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1. Do you accept blanket documents?

It is the policy of the Jefferson County Recorder to not accept blanket documents.

2. Does the Recorder's Office have information regarding neighborhood association bylaws and restrictive covenants?

Restrictive covenants are filed with the recorder's office. Covenants can exist either as separate documents or as part of the original plat of the subdivision. On rare occasions, neighborhood associations also record their bylaws.

3. Does the Recorder's Office provide templates or blank forms that I can fill out to prepare a lien, release, deed or other documents?

The Jefferson County Recorder's Office provides blank copies of the Assumed Business Name. No other forms or templates are provided by the Recorder’s Office.

4. How are the fees charged by the Recorder's Office determined and set? How are recordings requirements determined?

The Recorder's Office is a state constitutional office and as such, fees charged by the Recorder's Office (such as the $1 per page cost of copies) are established under Indiana Code 36-2-7.

Recording requirements are set by Indiana Code 36-2-11.

5. How do I add or delete a name to the deed to my property?

Consult an attorney to make certain you are executing a deed or instrument which transfers the property rights and interests you wish to transfer.

In order to record a properly prepared deed or instrument, it must first have been submitted to the Jefferson County Assessor's Office and the Jefferson County Auditor's Office. The Jefferson County Assessor will require a sales disclosure form to be filed prior to recording, if the transaction is non-exempt.

6. How do I dissolve an assumed business name I previously filed with the Recorder's Office?

You may dissolve an assumed business name by filing a Dissolution of Assumed Business Name.

7. I received a solicitation by mail offering to sell me a copy of the deed to my home. Is this the only way I can obtain this record?

The deed to your home or property is a public record available in the Recorder's Office. In many cases, it costs $2 or less to obtain a copy of your deed from the Recorder's Office. To obtain a copy of your deed, you will need to provide the owner's name, the property's legal description and an approximate date of purchase. This office can not locate properties by key numbers or by addresses.

8. What is the role of the Recorder's Office in starting a business?

You are required under Indiana Code 23-15-1-1 to file a fictitious business name statement for a variety of different reasons. This document, known as a Certificate of Assumed Business Name, should be filed in the recorder's office in the county in which you are doing business. This is only for Individuals, sole-proprietorships, or general partnerships conducting business under a name other than their real name. All other types of businesses should go to State of Indiana Website.

9. What types of payment does the Recorder’s Office accept?

The Recorder’s Office accepts cash, check, cashier’s check, and money orders. Debit and credit cards are not accepted. 

10. Where can I find birth and death certificates?

Birth and death certificates are found in the Jefferson County Health Department.

11. Where can I find State Tax Liens and judgments?

State Tax liens and judgements of any kind are found in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office.

12. Where do I get a marriage license?

Marriage licenses are obtained in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office.

13. Why won't the Recorder's Office perform searches?

The Recorder's Office is committed to providing excellent customer service. However, for liability reasons, our office does not provide search services nor give out recording information over the phone. Customers may search the General Index themselves for recorded documents. Our records are available to the public with exception of military discharges during office hours. If you cannot come into the office, you may send a representative or contact a title company for assistance. Check the yellow pages for listings.

To request copies of recorded documents by mail you must include payment of $1 per page for the copy or copies (or $5 per copy or copies of pages larger than 11x17) and have the recording number or the book and page number. If you do not have this information, come in person or send a representative to the Jefferson County Recorder's Office or contact a title company to do a search for you and then place the copy order.

Certification is an additional $5.