Madison County IL Recorder: Deeds & Records

Madison County offers several land-record search methods, including Direct Search, Tapestry and Laredo.

The right option depends on whether you need basic index information, a copy of a document or ongoing professional access.

1. Open the county’s Land Records Search page.

   Choose Direct Search, Laredo Access or Tapestry according to your needs.

2. Start with the recorded party.

   Use the grantor, grantee, lender, business or trust name associated with the instrument.

3. Narrow the recording date.

   Use the approximate purchase, refinancing, lien or mortgage-release date to reduce unrelated results.

4. Review the document references.

   Compare names, document type, recording date and document number.

5. Confirm the correct property.

   Match the legal description or parcel information rather than relying on a name alone.

6. Request a copy if required.

   Save the exact recording reference for the Recorder’s copy-request service.

How far back are Madison County deed records available?

The Recorder identifies land records dating to 1812. Electronic access and historical index coverage differ by search platform.

The county’s online Laredo index is described as beginning June 1, 1985. For earlier instruments, you may need historical record books, archive research or Recorder assistance.

Finding a deed with a document number

A recording number is generally more precise than searching a common name. If you have the reference from a title commitment, closing statement or earlier deed, keep it available when searching or requesting copies.

Madison County’s real-estate assessment system helps you identify a parcel when you only know the property’s street address.

Assessment records and Recorder documents serve different purposes: the assessment database contains property and value information; the Recorder preserves legal land instruments.

1. Open the county’s assessment search.

   Look up the property by its address or another supported field.

   Open Real Estate Assessment Search
2. Find the matching parcel.

   Note the parcel identification number, owner reference and legal description if shown.

3. Open the Recorder search.

   Use the relevant owner or prior owner names, recording details and legal description to locate the deed.

4. Verify the property.

   Compare the recorded instrument against the parcel information and other relevant documents.

The county also provides GIS Mapping for parcel-location research. Use maps to identify property geography, not to replace a recorded survey or legal description.

Madison County Recorder’s Office

Recorder: Linda A. Andreas

Physical address: 157 North Main Street, Suite 211, Edwardsville, IL 62025

Building: Madison County Administration Building

Primary telephone: 618-296-4475

Alternative published telephone: 618-296-4775

General email: recorder@madisoncountyil.gov

Copy requests: recordercopies@madisoncountyil.gov

Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Related Madison County offices

Destination: Madison County Administration Building, 157 N. Main Street, Suite 211, Edwardsville, IL 62025.

The Recorder counter is in Suite 211. Bring the recording reference when requesting copies, or the original signed instrument and required supporting forms when recording a deed.

Recording a deed in Madison County involves more than submitting a signed page. The document may require a real-estate transfer declaration, a Plat Act Affidavit and Maps & Plats review.

1. Prepare the correct deed.

   Check the grantor, grantee, legal description, parcel number, signatures and acknowledgment. Seek legal assistance if the deed affects ownership, estates, trusts or marital rights.

2. Complete the Plat Act Affidavit.

   Madison County’s deed policies distinguish transfers that do not divide property from those that create new parcel divisions.

3. Determine whether Maps & Plats review is required.

   A deed that does not divide property ordinarily follows the affidavit’s “A” path. Divisions and previously combined parcels may require the “B” or “C” process.

4. Prepare the transfer declaration.

   Review Illinois PTAX-203 requirements and any exemption or additional forms appropriate to the conveyance.

5. Check margins and recording standards.

   Review the county’s formatting rules, legal description, required information and proper execution.

6. Calculate fees and transfer tax.

   Verify the Recorder charge, applicable state and county transfer taxes, and any special fees or exemptions.

7. Submit the instrument.

   Use the Recorder’s office, approved electronic-recording service or mailing procedure confirmed by staff.

8. Save the recording information.

   Retain the document number and review the public index after recording.

Madison County’s Plat Act Affidavit: A, B or C

Madison County uses a predictable-fee schedule for ordinary land records. A County Board resolution increased the basic land-record recording fee to $70 effective July 1, 2023.

The official 2026 Recorder fee page should be checked before submitting payment, because exemptions, special documents, statutory surcharges and other charges can affect the total.

