Trumbull County Recorder: Find Deeds, Land Records and Recorded Documents
The Trumbull County Recorder is the office to use when you need a recorded deed, mortgage, mortgage release, easement, land contract, mechanic’s lien, power of attorney, plat or another document placed in the county’s official land-record system.
If you landed here with only a street address, do not begin by guessing names in the Recorder index. First identify the legal owner through the Trumbull County Auditor, then move to the Recorder’s official Public Access system and follow the recorded document itself.
Address → legal owner → Recorder index → instrument image → parcel/legal-description match
Recorder Public Access through the county’s DTS system.
Recorder guidance says online records extend back to 1795, except protected military discharges.
160 High Street NW, 1st Floor, Warren, OH 44481.
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
What are you trying to find or record?
Identify the legal owner through the Auditor, then search that name in Recorder Public Access.
Follow deed-search stepsFollow grantor/grantee references backward through recorded instruments while matching the same property.
Trace ownership historyPrepare the deed correctly, complete Tax Map and Auditor transfer review, then submit it to the Recorder.
See the three-office routeLocate the original mortgage and search later filings for its satisfaction, release or assignment.
Check mortgage recordsUse Recorder records for recorded property-related liens, but include court records when a complete lien review matters.
Understand lien searchesFind the exact instrument first, then request certification from the Recorder when an official copy is required.
Copy and certification optionsRecorder, Auditor, Tax Map, Clerk of Courts or Treasurer?
Several Trumbull County offices maintain property-related information, but they do different jobs. Starting with the correct office can save significant time.
Deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, easements, leases, certain liens, plats, powers of attorney and recorded instruments.
Current parcel ownership, property values, parcel numbers, conveyance processing and property search.
Parcel mapping, deed-transfer legal-description review, surveys, splits and mapping questions.
Court cases, civil judgments and records that may not be part of the Recorder’s land-record index.
Real-estate tax bills, payment status, tax collections and delinquent tax payment questions.
How to find a Trumbull County deed online
The most reliable search workflow depends on what information you already have. The Recorder’s index is name-oriented, so a street address alone is usually not the strongest starting point.
How to trace prior deeds and previous owners
A single current deed does not necessarily explain the property’s complete ownership history. To work backward, use the current acquisition deed as the starting point and follow the previous owner references.
Find the deed by which the present owner acquired the property.
The person or entity conveying the property is normally the grantor. Search that party to find the earlier acquisition.
Confirm the same legal description, parcel or other identifying property information at every step.
Do not trace ownership by name alone
A person may own several parcels, a trust may replace an individual owner, spouses may appear differently across documents, and corporate entities can change names. The legal description and instrument references are what connect one transaction to the next.
What the fields in a Recorder record actually mean
| Field | What it usually tells you | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Grantor | The party conveying an interest in a deed or other instrument. | Useful when tracing ownership backward. |
| Grantee | The party receiving the conveyed interest. | Often identifies the buyer or recipient of a deed. |
| Instrument number | A unique reference assigned to a recorded filing. | Usually the fastest way to retrieve the same document again. |
| Recording date | The date the instrument was placed into the official record. | Helps distinguish similar filings and establish chronology. |
| Document type | Deed, mortgage, release, assignment, lien, easement or another category. | Helps determine what legal event the filing represents. |
| Legal description | The recorded description of the land being affected. | Critical for determining whether the document concerns the parcel you intend to research. |
| Prior reference | A reference to another instrument, mortgage, deed or volume/page. | Useful for following a chain of title or matching releases to original filings. |
| Parcel number | The county’s property-identification number when included. | Useful for cross-checking the Recorder document against the Auditor and GIS systems. |
How to record a deed in Trumbull County
Trumbull County uses a multi-office transfer process. A deed that transfers real property generally does not go straight from your desk to the Recorder counter.
The three-office route inside the Administration Building
Legal-description and mapping review required for deed transfers. Survey or split situations may require additional review.
Processes the property transfer, conveyance documentation and applicable conveyance fees.
Records, images and indexes the accepted deed into the county’s permanent land records.
Before you bring the deed
Current Trumbull County conveyance charges
The Auditor currently lists a conveyance charge of $4 per $1,000 of value conveyed plus $0.50 per parcel. Transactions qualifying as exempt from the conveyance fee are listed at $0.50 per parcel. Determine whether DTE 100 or DTE 100(EX) applies before submitting the transfer.
