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1. How long does it take to get a document recorded?

Documents are recorded the same day they are received in the mail, in person, or once transferred by the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department. The document is cashiered, scanned, entered into the system, verified, and then mailed back the next business day.

eRecorded documents are processed immediately considering they meet all Ohio Revised Code guidelines. Documents are recorded Monday through Friday, 8am – 4pm.

Effective May 15th, 2023, all NON-TRANSFER documents are accepted through eRecording. Deeds and/or documents requiring a “No Transfer” stamp such as Transfer on Death Designations, Easements, Affidavits referencing a Deed, etc. will still need to be mailed or walked through the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department.

2. What do I need to record a deed?

Deeds brought to the County Recorder's Office for recording must contain the following information:

• Name(s) of the buyer(s) and seller(s);
• Legal description of the property  (can be obtained from our Copy Center);
• Signature(s) of the seller(s);
• Preparation statement  (if notarized in the State of Ohio);
• Transfer or No Transfer stamp from the Auditor's Deed Transfer Department and the Engineer's approval are necessary if the property requires it.

The execution is according to the state in which the signature was notarized. The notary must contain the following:

• A notary statement;
• Notary's signature;
• Notary expiration date.

Recording Fees:

• $34.00 for the first two pages and $8.00 for each additional page.
• Cash or check/money order made payable to:  Montgomery County Recorder

3. What is required to record a mortgage?

Mortgages brought to the County Recorder's Office for recording must contain the following information:

• Name(s) of the borrower(s) and lender(s)
• The amount of the mortgage
• Legal description of the property (can be obtained from our Copy Center)
• Signature(s) of the borrower(s)
• Notarization of the signature 
• Preparation statement (if notarized in the State of Ohio)

The execution is according to the state in which the signature was notarized. The notary must contain the following:

• A notary statement
• Notary's signature
• Notary expiration date

Recording Fees:

• $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page.
• Cash or check/money order made payable to: Montgomery County Recorder

4. How do I change the name on a deed?

To change a name on a Deed:

• Execute a new deed
• Present it to the Auditor's Deed Transfer Department for either a "Transfer" or "No Transfer" stamp
• Present the deed to the Recorder's Office for recordation

Recording Fees:

• $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page
• Cash or check/money order made payable to: Montgomery County Recorder

5. My mortgage has been released; will you send me a new deed?

You should have received your deed at the closing upon purchasing the property.  Unlike a car title, a new deed is not generated when you pay off your mortgage.  The lender will record a Release/Satisfaction of Mortgage with our office to prove the mortgage has been paid.  

Deeds and Releases are available by searching our Records On-Line Search and can be printed for free at any time.  If you are unable to print, our Copy Center can provide you with a copy for $2.00 per page.  You may also have your document certified for an additional $1.00. 

6. Are there any liens on my property?

The Recorder’s Office is one of multiple offices where liens are recorded. Such liens are searchable on our Records On-Line Search and can be printed for free at any time. If you are unable to print, our Copy Center can provide you with a copy for $2.00 per page. You may also have your document certified for an additional $1.00.

The Recorder’s Office does not perform title searches but computers are available in the Public Research Area on the 5th floor for public use.

7. How do I find a current property owner?

You may go to the Montgomery County Auditor's website to search by address.

8. How do I get a copy of my service discharge (DD214)?

If your service discharge (DD214) has been recorded in Montgomery County, you can search our website at Records Online Search.  Once you search the database by name and find the specific reference number, you may contact the Recorder's Office at 937-225-6381 and request a copy.  DD214 images are not viewable to the public.

Please keep in mind that Service Discharges are not required to be recorded in the County Recorder's Office.

If you do record your DD214, you can also request a complimentary Veteran ID card that will be available in the Recorder's Office.

There are no charges for copies of Service Discharges.

