Scioto County, Ohio • Deeds & land records • Updated October 2026
Scioto County Recorder: Deeds, Property Records, Online Search, Fees & Office Information
Need to find a deed, mortgage, lien, or recorded property document in Scioto County, Ohio?
The Scioto County Recorder records and preserves documents affecting land ownership and property interests throughout the county.
You can search land records online, locate a recorded deed, request certified copies, or submit a new document for recording.
The office is located in Portsmouth, Ohio, and is led by County Recorder Gary Jenkins.
Which link should you use? Use Recorder Search for deeds, mortgages, and recorded documents. Use the Auditor search if you only know the street address. Use Recording Information before filing a new document.
Scioto County Recorder Quick Facts
Serving as Scioto County Recorder since January 2025.
Portsmouth, OH 45662.
Main Recorder’s Office number.
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding closures.
Official public land-record search system.
Scioto County has implemented a recording preservation surcharge.
The Recorder handles recorded documents. The Auditor handles property assessment records and conveyance processing. The Engineer’s GIS system provides parcel maps and boundary context.
These systems work together, but they are not interchangeable.
What Do You Need from the Scioto County Recorder?
Start with the situation that matches your goal. This helps avoid searching the wrong county system.
I need a copy of a deed
Search the Recorder’s online records using a current or previous owner’s name.
View deed search stepsI only know the property address
Start with the Auditor’s address search to find the owner and parcel.
View address lookup stepsI want to record a new deed
Check the legal description, signatures, notarization, Auditor transfer, and recording fees.
View recording instructionsI need a certified copy
Find the document reference and request certification from the Recorder’s Office.
View copy request informationI paid off my mortgage
Search for the release of mortgage filed by the lender rather than expecting a new deed.
View mortgage release guidanceI am concerned about deed fraud
Review the county’s free Property Fraud Alert and Notary Fraud Alert services.
View fraud protection resourcesHow to Search Scioto County Recorder Deeds and Records Online
The Scioto County Recorder provides public land-record searches through the Fidlar AVA system.
The search is useful for finding deeds, mortgages, mortgage releases, easements, liens, and other indexed land records.
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Open the official records portal.
Use the link provided by the Scioto County Recorder.
Open Scioto County Recorder Search
After opening: allow the AVA application to load. Review the available search fields and select the appropriate search method.
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Search using a name or document reference.
Start with the grantor, grantee, current owner, or previous owner.
If you know the document’s recording reference, use the corresponding search option when available.
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Review the search results.
Compare the document type, names, recording date, and available recording references.
A matching surname alone does not prove that the record concerns your property.
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Open the document image.
Select the matching record to review the image if one is available.
Check the legal description and recording details carefully.
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Save the document reference.
Keep the instrument or book-and-page information for future searches.
This is particularly useful when requesting a certified copy or researching earlier ownership.
The Recorder’s public search page does not publish a definitive start date for every indexed record and available image.
If a historical document is missing online, contact the Recorder with names and an approximate recording period.
Official Scioto County Recorder Search Instructions
After opening: select Begin Search. The same official page links to Scioto County’s GIS mapping system for property location and parcel research.
How to Find a Scioto County Deed Using a Property Address
If you only know a house address, begin with the Scioto County Auditor.
The Auditor’s property search includes address, owner, parcel number, and sales search options.
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Open the Auditor’s address search.
Search Scioto County Property by Address
After opening: enter the house number and street name in their separate fields.
The Auditor recommends omitting street directions and suffixes such as Street, Drive, or Avenue from the street-name field.
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Find the matching property.
Confirm the street address, current owner, parcel number, and property information.
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Save the owner name and parcel number.
These details help when searching recorded instruments.
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Return to the Recorder’s search.
Search the owner name and review the recorded deeds.
Compare the legal description with the Auditor parcel information.
Need a parcel map instead?
The Scioto County Engineer maintains an online GIS system.
It allows users to search parcel data by owner, property address, and parcel number.
Open Scioto County GIS Parcel Map
After opening: use the map search to locate the parcel. Review its approximate boundaries, location, and available geographic information.
A GIS parcel outline is not a professional boundary survey.