What is included in the $70 charge?

The county’s July 2023 resolution broke down the new standard land-record charge into county Recorder, GIS, automation and Rental Housing Support Program components.

It is a recording fee, not a substitute for Illinois real-estate transfer tax.

Illinois real-estate transfer tax

Illinois generally imposes a state real-estate transfer tax of $0.50 per $500 of value, or fraction thereof. Madison County’s applicable county transfer tax and any local or municipal tax must be checked separately.

For a taxable $200,000 transfer, the Illinois state component alone would be $200. This is not an all-inclusive calculation of the total state, county and local taxes or recording costs.

PTAX-203 transfer declaration

Illinois uses the Real Estate Transfer Declaration, commonly called PTAX-203, for qualifying transfers. Additional forms may apply in special circumstances.

Exempt transfers have their own statutory treatment. Do not assume a family or trust transfer automatically qualifies for an exemption.

The Recorder provides copy services for documents already recorded in Madison County.

Before requesting a copy, find the document number, parties or another exact reference. The office states it does not perform full title searches for requesters.

1. Search for the document.

   Use Direct Search, Tapestry, Laredo or the county’s public resources.

2. Confirm the correct instrument.

   Review party names, recording date and available legal description.

3. Save the recording reference.

   Record the exact number needed by the copy-request staff.

4. Choose mail or email delivery.

   The Recorder currently lists $1 per page for mailed copies and $2 per page for emailed copies.

5. Request certification if necessary.

   If a court, lender or title company needs a certified copy, ask the Recorder to confirm current certification pricing and delivery.

Copy request email: recordercopies@madisoncountyil.gov

The official website describes a typical 5–7 business day turnaround for staff-assisted copy requests, depending on workload and fulfillment.

Madison County accepts eligible documents through electronic-recording services. Professional users should review the official eRecording requirements before submitting.

Laredo provides subscription-oriented search access for frequent land-record researchers. Tapestry is intended for occasional document searches and purchases.

Vendor charges may be separate from county recording fees, taxes and statutory charges.

Madison County offers a free Property Fraud Alert program that notifies participating property owners when a document associated with a registered name is recorded.

Alerts can help residents investigate unexpected deeds, liens or mortgages. The program does not prevent a document from being filed.

1. Open the property alert portal.

   Use the county-linked Illinois Madison registration page.

   Open Fraud Alert Enrollment
2. Register your name.

   Use the name associated with recorded property documents and any appropriate variations.

3. Choose your notification method.

   Follow the enrollment instructions for email or text notification.

4. Review unfamiliar alerts.

   Locate the recording in the official records and contact the Recorder if it appears suspicious.

Historical research

Madison County’s land-record collection dates to 1812. The Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) is an additional resource for historical county material.

• Only have an address? Start with Real Estate Assessment Search, then identify the recorded owner.
• Cannot find an older deed? Ask about historical books, archived references and older search coverage.
• Need only basic information? Try Land Records Direct Search before paying for images.
• Need a deed image? Use Tapestry, Laredo or the Recorder’s copy service.
• Dividing a parcel? Review the Plat Act Affidavit and Maps & Plats approval requirements.
• Recording fee seems incorrect? Check the official fee schedule and applicable transfer tax separately.
• Mortgage appears unpaid? Search for a recorded release or satisfaction and confirm with the lender.
• Need a certified copy? Request certification specifically rather than relying on an ordinary image.
• Worried about fraud? Register for the county’s free Property Fraud Alert service.
• Need legal advice? Recorder staff cannot determine title validity or choose a legal deed form for you.

Independent Information, Legal Disclaimer and FCRA Notice

This is an independent public-information guide. It is not the official website of Madison County, the Recorder, the State of Illinois or any government agency.

Recorded documents are public records, but recording an instrument does not establish legal validity or clear title. Deed preparation, title disputes, liens, trusts and estate transfers may require assistance from an Illinois real-estate attorney or title professional.

Office hours, fees, electronic systems and statutory requirements can change. Verify current procedures with Madison County before submitting an original document or payment.

Do not use public land records for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other purposes regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This independent website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.