Recording FAQs
How do I prepare a document to be recorded?
The Recorder's Office strongly recommends that you seek professional advice from attorneys or licensed title agencies before preparing any document to be recorded. Our employees cannot offer legal advice.
View Recording Standards
Does your office supply blank forms if I want to prepare my own document?
No. You may visit the Franklin County Law Library, visit your local library, or obtain "fill in the blank" forms at many office supply or stationery stores. Take care that submitted documents meet all legal requirements.
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What happens to an original document once it has been recorded?
Original documents are returned based on the instructions given to Recorder's Office staff at the time of recording. Typically staff is instructed to return the documents to the financial institution or title company that is completing the recording of the document(s). It is recommended that individuals provide a self-addressed stamped envelope when submitting their documents, so the originals can be returned appropriately.
How do I search for a deed by street address or parcel number?
The Recorder indexes several fields from a document, including the legal description and parcel number(s). Documents that include a parcel number can be searched for on our website using that index value. Property addresses are not included as an index value on the Recorder's Office search.
You can search for properties by street address on the Franklin County Auditor's property search page. The Auditor's search can provide information about the property's transfer date and value as well. You can also find the parcel number of a property through the Auditor's search, and use that parcel number to help find related documents with the Recorder's Office search.
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I have just paid off my loan. Where is my new deed?
Typically a new deed is only issued when a property is transferred (e.g. bought/sold). When a mortgage is satisfied, a release of mortgage (REMO) is prepared and filed by the lender. You can find a copy of your deed, mortgage, or release of mortgage using our Public Records Search.
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Where can I get a survey of my property?
Surveys are not typically filed in the Recorder's Office. Contact your lender or title company for this information. If your home is in a subdivision, a plat map will typically be available. A plat map is a drawing showing dimensions of a lot with streets, alleys, building lines, etc. drawn to scale. You can search our records for plat maps by using the subdivision name. A plat map will not show any buildings or blueprints. The Franklin County Auditor's office manages a public access map room where users may print customized Geographic Information System (GIS) maps. The available customized data layers on GIS maps include building footprints, lot dimensions, and some utilities.
Visit The Auditor's GIS Maps
Are UCC filings recorded in the Recorder's Office?
Effective 7/1/2001, Uniform Commercial Code financing statements are recorded by the Recorder's Office if they relate to real estate.
Can I e-File deeds?
Yes (via Simplifile). However, any document that transfers real estate must first be approved by the Auditor's office. The Auditor may be reached at 614-525-4663 or by emailing AuditorStinziano@franklincountyohio.gov.
A credit agency is showing I have a lien in Franklin County.
Certain real property liens are filed with the Recorder's Office, but our office does not remove or release any liens. Documents recorded in our office are public record and are accessible for search by any interested parties, including credit-reporting agencies. Certain property tax liens are handled by the Franklin County Treasurer, others are the result of filings with the Clerk of Courts. Other liens (e.g. unpaid State of Ohio Income Tax Liens) may require you to contact another agency. It is recommended you obtain a case number from the reporting agency. If disputed, you may dispute errors in your credit profile with the credit bureau.
I need to have certified copies. Can I print out documents from home and then have them certified?
No. Certified Copies contain a stamp of authenticity from our office which is required for many legal processes. We would need to print and stamp the document as part of our process. You can submit a Certified Copy Request online, through the mail, or in-person at our office. If you come to our office, we will certify copies on the spot. There is a fee required in accordance with state law.
Request Certified Copies
Do you have the deed to my mobile home?
No. The Franklin County Auditor's Personal Property Tax Division registers mobile home titles.
Visit The Auditor's Office
What is a "marginal notation"?
A marginal notation is a reference to a previously recorded document. Historically, documents such as mortgages and liens were assigned and/or released by placing a stamp in the margins of the official record book to make finding the originating document easier by linking them together. Many documents require a prior reference for recording and indexing. There is an additional charge per reference for documents that are recorded with our office containing marginal notations.
When preparing references on documents for recording, please use the "official recording number" or "Instrument Number" for the reference. All documents recorded as of 5/15/1997 use a 15 digit instrument number, e.g. 201701010001111, as the official recording number. Most documents recorded prior to 5/15/1997 have been imported into our electronic records system and have been given instrument numbers to use going forward. In addition, documents recorded before 5/15/1997, but on or after 10/10/1980, are also designated with a microfiche volume and page sequence. This system uses a volume number followed by a letter and a page number, e.g. 27654B17. Documents recorded prior to 10/10/1980 use a book, volume, and page designation, e.g. MB 3703 PG 125.
Didn't find the answer to your question here?
Give us a call at 614-525-3930, or email us at Recorder@franklincountyohio.gov.