For property-line disputes, fence placement, easements, or legal boundary questions, consult a qualified surveyor or attorney.
Scioto County Recorder Address, Phone, Hours & Office Location
Scioto County Recorder’s Office
Recorder: Gary Jenkins
Address:
602 7th Street, Room 110
Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: 740-355-8304
Office hours:
Monday–Friday
8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Official website:
SciotoRecorder.com
Before Visiting the Recorder
Bring the correct recording document and required payment.
If your document transfers ownership, complete applicable Auditor transfer requirements first.
The Recorder accepts recording payments by cash or check.
Make checks payable to Scioto County Recorder.
Call the office if you are unsure about the total fee or required filing steps.
Official Recorder Contact PageAfter opening: verify the current office address, phone number, and business hours.
The Recorder is in Room 110 at the Scioto County Courthouse.
The Auditor, Treasurer, Engineer, and Clerk of Courts also maintain offices in the courthouse complex, although each handles different records.
Google Map to Scioto County Recorder, Portsmouth, OH
The Recorder’s Office is at 602 7th Street, Room 110, in downtown Portsmouth.
Use the map for navigation, but confirm courthouse entry, parking, and office access before traveling.
Open Scioto County Recorder Directions in Google Maps
After opening: choose Directions, enter your starting location, and use 602 7th Street as the destination. Go to Room 110 for Recorder services.
Recorder vs. Auditor vs. Engineer vs. Treasurer
Scioto County property research often involves more than the Recorder’s Office.
Use this guide to contact the correct department.
Scioto County Recorder
Official: Gary Jenkins
Handles: deeds, mortgages, releases, land-record documents, and certified copies.
Address: 602 7th Street, Room 110, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: 740-355-8304
Scioto County Auditor
Official: David L. Green
Handles: property values, parcel information, ownership transfers, and conveyance forms.
Address: 602 7th Street, Room 103, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: 740-355-8264
Scioto County Engineer
Official: Darren LeBrun
Handles: county mapping, parcel GIS, surveys, and applicable conveyance-description review.
County office: 602 7th Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: 740-355-8265
Scioto County Treasurer
Official: Joseph Todd Sandlin
Handles: property tax collections, payments, and tax account issues.
Address: 602 7th Street, Room 102, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: 740-355-8287
After opening the county directory: locate the Auditor, Engineer, Treasurer, or Recorder entry to confirm the office details before visiting.
Court judgments, lawsuits, and divorce records generally involve the Clerk of Courts.
Marriage and probate records are handled through the appropriate court offices, not the Recorder.
How to Record a Deed in Scioto County, Ohio
Recording a deed requires more than submitting a completed form.
The county’s recording guide explains that property transfers must go through the Auditor before the deed is filed with the Recorder.
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Prepare the deed.
Use a new document containing the correct parties, property description, signatures, and required acknowledgment.
The Recorder recommends using an attorney or licensed title agency.
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Review Ohio document standards.
Check the font size, ink, paper dimensions, margins, and readability.
Improper formatting may delay recording or result in additional charges.
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Confirm the legal description.
Use the prior recorded deed to locate the description.
If the description involves a new survey, division, or other change, verify applicable Engineer and conveyance requirements.
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Have the document properly signed and notarized.
The Recorder’s guidance says transfers must be signed before a notary.
Make sure the document meets the applicable Ohio acknowledgment and execution requirements.
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Complete the Auditor transfer process.
Present the deed and required transfer information to the Scioto County Auditor.
The Auditor may require a conveyance fee statement, exemption statement, or other documentation.
After opening: review the Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement and Statement of Reason for Exemption links. Confirm the applicable form with the Auditor.
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Submit the deed to the Recorder.
After the required Auditor transfer is completed, present the deed for recording.
Pay the correct fees and include a return envelope if submitting by mail.
Recorder employees are not authorized to select the correct deed type, prepare legal documents, or determine the legal effect of a transfer.
Seek qualified legal help for deeds involving estates, survivorship, trusts, divorce, gifts, or complicated ownership arrangements.
Official Scioto County Deed Recording Instructions
After opening: review the Recorder’s six-step recording process and linked fee schedule before preparing payment or mailing documents.
