Lake County, Illinois • Recorder / County Clerk Recording Division • 2026 guide
Lake County IL Recorder of Deeds: Search Records, Office Address, Fees, Deeds & Copies
The Lake County Recorder of Deeds function is handled by the Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office.
Use this office for recorded land records such as deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats, UCC filings and other recorded real-estate documents.
For online searches, use the official Lake County records search portal. For recording, copy requests, redaction forms or deed packets, use the official Lake County Clerk / Recording Division resources.
Fast answer
Lake County Recorder of Deeds Quick Facts
Handles recording, archiving and retrieval of recorded documents.
The online search portal identifies the Lake County Clerk as Anthony Vega.
Waukegan, IL 60085.
Use this number for recording, copy and office-direction questions.
Official directory pages list this fax for the Recording Division.
Use for recording or copy-order questions when email is accepted.
The Recorder / Recording Division records documents. It does not guarantee title, give legal advice, prepare deeds, determine property taxes or maintain court case files.
Office details
Lake County IL Recorder Office Address, Hours and Map
Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office
Address: 18 N County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: 847-377-2575
Fax: 847-984-5860
Email: recorder@lakecountyil.gov
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
Office location: Lake County Court and Administrative Complex, 6th floor.
Before visiting
Bring the document, payment, PIN if available, return-mailing address and any required transfer-tax or municipal documents.
Lake County’s office is inside a court and administrative complex, so plan for parking and security screening.
If you are recording a deed, legal or tax consequences may apply. Use an attorney or title professional when needed.
Google Map: Lake County Recording Division, 18 N County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085
Online search
How to Search Lake County IL Recorder of Deeds Records Online
The official records search portal is labeled Official Records Search and includes Lake County land records.
The search page lets users search by grantor/grantee, subdivision, document type, document number and recorded-date range.
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Open the official records search.
Use the Lake County public search portal, not a third-party lookup page.
Open Official Records Search -
Start with Quick Search.
Enter a grantor, grantee, subdivision, document type or document number.
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Search names in the recommended format.
The portal advises using lastname firstname format, such as SMITH JOHN, for better name searches.
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Use quotes for exact names.
If you need an exact phrase or exact name, place the search words in quotation marks.
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Use Advanced Search for party names.
Advanced Search is better when selecting grantor, grantee or exact party names.
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Check the certified-through date.
The portal displays the current certification date near the top of the search page.
Recorder searches show recorded documents. They are not the same as property-tax assessment searches, court case searches or a title insurance search.
Document copies
How to Get a Copy of a Deed or Recorded Document
Lake County states that copies may be requested in person, by mail, by fax, by phone or by email, depending on the document and request type.
In person: visit the Recording Division at 18 N County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan.
By phone: call 847-377-2575 with the document information.
By email: send the order request to recorder@lakecountyil.gov when email ordering is appropriate.
By fax: the Recording Division fax is 847-984-5860.
What helps: document number, recording date, grantor/grantee names, property address or PIN.
Record a document
Recording a Deed or Real-Estate Document in Lake County
Deeds for property located in Lake County should be recorded with the Lake County Clerk’s Recording Division.
The office records many document types, including deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, releases, ordinances, annexations, UCC filings and military discharge records.
Prepare the document: make sure the document meets Illinois and Lake County recording rules.
Check margins and stamp space: Lake County publishes standard-document formatting guidance.
Include return address: the office asks that documents indicate where the original should be returned after processing.
Check transfer-tax requirements: deeds may require Illinois transfer-tax forms or exemption statements.
Check municipal stamps: some municipalities may require stamps or exemption certificates before recording.
Pay the correct fee: confirm the current recording fee before mailing or visiting.
Professional submitters
Lake County eRecording Options
Lake County offers eRecording through approved vendors. The submitter enters the required data and attaches scanned document images.
Lake County staff review the electronic package. Approved documents receive a digital recording stamp and official images are returned electronically.
Lake County vendors listed: CSC, eRecording Partners Network, Hopdox and Simplifile.
Fees: standard Lake County recording fees still apply.
Vendor charges: each eRecording vendor may charge its own processing fee.
Rejected package: if rejected, the package is returned so the issue can be corrected and resubmitted.
