Williamson County, Illinois • County Clerk and Recorder • Updated October 14, 2026
Williamson County Recorder: Deeds, Land Records Search, Recording Fees & Marion Office
The Williamson County Recorder in Illinois is part of the county’s combined County Clerk and Recorder office.
The office records deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, plats, property liens and other legal documents affecting land.
The Recorder is located at 407 N. Monroe Street, Suite 119, Marion, IL 62959. The elected County Clerk and Recorder is Amanda Barnes.
This guide covers Williamson County, Illinois. Williamson County, Tennessee, has a separate Register of Deeds, while Williamson County, Texas, uses its County Clerk.
The Recorder provides online document images from 1999 onward and indexing information from 1992 onward. Older records may require an office search.
Williamson County Recorder Quick Facts
The county offers remote record searches, public research terminals, copies, certifications and document recording.
Recorder records also include subdivision plats, land surveys, monument records and certain miscellaneous legal instruments.
Use the Recorder to find recorded deeds and mortgages. Use the Supervisor of Assessments or county GIS to locate a parcel, assessment record or property map.
How to Search Williamson County Deeds Online
Williamson County provides remote land-record access around the clock.
Searchable indexing information generally starts in 1992. Available online document images start in 1999.
-
Open Remote Land Records Access
Start with the Recorder’s official remote-access page.
Open Remote Land Records AccessAfter opening: Select Land Record Search and review any access or account requirements. -
Search a property owner’s name
Use a grantor, grantee, lender, borrower or other recorded party’s name.
Try alternate spellings if the expected document does not appear.
-
Narrow the results
Use recording dates, document types or instrument references where available.
-
Review the recorded document
Confirm the parties, recording date, document reference and legal description.
-
Save the reference
Keep the document information for future title research or a copy request.
What if the document predates the online records?
The Recorder maintains bound record books and digital records at its office.
Free public terminals are available for in-office land-record searches.
Call 618-998-2110 if you need help locating older documents.
Use county GIS or assessment records to identify the parcel and owner before searching deed indexes.
Williamson County Recorder Address, Phone & Google Map
Williamson County Clerk and Recorder
County Clerk and Recorder: Amanda Barnes
Office address:
407 N. Monroe Street, Suite 119
Marion, Illinois 62959
Phone: 618-998-2110
Additional office phone: 618-998-2112
Email: abarnes@williamsoncountyil.gov
Fax: 618-993-2071
Office hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
The office is in the Williamson County Administration Building in Marion.
If you are filing a property transfer, confirm that the deed and any required assessment or plat approvals are ready.
Open the official County Clerk and Recorder pageHow to Record a Deed in Williamson County, Illinois
Williamson County accepts original recording documents in person, by U.S. mail or by courier.
Faxed copies cannot be recorded. The county requires original documents bearing actual signatures for paper recording.
-
Prepare the legal instrument
Use the correct deed type and complete legal property description.
For ownership transfers, the county recommends an attorney, abstract company or title company.
-
Check signatures and notarization
Ensure the deed is dated, signed and properly acknowledged.
Include the name and address of the person who prepared the document where required.
-
Check subdivision and plat requirements
County land transfers must comply with the Williamson County Subdivision Ordinance and applicable Illinois plat requirements.
Certain transfers outside city and subdivision lots require review by the Supervisor of Assessments.
-
Complete the Illinois MyDec declaration
Williamson County requires applicable real-estate transfer declarations generated through MyDec.
Confirm the declaration has the required Closing Completed status.
-
Check fees and transfer-tax requirements
Use the county’s current fee schedule and confirm any applicable transfer-tax or exemption requirements.
-
Submit the document
Present the original document with correct payment and required forms.
The Recorder generally records documents in the order received.
The county says most documents are recorded the day they arrive. Original paper documents are generally returned promptly, often the next business day.
Common Williamson County Deed Recording Rejections
The Recorder publishes a list of common reasons documents are returned without recording.
Missing MyDec or exemption: Required real-estate transfer declaration or exemption information is absent.
Incorrect fees: The payment does not match the applicable recording charge.
Missing legal description: The document does not sufficiently identify the real property.
Missing prepared-by statement: Required preparer information is omitted.
Incomplete notarization: The notarial signature or seal is missing.
Missing date or signature: The document has not been properly executed.
Missing prior reference: A subsequent document fails to identify the original recorded instrument.
Subdivision or plat problem: The document does not meet applicable county land-division requirements.
Incomplete plat affidavit: A required Williamson County Plat Affidavit is missing or incomplete.
The Recorder cannot tell you which deed transfers the property correctly or guarantees clear ownership. Seek legal assistance for title questions.
Williamson County Recorder Fees and Copy Charges
Williamson County publishes predictable recording fees for ordinary land records, non-land records and plats.
The county’s published recording fee PDF, effective July 1, 2023, lists the following amounts.
The office also lists a $10 search fee for certain staff-assisted searches, in addition to any requested copies.
Specialized documents may require a different fee or additional transfer-tax payment.
Open the official Recorder fee schedule PDFThe Recorder states that recording payments should be made payable to Williamson County Recorder.
MyDec, PTAX Forms and Real Estate Transfer Taxes
Illinois uses real-estate transfer declarations to report transaction information and determine applicable state and county transfer-tax treatment.
Williamson County states that since August 1, 2020, applicable PTAX declarations must be generated through MyDec.
How to prepare the declaration
-
Open the Illinois MyDec portal
Use the Illinois Department of Revenue’s official MyDec system.
Open Illinois MyDec -
Enter transaction details
Use the property information, parties and transfer details from the transaction.
-
Review exemptions
Determine whether the transaction is taxable or qualifies for an available exemption.
-
Complete the declaration
Make sure the applicable form reaches the required Closing Completed status.
