Perry County Deed Records Search
Perry County deed records are housed at the recorder's office in the courthouse in New Lexington. The recorder maintains all property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents filed in the county. If you need to find a deed or check the title history of a piece of land in Perry County, you can visit the office in person or check what online tools the county offers. Staff at the recorder's office can search by name, parcel number, or legal description and help you pull the documents you need. Perry County deed records are open to the public.
Perry County Overview
Perry County Recorder's Office
The Perry County Recorder is the official keeper of all land records in the county. This covers deeds, mortgages, liens, leases, easements, and powers of attorney. The office is in New Lexington at the Perry County Courthouse on South Main Street. Under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 317, the recorder must accept and index every document by both grantor and grantee name. Perry County elects its recorder to serve a four-year term.
Recording fees in Perry County match the statewide schedule. You pay $34 for the first two pages. Each page after that adds $8. If your document does not meet the format standards laid out in Section 317.114, expect an extra $20 fee. Format rules are straightforward: use font size 10 or bigger, paper between 8.5 by 11 and 8.5 by 14 inches, black or blue ink only, no highlighting, one-inch margins on each side, and a three-inch top margin on the first page. Any deed that conveys title must include the preparer's name per Section 317.111. These rules help keep the Perry County deed records clean and easy to read for years to come.
The Perry County Government website lists contact details for all county offices. Commissioners meet every Wednesday at 9:00 AM at 212 South Main Street in New Lexington.
The county government portal provides office hours and contact numbers for the recorder and other departments in New Lexington.
Find Perry County Land Records Online
The Perry County Auditor keeps property valuation and tax assessment records. You can look up parcels by owner name, address, or parcel number through the auditor's online tools. These records show current ownership, assessed values, and tax amounts. They pair well with deed records from the recorder when you need the full story on a property in Perry County.
For recorded deed documents, check with the Perry County Recorder directly. Not all smaller counties offer full online deed image search. If online access is limited, you can call the recorder's office or visit in New Lexington. The Ohio Recorders' Association connects the public with all 88 county recorder offices and provides links where online search tools are available.
Note: The auditor's site focuses on tax and valuation data. For actual deed images and recorded instruments, contact the Perry County Recorder.
Deed Records Filed in Perry County
The Perry County Recorder files many types of land documents. Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds are the most common. The office also records mortgages, mortgage releases, assignments, and federal tax liens. ORC Section 5301.25 requires that all deeds be recorded in the county where the property sits. An unrecorded deed can be treated as fraudulent against a later good-faith buyer.
Every deed filed in Perry County must meet state requirements. The grantor signs and has the deed acknowledged before a notary public, judge, or clerk of court per Section 5301.01. Names that are hard to read must be printed or typed under the signature per Section 317.11. No Social Security Numbers can appear on recorded documents unless the law demands it, per Section 317.082. These safeguards protect both the owner and the public record.
Get Perry County Deed Copies
Anyone can get copies of deed records in Perry County. They are public under Section 317.42(A). You do not need to own the property or give a reason for your request. Visit the recorder's office, provide the name or property address, and staff will pull the documents. Copies cost about $2 per page.
You can request copies by mail as well. Send a written request with property details and a check or money order. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. For certified copies with the recorder's seal, the fee is higher. Certified copies may be needed for court filings, title claims, and legal proceedings. The auditor also collects the state conveyance fee of $1 per $1,000 of value at closing, plus $0.50 per parcel as a transfer fee. Sellers typically cover these costs.
Protect Your Perry County Property
Deed fraud happens in rural and urban counties alike. Perry County property owners should watch for any new recordings filed under their name. Some Ohio counties offer free Property Fraud Alert through AlertMe. This service sends an email whenever a document gets recorded under your name. Ask the Perry County Recorder if this tool is available locally.
Verify any notary through the Ohio Secretary of State's portal. If you get a letter offering certified deed copies for $83 or more, that is likely a scam. 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 a fraudulent filing. Time matters in fraud cases, so do not wait.
Nearby Ohio Counties
Perry County sits in southeastern Ohio. If you need deed records for a property near the county line, you may need to check the recorder in the adjacent county. Each county keeps its own separate deed records.