Fees and payment
Recording Fees, Copy Fees and Payment Options
Lake County publishes a Recording & Copy Fees page and a recording-fee PDF. Always verify the current fee before recording.
Recorded document copies: Lake County’s summary lists recorded documents at $1 per page.
Plats: Lake County’s summary lists plats at $5 per page.
PTAX forms: Lake County’s summary lists PTAX forms at $1 per form.
Military discharges: Lake County’s summary says military discharges are free to the veteran.
Payments: the fee page lists cash, check payable to Lake County Clerk, and credit/debit cards.
Forms and protections
Useful Lake County Recorder Forms and Services
Deed packet
Lake County provides deed-packet materials, including quitclaim deed guidance and recording requirements.
Transfer Tax Exemption Statement
Use this when a deed is exempt from Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax and the exemption paragraph applies.
Document Image Redaction Request
Use this for removal of Social Security numbers or other personal numbers from recorded document images.
Plat Act Affidavit
Lake County lists a Plat Act Affidavit for deeds in unsubdivided areas with metes-and-bounds legal descriptions.
DD214 request
Lake County provides forms for military discharge records previously recorded in Lake County.
Property alert / PropertyCheck
The search portal links to property-alert tools that can help owners monitor filings connected to their name or property.
Do not use the wrong office
Recorder vs Assessor, Treasurer, Circuit Clerk and Vital Records
Chief County Assessment Office
Use for property assessments, assessed values, exemptions, PIN questions and property characteristics.
Address: 18 N County Street, 7th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: 847-377-2050
Open AssessmentsLake County Property Tax Information
Use for tax and assessment searches, PIN-based property details and tax-cycle information.
Open Property Tax SearchLake County Circuit Clerk
Use for court case records, traffic, civil and criminal case files.
Recorder records are not court case records.
Open Circuit ClerkVital Records Division
Use for birth, death, marriage and civil union records.
Lake County recording FAQs state vital records are maintained by the Vital Records Division, not the Recording Division.
Open Vital RecordsVisit checklist
What to Bring Before You Visit or Mail a Recording
Document ready for recording: signed, notarized and prepared correctly when required.
Return-mailing address: clearly show where the original document should be returned.
Payment: verify current recording or copy fee before submitting.
PIN or legal description: useful for deeds and property-related filings.
Transfer-tax materials: PTAX or exemption documents when required.
Municipal documents: revenue stamps or exemption certificates when a municipality requires them.
Professional review: use an attorney or title company for deed preparation, title searches or legal consequences.
Important notice
Independent Guide, Public Records and Legal-Use Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Lake County, the Lake County Clerk, the Recording Division or any government agency.
This page does not provide legal advice, title advice, tax advice or deed-preparation services.
Recorded land records are public records, but a public record search is not the same as a title search. Lake County’s own FAQ cautions that only a title company can perform and guarantee a full title search.
Do not use public-record information for employment, tenant screening, credit, insurance or any purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act unless you are using an authorized consumer reporting process.
FAQs
Lake County IL Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Is the Lake County Recorder of Deeds a separate office?
The recorder function is handled by the Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office.
Where is the Lake County IL Recorder of Deeds office?
The Recording Division is located at 18 N County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085.
What is the Lake County recorder phone number?
The Recording Division phone number is 847-377-2575.
How do I search Lake County recorded documents?
Use the official records search portal and search by grantor, grantee, subdivision, document type, document number or recorded date range.
Can I search by property address?
The recorder search focuses on recorded document information. For assessment and property-tax details, use the Lake County property tax or assessment search tools.
How do I get a copy of my deed?
You can request copies through the Recording Division in person, by phone, by mail, by fax or by email when appropriate.
Can Lake County prepare my deed?
No. The Recording Division records documents but does not prepare deeds or provide legal advice.
Does Lake County allow eRecording?
Yes. Lake County lists eRecording through approved vendors such as CSC, ePN, Hopdox and Simplifile.
Where do I find recording fees?
Use the official Lake County Recording & Copy Fees page and fee PDF before submitting a document.
Are birth, marriage and death records handled by the Recorder?
No. Vital records are handled by the Vital Records Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office.
Official resources