-
Submit it with the deed
Include the declaration and any additional documentation required by the county.
Do not treat the $69 standard land-record charge as the total cost of every property transfer. State and county real-estate transfer taxes, exemptions and filing requirements may also apply.
The county directs MyDec questions to the Illinois Department of Revenue at 844-445-1114.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Williamson County Deed
The Recorder can provide copies of documents recorded in Williamson County.
A regular copy may be sufficient for research. A certified copy may be needed by a court, lender or another institution.
Regular recorded copy
The office lists a $1-per-page document-copy charge.
Certified recorded copy
Add $5 per document for certification, in addition to page charges.
Four pages at $1 each cost $4. Adding $5 certification produces a $9 example total, excluding any applicable staff-search charge.
Information to include in your request
Recorded parties: Names associated with the deed.
Document type: Deed, mortgage, release or another instrument.
Recording reference: Instrument number or book and page.
Approximate date: Year or recording period.
Copy request: Regular or certified.
For an older document or uncertain reference, call the Recorder before mailing payment.
Review official copy and search chargesWilliamson County eRecording Options
Williamson County accepts electronic document recording from approved submitters.
This service is especially useful for title companies, lenders and legal offices that file regularly.
The county lists the following eRecording service providers.
eRecording Partners Network
Phone: 888-325-3365
Open ePNSimplifile
Phone: 800-460-5657
Open SimplifileCSC eRecording Solutions
Phone: 866-652-0111
Open CSC eRecordingCounty guidance indicates accepted eRecordings can be recorded and returned digitally the same day.
Every electronically submitted deed still needs correct content, forms, fees and applicable county approvals.
Property Check: Williamson County Recording Alerts
Williamson County links to a Property Check notification service through its Clerk and Recorder website.
The service helps property owners monitor certain newly recorded documents associated with registered names.
-
Open the official county page
Visit the County Clerk and Recorder’s resource list.
-
Select Property Check
Follow the county’s link to the recording-notification service.
-
Register monitored information
Enter the requested names and notification details.
-
Review unexpected alerts
Examine the actual recorded instrument. Contact the Recorder or a qualified professional if something appears suspicious.
A notification can help identify unexpected recordings, but it does not prevent an instrument from being filed or establish whether it is legally valid.
Williamson County GIS Property Search
The county GIS system helps users identify parcels and their locations.
It includes a searchable parcel database and aerial mapping for more than 46,000 parcels across Williamson County.
When to use GIS before the Recorder
Only have an address? Find the parcel and owner before searching the deed index.
Need the land location? Review the parcel map and surrounding parcels.
Need subdivision information? Use GIS as a starting point, then search recorded plats.
Need a legal description? Verify the exact description against the recorded instrument.
Parcel boundaries and ownership displays help locate property. A recorded deed and professional title search are different sources.
Deed Searches in Marion, Herrin, Carterville and Nearby Communities
The Williamson County Recorder maintains countywide records from its Marion office.
You normally do not need a separate municipal recorder search for every city.
Marion: Use the county Recorder for deeds and mortgages recorded against Marion property.
Herrin: Search the county land-record index using the owner or recorded party.
Carterville: Use county GIS to locate the parcel, then look up the recorded deed.
Johnston City: Review recorded deeds and older document references through the county office.
Creal Springs and rural areas: Check the legal description, survey or plat and county subdivision requirements.
When a property is close to a county boundary, confirm its actual county before ordering records or recording a deed.
Military Discharge Records and Other Clerk Services
The Recorder maintains certain military discharge records in addition to regular land documents.
The County Clerk also manages marriage records, certain vital records, assumed business names and elections.
These services have different eligibility, privacy and request procedures.
Open Clerk and Recorder service directoryCommon Williamson County Recorder Mistakes
Searching the wrong state: Williamson County also exists in Tennessee and Texas.
Expecting every old image online: Images generally begin in 1999, while indexes go back to 1992.
Submitting a faxed deed: The county does not accept faxed documents for recording.
Missing MyDec: An applicable transfer declaration must be properly completed.
Ignoring plat requirements: Certain property transfers need Supervisor of Assessments review.
Wrong recording payment: Confirm the current fee and any transfer-tax charges.
Confusing a tax parcel with a deed: GIS and assessment records do not replace recorded land instruments.
Expecting legal advice: The Recorder cannot determine whether a deed transfers valid title.
Williamson County Recorder FAQs
Which state is this Williamson County Recorder guide for?
This guide covers Williamson County, Illinois. Its County Clerk and Recorder office is in Marion.
Who is the Williamson County Clerk and Recorder?
The county’s official website identifies Amanda Barnes as Williamson County Clerk and Recorder.
Where is the Williamson County Recorder’s Office?
The office is at 407 N. Monroe Street, Suite 119, Marion, IL 62959.
Can I search Williamson County deeds online?
Yes. Williamson County offers Remote Land Records Access through its official website.
How far back do the online land records go?
The county provides online indexing information from 1992 onward and available document images from 1999 onward.
How much does it cost to record a deed?
The county’s published fee schedule lists $69 for a standard land-record instrument. Confirm the current amount before filing.
Do I need MyDec to record a deed?
Williamson County requires applicable transfer declarations generated through Illinois MyDec, with the required Closing Completed status.
Can I record a deed by mail?
Yes. The county accepts original recording documents in person, by U.S. mail or courier. Faxed documents cannot be recorded.
How much is a certified deed copy?
The county lists $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee per document. A search fee may apply when staff assistance is needed.
Does Williamson County offer property fraud alerts?
The County Clerk and Recorder website links to a Property Check notification service for monitoring certain recorded documents.
Williamson County Illinois Recorder and Property Links
Use these official county and state resources to verify procedures and find the correct service.