Check these Recorder formatting rules before filing
Trumbull County publishes document-preparation requirements based on Ohio law. A non-conforming document can trigger an additional fee, so check the format before presenting it for recording.
| Requirement | Recorder guidance |
|---|---|
| Font | Computer font of at least 10 point. |
| Paper size | Minimum 8.5 × 11 inches; maximum 8.5 × 14 inches. |
| Ink | Black or blue ink; highlighting should not be used. |
| First-page top margin | 3 inches reserved for Recorder, Auditor and Engineer use. |
| Later-page top margin | 1.5 inches. |
| Side and bottom margins | 1 inch. |
| Signatures | Use black or blue ink; illegible signatures should have a legible printed, typed or stamped name underneath. |
| Preparation statement | The document must include the required “prepared by” information as applicable. |
Trumbull County Recorder fees
Trumbull County’s Recorder posted an increased recording-fee structure effective April 1, 2025, following Ohio’s recorder-modernization legislation.
| Item | Published fee | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Most recordings — first 2 pages | $39 | Current fee structure effective April 1, 2025. |
| Each additional page | $8 | Applies after the first two pages. |
| Marginal/reference notation | $4 | Can apply where a separate recorded instrument is referenced. |
| Non-conforming document | $20 additional | Applies when statutory document-format requirements are not met. |
| Certified copy | $2 per page + $1 seal | Use when an official certified copy is required. |
| Military-record filing | No fee | Subject to special confidentiality rules. |
How to get a copy or certified copy of a Trumbull County deed
For an ordinary research copy
Search the instrument through Recorder Public Access, open the document image and use the available portal functions to save or print the record. Trumbull County’s current self-preparation guidance states that printing a deed from the Recorder website is free.
For a certified copy
First locate the exact recorded instrument so you can provide its instrument number or other reference. The Recorder’s fee schedule lists certified copies at $2 per page plus $1 to affix the certification seal.
How to check whether a Trumbull County mortgage was released
Paying off a mortgage and seeing a recorded mortgage release are separate events. The Recorder explains that a mortgage is satisfied in the public land records by recording a mortgage satisfaction or release, normally provided and recorded by the lender.
Where to check liens against Trumbull County property
Do not assume that one Recorder name search proves that a property has no liens. Trumbull County’s Recorder can contain instruments such as mortgages, mechanic’s liens, federal tax liens and releases, but other lien or judgment information can exist in court or state records.
Search recorded real-estate instruments, mortgages, mechanic’s liens, federal tax liens, assignments, releases and related filings.
Search Recorder recordsUse court records when researching civil judgments or other matters that may arise through court proceedings.
Open Trumbull County Clerk of CourtsCan the Recorder remove a lien?
No. Trumbull County explains that the entity that issued or holds the lien must take the appropriate action to release it. The Recorder records the release presented for filing; it does not unilaterally erase the lien from the historical record.
What to do when the deed search returns no useful result
| Problem | Best next step | System to use |
|---|---|---|
| I only know the street address | Find the legal owner and parcel number first. | Auditor Property Search |
| The owner’s full name returns nothing | Search fewer terms; try surname, initials, spouse, trust, estate or former legal names. | Recorder |
| Too many results appear | Add a narrower recording date or document category. | Recorder |
| I know an instrument number | Use that reference before attempting broad name searches. | Recorder |
| The current owner has no obvious acquisition deed | Check trusts, estates, survivorship transfers, name variations and prior owners. | Recorder + Auditor |
| I need a property boundary | Use GIS/Tax Map for parcel research; obtain a survey when a legal boundary determination is required. | GIS / Tax Map |
| I cannot find a judgment lien | Expand the search beyond Recorder records to court records. | Clerk of Courts |
| An archive result looks incomplete | Try alternate spellings and references, then contact the Recorder with the names and approximate date. | Recorder |
Use Trumbull County AlertMe to monitor new filings in your name
The Recorder provides a free service called AlertMe. After registering, the system can notify you when a document containing a referenced name is recorded in the Recorder’s office.
Can deeds and other documents be eRecorded?
Yes. Trumbull County accepts electronic recording for many documents, including many transfer documents. The Recorder describes eRecording primarily as a service for title companies, law firms, banks and other organizations that regularly submit documents.
