Franklin County OH Recorder Office: Address, Hours, Deed Search & Recording Fees
The Franklin County Recorder Office in Columbus records and preserves deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats and other documents authorized by Ohio law.
You can search its public records online, request certified copies, record a document and sign up for property-record alerts.
The office is at 373 S. High Street, 18th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. It is open weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM, but stops accepting documents for recording after 3:45 PM.
Franklin County Recorder Office at a Glance
Elected Franklin County Recorder
18th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Recording and customer service
Monday through Friday
Documents are not accepted after this time
First two pages; $8 per additional page
Use the Recorder for recorded instruments. Use the Franklin County Auditor for parcels, assessed values and conveyance approval. Use the Treasurer for property-tax bills and payments.
Franklin County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Email & Google Map
Franklin County Recorder
Recorder: Daniel J. O’Connor Jr.
Address: 373 S. High Street, 18th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-525-3930
Fax: 614-525-4299
Email: recorder@franklincountyohio.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM
Last recording acceptance: 3:45 PM
Before You Visit
The office is on the 18th floor of the Franklin County Government Tower in downtown Columbus.
Bring the complete document, correct payment, relevant parcel information and any Auditor or Engineer approvals required.
Arrive well before 3:45 PM if you want to record a document in person.
For accessibility or parking questions, call the office before traveling.
Open the official Franklin County Recorder office page
Nearby County Offices in the Same Government Complex
The Auditor’s Transfer & Conveyance Department is also located at 373 S. High Street. Its current department page lists the 21st floor.
The Recorder and Auditor serve different functions, so confirm which counter you need before entering the building.
How to Search Franklin County Recorder Records Online
The Recorder offers a newer Cloud Search system and an older legacy records-search system.
Neither system requires an account for basic public searching. Registering can provide extra tools such as saved searches.
-
Open the official records search page.
Start with the county’s newer Cloud Search platform.
Open Franklin County Public Records SearchAfter opening: Select Search Our Records under Cloud Search. Use the legacy website only if needed. -
Search for the person or document.
Use a grantor, grantee, business name, instrument number or other supported search field.
If a full name does not work, try fewer name components or another recorded party.
-
Identify the correct instrument.
Compare the recording date, document type, parties and instrument number before opening a result.
-
Review the recorded image.
Look for the legal description, signatures and any references to earlier recorded documents.
-
Save the recording number.
Keep the instrument number or older book/page reference if you later need a certified copy or related release.
Franklin County Recording Number Formats
Modern Franklin County documents recorded since May 15, 1997 use a 15-digit official instrument number.
Older instruments may use microfiche volume/page references or traditional book, volume and page identifiers. This matters when you search historic mortgages or deeds.
Start with the Franklin County Auditor’s property search for the parcel and owner. Use the Recorder search to retrieve the recorded deed or mortgage.
Open Franklin County Auditor Online Tools
Read the Recorder’s instrument-number and search FAQs
How to Record a Deed in Franklin County, Ohio
The Recorder accepts properly prepared instruments in person or by mail. Eligible documents can also be submitted through third-party eRecording providers.
Many deeds transferring ownership require Auditor review before recording. Some instruments also require Engineer approval.
-
Prepare the legal instrument.
Use an attorney or qualified title professional if you are unsure which deed is appropriate or how to prepare it.
-
Check the legal description and parcel information.
Do not rely solely on the street address. Include the complete legal description where required.
-
Meet the recording standards.
Check signatures, notarization, typed names, preparer details, return address, margins and recording references.
-
Complete required Auditor or Engineer review.
Determine whether the transfer needs DTE conveyance forms, exemption documentation or description approval.
-
Pay the correct recording fee.
Use the county’s current fee schedule. Keep Auditor conveyance payments separate from Recorder fees.
-
Submit and retain proof.
Record at the office or mail the completed package. Save the receipt and instrument number.
Open official Real Estate Recording instructions
Franklin County Document Formatting Standards
- Paper: Letter or legal size, generally 8.5 × 11 or 8.5 × 14 inches.
- Text: Legible font of at least 10 points, with blue or black ink.
- First-page top margin: Three inches of blank space.