Ohio Recording Standards for Scioto County Documents
Ohio has document standardization requirements for many instruments submitted for recording.
The Scioto County Recorder highlights these requirements:
- Legible font of at least 10 points.
- Blue or black ink.
- Paper measuring 8.5 × 11 or 8.5 × 14 inches.
- No highlighted text.
- At least 1-inch side and bottom margins.
- 3-inch blank top margin on the first page.
- 1.5-inch top margin on remaining pages.
- Complete legal description when required.
- Proper signatures and notarization where applicable.
Certain instruments have statutory exceptions. Requirements depend on document type and applicable Ohio law.
Check every page before sending the document.
Missing information, unclear images, incorrect references, or formatting problems can result in extra work and fees.
Ohio Revised Code § 317.114 — Document Standardization
After opening: compare your document with the statutory formatting requirements and exceptions. Confirm questions with the Recorder.
Scioto County Recorder Fees and $5 Preservation Surcharge
Ohio Revised Code § 317.32 sets the general recording-fee structure.
Scioto County’s Recorder states that the county has implemented an additional $5 document preservation surcharge.
For an ordinary instrument using the standard fee category, the combined calculation is:
These are standard-category examples calculated from Ohio’s $34 first-two-page fee, $8 additional pages, and Scioto County’s published $5 surcharge. The county’s current fee list controls the actual amount.
Calculate an estimated standard recording fee
This calculator includes the standard first-two-page charge, additional-page charge, and $5 preservation surcharge.
It does not include reference fees, document-specific charges, nonstandard-document charges, certified copies, return postage, or Auditor conveyance fees.
Payment methods
The Recorder’s current instructions list cash and check payments.
Checks must be payable to Scioto County Recorder. Checks payable to other parties are not accepted.
If filing by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope or the office may charge return postage.
If your document transfers property ownership, the Scioto County Auditor may assess conveyance and transfer charges.
Do not assume the Recorder fee calculator includes those costs.
Open Scioto County Recorder Fee List
After opening: select Fee List under Recording Fees. Verify the document category, page count, references, and current surcharge before writing a check.
Ohio Revised Code § 317.32 — Recording Fees
After opening: review the statewide fee categories, document preservation surcharge authority, and exceptions.
How to Get a Copy or Certified Copy of a Scioto County Deed
The Recorder can provide copies of documents recorded in Scioto County.
You should first locate the record online and save the recording reference.
Regular Document Copy
Use the online Recorder search to locate and view available documents.
If the portal provides a print or download option, use it for ordinary research.
After opening: find the document by name or reference, then check the available viewing and copy options.
Certified Document Copy
A certified copy contains the Recorder’s authentication.
The Recorder says certified copies must be printed and certified by the office.
You can request certification in person or by mail.
Phone: 740-355-8304
Ask the Recorder to confirm the current copy and certification charges.
What should you provide?
- Grantor or grantee name.
- Document type, if known.
- Recording year or approximate date.
- Instrument number or book/page reference.
- Whether a certified copy is required.
- Return mailing information if requesting by mail.
No. The Recorder’s FAQ says the office must print and authenticate the certified copy itself.
The county cannot simply certify a copy printed independently at home.
Official Recorder Certified Copy FAQ
After opening: locate the question about certified copies. Review the in-person and mail-order requirements before submitting a request.
Mortgage Releases, Liens and Property Title Records
The Recorder maintains more than deed records.
Recorded mortgages, assignments, releases, easements, and certain real-property liens are also part of the county’s land records.
What happens after a mortgage is paid off?
Paying off a mortgage does not normally create a new deed.
The lender typically prepares and records a release of mortgage.
The Scioto County Recorder refers to a release of mortgage as a REMO.
How to check for a mortgage release
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Open Recorder Search.
Search the borrower’s name, lender’s name, or original mortgage reference.
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Look for a release or satisfaction.
Review records entered after the payoff date.
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Compare the references.
Confirm that the release refers to the appropriate mortgage.
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Contact the lender if needed.
If you cannot locate the expected release, ask the lender whether it was recorded.
The Recorder does not decide whether a lien is valid or remove it on request.
