Linn County, Iowa • Cedar Rapids deeds & land records guide • 2026
Linn County IA Recorder: Deeds & Records
The Linn County Recorder in Cedar Rapids records and preserves deeds, mortgages, easements, releases, liens, plats, contracts and other documents affecting real estate in Linn County, Iowa.
Use the Recorder when you need the actual recorded instrument. If your goal is the current owner, assessed value or parcel information, you may need the Linn County Assessor or Cedar Rapids City Assessor instead.
Linn County now uses the AVA/Fidlar land-record system for local deed searches. Statewide Iowa records and electronic submissions are also available through Iowa Land Records.
Fast answer
Linn County Recorder Quick Facts
The official Linn County website identifies Carolyn Siebrecht as County Recorder.
Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Use for real-estate recording, copies, fee and search questions.
Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
The Recorder opens later on the second Wednesday of each month.
The real-estate page recommends arriving by 4:00 PM for same-day service.
Standard recording is $5 per page plus a $2 transaction surcharge.
Includes the first parcel transfer fee; extra pages and parcels cost more.
The Linn County Assessor does not assess property inside Cedar Rapids city limits. Cedar Rapids properties are handled by the Cedar Rapids City Assessor.
Office details
Linn County Recorder Address, Mailing Address, Hours & Google Map
Linn County Recorder
Recorder: Carolyn Siebrecht
Physical address: 935 2nd Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1406, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-1406
Phone: 319-892-5420
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:30 PM
Second Wednesday: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
Closed: County holidays
Linn County says many Recorder services can be handled online, by mail, phone or through the depository box at the entrance of the Public Service Center.
Check current office notices and holiday closings. Then choose Real Estate for deeds, land records, forms, fraud alerts and recording fees.
Online land records
How to Search Linn County Deeds and Recorded Documents
Linn County uses the AVA system from Fidlar Technologies for its local real-estate record search.
The Recorder switched to the current land-record system in 2024, allowing newly recorded documents to become viewable quickly after recording.
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Open the Linn County AVA search.
Start with the county-linked system rather than a commercial property-record website.
Open Linn County AVAAfter opening:Accept any public-search terms shown by the portal. Start with the party name or other recording details you already have, then narrow the result before opening document images.
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Search the party name carefully.
Try a former owner or alternate name spelling when the current owner produces no useful result.
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Use recording references when available.
A document number or prior recording reference is generally more precise than a broad name search.
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Verify the legal description.
Do not rely only on a similar surname or street address when confirming a deed.
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Save the recording reference.
Keep it for future searches, certified-copy requests, releases or title research.
If you cannot find the deed
Check the owner name: try the seller or prior owner as well as the current owner.
Check the date range: a closing date and official recording date may differ.
Find the parcel first: use the correct Assessor office when you only know the street address.
Try statewide search: Iowa Land Records can help when you are unsure which Iowa county holds the document.
Avoid the wrong office
Recorder vs. Linn County Assessor vs. Cedar Rapids City Assessor
Linn County Recorder
- Deeds and contracts
- Mortgages
- Assignments and releases
- Liens
- Easements
- Plats and surveys
Linn County Assessor
Assessor: Jerry Witt
Address: 935 2nd Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone: 319-892-5220
Handles assessed values, parcel records and exemptions for Linn County property outside Cedar Rapids.
Cedar Rapids City Assessor
City Assessor: Julie Carson
Address: 500 15th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone: 319-286-5888
Handles assessed values and parcel records for property within Cedar Rapids city limits.
Need the deed image? Use the Recorder. Need the assessed value or parcel record? Use the assessor responsible for that property’s location.
What the office records
Documents Recorded by the Linn County Recorder
Recorded instruments transferring interests in real property.
Recorded mortgage instruments affecting Linn County property.
Documents assigning or releasing previously recorded interests.
Recordable real-estate contracts and related instruments.
Recorded rights of access, utilities and similar interests.
State and federal tax liens and other qualifying lien records.
Survey and subdivision-related records.
Recordable powers connected with real-estate matters.
Military service records handled under applicable privacy rules.
Recording workflow
How to Record a Deed in Linn County, Iowa
A deed must satisfy Iowa recording standards before the Recorder can accept it.
The Recorder cannot replace an attorney or title professional when you need help drafting the deed, choosing the ownership form or determining the legal effect of a transfer.
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Prepare the document.
Make sure the deed is complete, legible and uses the correct parties and legal description.
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Check the first-page information.
Iowa law requires items such as preparer details, return address, document title, grantor, grantee and required property information.
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Leave the Recorder margin.
The first page generally requires a three-inch top margin reserved for recording information.
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Complete transfer forms when required.
A Declaration of Value and other transfer forms may accompany a nonexempt conveyance.
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Calculate revenue tax and fees.
Add recording charges, Auditor transfer fees and Iowa real-estate transfer tax when applicable.
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Submit the document.
Use the Recorder counter, mail/drop box or an eligible Iowa Land Records electronic submission route.
Iowa law generally prohibits including Social Security numbers, bank-account numbers and similar personally identifiable financial information in documents prepared for recording.
Iowa formatting rules
Document Standards That Can Affect Recording
At least 3 inches reserved for the Recorder.
Generally at least ¾ inch.
Generally at least 10-point for typed or computer-generated text.
Use black or dark blue ink and keep them clearly reproducible.
White paper meeting Iowa recording standards.
