Perry County OH Recorder: Search Deeds, Records, Copies & Recording Fees
If you landed here because you need a Perry County deed, mortgage release, lien, land-record reference or recorded property document, the Perry County Recorder is the correct office. The important catch is that Perry County’s online system is primarily an index: the county says you can locate record listings and references online, but the actual recorded document images are not available through its public AVA search.
The practical workflow is therefore simple: identify the property or party, search the official Recorder index, capture the volume/page or other recording reference, and contact the Recorder if you need the document itself. If you only know a street address, start with the Perry County Auditor first.
212 S. Main Street, New Lexington, OH 43764.
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Index information is online; the county says actual document images are not.
What Perry County record are you actually trying to find?
Searchers often use “property records” to describe several completely different records. Choosing the correct office first can save most of the work.
Use the Perry County Recorder. Search the land-record index for the recorded conveyance.
Search deed records →Use the Recorder to locate a mortgage, assignment, release or satisfaction recorded against the property.
Check a mortgage release →Start with the Auditor because its official search supports parcel, owner and address searches.
Find the parcel first →Use the Perry County Auditor, not the Recorder.
Open Auditor search →Search Recorder records, but remember that determining whether title is “clear” can require a full title examination.
Understand title searching →Prepare the instrument properly, complete the required Auditor transfer step, then present it for recording.
Recording checklist →Perry County Recorder guide
Jump directly to the task you are trying to complete.
How to search Perry County Ohio deeds and recorded land records
Perry County links its Recorder records to the AVA (Adaptable Visual Access) system operated for the county. The Recorder specifically describes this as a place to obtain record listings and references such as volume and page information.
Open Perry County AVA
How to find the deed when you do not know the owner’s name
The Recorder’s system is designed around recorded instruments, while the Perry County Auditor provides a much more convenient property-search starting point. The Auditor’s official search supports parcel number, owner name and street address.
How to get a copy of a Perry County deed
Perry County’s official Recorder page makes an important distinction: record listings are available online, but the document images themselves are not. If you need to read the deed language, legal description, signatures or recorded endorsements, you will need the document copy rather than the index entry alone.
Provide the office with the document type, parties, recording date and volume/page or other reference found in AVA.
Search AVA yourself first. The Recorder states that office employees cannot perform property searches for the public.
Micro checklist for requesting a copy
If you paid off a mortgage and are wondering when you will “get your deed,” remember that a mortgage release and a deed are different records. Perry County’s FAQ states that an owner should have received the deed when the property was purchased; the Recorder maintains the recorded version rather than holding your original deed for the life of the mortgage.
Perry County Recorder recording fees
The Perry County Recorder’s current official page lists the following recording charges. These are fees for recording a document, not necessarily the cost of obtaining a copy.
| Item | Listed fee | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| First two pages | $34 | County-listed charge for recording the first two pages of an instrument. |
| Each additional page | $8 | Added for every page after the first two. |
| Non-compliant document | Additional $20 | Applies when the document does not meet applicable formatting requirements. |
| Marginal reference | Additional $4 | County-listed fee when a document requires a marginal reference. |
Ohio Revised Code §317.32 establishes the statutory recorder-fee framework, while the Perry County Recorder publishes the local fee information users should check before filing. Review Ohio Revised Code §317.32.
How to record a deed in Perry County, Ohio
Recording a deed is more involved than simply taking a signed document to the Recorder. Ohio law requires certain conveyances to go through the County Auditor before the Recorder can accept them, and the document itself must satisfy legal execution and formatting requirements.
Read ORC §5301.01
Open official Perry County Auditor forms
Read ORC §317.114
Ohio document-format rules that can affect your filing fee
| Requirement | Standard | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Print size | At least 10 point | The recorded document must remain legible and reproducible. |
| Paper size | 8½ × 11 minimum; 8½ × 14 maximum | Ohio’s standard-format statute limits document size. |
| Ink | Black or blue | Designed to support readable permanent reproduction. |
| Highlighting | Not permitted under standard format | Highlighting can interfere with document reproduction. |
| Side margins | 1 inch | Required under the standard-format rule. |
| Bottom margin | 1 inch | Required under the standard-format rule. |
| Top of first page | 3 inches blank | Reserved for official certifications and recording information. |
| Top of later pages | 1½ inches blank | Provides space for required official endorsements. |
Ohio law allows certain non-conforming documents to be accepted with an additional statutory fee, and Perry County currently lists a $20 non-compliance charge. Avoiding formatting errors is therefore both a filing-quality issue and a cost issue.
How to check whether a Perry County mortgage release was recorded
Paying the lender does not erase the original mortgage entry from the public record. Instead, a release or satisfaction document should establish that the recorded mortgage has been discharged.
What the Recorder can show—and what the office cannot determine for you
Recorder records can contain deeds, mortgages, releases, easements, land contracts, liens, powers of attorney, plats and many other instruments affecting real estate. Ohio Revised Code §317.08 identifies the broad categories of documents county recorders maintain.
However, finding documents is not the same thing as determining their legal effect. Perry County expressly states that Recorder staff cannot perform searches for you. The office also says it cannot determine whether you own mineral rights.