Some liens involve the Treasurer, Clerk of Courts, IRS, or another government agency. The appropriate release must come through the responsible party or legal process.
Recorder FAQs About Mortgage Releases and Liens
After opening: review the questions about paid-off mortgages, federal tax liens, title searches, and lien releases.
Scioto County Plats, Surveys, GIS and Mobile Home Titles
Plat maps
Recorded plat maps can show subdivision lots, streets, alleys, and certain layout details.
The Recorder recommends searching plat records using the subdivision name.
Property surveys
A plat is not necessarily the same as a survey of an individual property.
Surveys are not always recorded with the Recorder. Your lender, title company, or surveyor may have the survey you need.
GIS parcel maps
The Scioto County Engineer’s GIS system can help locate a parcel and view geographic data.
Use it for research, not as a substitute for a boundary survey.
Mobile home titles
The Recorder’s FAQ states that mobile home titles in Scioto County are registered through the County Auditor.
If you need a manufactured or mobile home title rather than a land deed, contact the Auditor first.
Open Official Scioto County GIS Map
After opening: search by owner, address, or parcel number and inspect the parcel’s map context.
Scioto County Property Fraud Alert and Notary Fraud Alert
Scioto County offers free alerts that can help residents and notaries detect suspicious recorded documents.
These services notify subscribers about matching recordings. They do not stop a document from being recorded.
Property Fraud Alert
Property owners can monitor their name in Scioto County’s land records.
The service can notify you when a matching document is recorded.
It may help you respond sooner to suspicious activity.
Open Property Fraud AlertAfter opening: locate Property Fraud Alert, choose Sign Up, and follow the registration instructions.
Notary Fraud Alert
Scioto County also offers a free service for commissioned notaries.
It helps monitor documents recorded under a notary’s name or commission information.
This may help identify possible misuse of notary credentials.
Open Notary Fraud AlertAfter opening: find Notary Fraud Alert and use the corresponding signup option.
What if you find a suspicious document?
- Save the recording date and instrument reference.
- Obtain a copy of the suspicious document.
- Contact the Recorder for record information.
- Speak with an Ohio real-estate attorney about title protection.
- Report suspected criminal activity to the appropriate authorities.
They do not guarantee that fraud will be prevented or detected in every circumstance.
Scioto County Recorder Veteran Services and DD214 Records
The Scioto County Recorder provides services for veterans beyond ordinary land recording.
These include military discharge recording, free Veteran ID cards, and a veteran grave index.
DD214 Discharge Recording
Veterans may record military discharge documents with the Recorder for safekeeping.
DD214 documents contain sensitive information and have special access rules.
Military Discharge RecordingAfter opening: select Discharge Document Recording for the county’s requirements.
Free Veteran Identification Cards
Eligible veterans who record their DD214 with the office can request a Veteran ID card.
The Recorder requires two forms of current identification.
The card is provided free of charge.
Veteran ID Card RequirementsAfter opening: review discharge eligibility and acceptable identification documents before visiting.
Veteran Grave Index
The Recorder maintains an index of known veteran graves.
Records are organized by cemetery and veteran name.
The county updates the information as new records become available.
Search Veteran Grave IndexAfter opening: choose View Index and search the available cemetery or veteran information.
Veterans Benefits Resources
The Recorder also links to the Scioto County Veterans Service Office.
That office can help veterans understand and access eligible benefits.
Open Scioto Veteran ResourcesAfter opening: select the Scioto County Veterans Service Office or an appropriate state or federal resource.
Common Scioto County Recorder Problems and Solutions
Cannot find a deed by address
Search the Auditor by address first.
Then use the owner name in the Recorder’s search.
Old deed does not appear online
Try previous owners and alternative name spellings.
Contact the Recorder if the document cannot be located.
Recording fee is unclear
Check the Recorder’s current fee list.
Include the preservation surcharge and any other applicable fees.
Deed was not accepted
Review signatures, notarization, formatting, legal description, and Auditor transfer requirements.
Paid mortgage still appears
Search for a recorded release of mortgage.
Contact the lender if the release is missing.
