Lake County, Illinois • Recorder, deeds and land records • Reviewed September 18, 2026
Lake County IL Recorder: Deeds & Records
The Lake County recorder function is handled by the Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office.
Use this office for recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, UCC filings, plats, transfer-tax forms and military discharge recordings.
The Recording Division is located at 18 N County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085.
Start here
Lake County Recorder Quick Facts
Part of the Lake County Clerk’s Office.
Shown on Lake County’s official PropertyCheck / records portal.
6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085.
Use this number for recording and copy questions.
Use this for recording-search and access questions.
Monday through Friday, excluding county holidays.
If you only know the address, find the PIN in Lake County property records first. If you need the deed, mortgage, release or lien image, use the official recorded-document search.
Use the correct office
Recorder, Assessment Office, Treasurer and GIS: Who Handles What?
Lake County Clerk — Recording Division
Use for: deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, UCC filings, plats, military discharge recordings, recorded-document copies and recording fees.
Address: 18 N County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: 847-377-2575
Fax: 847-984-5860
Email: recorder@lakecountyil.gov
Open Recording DivisionChief County Assessment Office
Use for: PIN lookup, assessments, property characteristics, exemptions and assessment records.
Address: 18 N County Street, 7th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: 847-377-2050
Email: assessor@lakecountyil.gov
Open Chief County Assessment OfficeLake County Property Tax Search
Use for: property tax history, tax summaries, owner search, address search, exemptions, sales history and property characteristics.
The property-tax search is not the same as a recorded deed image.
Use it to confirm the PIN before moving to the Recorder search.
Open Property Tax InformationLake County GIS / Tax Parcel Viewer
Use for: maps, parcel context, boundaries, nearby roads and property-location review.
GIS maps are helpful, but they are not a legal survey.
Use a licensed surveyor for precise boundary questions.
Open Tax Parcel ViewerOnline records
How to Search Lake County Deeds and Recorded Documents
Lake County offers official online access for recorded documents. Depending on the route, users may need to register, accept terms of service or use the county’s public search page.
You can search for deed and mortgage records by names, document type, document number, date range and other indexed information.
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Start with the property PIN when possible.
The PIN is shown in property records, tax bills, assessment notices and many deeds.
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Do not rely on PIN search alone.
Lake County’s search guidance warns that not every document is indexed by PIN.
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Search grantor and grantee names.
Use seller, buyer, trustee, LLC, bank or prior owner names when searching deed history.
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Use advanced search for remarks.
Advanced search may help when you know a case number, special phrase or court-related reference.
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Search forward for releases.
If you find a mortgage or lien, search later dates for a release, satisfaction or termination.
Official Public Search
Use this for quick public searching of Lake County official records.
Open Official Record SearchLand Records eSearch
The eSearch login page says users must register an account and accept the terms of service to access the database.
Open Land Records eSearchNo-result troubleshooting
Try fewer words: search last name only or one business keyword.
Use prior owners: the deed may be indexed under the seller or earlier owner.
Remove punctuation: try names without commas, apostrophes, periods or hyphens.
Try document type: deed, mortgage, release, lien, UCC, plat or easement.
Use index books for older records: Lake County guidance says pre-1980 documents may require online index books and file numbers.
Recording workflow
How to Record a Deed in Lake County, Illinois
Lake County’s deed pamphlet says all deeds require either a completed Illinois PTAX-203 form or a signed and dated exemption statement.
If a deed involves a property sale, state, county and local municipal transfer taxes may also be due.
Quitclaim deed packet
Lake County’s forms page links a deed packet with the fee schedule, sample deed, ownership definitions, recording requirements and transfer-tax information.
Open Recording FormsTransfer Tax Exemption Statement
Lake County says this statement must be included with deeds that are exempt from Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax.
Open Transfer FormsCounty staff can explain recording rules, but they cannot draft a deed or tell you the legal effect of a transfer. Use an Illinois attorney or title company when ownership rights matter.
Costs
Lake County Recording Fees and Copy Fees
Lake County’s fee page states that Public Act 102-1135 increased document recording fees for real-estate-related documents.
The only additional charges collected at recording are state and county real estate transfer taxes when due.
General standard-document recording fee.
For qualifying government-agency documents exempt from the Rental Housing Surcharge Program fee.
Applies when the document falls into a non-standard category.
For qualifying government-agency non-standard documents.
Also listed for releases of lien and UCC termination statement filings.
Applies to original financing statements and amendments, assignments, continuations or partial releases.
Copy fees
Recorded documents: $1 per page
Plats: $5 per page
PTAX forms: $1 per form
Military discharges: free to the veteran
Payment options
Lake County lists cash, check payable to Lake County Clerk, and credit/debit cards including Discover, MasterCard and VISA.
Check current card processing rules before visiting.
Electronic recording
eRecording in Lake County
Lake County supports eRecording through approved providers. The county says approved documents receive a digital file recordation stamp and official images are returned to the submitter.
eRecording providers may charge additional processing fees.
Approved providers
Lake County’s eRecording page references providers such as CSC, eRecording Partners Network, Hopdox and Simplifile.
Set up provider access before planning a time-sensitive recording.
Municipal stamp warning
Deeds for Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Mettawa or North Chicago require a signed exemption certificate or municipal revenue stamps before eRecording.
