Guernsey County Recorder: Deeds & Records

Guernsey County Recorder’s Office

Recorder: Marilyn Callahan
Address: 627 Wheeling Avenue, Suite 305
Cambridge, OH 43725

Phone: 740-432-9275
Fax: 740-439-6267

Email: mcallahan@guernseycounty.org

Business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.

The Recorder is located in the Guernsey County Administration Building in Cambridge.

Google Map and Directions

Guernsey County provides an online records-search system associated with Kofile’s CountyFusion platform.

Use the Recorder’s records-search link for recorded documents. Use the Auditor’s property search when you need to identify a parcel by street address.

1. Open the Recorder’s search system.

   Use the county-linked land records portal.

   Open Guernsey County Records Search
   After opening: Follow the public-access, disclaimer or account instructions shown by the portal. The login and search layout may change.
2. Choose a document search method.

   Use available name, date or recording-reference fields.

3. Search the grantor or grantee.

   A grantor generally transfers an interest; a grantee generally receives it.

4. Refine the date or document type.

   Narrow the results when you know the approximate recording period or type of instrument.

5. Inspect the matching instrument.

   Compare parties, recording date, document reference and legal description.

6. Save the document reference.

   Keep the instrument or book-and-page reference for a copy request or later research.

What records can you find?

• Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds.
• Mortgages and mortgage assignments.
• Mortgage releases and satisfactions.
• Easements and rights of way.
• Land contracts and recorded agreements.
• Mechanic’s liens and qualifying lien releases.
• Plats and other recorded land instruments.
• Transfer-on-death designation affidavits.

If you only know a house address, start with the Guernsey County Auditor.

The Auditor’s advanced search includes owner name, parcel number, street number, street name and other property details.

1. Open the Auditor’s property search. Search Guernsey County Property
   After opening: Choose Address Search. Enter the house number and street name using the separate search fields.
2. Select the matching property.

   Confirm the address, municipality or township and parcel number.

3. Note the owner’s name.

   Record the name and legal description for the Recorder search.

4. Open the Recorder records portal.

   Use the owner name or available recording references to locate the deed.

Guernsey County Auditor

Auditor: Cory Johnson
Address: 627 Wheeling Avenue, Suite 301
Cambridge, OH 43725

Phone: 740-432-9243

Guernsey County has a documented transfer-routing process involving the Auditor, Map Department and Recorder.

The county’s transfer memo says processing can take up to three working days, depending on the documents and review requirements.

1. Prepare the deed.

   Include the correct parties, legal description, required signatures and acknowledgment.

2. Prepare the conveyance forms.

   Complete DTE 100 or DTE 100EX when required. Do not leave required questions blank.

3. Complete the transfer routing sheet.

   Identify the submitting party, contact telephone number, document types and return instructions.

4. Submit the packet to the Auditor.

   The county instructs filers to leave the completed documents at the Auditor’s Office for routing.

5. Allow Map Department review.

   The Map Department examines the description and any applicable survey or parcel-split requirements.

6. Obtain Auditor transfer processing.

   The document returns to the Auditor after map review for the applicable conveyance transfer.

7. Forward the instrument to the Recorder.

   The routing sheet may direct the Auditor to forward the approved document for recording with the correct Recorder payment.

8. Keep the recorded reference.

   Save the recording information and returned document for your records.

Submitting a deed for transfer by mail

Guernsey County’s transfer memo instructs filers to submit completed forms, conveyance payments and routing information through the Auditor.

Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if the completed recorded document should be mailed back.

Checks for Auditor fees should be payable to the Guernsey County Auditor. Recorder recording fees require a separate check payable to the Guernsey County Recorder.

Confirm mailing instructions and the current routing procedure before sending original documents.

Ohio Revised Code Section 317.32 establishes the basic county Recorder fee schedule.

For most standard instruments, the statutory fee is $34 for the first two pages and $8 per additional page.

A county may charge an additional document-preservation surcharge of up to $5. Verify whether it applies in Guernsey County when submitting.

Example: four-page deed recording

The example does not include Auditor conveyance fees, transfer charges, special document fees or other applicable costs.

Example: $150,000 property conveyance

The Guernsey County Auditor publishes forms and standards that can affect the acceptance of a property transfer.

