Union County OH Recorder: Deeds, Land Records, Search Steps, Fees & Office Guide
The Union County Recorder is the official land-records office for real estate in Union County, Ohio. Use the Recorder when you need a recorded deed, mortgage, lien, release, easement, land contract, plat, power of attorney or another document that has been filed against real property.
If you only know a street address, start with the Union County Auditor parcel search to identify the owner and parcel. Then move to the Recorder record search to locate the actual recorded deed or other instrument.
What Does the Union County Recorder Handle?
Recorder Karen Riffle’s office records and preserves the legal instruments filed against real estate in Union County. The Recorder is the correct office for deeds and recorded encumbrances; it is not the primary office for appraised values or property-tax payments.
Use the Recorder For
- Deeds and property conveyances
- Mortgages and releases
- Mechanic’s liens
- Easements and land contracts
- Leases and plats
- Recorded powers of attorney
Use the Auditor For
- Parcel and address lookup
- Current owner on tax record
- Property values
- GIS and parcel mapping
- Conveyance forms and stamps
- Homestead and valuation programs
Use the Treasurer For
- Property-tax bills
- Tax payments
- Payment status
- Tax due dates
- Delinquent tax questions
- Credits and refunds
Union County Recorder Address, Phone, Email & Hours
Union County Recorder’s Office
Recorder: Karen Riffle
Address: 233 West Sixth Street, Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: 937-645-3032
Email: recorder@unioncountyohio.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Call this office for questions about recorded deeds, mortgages, index records, copies, fees, eRecording eligibility or documents that are not available through the online database.
Official Recorder Website ↗How to Search Union County Ohio Deeds and Recorder Records Online
Union County provides an official Recorder search route for deeds, mortgages and other recorded instruments. The county says images and indexes are available online from 1995 to current, while additional historic indexes cover earlier periods.
Open the Official Records Search Page
Start with the Union County Recorder’s own Search Official Records page rather than a people-search or deed-copy website.
Open Official Records Search ↗Start With the Owner or Party Name
For deed research, search the current owner, prior owner, trust, business, lender or other indexed party. A deed normally connects a grantor—the party transferring an interest—to a grantee receiving it.
If the first search fails, shorten the name and try variations. Trusts, middle initials, prior surnames and business names can affect how a record was indexed.
Limit the Results With Record Information
When available, use document type, recording date or known recording references to separate a deed from mortgages, releases, liens, easements and unrelated records filed under the same name.
Open the Matching Document
Compare the party names, recording date, document type and legal-description clues with the parcel you are researching. For records in the modern online period, open the available document image when provided.
Save the Recording Reference
Record the instrument number, book/page or other identifying information. This is useful when requesting a copy, researching an older deed or following the chain of title backward.
Start With Union County Beacon Before Searching the Recorder
A tax parcel and a recorded document are different records. If you begin with only an address, the fastest route is usually the Auditor’s Beacon property search first.
Find the Parcel
Use Beacon to search property and parcel information. Save the owner name, parcel number, legal-description clues and transfer information shown for the property.
Open Property Search Tools ↗After opening: choose Beacon Property Search → search the street address → open the correct parcel → save the current owner and parcel number.
Move to the Recorder
Return to the official Recorder search and search the owner or other recording clues. The deed image is the recorded instrument; the Beacon owner field is the Auditor’s property record.
Search Recorded Documents ↗After opening: accept the disclaimer → search the owner or relevant party → narrow the date → open the deed or other instrument that matches the parcel.
How Far Back Do Union County Ohio Deed Records Go?
Union County’s archival land-record holdings reach much farther back than the modern online database. The Recorder and county archives describe deed records beginning in the early 1800s, while specific online index collections cover different historical periods.
| Record Set | Online / Historical Coverage | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Recorder images and indexes | 1995–current | Use the official public-access database for current and relatively recent deeds, mortgages and other instruments. |
| Deed grantor/grantee indexes | 1875–1994 | Search direct/grantor and reverse/grantee index books to locate the volume and page or other deed reference. |
| Mortgage indexes | Selected indexes from 1944–1994 | Useful when researching older mortgage filings and related parties. |
| Miscellaneous indexes | 1960–1994 | Use for older miscellaneous recorded instruments not located in the deed or mortgage index. |
| Historic Recorder holdings | Deeds listed from 1800–present | Contact the Recorder or Records Center & Archives when a document image or volume is not available digitally. |
What Can You Find in Union County Recorder Records?
