Polk County, Iowa • Recorder deed and real-estate records guide • Reviewed September 19, 2026
Polk County IA Recorder: Deeds & Records
This guide covers the Polk County Recorder in Des Moines, Iowa.
Use the Recorder for deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, liens, trade names, UCCs, real-estate recordings, older images, copies and PropertyCheck alerts.
The Recorder does not set property values, collect property taxes or decide ownership disputes.
Start here
Polk County Recorder Quick Facts
Maintains real-estate records, official records and related county recording services.
The county lists Julie M. Haggerty as Polk County Recorder.
Polk County Administration Building, Des Moines, IA 50309.
Use this number for Recorder and real-estate recording questions.
Monday through Friday.
Real-estate recordings brought in after 4:00 PM go on the next day.
People searching “Polk County recorder” usually want to find a deed, view a recorded real-estate document, record a deed, check fees, request copies or sign up for recording alerts.
Local office
Polk County Recorder Office Address, Contact and Map
Polk County Recorder
Recorder: Julie M. Haggerty
Address: 111 Court Avenue, Suite 250, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-286-3160
Email: recorder@polkcountyiowa.gov
Real Estate Department: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM for transactions
General office: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, Monday–Friday
Open official contact pageArrival tip: Bring the exact document type, owner or party name, recording year, instrument number, book/page or property legal description if you have it.
Payment tip: The county FAQ says the office accepts credit card, cash, check payable to Polk County Recorder, or money order.
Additional Recorder office contacts
1st Deputy Recorder: Tom Brogan • thomas.brogan@polkcountyiowa.gov
2nd Deputy Recorder: Lisa Chiodo • lisa.chiodo@polkcountyiowa.gov
2nd Deputy Recorder: Jill Moon • jill.moon@polkcountyiowa.gov
2nd Deputy Recorder: Nancy Albright-Andrew • nancy.albright-andrew@polkcountyiowa.gov
2nd Deputy Recorder: Allison Burgett • allison.burgett@polkcountyiowa.gov
Official search
How to Search Polk County IA Deeds and Real-Estate Records
Polk County’s Recorder search page says real-estate index records from 1992 to present are available online.
Military and vital record information is not available through the real-estate search.
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Open the official Polk County search page.
Use the Recorder’s search page before using a third-party deed or people-search site.
Open Polk County search records pageAfter opening: choose the real-estate record search link for 1992-present index records. Use the statewide Iowa portal only if you want to search across multiple Iowa counties. -
Start with name search.
Search grantor or grantee names. Try last name only first, then add first name or initials.
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Use document details when available.
If you already know the instrument number, book/page, document type or recording date, use that information to narrow results.
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Open the matching result.
Check document type, recording date, party names and legal description before relying on a result.
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Save the reference.
Keep the instrument number or book/page for copy requests, title research or staff follow-up.
For real-estate documents before January 1, 1992, Polk County directs users to contact the Imaging / Microfilm Department at 515-286-3175.
Search result decoder
What You May See in a Polk County Recorder Search Result
Grantor
The person or entity transferring, releasing or granting an interest.
Grantee
The person or entity receiving an interest or benefit under the recorded instrument.
Instrument number
The recorded-document identifier. Save it before requesting copies or comparing records.
Recording date
The date the Recorder accepted and indexed the document. It may differ from the signing date.
Document type
Examples include deed, mortgage, assignment, release, contract, lien, trade name or UCC-related filing.
Legal description
The legal description is more precise than a street address and helps match the document to the correct property.
The Recorder search helps locate public documents. It does not prove clear title, remove liens, interpret deed language or replace a title company or attorney.
Recording workflow
How to Record a Deed or Real-Estate Document in Polk County
Polk County’s Real Estate Department records deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases, trade names, UCC filings and related real-estate documents.
The Recorder also collects auditor fees on real-estate transfers and transfer taxes when applicable.
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Confirm the document type.
Identify whether the document is a deed, change of title, contract, mortgage, assignment, release, trade name or another recordable instrument.
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Check formatting standards.
Iowa recording standards require correct margins and readable formatting. Polk County notes a $10 fee for non-standard documents.
Open formatting standardsAfter opening: check the top margin, paper size, notary formatting and deed-specific requirements before submitting the document. -
Prepare required transfer forms.
Deeds may require revenue tax, a Declaration of Value and a Groundwater Hazard Statement unless an exemption applies.
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Calculate fees before submitting.
Use the official recording-fee page because page count, parcels, transfer fees, references and document type can change the total.
Open recording feesAfter opening: match your document type, count the pages, count separate parcels and confirm whether revenue tax or non-standard fees apply. -
Submit before the real-estate cutoff.
Polk County says real-estate recordings presented after 4:00 PM go on the next day.
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Save the recorded reference.
Keep the recorded instrument number, receipt and returned document for future reference.
Recorder staff can explain office procedure. They cannot draft a deed, choose a deed type, decide legal ownership or give title advice.
Recording costs
Polk County Recorder Fees and Real-Estate Recording Costs
Polk County lists this first-page amount for deeds, change of name, condemnations and contracts.
The $12 first-page deed amount includes the transfer fee for one separate parcel.
Additional separate parcels can add transfer fees.
Page count affects the final total. Verify the current page fee before mailing documents.
Polk County notes an additional fee for non-standard formatting issues.
Polk County lists this copy cost for federal tax liens and releases.
Do not rely on a saved old fee total. Before submitting, use the live county fee page and call 515-286-3160 if your document has multiple pages, parcels, releases or assignments.