These are particularly important when a deed involves a parcel split, agricultural land, homestead property or mineral interests.

Mineral deeds require special care

Guernsey County’s Auditor specifically identifies updated requirements for mineral deeds.

A mineral-interest conveyance may require source-document information and additional description review.

Use the county’s Mineral Deed Checklist before filing. Do not assume the legal description from a surface-property deed is sufficient.

New descriptions and parcel splits

The county’s standards include requirements for new metes-and-bounds descriptions and survey-related transfers.

Certain new descriptions must be accompanied by the surveyor’s original signed and sealed description rather than a retyped version.

If a previous description was rejected or marked for survey, contact the Map Department before attempting another transfer.

The Recorder maintains the recorded land instruments and can assist with locating documents filed in Guernsey County.

Use the online search first. If you need an official certified copy, contact the Recorder to confirm the current certification charge and delivery options.

1. Locate the recorded document.

   Search by owner name, document type or recording reference.

2. Verify the correct instrument.

   Compare the parties, recording date and legal description.

3. Save the document reference.

   Note the instrument number or book-and-page information.

4. Request the correct copy type.

   Ask whether a plain document copy or certified copy is needed.

5. Arrange payment and delivery.

   Call 740-432-9275 for current instructions if the portal does not provide the needed copy.

Deed copy vs. title examination

A copy shows what was recorded. It does not establish that all mortgage liens, easements or competing interests have been resolved.

For a purchase, refinance or disputed title, a professional title examination may be necessary.

Guernsey County accepts eligible electronically recorded documents through participating vendors.

The county Recorder identifies four eRecording providers. These services are commonly used by title companies, banks, attorneys and other regular submitters.

Electronic processing window

The Auditor says electronic submissions can be transmitted 24 hours a day.

County processing generally occurs between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday–Friday, excluding holidays and closures.

Documents transmitted after the processing cutoff are generally handled the next business day.

Property questions may involve more than one county office.

Use the Recorder for recorded land instruments. Other offices handle parcel values, tax payments, map review and court filings.

Current local elected officials

The 2026 County Commissioners Association roster lists David Wilson, William Cowgill and Jackson Marlin as Guernsey County Commissioners.

The county Auditor is Cory Johnson, and the Treasurer is Sharon Secrest.

For questions about a specific recording, contact the Recorder rather than the Board of Commissioners.

Guernsey County Treasurer

Treasurer: Sharon Secrest
Address: 627 Wheeling Avenue, Suite 201, Cambridge, OH 43725

Phone: 740-432-9278
Email: ssecrest@guernseycounty.org

• Only know a street address? Use the Auditor’s property search to find the owner and parcel number before searching Recorder documents.
• Search shows no matching deed? Try prior owner names, alternative spellings and a wider recording-date range.
• Document image unavailable? Contact the Recorder with the instrument reference and ask about copy access.
• Transfer packet returned? Check whether DTE forms and the county routing sheet were fully completed.
• Map approval delayed? Check whether a new legal description, survey or parcel split requires additional review.
• Recording fee rejected? Confirm page count, document type and whether a preservation surcharge applies.
• Mortgage still appears? Search for a later release or satisfaction document.
• Mineral deed rejected? Review the county’s mineral deed checklist and supporting source documents.
• Need an official certified deed? Contact the Recorder with the recording details before paying a third-party service.

Which resource should you open?

Use these official resources for current office details, property lookup, transfer forms, recording standards and fee information.

Independent Information and Public Records Notice

This is an independent informational guide. It is not an official website of Guernsey County, the Recorder, the Auditor or any Ohio government agency.

Office details, electronic search systems, forms and recording requirements can change.

Verify current fees and filing procedures directly with the responsible county office before submitting an original document or making a payment.

Recording an instrument does not guarantee clear title or resolve a legal dispute involving ownership.

For deed preparation, inheritance transfers, trusts, survey issues, mineral rights or title disputes, consult a qualified Ohio attorney or title professional.

Public property-record information must not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance or other decisions regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Editorial review: October 18, 2026. Principal sources: Guernsey County Recorder, Guernsey County Auditor, Guernsey County Treasurer, Ohio Revised Code and current county-official rosters.