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The Recorder’s office is dedicated to maintaining and safeguarding records related to real estate. However, we are unable to assist in drafting documents. It is strongly recommended that you seek legal counsel for such transactions. While ‘fill-in-the-blank’ forms may seem straightforward, determining the appropriate answers to specific questions is crucial and constitutes ‘legal advice,’ which we are not authorized to provide.
Technically, the answer is ‘yes.’ However, practically speaking, it’s more likely ‘no.’
While the records in the Recorder’s office are accessible to the public, deciphering them without knowledge of real estate record organization, including ‘Grantor/Grantee’ and ‘Tract Index’ searches, can be overwhelming. Furthermore, there may be pertinent documents housed in other county offices impacting your prospective property.
Based on our experience, the value of a professional title searcher’s expertise surpasses the expense, especially given the importance of your impending transaction.
No. The Recorder’s office is not authorized to render opinions regarding the status of title. Professional title examiners or abstractors use the records in our office as well as searching records in other county offices to determine if the title is good and clear.
Changing your name on a property deed typically involves a legal process, and the exact steps may vary depending on your situation. It is best to seek the help of an attorney to draft a deed that will accomplish your goals.
If you’re obtaining a loan from a financial institution, they generally conduct a title search prior to closing to identify any outstanding liens.
While Federal Income Tax Liens are indeed recorded in the Recorder’s office, it’s important to note that we have no authority over the lien itself or any release documentation once the lien has been satisfied. We are only able to record a Release if one is presented to us.
The IRS has modified its procedures in recent years, considering their liens to be “self-releasing” after a specific period. Consequently, they no longer record Release of Lien documents as they once did.
Based on our observations, credit-reporting agencies typically rely solely on the index and may not review the actual documents that reflect the self-releasing language. However, if you contact the IRS, their staff may prepare a Certificate of Release that you can submit for recording.
You likely received your original deed shortly after closing on your property. Unlike a car title, the deed isn’t held until you pay off your mortgage. If you review your deed, you’ll see your name listed as the “grantee,” with no mention of the bank. Therefore, when you pay off your mortgage, there’s no need to update your deed.
What is necessary, however, is to have a “Satisfaction of Mortgage” document recorded with the Recorder’s office. Financial institutions are obligated to record such a document within a specific timeframe. If you’ve received a “Satisfaction of Mortgage” endorsed with a time, date, and document number from the Recorder’s office, no further action is required. If you haven’t received the endorsed satisfaction, it’s advisable to check with your lender to ensure they’ve processed the necessary paperwork.
The Recorder’s office holds records of real estate transactions. For birth or death certificates, you can reach out to your local health department for assistance.
Your local county Clerk of Courts manages divorce records. To obtain copies of your divorce decree, please reach out to the Clerk of Courts office in your area.
County probate courts handle the issuance and upkeep of marriage records. To obtain copies or information, it’s best to get in touch with your local probate court.
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You can search past owners of a parcel of property by searching our on line indexes (from 1986 forward) and also by visiting the Engineer’s Tax Map Office located on the second floor of Building B. The Engineer’s Tax Map Office phone number is (440) 350-2501
Visit the Auditor’s website at lake.iviewauditor.com and look up the information.
If you have any problems, contact the Lake County Auditor’s Office at 440-350-2528 or email the Auditor at auditor@lakecountyohio.org.
The Recorder’s office cannot perform searches for the public, however, all records kept within the Recorder’s office are public record. If you have any questions regarding your property, please feel free to come to the office and perform the search yourself. We will be happy to aid you in your search.
Also, you can try the Online Document Index Search system to see if the information you need is contained within the document index.
You should have received your deed when you purchased your property. We do not maintain the original deed, but we maintain a copy. If you would like a copy, the cost is $2.00 per page.
We do not handle marriage licenses in the Recorder’s office. They are handled by the Lake County Probate Court – Marriage Department. Call them at 440-350-2160.
Contact the Lake County Health District Department of Vital Statistics at 440-350-2549 or email them from their website at lcghd.org.
The Recorder’s office duties are restricted to the recording of legal documents, and do not include the preparing of such documents. To resolve a deed issue such as this, please contact an attorney for any legal advice.
The Recorder’s office is located on the lower level at:
105 Main Street Painesville, OH 44077
We are open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. Please visit our office information page for more information.
Our fees are dependant on what types of documents are involved. Please visit our Schedule of Fees page for more information.
We can only record documents and are not responsible for preparing items such as liens, which must be complete before coming to the Recorder’s office. Please contact an attorney for legal advice.
We cannot perform searches on mortgages for the public, but are available to help you perform a search within the office. Also, you may search the Online Document Index Search system to check if a release has been recorded on your mortgage.
