Recording a Deed

Traditionally, a deed is recorded in person, UNLESS it already reflects ALL the necessary Auditor and Engineer stamps/approvals. In 2020 mail-in deed were accepted. In 2024 digital routing was added. You can now eRecord a deed. Please see the eRecording tab on our website for the partner companies that provide this option. The deed must be legibly prepared, signed, and notarized BEFORE presented for recording.

Recording A Deed In Person

  1. Take your deed to the Lake County Transfer Office (Auditor’s Office – 1st floor). There, you will complete and sign an “Exempt Form” or a “Conveyance Fee Form”. Conveyance fees ($4 per $1,000 of valuation are paid to the Auditor. In addition, there is an additional transfer fee payable to the Auditor of $.50 per parcel. The Auditor will stamp the deed and return it to you.
  2. Then you will take the deed to the Lake County Recorder’s Office at the Lower Level of the Administration Building. There you will need to pay a state-mandated fee of $34 to the Lake County Recorder for the first two pages of the deed and $8 for each additional page plus a $5 Document Preservation Charge. The Recorder will process the deed according to page count, while you wait and return the recorded deed back to you.

Recording A Deed By Mail

  1. ALL Auditor and Engineer Stamps MUST Be Reflected on the document prior to recording.
  2. Include a brief cover letter explaining exactly what you want done.
  3. Include separate checks made payable to the Lake County Recorder for the proper recording fee and the Lake County Auditor for the transfer fees. (See fees explained above.)
  4. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. After recording your deed, the Lake County Recorder will mail the original document back to you.
  5. Mail the deed to the Lake County Auditor’s Real Estate Transfer Office, 105 Main Street, PO Box 490, Painesville, OH 44077. If they transfer it, they will deliver to us at the Lake County Recorder's Office.
  6. If the deed does not have the proper Auditor’s stamp or Engineer approval, then your document will be rejected and returned to you.

Recording A Deed By eRecording

    To electronically record, please contact either of these companies directly.

  1. Corporation Service Company (CSC) (855) 200-1150 www.erecording.com
  2. eRecording Partners Network (EPN) (888) 325-3365 www.GOePN.com

    3. NOTE: Transfer on Death Beneficiary Designation Affidavits do not need to be transferred in the Auditor's Office and can be mailed directly to this office for recording. (Please include the proper recording fee and self-addressed stamped envelope.)