Belmont County, Ohio • Deeds & Land Records • Reviewed October 14, 2026
Belmont County Recorder: Search Deeds, Historic Records, Fees & Office Information
The Belmont County Recorder maintains deeds, mortgages, leases, easements, liens and other recorded land documents for property in Belmont County, Ohio.
The elected Recorder is Jason A. Garczyk. The office is on the second floor of the Belmont County Courthouse in St. Clairsville.
Use the county’s CountyFusion public search to research deeds and recording references. If you know only the address, start with the Belmont County Auditor’s real-estate search.
01 · Start here
Belmont County Recorder Quick Facts
Maintains and preserves recorded land documents.
Second Floor, Belmont County Courthouse, St. Clairsville, OH 43950.
Fax: 740-699-2567.
Monday–Friday, except holidays.
Document recording closes before general office hours end.
Some early deed images are available by book and page, without searchable name indexing.
Belmont County does not maintain a geographical tract index in the Recorder’s system. Records are organized by grantor and grantee names.
For a property-address or parcel search, use the Auditor first.
02 · Main search task
How to Search Belmont County Recorder Deeds Online
The Recorder’s official website links to the CountyFusion public-records system.
The county’s published search instructions say you can use the system as a guest. Creating an account is not necessary for basic searches.
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Open the official Belmont County Recorder website.
Select the Search Records link at the top of the page.
Open Recorder Search EntryAfter opening: click “Search Records,” then follow the CountyFusion login screen. -
Choose “Login as Guest.”
The county instructions say public searches can be performed without creating an account.
After login, select Search Public Records from the left menu.
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Enter the party name in the county’s preferred format.
Use LAST NAME followed by FIRST NAME, separated by a space.
Try the name with and without a middle name.
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Try another search reference if needed.
CountyFusion also allows searches using volume and page, instrument number or recording date.
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Review the matching record.
Compare the parties, document type, recording date and legal description before relying on the result.
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Open the document image or save its reference.
Some older records have images but no searchable name index. Use the book and page reference for those documents.
Official Search Instructions and Fraud Sleuth Guide
Search by property address or parcel number
Use the Belmont County Auditor when you know the property’s street address but not its recorded owner.
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Open the Auditor website.
Use the parcel, owner or address search field.
Open Official Belmont County Auditor SearchAfter opening: enter the address, owner or parcel information and open the matching property record. -
Record the owner name and parcel details.
Check that the location matches the property being researched.
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Return to CountyFusion.
Search the owner’s name in the Recorder’s records to identify deeds or mortgages.
Belmont County records include leases, assignments, releases and other instruments affecting oil, gas and mineral rights.
When researching surface ownership and mineral interests, check both deeds and applicable lease or assignment documents.
03 · Historical coverage
Belmont County Historic Deed, Mortgage and Lease Records
Belmont County’s Recorder has published a detailed Instrument Search Guide showing which historical documents are indexed and which must be searched by volume and page.
Historic deeds
Deed images are available for books A–Z and 26–543, covering approximately 1801–1974.
These early images generally require book-and-page searching rather than a modern name search.
Deeds from 1974–2005
Deed volumes 544–806 have online scans and indexing coverage.
Some earlier indexes are being corrected and verified.
Historic mortgages
Mortgage books 1–448 cover approximately 1850–1973 and have online images searchable by book and page.
Later mortgage books have additional indexing coverage.
Historic leases
Lease books 1–86 cover approximately 1865–1973 with online images.
Later lease records are progressively indexed and verified.
Why some results show a red X
The Recorder is correcting historical indexing errors, particularly in documents before 1992.
Some search results may show a red X because their indexing has not yet been fully verified. A red X does not necessarily mean the document is invalid.
The county has also added its plat images and indexes to CountyFusion as part of the ongoing historical-record project.
Official Belmont County Instrument Search Guide
04 · Local office and map
Belmont County Recorder Address, Phone, Hours and Google Map
Belmont County Recorder
Recorder: Jason A. Garczyk
Address: 101 West Main Street, Second Floor, St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: 740-699-2140
Fax: 740-699-2567
Email: recordersoffice@co.belmont.oh.us
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Recording hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
Before visiting the courthouse
Bring the book/page or instrument number if requesting copies.