Confirm municipal requirements before submission.
Copies and images
How to Get Copies of Lake County Deeds and Recorded Documents
Lake County’s FAQ says document copies can be requested in person, by mail, by fax, by phone or by emailing the Recording Division.
If you only need research information, start with online search. If you need an official copy, confirm the copy type and fee with the Recording Division.
Online copy research
Use online records when you need a deed image, recorded-document number, date or party names.
Open Official Record SearchOrder through Recording Division
Use the Recording Division if you need help ordering, certified-document guidance or older-record assistance.
Email: recorder@lakecountyil.gov
Phone: 847-377-2575
Fraud alert
Lake County PropertyCheck and Recorded-Document Alerts
Lake County’s PropertyCheck portal is a monitoring tool tied to recorded documents.
A recording alert does not block a fraudulent filing, but it can help an owner learn when a document is recorded under a monitored name.
PropertyCheck
Use this if you want alerts tied to names or indexed records in Lake County.
Open PropertyCheckIf suspicious activity appears
Save the document number, recording date and parties. Contact the Recording Division quickly and speak with an Illinois attorney if ownership may be affected.
Recorder alerts are helpful, but legal action may be needed to challenge a fraudulent document.
Record decoder
What You Can Find in Lake County Recorder Records
Deed
Shows a recorded ownership-transfer instrument. It does not prove the property has no liens.
Mortgage
Shows a recorded security interest. Search later dates for releases or satisfactions.
Release
May show that a mortgage or lien was released. Match names and document references carefully.
Lien
Shows a recorded claim or encumbrance. Search for later releases or terminations.
Plat
Shows recorded plat information. It is not the same as a current boundary survey.
UCC filing
May show financing-statement records. UCC records have their own recording-fee categories.
A recorder search is not the same as a title opinion. For purchase, refinance, probate, foreclosure, boundary, lien priority or ownership disputes, use a title company or Illinois attorney.
Office visit
Lake County Recorder Office Map and Visit Tips
The Recording Division is located inside the Lake County government building in Waukegan.
Bring the document, correct fee, PTAX form or exemption statement, municipal stamp or exemption certificate when required, and any return-envelope or copy information.
Recording Division of the County Clerk’s Office
Address: 18 N County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085
Phone: 847-377-2575
Email: recorder@lakecountyil.gov
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Visit tip: call ahead if your deed involves transfer tax, municipal stamps, multiple PINs, non-standard formatting or eRecording uncertainty.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
If you only know the address: search Lake County property records first and save the PIN.
If you need the deed image: search official records by name, document type, PIN, date range or document number.
If PIN search misses records: search grantor and grantee names because not all documents are indexed by PIN.
If you need to record a deed: prepare PTAX-203 or the correct exemption statement before submission.
If the property is in Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Mettawa or North Chicago: verify municipal stamps or exemption certificates.
If you need copies: contact the Recording Division with document number, names, date and PIN.
If you worry about fraud: register for PropertyCheck and review any unexpected recorded documents quickly.
Avoid delays
Common Lake County Recorder Mistakes
Using PIN search only: Lake County warns that PIN searches may not reveal all documents.
Forgetting PTAX: deeds need PTAX-203 or a signed and dated exemption statement.
Missing municipal stamps: some Lake County municipalities require stamps or exemption certificates before recording.
Using old fees: recording fees changed after Public Act 102-1135.
Confusing property records with deed records: tax and assessment pages are not the recorded deed image.
Assuming a deed clears liens: search mortgages, releases, liens, UCC filings and later documents.
Expecting legal advice: Recording Division staff cannot decide the legal effect of your deed.
Important notice
Independent Information, Legal Caution and FCRA Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Lake County, the Lake County Clerk, the Recording Division, the Chief County Assessment Office or any Illinois government agency.
This guide is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice, a title search, a lien opinion or a substitute for review by a qualified professional.
Deed preparation can affect ownership rights, transfer taxes, mortgages, liens, trusts, probate, divorce orders and title insurance.
Public land and property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any FCRA-regulated consumer-reporting purpose.
FAQs
Lake County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Lake County Recorder’s Office in Illinois?
The Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk’s Office is 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.
What are the Lake County Recording Division hours?
The office lists hours as Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Where do I search Lake County deeds online?
Use the official Lake County public records search or the Land Records eSearch system. eSearch may require account registration and acceptance of terms of service.
Can I search Lake County recorder records by PIN?
Yes, but Lake County’s search guidance warns that PIN search may not show every related document because PINs were not required on all documents.
What does it cost to record a standard document in Lake County?
Lake County lists the standard document recording fee as $70. Non-standard documents, liens, UCC filings and government-agency documents may have different fees.
What copy fees does Lake County list?
Lake County lists recorded documents at $1 per page, plats at $5 per page, PTAX forms at $1 per form and military discharges free to the veteran.
What forms are needed to record a deed?
Lake County’s deed guidance says all deeds require either a completed Illinois PTAX-203 form or a signed and dated exemption statement.
Can I eRecord a deed in Lake County?
Lake County supports eRecording through approved providers, but some deeds require municipal revenue stamps or exemption certificates before submission.
Can the Recording Division prepare my deed?
No. The Recording Division can explain recording procedures, but deed preparation and legal effect questions should be handled by an Illinois attorney or title professional.
Official links