Putnam County Recorder: Deeds, Records & Search
Use the Putnam County Recorder when you need the recorded deed, mortgage, lien, release, easement or other document affecting real estate in Putnam County, Ohio. The Recorder maintains the legal land-record index; the County Auditor is the better starting point when you only have a street address or need parcel, value or ownership data.
This guide takes you directly through the official search process, explains how to identify the correct document, shows how to obtain ordinary or certified copies, and covers the local transfer and recording steps that matter before a deed is accepted.
Sherri Britsch.
245 E. Main St., Suite 202, Ottawa, OH 45875.
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Recording hours are listed as 8:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m.
419-523-6490 · Toll free 888-638-0042.
Go directly to your Putnam County Recorder task
Choose the section that matches what you are actually trying to accomplish.
What does the Putnam County Recorder actually handle?
The Recorder is the county office responsible for receiving, indexing and preserving recordable documents affecting interests in real estate. The index is what lets a buyer, owner, attorney, lender, title examiner or researcher follow the recorded history of a parcel and identify instruments that may affect title.
Search conveyances showing a transfer of real-property interests from a grantor to a grantee.
Search a deedLocate recorded mortgages and later assignments affecting the same interest.
Trace mortgage recordsCheck whether a recorded mortgage was later released or satisfied in the public record.
Check for releasesRecorder records can include mechanics’ liens, tax-related liens and other recordable encumbrances.
Research liensRecorded instruments may describe access, utility, use, covenant or other property rights and restrictions.
Find the instrumentUse grantor/grantee indexing and recording references to follow recorded ownership over time.
Research older recordsHow to search Putnam County deeds and recorded documents online
The official Putnam County Recorder website provides a Records Search link to the county’s Acclaim land-record system. The best search method depends on what information you already have.
| You know | Start here | What to verify | Next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current owner’s name | Recorder grantor/grantee search | Legal description, dates and related parties | Trace backward to the deed into that owner |
| Street address only | County Auditor property search | Owner name and parcel number | Use those details in Recorder search |
| Former owner’s name | Recorder name index | Grantor/grantee sequence | Follow later transfers forward |
| Instrument/book-page number | Recorder reference search | Document type, parties and property | Request copy if needed |
| Parcel number | Auditor record first | Owner and legal-description clues | Search Recorder by indexed names |
What to do when the Putnam County Recorder search shows no result
A failed name search does not necessarily mean the deed or lien was never recorded. Indexing conventions, older records, name changes and the difference between property data and recorded-document data can all produce an apparent dead end.
How to get a copy of a Putnam County deed or other recorded document
First locate the document and save the recording reference. Then decide whether a simple research copy is enough or whether the recipient requires a certified copy bearing the Recorder’s certification.
Useful for personal files, preliminary research and reading the recorded document when certification is not required.
Use when a court, attorney, agency, lender or other recipient specifically requires an official certified reproduction of the recorded instrument.
Copy-request steps
Putnam County Recorder fees: recording, copies and related charges
Ohio establishes the core county-recorder recording schedule in state law. Current law provides a base combined charge of $34 for the first two pages of most standard instruments and $8 for each additional page. Ohio law also allows a county recorder to impose a document-preservation surcharge of up to $5 per document, so the Recorder’s current county fee schedule should control your final payment amount.
| Service | Published amount | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Most recorded instruments | $34 first two pages + $8 each additional page, before any applicable preservation surcharge | Confirm the county’s current total immediately before submitting. |
| Non-standard document | Additional $20 under Ohio law | Avoidable when the document meets statutory formatting standards. |
| Marginal reference | $4 per applicable reference | Putnam County specifically notes this charge in its published FAQ. |
| Certified copy | $2 per page + $1 certification per document | Use when an official certified reproduction is required. |
| Unassisted copy | $0.25 per page | Recorder’s current copy page lists this local charge. |
| Assisted copy | $2 per page | Different from self-service/unassisted copying. |
| Local or toll-free fax | $2 per page | Verify current availability when requesting. |
| Long-distance fax | $4 per page | Published on the Recorder’s copy-information page. |
How to record a deed in Putnam County, Ohio
Recording a deed is not simply a matter of carrying a signed document to the Recorder. Putnam County’s official transfer instructions describe a local sequence involving legal-description review, the County Auditor’s conveyance process and then the Recorder.