For new recordings, check the correct fee and whether the deed requires stamps from the Auditor and Engineer’s Tax Map Office.
If mailing a document, include a self-addressed stamped envelope for its return.
Call ahead if visiting near a holiday or with an unusual document.
Office location: Belmont County Courthouse, 101 W. Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950.
Verify Belmont County Recorder Office Information
05 · Recording workflow
How to Record a Deed in Belmont County, Ohio
The Belmont County Recorder preserves the recorded document. The office does not prepare deeds or provide legal advice about which form to use.
The county’s official instructions explain that conveyance instruments generally need stamps from the Auditor and the Engineer’s Tax Map Office.
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Prepare the appropriate deed.
Verify names, property description, parcel information and required signatures.
Use a qualified Ohio attorney or title professional for estate, trust, mineral-rights or disputed-title matters.
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Check document-format requirements.
Review margins, paper size and legibility before printing or submitting the deed.
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Complete applicable Tax Map and Auditor review.
Determine whether DTE 100 or DTE 100EX is required.
Confirm whether the conveyance fee applies or the transfer qualifies for a statutory exemption.
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Calculate the Recorder fee.
Count the pages and any marginal references. Use the Recorder’s online fee calculator rather than guessing.
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Submit for recording.
Deliver the properly prepared document and required payment during recording hours or use an approved recording method.
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Retain your recorded-document reference.
Save the instrument number or other recording reference for future searches and copy requests.
Document standards that commonly cause problems
- Minimum 10-point computer font.
- Paper size from 8½ × 11 inches to 8½ × 14 inches.
- Black or blue ink.
- No highlighting.
- Three-inch top margin on the first page.
- One-and-a-half-inch top margin on subsequent pages.
- One-inch side and bottom margins.
Some statutory exceptions apply, including certain government documents, plats, exhibits and DD214 records.
Official Belmont County Document Standards
Official Auditor DTE Forms and Conveyance Documents
06 · Recording charges
Belmont County Recorder Fees and Ohio Conveyance Costs
Ohio’s statutory basic recording fee is $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page.
Belmont County states that it does not add the optional $5 document-preservation surcharge.
Recording fee examples
Before any additional references or other charges.
Base fee plus two additional pages.
Base fee plus four additional pages.
Recording the document and transferring the property through the Auditor are separate processes. Certain conveyances are exempt from the conveyance fee, but an Auditor parcel charge or recording fee may still apply.
Official Belmont County Recording Fee Calculator
Ohio Revised Code §317.32 — Recording Fees
07 · Copies and public records
How to Request Belmont County Deed Copies
The Recorder allows public inspection of recorded documents and offers self-service printing in its record room.
The county lists $0.10 per page for public self-service prints and $2 per page for copies prepared by Recorder staff.
- Locate the document.
Search CountyFusion by name or recording reference and identify the correct instrument.
- Determine the copy type.
Ask whether a plain copy is sufficient or the receiving agency requires a certified copy.
- Confirm page count and fees.
For older records, verify the image and total page count with staff.
- Arrange delivery or pickup.
Call the office for copy-request and certification instructions. Bring or provide the recording reference.
Recorder phone: 740-699-2140.
Email: recordersoffice@co.belmont.oh.us.
Official Recorder Copy and Public Records FAQs
08 · Electronic filing
Belmont County eRecording for Deeds and Other Instruments
Belmont County began accepting electronic non-conveyance recordings in February 2022.
Since December 16, 2024, the office has also accepted electronic conveyance documents, with electronic routing for Auditor and Engineer stamps.
The county’s published provider information distinguishes conveyance filings from other types of electronically recorded instruments.
Conveyance recordings
The county has identified CSC and ePN as accepted conveyance eRecording providers.
Confirm current vendor availability before preparing a transfer.
Non-conveyance recordings
The Recorder also lists HopDox, Indecomm and Simplifile among providers for eligible non-conveyance documents.
Vendor service charges may apply.
eRecording processing hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM. Documents transmitted after the processing window are handled the next business day.
Official Belmont County eRecording and Office News
09 · Fraud protection and veterans
Belmont County Fraud Sleuth and Military Records
Fraud Sleuth property-record notifications
The Recorder provides Fraud Sleuth information to help owners monitor documents associated with their names.
