Dallas County IA Recorder: Deeds & Records

Office, official and fee information: Dallas County Recorder and Real Estate pages, checked October 2026.

Dallas County Recorder — ReNae Arnold

Street and mailing address:
800 Court Street, Suite 130
Administration Building, First Floor
Adel, IA 50003

Phone: 515-993-5804
Recorder email: renae.arnold@dallascountyiowa.gov

Public hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM–4 PM. Passport services are appointment-only; routine Recorder transactions do not require an appointment.

For mailed recordings, include the prepared document, payment and any required supporting forms. Ask the office about the return method before sending original documents.

Dallas County links its Recorder search to a Fidlar Technologies AVA records system. This is distinct from the county Assessor’s property search.

Use the Recorder system for recorded documents. If you only know the street address, begin with the Assessor’s parcel records to identify the owner and parcel.

1. Open the Dallas County Recorder search.

   Use the link supplied by the official Recorder website.

   Open the official AVA search
   After opening: follow the search options shown by AVA. Choose an available name, document or recording-reference search and select the matching record.
2. Search using the correct person or business name.

   For a deed, search the seller/grantor or buyer/grantee. Mortgage searches may involve the borrower and lender.

3. Check document details.

   Compare the instrument or document number, recording date, parties and document type. Review the legal description when an image is available.

4. Check associated documents.

   A deed alone may not reveal later mortgages, easements, releases or other interests. Search relevant names and record references.

5. Save the recording reference.

   Keep the instrument reference for requesting a copy or asking Recorder staff to locate the document.

Search property by street address

The Dallas County Assessor provides separate property search and map links. Those records are better suited to locating parcels by address.

Alternative: Iowa Land Records

Iowa Land Records provides statewide access to documents recorded across Iowa’s 99 counties.

A recorded deed establishes an official document record, but the Recorder does not determine the property’s taxable value or resolve contested legal title.

You can deliver a prepared document with payment during Recorder office hours or mail it to Suite 130 in Adel.

The Recorder cannot give legal advice or choose the type of deed for your transaction. Ask an Iowa attorney or title professional when ownership language is uncertain.

1. Prepare the correct deed.

   Include the necessary parties, legal description, signatures and acknowledgments required by Iowa law.

2. Check Iowa recording-format requirements.

   Confirm page layout, legibility, first-page information and whether a cover sheet is needed.

3. Determine transfer-related forms.

   Review whether a Declaration of Value, Groundwater Hazard Statement or exemption applies.

4. Calculate recording and transfer charges.

   Allow for the page charge, parcel transfer fee and applicable real-estate transfer tax. Do not confuse these charges.

5. Submit the recording.

   Bring it with payment during office hours or mail the complete package to the Dallas County Recorder.

6. Keep the recorded reference.

   After acceptance, save the document reference and confirm the returned recorded copy.

Dallas County publishes the following charges on its Real Estate page. Confirm the current total before submitting a time-sensitive deed or mortgage.

Example: recording a four-page deed

Real-estate transfer tax is not the same as the Recorder’s page-based fee. The applicable transfer tax depends on the transaction and any statutory exemption.

The county’s Real Estate page includes several forms commonly used with land documents.

For current recording standards and statutory requirements, consult Iowa’s official code, particularly the applicable provisions of Chapters 331 and 558.

A plain copy is suitable for many personal-reference needs. A certified copy includes the Recorder’s certification and may be requested by legal, financial or administrative recipients.

Dallas County lists $0.50 per page for document copies, with $5 additional for certification.

1. Find the recorded document.

   Use the Recorder’s online index or provide the owner’s name and approximate recording period.

2. Identify the correct instrument.

   Confirm the parties, deed type, recording date and reference.

3. Specify plain or certified.

   Ask the receiving organization which type it accepts before paying.

4. Contact the Recorder.

   Call 515-993-5804 for payment and delivery instructions if the copy cannot be obtained directly online.

Recorded subdivision plats

The Recorder offers an official plat-map search. The county warns that the original plat image may not show later changes made through affidavits or other recorded documents.

UCC and real-estate liens

Dallas County’s Recorder maintains real-estate lien records. Other UCC filings are generally handled by the Iowa Secretary of State.

For state-level UCC questions, the county lists the Iowa Secretary of State at 515-281-5204.

Electronic recording

Iowa Land Records supports electronic submission of recording documents, including access for approved professional submitters.

Property Fraud Alert

Dallas County links to a Property Fraud Alert service. Alerts may help identify recordings using a monitored name, but they do not prevent a filing or establish fraud.

The Dallas County Recorder also handles marriage licenses, eligible vital-record requests and boats, snowmobiles, ATVs and other recreational-vehicle services.

These functions are separate from the real-estate recording index.

• Only have a street address? Start with the Assessor parcel lookup; use the owner name to investigate recorded documents.
• Can’t find a deed? Try former owner names, alternate spellings and the approximate date of recording.
• Mortgage appears unpaid? Search for a later satisfaction or release. Ask the lender for assistance when appropriate.
• Deed is rejected? Check signatures, acknowledgment, first-page formatting, required forms and payment.
• Transferring several parcels? Confirm whether the $5 noncontiguous-parcel fee applies and whether the $50 cap is relevant.
• Owner name differs from assessment record? Check with the Assessor after confirming the deed was recorded.
• Suspected fraudulent deed? Preserve the recording reference and consult the Recorder, appropriate authorities or an attorney.

What to do next

Independent Information and Public Records Notice

This page is an independent informational guide, not an official Dallas County or Iowa government website.

Recording requirements, fees, office details and document-access options can change. Confirm them with the responsible public office before submitting a legal instrument.

The Recorder records documents but cannot provide legal advice. For title defects, inheritance transfers, trusts or deed preparation, consult a qualified Iowa attorney.

Public records described here are for lawful property and document research. This website is not a consumer reporting agency. Do not use this information for employment, tenant screening, credit, insurance or other FCRA-regulated decisions.

Editorial review: October 17, 2026. Primary references: Dallas County Recorder, Dallas County Assessor, Iowa Land Records and Iowa Legislature.