Recorder

General Information

“The county recorder function is to maintain permanent public records involving a wide variety of instruments. These documents detail transactions involved in: real estate, mining, personal property, mortgages, liens, leases, subdivision plats, military discharges, personal bonds, etc. {IC 36-2-11-8}. Generally, all of these instruments are recorded either for giving legal public notice of their existence or for safekeeping and future reference.

“The recorder maintains and preserves all legal documents affecting title to real property. These records constitute the legal basis on which ownership is determined. The degree with which the recorder fulfills his responsibilities ultimately forms the legal foundation for the institution of private property. The recorder is also a member of the county commission on public records, which has the authority over the preservation or disposition of all public records maintained by the county. {IC 5-15-6}.”

Source: Handbook For Indiana Elected County Officials by the Association of Indiana Counties, Inc.  The Office of the Recorder was the first Constitutional Office in County government in Indiana. Your County Recorder: – Records any instrument submitted for recording, provided it meets essential requirements. (See below.)

• Records Deeds, Mortgages, Assignments, Releases, Powers of Attorney, Real Estate Contracts, Annexations, Trustee Elections, Affidavits, Final Decrees, Surveys, Federal Tax Liens, Mechanics Liens, Military Discharges, Articles of Incorporation, Cemetery Deeds, Bonds, Plats, Condominiums, Firms Doing Business Under Assumed Names, Delinquent Sewer Liens, and Miscellaneous Instruments.
• Files Uniform Commercial Code instruments.
•  Supplies copies of any instrument and certifies to those recorded upon request. (Fee charged.)

Essential Recording Requirements

•  Acknowledgements: To entitle any conveyance, mortgage or instrument of writing to be recorded.
•  Legibility of Names: Typed or printed under each signature exactly as signed.
•  Name of Person Preparing Instrument: Each document affecting real estate.
•  Notarized Documents: Requires county residence of notary and commission expiration.
•  Transfer of Deeds of Taxation: Endorsement by Auditor before recording.
•  Release of Satisfaction of Liens: May be executed by President, Vice-President, Cashier, Secretary, Treasurer, General Manager, or Attorney-in-Fact only.

Please note: Beginning July 1, 2001, all financing statements involving personal property are to be filed at the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office. Failure to file in the proper office may affect the perfection of the filing.

ALL instruments must meet recording form and legibility statutes.

IC 36-2-11-16.5
Requirements for instrument or document presented for recording
Sec. 16.5. (a) This section does not apply to the following:
(1) A judgment, an order, or a writ of a court.
(2) A will or death certificate.
(3) A plat.
(4) A survey.
(b) The county recorder may receive for record an instrument or a document without collecting the additional fee described in subsection (c) if:
(1) the instrument or document consists of at least one (1) individual page measuring not more than eight and one-half (8 1/2) inches by fourteen (14) inches that is not permanently bound and is not a continuous form;
(2) the instrument or document is on white paper of at least twenty (20) pound weight and has clean margins:
(A) on the first and last pages of at least two (2) inches on the top and bottom and one-half (1/2) inch on each side; and
(B) on each additional page of at least one-half (1/2) inch on the top, bottom, and each side; and
(3) the instrument or document is typewritten or computer generated in black ink in at least 10 point type.
(c) For each instrument or document presented for recording that does not conform to the requirements of subsection (b), the recorder may attach additional pages, as needed, and collect one dollar ($1) for each nonconforming page.
As added by P.L.211-1996, SEC.5.