Copies and certification
How to Get Copies of Polk County Deeds and Real-Estate Documents
Real-estate recordings from 1992 to present can be searched online through the Recorder search page.
If you need a copy, Polk County’s FAQ says to send the request to recorder@polkcountyiowa.gov with your contact information.
For 1992-present records: search online first and save the instrument number or book/page.
For older records: contact Imaging / Microfilm at 515-286-3175.
For emailed copy requests: include your name, contact details, document reference and requested delivery method.
For official use: ask whether you need a certified copy rather than a plain copy or online image.
Iowa counties have warned residents about third-party deed-copy solicitations. If you only need a deed copy, contact the Recorder before paying a private company.
Recording alerts
Polk County PropertyCheck: Real-Estate Recording Alerts
Polk County offers PropertyCheck, a 24/7 service that helps protect owners by notifying them when a recorded document affects their name.
This service is useful for early awareness. It does not prevent a fraudulent filing or determine whether a recorded document is legally valid.
Open Polk County PropertyCheckStatewide portal
Iowa Land Records and Electronic Recording
Polk County says Iowa Land Records provides a statewide portal covering all 99 Iowa counties, including Polk County.
The county also notes that many real-estate recordings are submitted electronically through Iowa Land Records.
Open Iowa Land RecordsAvoid the wrong office
Recorder vs Assessor vs Auditor vs Treasurer
Recorder
Records and preserves deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, trade names, UCCs and related records.
Use this office for recorded-document searches, copies, fees, formatting and PropertyCheck alerts.
Assessor
Handles property assessments and assessed value questions.
Use this office if the issue is property value, classification or assessment data.
Open Polk County AssessorAuditor
Maintains real-estate records for tax purposes and tracks ownership transfers affecting taxation.
Use this office for tax-record ownership workflows and Auditor records.
Open Auditor real estate recordsTreasurer
Handles property-tax payments, tax due questions and related tax-payment workflows.
The Recorder records documents but does not collect property taxes.
Open Polk County TreasurerSearch problems
Why You May Not Find a Polk County Deed Online
Name variation: try last name only, maiden name, business name, trust name or prior owner name.
Wrong record type: real-estate search does not provide vital or military record information.
Older record: records before January 1, 1992 may require Imaging / Microfilm help.
Address problem: recorded documents are commonly indexed by names, dates and document references, not only by street address.
Recent recording: online indexing may not appear instantly. Call if timing is important.
Wrong Polk County: this article covers Polk County, Iowa, not Polk County in Florida, Missouri, Oregon or another state.
Avoid delays
Common Polk County Recorder Mistakes
Arriving after 4:00 PM: real-estate recordings brought in after 4:00 PM go on the next day.
Skipping formatting rules: non-standard formatting can add a $10 fee.
Forgetting transfer documents: deeds may need revenue tax, Declaration of Value and Groundwater Hazard Statement review.
Expecting abstracts: Polk County’s FAQ says abstracts are not filed in the Recorder’s office.
Asking for legal advice: Recorder staff cannot tell you which deed to use or whether title is clear.
Using the wrong office: taxes, assessments and title disputes are not Recorder functions.
Decision path
What to Do Next
If you need to find a deed
Start with Polk County’s Search Records page. Use name search first, then narrow by document details.
If you need to record a deed
Check formatting, transfer forms, revenue tax, recording fees and the 4:00 PM cutoff before submitting.
If you need a copy
Email recorder@polkcountyiowa.gov with your contact information and document details.
If you need tax or value help
Use the Treasurer for payments, the Assessor for values, and the Auditor for tax-purpose real-estate records.
Important notice
Independent Information, Legal Caution and Property-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Polk County, the Polk County Recorder, Iowa Land Records or any government agency.
It is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice, a title search, title insurance or a certified public record.
Verify current fees, hours, forms, filing rules, revenue tax and recording requirements directly with the Polk County Recorder before submitting documents.
Do not use property-record information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other FCRA-regulated purpose.
FAQs
Polk County IA Recorder FAQs
Which Polk County does this Recorder guide cover?
This guide covers the Polk County Recorder in Polk County, Iowa. The office is located at 111 Court Avenue, Suite 250, Des Moines, IA 50309.
Who is the Polk County Iowa Recorder?
The Polk County website lists Julie M. Haggerty as the County Recorder.
How do I search Polk County Iowa deeds online?
Use the Polk County Recorder Search Records page. The county says real-estate index records from 1992 to present are available online.
Are older Polk County real-estate documents online?
For real-estate documents before January 1, 1992, Polk County directs users to contact the Imaging / Microfilm Department at 515-286-3175.
What documents does the Polk County Recorder handle?
The Recorder handles deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases, trade names, UCCs and other real-estate or official records handled by the Recorder’s office.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Polk County?
Polk County lists $12 for the first page of deeds, change of name, condemnations and contracts, including the transfer fee for one separate parcel. Additional pages, parcels and non-standard formatting can change the total.
Can the Recorder tell me if my title is clear?
No. The Recorder records documents and provides access to public records. Clear-title questions should be reviewed by a title company or attorney.
Does Polk County offer property recording alerts?
Yes. Polk County offers PropertyCheck, a 24/7 service that sends notifications when a recorded document affects a monitored name.
Can I get abstracts from the Polk County Recorder?
No. Polk County’s FAQ says abstracts are not filed in the Recorder’s office.
Who handles Polk County property taxes and values?
The Recorder handles recorded documents. The Treasurer handles property-tax payments, the Assessor handles property values, and the Auditor maintains certain real-estate records for tax purposes.
Official resources