Finding a known deed, checking whether a mortgage release exists, locating a known lien or obtaining a copy when you already have the recording reference.
Determining all ownership interests, mineral rights, easements, unreleased liens, breaks in the chain of title, estate issues or whether title is insurable.
Ohio law requires many instruments affecting real property to be recorded in the county where the real estate is located. See Ohio Revised Code §5301.25.
Perry County offers a free property fraud alert
The Recorder’s Office advertises a free property fraud alert for Perry County landowners. According to the office, subscribers are notified within 24 business hours when a document is recorded that triggers the service.
How to sign up
- Contact the Perry County Recorder at (740) 342-2494.
- Tell the office you want to enroll in the free property fraud alert.
- Follow the enrollment instructions provided by the Recorder or its recording-software provider.
- Keep the alert contact information current so notifications can reach you.
What to do when you cannot find the deed
| Problem | Likely reason | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Searching an address finds nothing in Recorder records | The Recorder index is document-oriented rather than a conventional property-address database. | Use the Auditor search first to identify the owner and parcel. |
| Too many results for a surname | The name is common or the person appears in many document types. | Narrow by approximate transaction year, document type and other party. |
| Current owner is not easy to find | Ownership may be under a trust, LLC, estate, spouse or differently formatted name. | Check the Auditor parcel and recent sale/transfer information. |
| Index entry appears but no image opens | Perry County states that actual document images are not online in AVA. | Record the volume/page or other reference and contact the Recorder for a copy. |
| Mortgage still appears after payoff | The original mortgage remains part of the historical record. | Look for the separate release or satisfaction instrument. |
| You need every lien or ownership defect | A single document lookup is not a complete title examination. | Consider a qualified title company, abstractor or real-estate attorney. |
Perry County Recorder address, phone, hours and official links
New Lexington, OH 43764
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Phone:
(740) 342-2494
Fax:
(740) 342-5539
Email:
pcrecorder@perrycountyohio.gov
Recorder vs. Auditor vs. Clerk of Courts
| What you need | Best office | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded land documents | Perry County Recorder | Deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, easements and other recorded real-property instruments. |
| Parcel and property information | Perry County Auditor | Owner display, address, parcel number, valuation, sales and conveyance forms. |
| Real-estate tax payment information | Perry County Treasurer | Property-tax collection and payment matters. |
| Court filings | Perry County Clerk of Courts | Relevant court cases and filings rather than recorded deed instruments. |
Perry County itself separates records among different offices, including the Recorder and Clerk of Courts. Starting with the correct agency is especially important when a search involves a foreclosure, judgment, estate or tax issue that may have both court and Recorder records.
Perry County Ohio Recorder FAQs
Where can I search Perry County Ohio deeds online?
Use the official Perry County AVA index at oh3laredo.fidlar.com/OHPerry/AvaWeb/. Perry County says this system provides record listings and volume/page information, but actual document images are not online through the public index.
Can I search Perry County property by street address?
Yes, but the best starting point is the Perry County Auditor property search, which supports address, parcel and owner searches. Use the owner information from that parcel record to continue into the Recorder’s deed index.
How do I obtain the actual deed image?
Find the record reference in AVA, then call the Recorder at (740) 342-2494 or email pcrecorder@perrycountyohio.gov. Ask for current copy fees, payment instructions and whether you need a plain or certified copy.
What does it cost to record a deed or other document?
Perry County currently lists $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. The office also lists an extra $20 for a non-compliant document and a $4 marginal-reference fee when applicable. Confirm the exact total before submitting your document.
Does the Perry County Recorder accept credit cards?
No. The Recorder’s official FAQ says the office accepts cash and checks and does not accept credit cards.
Can Recorder staff search for liens or title problems for me?
The county says Recorder staff cannot perform property searches for the public. You may inspect public records yourself. If you need a complete determination of liens, ownership, mineral rights or title defects, consider a professional title search.
How can I tell if my mortgage was released?
Search the Recorder index for a release or satisfaction associated with the mortgage. You can also call the Recorder at (740) 342-2494. The office says it can confirm whether a release has been recorded and provide a copy.
Can the Recorder tell me whether I own the mineral rights?
No. Perry County specifically says the Recorder cannot perform that search for you. Mineral ownership may require reviewing a chain of older deeds, reservations and related instruments, so professional title assistance may be appropriate.
Can the Recorder prepare a new deed after a death or ownership change?
No. The Recorder records properly prepared legal documents but does not prepare deeds or provide legal advice. For a survivorship, estate, spouse-removal or similar ownership issue, consult an attorney or qualified title professional before submitting a document for recording.
Does Perry County offer property fraud alerts?
Yes. The Recorder advertises a free property fraud alert service for Perry County landowners. Contact the office to enroll and obtain the current signup procedure.
The fastest way to complete a Perry County deed search
If you already know the owner name, start directly with the Perry County Recorder AVA index. If you only know an address, first identify the parcel and current owner through the Perry County Auditor.
Once you locate the correct deed, mortgage, release or other instrument, save its recording reference. Perry County’s own guidance says the public online system does not provide the actual document images, so the final step for a readable copy is to contact the Recorder at (740) 342-2494 or pcrecorder@perrycountyohio.gov.