Ownership & Conveyance
- Deeds
- Certificates of transfer
- Land contracts
- Easements
- Leases
- Trust-related documents
Debt & Encumbrances
- Mortgages
- Assignments
- Releases
- Mechanic’s liens
- Federal liens
- Real-estate UCC filings
Other Land Records
- Subdivision plats
- Annexations
- Agreements
- Powers of attorney
- Zoning filings
- Other recordable instruments
Union County Recorder Fees: 2026 Guide
Union County’s posted fee schedule reflects the recording-fee increase that became effective January 1, 2025 after Ohio legislative action. Always confirm the current fee before mailing a document.
| Service | Posted Fee | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Most deeds, mortgages and common instruments | $39 first two pages | Includes deeds, mortgages, affidavits, agreements, easements, leases, land contracts, mechanic’s liens, trust documents and similar filings. |
| Additional pages | $8 each | Applies after the first two pages for many common recordings. |
| Separate marginal references | $4 each | Can apply to releases, assignments, amendments, modifications and similar references. |
| Regular copies | $2 per page | Use when requesting copies through the Recorder. |
| Certified copies | $2 per page + $1 certification | The certification charge is additional per document. |
| Email transmissions | $2 per page | Recorder fee schedule lists email transmission charges. |
| Nonconforming document | $20 additional | May apply when Ohio document-standardization requirements are not met. |
Simple Recording Fee Estimator
Estimate the basic Recorder charge for a common deed, mortgage or similar filing. This does not include conveyance fees, reference fees, nonstandard-document charges, eRecording vendor fees or special statutory filings.
Educational estimate only. Verify the document type and current charge on the official Union County Recorder fee schedule before recording.
How to Record a Deed in Union County, Ohio
A deed that transfers real estate may need to move through more than one county office before the Recorder can accept it. Union County specifically warns that mailed conveyances must already carry the Auditor’s conveyance stamp.
Prepare the Deed Correctly
Confirm the parties, legal description, parcel information, signatures, acknowledgment/notarization and return information required for your particular document.
Recorder staff maintain records but should not be used as a substitute for an attorney or title professional to draft or interpret a deed.
Check Union County Conveyance Standards
Union County’s Auditor, Engineer and Recorder use adopted real-estate conveyance standards. Review them before submitting a transfer document.
Open Conveyance Standards ↗Prepare the Auditor Conveyance Form
Union County lists DTE 100 for taxable real-property conveyances and DTE 100EX when an exemption from the conveyance fee is claimed. Other forms can apply to homestead or CAUV property.
Open Auditor Forms ↗Complete Auditor / Engineer Review When Required
Transfers may require parcel, legal-description and conveyance review before the Recorder accepts the deed. The Auditor’s posted conveyance fee is $4 per $1,000, plus a listed per-parcel charge where applicable.
Calculate the Recorder Fee
For many standard documents, use $39 for the first two pages plus $8 for each additional page. Add any applicable reference or nonstandard-document fee.
Submit the Recordable Document
File through the method permitted for the document. For a mailed conveyance, make sure the Union County Auditor’s conveyance stamp is already on the document before it reaches the Recorder.
Verify the Recorded Instrument
After recording, save the document or instrument number and later confirm the record appears in the Recorder index. Separately verify the Auditor parcel record if the transaction should change the tax-roll ownership record.
Ohio Document Formatting Rules That Matter in Union County
Union County’s fee page references Ohio’s document-standardization rules. A nonconforming document can trigger an additional $20 fee.
Font
Print size should be no smaller than 10-point type.
First Page
Leave a 3-inch top margin on the first page for recording information.
Side & Bottom Margins
The posted standard calls for 1-inch side and bottom margins.
Later Pages
The top margin on remaining pages is listed as 1½ inches.
Union County Ohio eRecording: Important Limitation
Union County began accepting electronically recorded non-conveyance filings on July 15, 2024. This is primarily useful for title companies, law firms, banks and other frequent recording customers.
