed copy. | Search recorded documents online for 1988-forward records or use IBAV for older records; request certification only if needed. | You avoid paying for the wrong record and choose the right copy type. |
| You only know the property address. | Use the Property Tax & Appraisal search first, then bring owner/parcel clues into the recorder search. | Recorder indexes generally work better with names and document references. |
| You want to change a deed name. | Have the individual requesting the change or an attorney prepare a new deed, then get Property Transfer approval before recording. | The old deed cannot simply be edited by the Recorder. |
| You are recording a transfer deed. | Check legal-description approval, conveyance forms, sale price, lot fee and recording fees before submitting. | Missing Property Transfer steps can delay recording. |
| You are a title company, attorney or frequent filer. | Consider eRecording through Simplifile, CSC or ePN. | eRecording can reduce mailing and in-person submission time for eligible documents. |
Summit County Recorder Search FAQs
Where is the Summit County Recording Division located?
The Summit County Fiscal Office Recording Division is located in the Ohio Building at 175 South Main Street, 4th Floor, Akron, OH 44308. The customer service phone numbers listed by the office are 330-643-2712, 330-643-2713 and 330-643-2720.
How do I search Summit County recorder records online?
Use the Summit County recorded-document search portal for records from 1988 forward. Search by party name, date, document type or available reference details, then confirm the document type and parties before using the result.
How do I search Summit County records before 1988?
The Fiscal Office FAQ says records from 1840 to 1988 can be viewed in the Index Book Archive Viewer, also called IBAV. Older searches may require grantor/grantee names, approximate year ranges and book or index clues.
Does the Recording Division perform title searches?
No. The Summit County FAQ states that the Recording Division does not perform title or property searches. Users can search public records, but title review should be handled by the user, attorney or title company.
How much does a Summit County deed copy cost?
The official FAQ gives a deed-copy example of $4, plus $1 if certification is needed. The current fee page lists document copies at $2 per page and document certification at $1 per document, so verify the exact page count before mailing a request.
What are the basic Summit County recording fees?
The basic recording fee is $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. A $20 non-compliant document fee and other special fees may apply depending on document type and formatting.
What is the Summit County conveyance fee?
The official fee page lists the conveyance fee as $4 per $1,000 rounded up to the next $100 of the sale price. It also lists a 50¢ lot fee per lot contained in the legal description for both exempt and non-exempt transfers.
How do I change the name on a deed in Summit County?
A new deed must be prepared and recorded. The Fiscal Office FAQ says Ohio law allows only the individual requesting the change or an attorney to prepare the new deed. The prepared deed must then go through Property Transfer approval before recording.
Does Summit County accept eRecording?
Yes. The Fiscal Office FAQ lists Simplifile, Corporation Service Company (CSC) and eRecording Partners Network (ePN) as eRecording vendors used by Summit County.
Are military discharge records available online?
No. The Fiscal Office FAQ states that military discharges are recorded at no charge but are not viewable via the internet. Certified copies are treated differently from ordinary public deed copies.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with the Summit County Fiscal Office, Summit County Recording Division, Summit County Property Transfer Department, Summit County Treasurer, Summit County Clerk of Courts, State of Ohio, any title company or any law firm.
Recording acceptance, search availability, copy fees, certification, conveyance fees, lot fees, legal-description approval, eRecording acceptance and document turnaround are determined by the official Summit County Fiscal Office and Ohio law. Verify current requirements directly with the office before recording, mailing payment or relying on a document search.
Public land records and property-owner data should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.