Find Fairfield County Deed Records
Fairfield County deed records are stored at the recorder's office in Lancaster. You can search for property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents by visiting the office or using online tools. The Fairfield County Recorder keeps all official land records and indexes them so you can search by name, parcel number, or legal description. The office has deed indexes going back to 1800 and more recent records available through an online portal. Whether you need to check current ownership or trace a property through the decades, the recorder's office is the best place to start.
Fairfield County Overview
Fairfield County Recorder's Office
The Fairfield County Recorder's Office is at 210 East Main Street, Suite 205, Lancaster, Ohio 43130. The phone number is (740) 652-7100. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The current recorder is Lisa McKenzie. Under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 317, the recorder must accept and index every document that meets state format rules.
The Fairfield County Recorder handles a wide range of documents. These include deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, mortgage releases, assignments of mortgages, federal tax liens, home owners association liens, Ohio Job and Family Services liens, and leases. Each filing is indexed by both grantor and grantee name so title searchers and the public can find what they need. The recorder is elected to a four-year term and keeps these records accurate and accessible.
Fairfield County has deed indexes going back to 1800. The older records (through July 1996) are archived. All indexes from August 1996 forward are available through the online portal at ava.fidlar.com. This gives you two ways to search: visit the office for older records, or use the online tool for more recent filings.
Search Fairfield County Deed Records Online
The Fairfield County Auditor maintains property valuation and tax records. You can search for parcels by owner name, address, or parcel number through the auditor's website. Tax maps and property data are available for all Fairfield County parcels. The auditor's records work alongside the recorder's deed records to give you a complete picture of any property.
For recorded deed documents from August 1996 onward, the online portal at ava.fidlar.com provides index searches. This is a major resource for anyone doing title work or property research in Fairfield County. The Ohio Recorders' Association also connects the public with all 88 county recorder offices and provides links to online search tools.
Note: Deed indexes from 1800 through July 1996 are archived at the Fairfield County Recorder's Office and must be searched in person.
Fairfield County Property Fraud Alerts
The Fairfield County Recorder offers a Property Fraud Alert through PropertyFraudAlert.com. This is a free service. Sign up and you get an email when a document is filed under your name. You can also call 1-800-728-3858 for more info. The recorder also offers a Notary Fraud Alert through NotaryFraudAlert.com, which is provided by Fidlar and the county recorder together.
These alerts are important tools for catching unauthorized filings early. Property fraud can happen in any county, and the sooner you know about a suspicious filing, the sooner you can act. You can verify any notary through the Ohio Secretary of State's portal. Watch out for scam letters from companies charging $83 to $89 for deed copies. The recorder's office charges about $2 per page. The Ohio State Bar Association can connect you with a real estate attorney if you suspect someone has filed a fraudulent deed on your property.
Types of Fairfield County Deed Records
The Fairfield County Recorder processes many types of property documents. The full list includes deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, mortgage releases, assignments of mortgages, federal tax liens, home owners association liens, Ohio Job and Family Services liens, and leases. Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds are the most common. Each document gets indexed by both grantor and grantee name.
Under ORC Section 5301.25, all deeds must be recorded in the county where the property sits. If you do not record a deed, a later buyer who acts in good faith could challenge your ownership. Every deed filed in Fairfield County must be signed by the grantor and notarized. The preparer's name must appear on any deed that conveys title per Section 317.111. Social Security Numbers cannot show on recorded documents unless the law requires it, per Section 317.082.
Fairfield County Recording Fees
Standard recording fees apply in Fairfield County per the Ohio Revised Code. The base fee is $34 for the first two pages. Each additional page costs $8. Documents that do not meet format rules under Section 317.114 face a $20 surcharge. Format rules cover font size, paper size, ink color, margins, and the preparer's name on the document.
The county auditor collects a conveyance fee of $1 per $1,000 of the sale price when property changes hands. There is also a $0.50 transfer fee per parcel. Sellers usually pay these at closing. Copies of Fairfield County deed records cost about $2 per page. Certified copies cost more and are needed for court filings, title insurance, and some legal proceedings.
Cities in Fairfield County
Lancaster is the county seat and the largest city in Fairfield County. If you need deed records for property in Lancaster, they are filed with the Fairfield County Recorder's Office. All property documents for land within Fairfield County go through the same recorder's office regardless of which city or township the land is in.
Nearby Ohio Counties
Fairfield County is southeast of Columbus. Properties near a county border may have deeds on file in the neighboring county. Always check the recorder where the land is located.