Monitoring can help identify a suspicious deed or mortgage recording. It does not prevent recording or substitute for professional title protection.
Official Belmont County Fraud Sleuth Information
DD214 military discharge records
The Recorder records military discharge documents, but DD214 records are not treated as ordinary open public documents.
Veterans or legally authorized requesters should contact the office about recording, access and obtaining copies.
Do not upload a DD214 with sensitive personal information to an unrelated public-record website.
10 · Correct government office
Recorder vs. Auditor vs. Engineer vs. Treasurer
Belmont County Recorder
Phone: 740-699-2140
Recorded deeds, mortgages, leases, liens, plats, copies and recording references.
Belmont County Auditor
Auditor: Cindi L. Henry
Phone: 740-699-2130
Parcel ownership, real-estate valuation, conveyance and assessment records.
Belmont County Engineer / Tax Map
Engineer: 740-699-2160
Tax Map: 740-699-2161
Legal-description and parcel-map review when required for conveyances.
Belmont County Treasurer
Phone: 740-699-2145
Real-estate tax collection, payments and related tax-balance questions.
Official Belmont County Department Phone Directory
11 · Troubleshooting and next steps
Why a Belmont County Deed May Not Appear Online
- Wrong search format: try LAST NAME FIRST NAME without punctuation or the middle name.
- Historic record: use volume and page rather than a name search for older unindexed books.
- Index not yet verified: some older results display a red X during the county’s correction project.
- Previous owner: search grantors and grantees from an earlier transfer.
- Oil-and-gas interest: review lease and mineral-related instruments as well as deeds.
- Address-only information: find the parcel in the Auditor’s property system first.
- Record not available online: contact the Recorder for assistance with the book or instrument reference.
Need an existing deed? Use CountyFusion.
Need the current owner by address? Use the Auditor.
Recording a transfer? Check the Auditor, Tax Map and Recorder requirements.
Need assurance of clear title? Consult a qualified Ohio attorney or title professional.
12 · Frequently asked questions
Belmont County Recorder FAQs
1. Who is the Belmont County Recorder?
Jason A. Garczyk is the Belmont County Recorder, according to the official Recorder’s Office website.
2. Where is the Belmont County Recorder’s Office?
The office is on the second floor of the Belmont County Courthouse at 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950.
3. What is the Belmont County Recorder phone number?
The main office phone number is 740-699-2140.
4. How do I search Belmont County deeds online?
Open the Recorder website, select Search Records, choose Login as Guest and then Search Public Records. Enter a name in LAST NAME FIRST NAME format.
5. How far back do Belmont County online deeds go?
The Recorder’s Instrument Search Guide lists deed images dating to 1801. Some historical documents must be searched by volume and page rather than by name.
6. What does a red X mean in CountyFusion?
Some older records show a red X while Belmont County reviews and verifies historical indexing. It does not by itself establish that a recorded document is invalid.
7. How much does it cost to record a deed in Belmont County?
The county’s published standard recording structure is $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. References and nonconforming-document charges may also apply.
8. Does Belmont County accept electronic deed recording?
Yes. Belmont County accepts eligible conveyance and non-conveyance documents electronically through approved eRecording providers.
9. How do I find a Belmont County property owner by address?
Use the Belmont County Auditor’s official property search first, then use the owner name to locate recorded deeds in CountyFusion.
10. Can the Recorder prepare a deed or conduct my title search?
No. The Recorder does not provide blank deed forms or perform title searches. The office can explain how its records are organized and indexed.
13 · Official resources
Official Belmont County Recorder and Ohio Links
Official office details, CountyFusion search access and county notices.
Historic deed, mortgage, lease and other volume ranges with indexing status.
Page, reference and document-standard charges.
Paper, font, ink and margin requirements.
Approved submission providers, scanning corrections and holiday notices.
Copy prices, mailing instructions, conveyance fees and title-search limitations.
Official property and parcel searches.
DTE 100, DTE 100EX, deed drop-off forms and mineral transfer policies.
County Recorder duties, document recording and legal requirements.
Independent information notice: This article is not produced by Belmont County, the Recorder, Auditor or any Ohio government agency.
It is a public-record research guide, not legal advice, an official recording-fee quote or a title opinion. Confirm requirements directly before filing.
Recorded property information must not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other uses regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.