9. How do I get a copy of birth and death records?

Birth and death certificates may be obtained from: 

Montgomery County Combined Health District Bureau of Vital Statistics 
117 South Main Street 
Dayton, Ohio 45422

Phone: 937-225-4418

10. How do I get a copy of a divorce decree?

Contact the Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations Division at 937-225-4562 or visit the Clerk of Courts home page.

11. Where can I find the blue prints to my house?

Ask the builder of your house for copies. The Montgomery County Planning Department only maintains blueprint copies of apartment complexes and condominiums.

12. How can I find the age of a house?

Montgomery County Government Records Can Be Used as Follows to Trace the History of an "Old" Building to Find out When It Was Built:

1. Determine the chain of ownership by researching the County Recorder's Deed Records using either the Alphabetical Index (grantee-grantor) or Tract Index (i.e., geographic/legal description abstract). Make a list of the owners and their inclusive years of ownership while completing this step.

All deed indices and records are available in the Recorder's office on the 5th floor of the County Administration Building (451 West Third Street) or the County Records Center and Archives (117 South Main Street, 6th floor; use Main Street elevator):

Recorder

• 1805 to Present - Both Index Types (Books & Microfilm)
• 1805 to 1934 - Deed Records (Microfilm) 
• 1935 to Present - Deed Records (Books & Microfilm)

Records Center & Archives

• 1805 to Present - Alphabetical Indexes (Books & Microfilm)
• 1805 to 1934 - Tract Index (Microfilm)
• 1805 to 1934 - Deed Records (Books and Microfilm)

2. Determine the annual value for property tax purposes by researching Auditor's Real Estate Tax Lists (i.e., tax duplicates). Before 1974, these records are arranged by year, then by taxing district, then alphabetically by owner therein; thus, each year should be checked for the owner listed in Step#1 above. If it is already architectural or other reliable evidence of the approximate building date (e.g., "the 1880s"), research can be confined to a few years (e.g., 1880 to 1890).

Tax lists are at the County Records Center and Archives:

• 1803 to1954 - Alphabetical Indexes (Books and Microfilm)
• 1820 to1896 - Original Books (limited use)
• 1955 to1985 - Original Books

3. A significant increase (i.e., more than 50% in one year) in annual value for property tax purposes is usually evidence of construction or improvements in the year in which the change in value was recorded. It should be noted that property values for tax purposes were generally recorded at 40 to 45% of actual or probable "market value" before 1973; values are recorded at 35% since 1973.

4. The County Records Center and Archives telephone Number is 937-225-6366. Please note, however, that it is the individual researcher's responsibility to do this research.

13. How did the Recorder's office get started?

The Recorder's function began in the Northwest Territory during the 1790s. In 1803, the Ohio General Assembly established the Recorder as a mandated county office. Initially appointed by the associate judges of the Common Pleas Court, the County Recorder became an elective position in 1829. The Recorder presently serves a four-year term.

Under the mandates of the Ohio Revised Code, the Recorder records and preserves many of the citizen's legal rights and the heritage of our community. The County Recorder's primary responsibility is maintaining the chain of title to real estate by the recording of all deeds, mortgages, and conveyances of land and buildings within the county. Other duties assigned to the County Recorder include the recording of plats, powers of attorney, mechanics liens, military discharges, leases, and financing statements. Copies of records and responding to public inquiries are vital services provided daily.

Montgomery County records are indexed on the county's computer system the day they are received. The documents are then microfilmed, imaged, and returned to the appropriate parties. The computer index, microfilmed document, and online images thus become the official record, providing a 98% space savings, faster retrieval, and an off-site security copy.

The computerized tract index (real estate description index) is one of the few in-house systems for tract indexing in the country and has received a Distinguished Achievement award from the National Association of Counties for this innovative system.

Montgomery County has a land area of 463 miles, a population of 559,062, and approximately 230,000 parcels of property. While all 88 of Ohio's County Recorders operate within the framework of the Ohio Revised Code, each Recorder's Office maintains records in a unique manner.