What eRecording Does
A participating submitter sends the document electronically. The Recorder still reviews and records the instrument in the county recording system, then the recorded document is returned electronically.
Not Every Filing
The county announcement specifically describes the program as accepting non-conveyance filings. Do not assume an ownership-transfer deed can be eRecorded through this workflow without confirming eligibility.
Listed Vendors
Union County lists ePN, Simplifile and CSC eRecording Solutions as vendor options for participating electronic submitters.
After opening: confirm that your document is eligible → choose a listed provider → establish the provider account → upload the document → pay through the provider → monitor for recording confirmation or rejection instructions.
Union County AlertMe Real Estate Fraud Notifications
Union County Recorder offers a free email notification service called AlertMe. It can notify a registered user when a document containing the referenced name is recorded in the Recorder’s Office.
What AlertMe Does
The service monitors future Recorder filings for the name you register and sends an email notification when a match occurs.
This can help a property owner notice an unexpected deed, mortgage or other recorded document sooner.
What It Does Not Do
The alert does not prevent a document from being recorded and does not determine whether a filing is legally valid or fraudulent.
If an alert appears suspicious, review the recorded document and seek appropriate legal or law-enforcement guidance.
After opening: read the disclaimer → choose the registration link → register the name you want monitored → use an email address you actively check → review any future alert against the actual recorded document.
How to Get a Union County Deed Copy
First decide whether you need an image for research or an officially certified copy for a court, lender, probate, title or other formal purpose.
Online Research Copy
Search the Recorder’s public-access database and open the available document image. Save the recording reference even if you also save or print the image.
Recorder Copy
The official fee schedule lists regular copies at $2 per page. Contact the office with the document reference to reduce search confusion.
Certified Copy
Certified copies are listed at $2 per page plus an additional $1 per document for certification.
Why a Union County Deed Search May Return No Result
| Problem | Likely Reason | Better Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| You only know the street address | The Recorder index is document-focused rather than simply a tax-parcel address directory. | Use Auditor Beacon first to find the current owner and parcel information. |
| Name gives no match | The document may use a middle initial, trust, business name, former surname or prior owner. | Try shorter name variations and known prior owners. |
| Too many results | A common surname may match deeds, mortgages, releases and unrelated filings. | Limit by date range and document type. |
| Deed predates 1995 | The modern image/index database begins around 1995. | Use the digitized historical grantor/grantee indexes for 1875–1994. |
| Very old deed still not found | The record may be in a historical volume rather than a modern online image set. | Contact the Recorder or Records Center & Archives with the names and approximate year. |
| Owner on Auditor does not match expected deed | Tax-roll ownership and recorded-document indexing are related but separate systems. | Open the actual recorded deed and compare legal-description and transfer information. |
Union County Recorder Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid
- Searching only the Recorder when you know only a street address.
- Mailing an unstamped conveyance directly to the Recorder.
- Using the Recorder to dispute property value.
- Assuming a tax parcel record is the same as the recorded deed.
- Using the old pre-1995 record period like the modern database.
- Submitting a document with nonstandard margins without checking the extra fee.
- Putting a Social Security number into a recordable document without reviewing the statutory rules.
Better Workflow
- Save the parcel number and owner name from Beacon first.
- Search the Recorder by the indexed parties.
- Save the instrument or book/page reference.
- Use historic indexes for pre-1995 research.
- Confirm Auditor approval for conveyance documents.
- Calculate recording fees before mailing.
- Keep a copy of every submitted and recorded document.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Goal | Best Next Step | Office |
|---|---|---|
| I need a copy of my deed | Search Recorder records; save the instrument number; request certification only if required. | Recorder |
| I know only the property address | Use Beacon to identify the parcel and owner, then search the Recorder. | Auditor → Recorder |
| I need to record a deed | Review conveyance standards and complete Auditor/Engineer processing where required before recording. | Auditor / Engineer → Recorder |
| I need to pay property taxes | Use the Treasurer, not the Recorder. | Treasurer |
| I disagree with property value | Use Auditor and Board of Revision procedures. | Auditor / BOR |
| I found a suspicious deed | Save the document image and recording data, contact the Recorder, then obtain legal or law-enforcement guidance as appropriate. | Recorder + legal/law enforcement |
Official Union County Ohio Recorder Resources
Union County Recorder
Official office page for Recorder announcements, contact information and land-record services.