- Remaining-page top margins: One and one-half inches.
- Side and bottom margins: One inch.
- References: Include relevant prior recording numbers for releases, assignments or amendments.
- Return information: Include preparer and return addresses, plus a telephone number when appropriate.
Ohio law allows certain exceptions. A document not meeting the standards may still be recorded with an additional $20 fee when eligible.
Open Franklin County Recording Standards
Franklin County Recorder Fees and Payment Rules
The Recorder’s standard fee schedule is governed by Ohio Revised Code §317.32.
Common deed, mortgage and similar document fees begin at $34 for the first two pages. Extra pages and certain references increase the total.
Basic Recording Fee Estimator
Enter the total printed pages and the number of chargeable marginal references.
Excludes nonstandard penalties, card charges, return fees, Auditor conveyance tax and special-document charges.
Open the official Franklin County Recorder Fee Calculator
How to Pay Recording Fees
The Recorder accepts cash, check, money order and Discover, Mastercard or Visa debit/credit cards.
Make checks payable to Franklin County Recorder. Debit and credit payments carry a 3% convenience fee.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the original document, or the published $1 return fee may apply.
Auditor Conveyance Fees Are Separate from Recorder Fees
Franklin County has an important local distinction: the Auditor handles transfer/conveyance review, while the Recorder preserves the completed instrument.
The Auditor’s current fee information lists $3 per $1,000 of consideration for a standard taxable conveyance, plus a $0.50 parcel transfer fee.
Includes state and county conveyance components.
The Auditor describes a reduced rate for qualifying transfers.
Only when the transfer meets the statutory exemption criteria.
Franklin County Auditor Transfer & Conveyance Department.
For an illustrative $250,000 taxable sale, standard conveyance tax is $750, before the parcel transfer charge and Recorder fees.
Open the Franklin County Auditor Conveyance Fee Calculator
Do All Documents Go Through the Auditor First?
No. The Auditor’s local FAQ says transfer-on-death designation affidavits go directly to the Recorder.
By contrast, land contracts, easements and covenants must first be presented to the Auditor for stamping. Ownership-changing deeds commonly require Auditor conveyance processing.
Open Franklin County Transfer & Conveyance FAQs
How to Request a Certified Franklin County Deed Copy
You can use Cloud Search to find the document first. A printed website image is not the same as a certified copy.
The Recorder accepts certified-copy requests online, by mail or in person. In-person certification can generally be completed at the office.
- Find the recorded instrument.
Use Cloud Search and note the instrument number or older book/page reference.
- Choose the certified-copy service.
Open the Recorder’s Real Estate services and select Certified Copy Request.
- Identify the exact document.
Use the parties, reference number and recording date to prevent ordering the wrong instrument.
- Pay the required fee.
The published schedule lists $2 per page plus $1 per certified document for the seal.
Open the Recorder’s Certified Copy Request resources
Franklin County eRecording: An Important Individual Filing Restriction
The Recorder accepts electronic filings through private service providers rather than operating its own public eRecording platform.
Providers listed by the county include CSC Global, ePN, Indecomm Global Services and Simplifile.
The Recorder’s instructions say individual eRecording is currently offered only through Simplifile, and those individual submissions cannot transfer property.
Electronic conveyance documents transferring real estate are handled through the Auditor, Engineer and Recorder workflow using Simplifile, subject to its requirements.
Review Franklin County eRecording instructions
Free Franklin County Recorder Property Alert
The Recorder offers Property Alert, a tool that sends email notifications when newly recorded documents match a monitored person or business name.
You can create multiple profiles for variations of your name. An alert includes the matched name, instrument number and recording date.
This service helps detect suspicious filings. It does not block fraudulent deeds or establish legal ownership.
Open Franklin County Property Alert
Recorder Alert vs. Auditor eAlerts
The Recorder monitors newly recorded documents. The Auditor’s separate eAlerts service monitors changes in property records, such as owner, address or value updates.
The county recommends considering both systems because they track different records.
Veteran Discharges, Living Wills and Other Services
Veteran DD214 Recording
The Recorder accepts original or certified military discharge records for safekeeping at no cost.