Legal descriptions are reviewed for compliance before the transfer proceeds.
The Auditor processes the conveyance, applicable forms and transfer charges.
The accepted deed is presented for recording in the official land records.
Practical deed-recording workflow
Ohio document standards that matter at the Putnam County Recorder
Ohio Revised Code §317.114 establishes standardized physical-format rules for instruments presented to county recorders. Putnam County’s Recorder links these standards from its official resources section.
Recorder vs. Auditor vs. Treasurer: who has the information you need?
Use for: deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, easements, recorded restrictions, assignments and certified copies of recorded documents.
Official Recorder websiteUse for: parcel search, owner display, property values, sales information, parcel maps, conveyance processing and tax-estimate tools.
Official property searchUse for: real-estate tax payments, tax-bill questions, payment status and delinquency payment arrangements.
Official Treasurer pageUse for: legal-description and conveyance review required as part of Putnam County’s deed-transfer workflow before recording.
Transfer instructions| Your question | Correct office | Best first action |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the parcel according to current property data? | Auditor | Search owner, parcel or address |
| I need the actual recorded deed | Recorder | Search deed index and recording reference |
| Was a mortgage released? | Recorder | Search mortgage and later release records |
| How much property tax do I owe? | Treasurer | Use Treasurer payment information |
| What is the parcel’s assessed value? | Auditor | Open the parcel property record |
| I need a certified deed copy | Recorder | Use official copy-request procedure |
How to check mortgages, releases and liens in Putnam County
A deed tells you about a transfer, but it does not by itself tell you every recorded claim that may affect the property. A more complete public-record review follows the owner and property through mortgages, assignments, releases, liens, easements and other relevant instruments.
To check whether a mortgage was released
- Find the original mortgage in the Recorder index.
- Record the borrower, lender, recording date and recording reference.
- Search later records under the borrower and lender names.
- Look specifically for a release, satisfaction, assignment or other linked instrument.
- Compare the reference to the original mortgage so you know the release applies to the correct loan.
- Request an official copy if the release must be documented for a title, lending or legal matter.
To research liens
Search the owner’s legal name and likely variations, then review document types associated with liens and releases. Ohio recorder indexes can contain federal tax liens, mechanics’ liens and other recordable claims. A meaningful title determination can require more than a simple name search because judgments, probate matters, tax issues and other interests may be maintained in different systems.
How far back do Putnam County land records go?
The Recorder states that Putnam County’s preserved public records date to the mid-1800s. The office’s current FAQ separately states that computerized indexed records begin January 1, 1993. Those statements describe different things: the office can possess an older historical record even when that record is not available through the same online index workflow.
For genealogy, farm history, old easements, historic ownership or a chain of title extending before the computerized index, start with the newest deed you can identify and work backward using prior-recording references, grantor/grantee names, legal descriptions and the Recorder’s historical resources.
A newer deed often references the prior source of title, giving you the next book, page or instrument to investigate.
Marriage, inheritance, trusts, spelling changes and business entities can interrupt a simple surname search.
Township, section, lot, subdivision and acreage clues can distinguish similarly named owners and properties.
Does the Putnam County Recorder accept e-recording?
Yes. The Recorder’s official e-recording page states that electronic recording is available and that the service has been expanded to include deeds and other transfer documents. The county lists approved e-recording providers on its own page.
Military discharge records are handled differently
The Putnam County Recorder accepts DD Form 214 military discharge documents for recording. Unlike ordinary deed records, military discharge records have restricted public access under Ohio law. The Recorder states that recording and certified copies of a military discharge are provided without a fee, but access is limited to authorized individuals and identification is required.
Putnam County Recorder office address, phone and visiting information
245 East Main Street, Suite 202
Ottawa, Ohio 45875
Phone: 419-523-6490
Toll free: 888-638-0042
Fax: 419-523-4403
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Recording hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m.