- Confirm current Recorder notices.
- Check phone, email, address and hours.
- Use the links for official records, fee schedule, eRecording or fraud alerts.
Search Official Records
Official starting page for current document search and historical index books.
- Read the Recorder disclaimer.
- Select AGREE.
- Search the public-access system for 1995–current records.
- For earlier records, return to the county page and use the historic deed, mortgage or miscellaneous indexes.
Recorder Fee Schedule
Official source for recording, copy, certification, lien and special-filing fees.
- Find your document type.
- Count the pages.
- Add reference fees when applicable.
- Check for nonstandard-document charges.
- Confirm the total with the Recorder before mailing if your filing is unusual.
Auditor Property Search Tools
Use when you have an address but need the parcel number, owner or property information first.
- Open Beacon Property Search.
- Search the property by available parcel or address information.
- Open the correct parcel.
- Save the current owner and parcel number.
- Return to the Recorder to search the actual recorded document.
Auditor Conveyance Forms
DTE conveyance forms and Union County transfer materials used before recording applicable deeds.
- Scroll to Conveyance Forms & Information.
- Choose DTE 100 for a taxable conveyance or DTE 100EX when claiming an applicable exemption.
- Check whether DTE 101, DTE 102 or another transfer form also applies.
- Complete Auditor review before mailing a conveyance to the Recorder.
AlertMe Fraud Notification
Free Recorder email alerts for future documents recorded under a monitored name.
- Read the service disclaimer.
- Choose the registration link.
- Enter the name you want monitored.
- Watch your email for future recording matches.
- Verify unexpected alerts by opening the actual recorded document.
Union County OH Recorder FAQs
Where is the Union County Ohio Recorder’s Office?
The Union County Recorder’s Office is at 233 West Sixth Street, Marysville, Ohio 43040. The main phone number is 937-645-3032.
What are the Union County Recorder office hours?
The county lists Recorder hours as Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check the official county page for holiday closures or temporary schedule changes before traveling.
How do I search Union County Ohio deeds online?
Open the Union County Recorder Search Official Records page, review the disclaimer, select AGREE and use the public-access database. The county states that images and indexes are online from 1995 to current.
Can I find Union County deeds from before 1995 online?
Yes, some historical index material is available. Union County has added grantor and grantee deed indexes covering 1875–1994. Older records may require using historical volumes or contacting the Recorder or county archives.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Union County Ohio?
For many common documents, the Recorder’s current fee schedule lists $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. Other charges can apply for references, nonstandard documents, conveyance processing or special filings.
How much is a certified deed copy?
The Union County Recorder fee schedule lists copies at $2 per page and an additional $1 per document for certification.
Can I mail a deed directly to the Union County Recorder?
A mailed conveyance is accepted by the Recorder only when the Union County Auditor’s conveyance stamp is already affixed. Review the Auditor conveyance process before mailing a deed that transfers real estate.
Does Union County accept electronic recording?
Yes, but the county’s eRecording announcement specifically describes electronically recorded non-conveyance filings. Union County lists ePN, Simplifile and CSC among its eRecording vendors. Confirm your document type before submitting electronically.
Can I search Union County Recorder records by street address?
If you only know the address, start with the Union County Auditor Beacon property search to identify the owner and parcel. Then use those details to search the Recorder’s recorded-document system.
Does Union County offer property fraud alerts?
Yes. The Recorder offers the free AlertMe notification service, which can email you when a future document containing your registered name is recorded. It is a notification tool and does not block a recording or determine whether a document is fraudulent.
Independent Information & Land-Records Notice
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not the Union County Recorder, Union County Auditor, Union County Treasurer, Union County Government or another Ohio government agency.
Recorder records can help document transfers, mortgages, liens and other recorded instruments, but this page does not provide a title opinion. Recording a document also does not mean the Recorder has resolved every legal issue concerning ownership, fraud, priority, validity or interpretation.
Public land and property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act or similar consumer-reporting law. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.