These records are not publicly viewable in the ordinary online deed search.
Living Wills and Health Care Powers
The Recorder also provides safekeeping for living wills and healthcare powers of attorney.
Its published living-will filing charge is $40.
Official Living Wills Services
Common Franklin County Recorder Problems and Fixes
I can find the parcel but not the deed
Check the owner and prior owner names on the Auditor property record. Then use Cloud Search for a deed, instrument number or alternate name.
My mortgage is still shown after repayment
Look for a separate recorded satisfaction or release. The original mortgage remains part of the history even after the debt is paid.
My recorded deed has an incorrect name
Consult the document preparer or a qualified attorney about corrective documentation. The Recorder cannot rewrite the original recorded instrument.
My transfer does not appear on the Auditor site
The Auditor’s FAQ says property records normally update approximately one to two business days after deed processing. Check the recording and conveyance status.
I need to record a transfer-on-death designation
The Auditor’s FAQ identifies transfer-on-death designation affidavits as documents taken directly to the Recorder. Ensure the document meets Ohio legal requirements.
I need a title search
Recorder staff can assist with accessing public records, but they do not perform professional title searches. Contact a title company or real estate attorney.
Which Franklin County Office Should You Contact?
Recorder — search the public records database.
Recorder — confirm recording standards, fees and filing options.
Auditor Transfer & Conveyance, with Engineer review when required.
Auditor — use its property search and parcel records.
Franklin County Treasurer — use the Treasurer’s tax information.
Probate Court and a qualified attorney; the correct process depends on existing deed and estate documents.
Franklin County Recorder Office FAQs
1. Where is the Franklin County Recorder Office located?
The office is at 373 S. High Street, 18th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, in the Franklin County Government Tower.
2. Who is the Franklin County Recorder?
Daniel J. O’Connor Jr. is the Franklin County Recorder.
3. What are the Recorder Office hours?
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM. It stops accepting documents for recording after 3:45 PM.
4. What is the Franklin County Recorder phone number?
The main number is 614-525-3930. The office email address is recorder@franklincountyohio.gov.
5. Can I search Franklin County Recorder records online?
Yes. The Recorder provides Cloud Search and a legacy search system. Basic searching does not require an account.
6. How much does Franklin County charge to record a deed?
The standard fee is $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. Reference, nonstandard, return and payment fees may apply.
7. How do I get a certified deed copy?
Find the instrument number in Recorder records, then request a certified copy online, by mail or in person. The published certification charge is $2 per page plus $1 per document seal.
8. Does a deed transfer require Auditor approval?
Many ownership transfers require Auditor conveyance processing and sometimes Engineer approval before the Recorder accepts the instrument. Some document types follow a different route.
9. Can I electronically record a property transfer as an individual?
The Recorder states that individuals using its eRecording option cannot submit property-transferring documents. Electronic conveyance recording has a separate professional workflow.
10. Does Franklin County provide property fraud alerts?
Yes. The Recorder’s Property Alert service emails subscribers when a newly recorded document matches a monitored name profile.
Official Franklin County Recorder and Auditor Resources
- Recorder Office — current contact, hours, Recorder information and services.
- Public Records Search — Cloud Search and legacy records access.
- Real Estate Recording — deed filing, mailing and eRecording guidance.
- Recording Standards — legal-description, margin and signature requirements.
- Recording Fees — fees, payment methods and fee calculator.
- Recorder FAQs — certified copies, marginal references and deed questions.
- Property Alert — name-based recording alerts.
- Auditor Transfer & Conveyance — conveyance standards and forms.
- Conveyance Fee Calculator — parcel count, price and qualifying reduced fees.
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 317 — county Recorder laws.
Published fee schedules and office services may change. Check the current agency page before submitting documents or sending payment.
Legal and Public Records Notice
This article is an independent informational guide. It is not operated by the Franklin County Recorder, Auditor, Treasurer or another Ohio government agency.
It is not legal advice, a professional title search, a certified record or a guarantee of ownership. Recording a document does not establish that all title defects or liens have been resolved.
Do not use public property records for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other purposes regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This website is not a consumer reporting agency.