Check the official site for holiday closures or temporary schedule changes before making a special trip.
Putnam County Recorder FAQs
Where can I search Putnam County, Ohio deeds online?
Use the Records Search link on the official Putnam County Recorder website, which routes users to the county’s Acclaim land-record search system. Search by the names associated with the document and verify the result using recording references and legal-description information.
Can I search the Recorder by street address?
The Recorder is a recorded-document index rather than the county’s primary address-based parcel database. If you only know the street address, search the Putnam County Auditor first, note the owner name and parcel number, and then use those details to research Recorder documents.
How do I get a certified copy of my deed?
Locate the deed’s recording reference, then request a certified copy from the Putnam County Recorder. The Recorder currently lists a certified-copy charge of $2 per page plus $1 per document for certification. Confirm the current amount before ordering.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Putnam County?
Ohio’s base schedule for most standard instruments is $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. State law also permits a county document-preservation surcharge of up to $5. A deed transfer can additionally involve Auditor conveyance and parcel-transfer fees, so confirm the Recorder’s current county fee schedule and the Auditor’s transfer calculation before submitting.
What is the Putnam County conveyance fee?
The Putnam County Auditor’s published real-estate-transfer guidance currently states a conveyance fee of $4 per $1,000 of purchase price and a transfer fee of $0.50 per parcel. Exempt transactions use different documentation, so verify whether the transfer is taxable rather than assuming an exemption.
Does Putnam County require a full legal description?
Yes. The Putnam County Recorder’s published FAQ states that the office requires full legal descriptions and also requires them with releases and assignments. A property street address alone is not a substitute for the legal description.
What if an old deed is not available in the online search?
Contact the Recorder or use its historical and non-indexed research resources. The office holds records extending back to the mid-1800s, while its FAQ describes a later starting point for computerized indexing. The absence of an online result does not establish that an older record does not exist.
Does the Putnam County Recorder accept electronic recording?
Yes. The official Recorder e-recording page lists approved providers and states that e-recording includes deeds and other transfer documents. Local transfer and document requirements still apply.
Can the Recorder tell me whether a property has clear title?
The Recorder provides access to recorded documents but does not replace a professional title examination. Determining clear or marketable title can require analysis of multiple record systems and legal issues. For a purchase, loan, estate or title dispute, use a qualified attorney or title professional.
Who handles Putnam County property-tax payments?
The Putnam County Treasurer handles real-estate tax collection and payment questions. The Auditor handles parcel values and related property information, while the Recorder maintains deeds and other recorded land instruments.
Putnam County deed and property record resources
| Resource | Use it for | Official link |
|---|---|---|
| Putnam County Recorder | Office information, record resources, forms and policies | Open website |
| Recorder Records Search | Search deeds, mortgages and other indexed recorded documents | Search records |
| Recorder Copy Information | Plain copies, certified copies and copy fees | Request a copy |
| Recorder Document Standards | Formatting rules before filing | Review standards |
| Recorder E-Recording | Electronic document submission information | E-recording |
| Putnam County Auditor Search | Owner, address, parcel, sales and property-value lookup | Search property |
| Auditor Transfer Guidance | Tax Map review, conveyance forms and transfer fees | Transfer instructions |
| Putnam County Treasurer | Property-tax payments and tax-bill questions | Treasurer |
| Ohio Revised Code §317.32 | State recording-fee law | Read statute |
| Ohio Revised Code §317.114 | State document-format requirements | Read statute |
Use the Recorder for the document, the Auditor for the parcel
The fastest way to solve most Putnam County property-record questions is to separate the parcel from the document. Use the Putnam County Auditor when you need to identify a property by address, confirm the parcel number or see assessment information. Use the Putnam County Recorder search when you need the deed, mortgage, lien, release, easement or other recorded instrument itself.
When recording a deed, do more than check the Recorder fee. Verify the legal description, follow Putnam County’s Tax Map and Auditor transfer process, use the correct conveyance documentation, meet Ohio’s physical document standards and confirm the current Recorder charge immediately before filing. That workflow avoids most of the common reasons a property owner ends up searching the wrong office or arriving with an incomplete recording package.