Need a title-clearance answer
The Recorder cannot certify that a property has clear title.
Use a qualified title examiner or attorney.
Need a property survey
Start with the title company, lender, or surveyor.
Recorder plat maps may not show actual building locations.
Need marriage or divorce records
Contact the Probate Court for marriage records or the appropriate Clerk of Courts office for divorce records.
Scioto County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Scioto County Recorder’s Office?
The Scioto County Recorder’s Office is at 602 7th Street, Room 110, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Who is the Scioto County Recorder?
Gary Jenkins is the Scioto County Recorder. He began serving in January 2025.
The office phone number is 740-355-8304.
How do I search Scioto County deeds online?
Use the Scioto County Recorder’s Fidlar AVA Public Records Search.
Search using the grantor, grantee, owner name, or available recording details.
Can I search deeds using a property address?
Start with the Scioto County Auditor’s Address Search to find the owner and parcel.
Then use the Recorder’s search to find the recorded deed.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Scioto County?
The standard Ohio recording fee is $34 for the first two pages and $8 per additional page.
Scioto County has implemented a $5 document preservation surcharge. The ordinary first-two-page example is therefore $39, subject to the county’s current fee list and applicable exceptions.
Does a deed have to go through the Auditor first?
Yes, applicable property transfers and deed changes must complete the Auditor’s transfer process before filing with the Recorder.
Separate Auditor fees or forms may apply.
Can Recorder staff prepare or correct my deed?
No. Recorder staff cannot provide legal advice or draft your deed.
Use an Ohio attorney or qualified title professional if the document requires legal preparation or correction.
How do I get a certified copy of a deed?
Contact the Scioto County Recorder with the document details.
Certified copies are prepared and authenticated by the office. They can be requested in person or by mail.
Will I receive a new deed when I pay off my mortgage?
Generally, no. A mortgage payoff does not create a new deed.
The lender typically files a release of mortgage.
Does Scioto County offer property fraud alerts?
Yes. The Recorder offers free Property Fraud Alert and Notary Fraud Alert services.
These services monitor matching recorded information but do not prevent fraud.
Where can I find Scioto County parcel maps?
Use the Scioto County Engineer’s OneView GIS mapping system.
It supports parcel research using owner, address, and parcel information.
Where do I find a mobile home title in Scioto County?
The Recorder’s FAQ directs mobile home title questions to the Scioto County Auditor.
The Recorder generally handles recorded real-property instruments rather than mobile home title registration.
Official Scioto County Recorder and Ohio Government Links
Use these official resources to verify office information, recorded documents, county services, filing requirements, and applicable laws.
Current Recorder, office address, hours, and county recording services.
Official instructions and access to the land-record search portal.
Public searches for recorded deeds, mortgages, releases, and other available land documents.
Recording steps, document formatting, Auditor requirements, fee list, and payment rules.
Deeds, mortgage releases, surveys, liens, certified copies, mobile homes, and title research.
Official office address, phone number, and business hours.
County property records, conveyance forms, exemptions, valuation information, and Auditor contacts.
Find parcel and ownership information using a property address.
Parcel maps, geographic information, owner searches, and county boundary context.
County departments, addresses, and contact numbers.
Free Property Fraud Alert and Notary Fraud Alert information.
DD214 recording, Veteran ID cards, and veteran grave records.
Ohio law governing instruments recorded by county recorders.
State recording fees and document preservation surcharge authority.
Recording document formatting and standardization requirements.
Legal Advice, Public Records & Independent Website Disclaimer
This article is an independent public-information guide. It is not the official website of Scioto County, the Scioto County Recorder, or another Ohio government agency.
Office hours, document requirements, recording fees, public search availability, and county procedures can change.
Verify current information with the relevant government office before submitting documents, paying fees, or making legal decisions.
The Recorder’s Office records and preserves documents. It does not guarantee that a property has clear title or that a recorded document is legally sufficient for your circumstances.
This guide is not legal or title advice. Consult an Ohio attorney, qualified title examiner, or other appropriate professional for deed preparation, title disputes, estates, liens, and real-property ownership issues.
Public property records must not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting, or another purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act without appropriate legal authority and compliance.