The county’s eRecording page lists approved service providers including ePN, Indecomm, Simplifile and CSC eRecording Solutions. The vendor transmits the document and payment electronically; the Recorder still performs the actual recording in the county recording system.
Military discharge records are handled differently
Military discharge documents such as DD214 records are not treated like ordinary public deed images. Trumbull County states that discharge records recorded within the previous 75 years are protected under Ohio law and access is restricted to authorized parties, subject to applicable redaction rules.
Veterans may record qualifying discharge papers with the Recorder without a recording fee. The office also operates a Veteran ID Card program for eligible veterans.
Trumbull County Recorder office address and hours
160 High Street NW
Warren, Ohio 44481
Phone: 330-675-2401
Fax: 330-675-2404
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Recorder’s official location page states that the office is in the County Administration Building in downtown Warren, directly across from the Trumbull County Courthouse.
Trumbull County deed and property record resources
| Resource | Use it for | Official link |
|---|---|---|
| County Recorder | Recorder services, fees, document requirements, eRecording and notices. | Open |
| Recorder Public Access | Deeds, mortgages, releases, liens and other recorded-document searches. | Search records |
| Auditor Property Search | Owner name, address, parcel number, values and parcel identification. | Search property |
| Auditor Conveyances | Deed-transfer procedure, DTE forms and conveyance charges. | Open conveyance page |
| GIS / Tax Map | Parcel mapping, surveys, legal-description review and deed-transfer mapping. | Open GIS / Tax Map |
| Recorder Fees | Current recording and certification charges. | Check fees |
| Document Requirements | Paper size, margins, ink, font and standardization rules. | Review requirements |
| Clerk of Courts | Court cases, judgments and court-related records. | Open Clerk site |
Trumbull County Recorder FAQs
Where can I search Trumbull County deeds online?
Use the official Trumbull County Recorder Public Access portal. Review and accept the disclaimer, then search the recorded-document index. If you only know an address, use the Auditor first to obtain the legal owner’s name.
How far back do Trumbull County Recorder records go?
The Recorder states that data and images for its records are available online back to 1795, the beginning of the county’s recorded archive, excluding protected military-discharge records.
Can I search Recorder records by street address?
The Recorder explains that its records are indexed by names rather than locations. Search the address in the Auditor Property Search first, identify the legal owner, then use that name in Recorder Public Access.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Trumbull County?
The current Recorder fee notice lists $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page for most recorded documents. Additional reference or non-conforming fees can apply. A property transfer can also involve separate Auditor conveyance charges, so check both offices before filing.
Can the Recorder help me prepare a new deed?
No. The Recorder states that its employees cannot prepare or notarize recording documents or provide legal advice about which deed you should use. Attorneys and title companies commonly prepare deeds.
How do I change or remove a name from a recorded deed?
The Recorder cannot edit a document after it has been recorded. A new legally sufficient deed or other appropriate instrument generally has to be prepared, executed and recorded to make a later change.
Can the Recorder perform a title search for me?
No. Trumbull County states that Recorder employees cannot perform a real-estate title search. You can research public documents yourself, but a title company or attorney is normally used when a professional title examination is required.
How do I know whether my paid-off mortgage was released?
Find the original mortgage, save its instrument reference and search later Recorder filings for a satisfaction or release tied to that mortgage. The lender normally initiates the release. Contact the lender if no release appears after payoff.
Can the Recorder remove a lien from my property?
No. The party or entity responsible for the lien must execute the appropriate release or satisfaction. The Recorder records the release when it is properly presented.
What should I bring if I visit the Recorder’s Office?
For document research, bring the instrument number, volume/page, legal owner name and approximate recording date when available. For filing a deed, make sure the document is complete, properly executed and has completed the required Tax Map and Auditor steps before reaching the Recorder.
The fastest way to get the correct Trumbull County deed
If you know the recorded owner’s legal name or instrument number, go directly to the Trumbull County Recorder Public Access system. If you only know an address, first use the Auditor Property Search to identify the owner and parcel.
Open the actual deed image, verify the legal description and recording references, and save the instrument number. For a new deed filing, remember the local sequence: GIS/Tax Map → Auditor → Recorder. For a certified copy, filing-fee calculation or unusual recording question, contact the Recorder directly rather than paying a third-party records company.