Documents that do not meet applicable standards can incur an extra $10 fee.
Iowa law requires the Recorder to reject certain documents when legibility, signatures, taxpayer mailing information or other mandatory requirements are not satisfied.
Current costs
Linn County Recorder Deed & Recording Fees
$5 page fee plus the $2 transaction surcharge for many documents.
Per additional page for standard documents.
Includes the first $5 parcel transfer fee.
Auditor transfer fee applies per separate parcel, subject to the county maximum.
Published Recorder copy charge.
Plus the applicable $1-per-page copy charge.
The Recorder states that the transfer-fee maximum is $50 for qualifying conveyances involving multiple parcels.
Open official Recorder fee scheduleScroll to Recorded Documents and Standard Fees. Match your document type, count the pages and add parcel transfer fees or nonstandard-document fees when applicable.
Iowa transfer tax
Real Estate Revenue Tax on Linn County Transfers
Iowa real-estate revenue tax can apply when a deed or other taxable conveyance transfers real property.
Linn County currently publishes the calculation as $1.60 per $1,000, with the first $500 exempt and the taxable amount rounded down to the nearest $500 for calculation.
Simple illustration
A transfer with taxable consideration of $250,000 can create a substantial revenue-tax amount in addition to ordinary recording charges.
Use the official Iowa Land Records revenue-tax calculator before relying on a manual estimate.
Locate the real-estate transfer or revenue-tax calculator. Enter the consideration and verify whether the transfer qualifies for an exemption before preparing payment.
Transfer paperwork
Forms Commonly Needed With a Linn County Deed
Generally required with certain nonexempt Iowa real-estate conveyances.
May be required for qualifying real-estate transfers under Iowa environmental rules.
Used when the transfer requires updates to county taxation records.
The Recorder also publishes the Verified Statement of Trade Name form.
Download the Declaration of Value instructions and any applicable transfer form. Do not assume every deed needs every form—exempt transactions have different requirements.
Copies & certification
How to Get a Linn County Deed Copy
Search AVA first when you only need to review a recorded deed or mortgage.
If an agency, court, lender or legal process requires an official certified copy, request certification from the Recorder.
Regular copy
The Recorder publishes a fee of $1 per page.
Online viewing may be sufficient for informal research.
Certified copy
The certification charge is $5 per document plus $1 per copied page.
Have the document reference ready before ordering.
Linn County reported that its newer land-record system allows customers recording in person to leave with their original deed after the document has been scanned and recorded.
Electronic submission
eRecording Through Iowa Land Records
Linn County lists Iowa Land Records as an online option for recording and searching land documents.
Electronic submission is especially useful for title companies, attorneys, lenders and other repeat filers that already use the statewide land-record system.
Open Iowa Land RecordsChoose the electronic submission area if you are filing a document. Account setup and document requirements are separate from the free public-search workflow.
Free monitoring
Linn County Property Fraud Alert
Linn County Recorder offers a free Property Fraud Alert service that monitors recorded documents for a registered name.
Alerts may be generated when a deed, loan, lien or another real-estate document is recorded using that name.
The service does not prevent fraudulent recording. It is an early-warning tool that can help a property owner investigate quickly.
Open Property Fraud AlertFollow the free enrollment link and register the names you want monitored. If you receive an unfamiliar alert, open AVA, review the new document and compare its legal description with your property.
Linn County advises contacting local authorities and working with an attorney. Recorder staff can help review the document but cannot provide legal advice or interpret its legal effect.
Military records
DD214 Recording and Iowa Military Property-Tax Benefits
The Recorder handles military service records, including DD214 filings.
Linn County’s 2026 guidance noted that qualifying veterans seeking the Iowa military property-tax exemption needed their DD214 recorded with the Recorder by July 1, 2026.
Property-tax exemption applications themselves go to the appropriate assessor, not the Recorder.
Apply for assessment-based credits or exemptions through the Cedar Rapids City Assessor. Outside Cedar Rapids, use the Linn County Assessor.
Avoid delays
Common Linn County Deed & Recording Mistakes
Using the County Assessor for a Cedar Rapids parcel: Cedar Rapids has its own City Assessor.
Confusing an assessor record with the deed: assessment data summarizes the parcel; the Recorder preserves the actual recorded instrument.
Forgetting transfer forms: a taxable conveyance may require a Declaration of Value and other transfer documents.
Ignoring the 3-inch first-page margin: a nonstandard document can trigger an additional recording charge.
Missing Auditor parcel fees: deeds and other conveyances can carry a $5 transfer fee per parcel.
Calculating only the Recorder fee: Iowa real-estate revenue tax may be much larger than the basic recording charge.
Assuming a recorded deed proves clear title: public record access is not the same as a professional title examination.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
Search AVA first, identify the recording reference and request certification only if necessary.
Use the appropriate assessor record first, then search the owner name in AVA.
Use the Cedar Rapids City Assessor for valuation and assessment questions.
Use the Linn County Assessor for parcel and assessment information.
Check Iowa formatting rules, transfer forms, parcel fees and revenue tax before submission.
Use a qualified Iowa attorney or title professional for a complete title examination.
Important caution
Independent Information, Legal Caution & Public-Records Notice
This page is an independent informational guide. It is not the official website of Linn County, the Linn County Recorder or the City of Cedar Rapids.
Recorder staff record documents that meet legal requirements but do not guarantee marketable title or determine the legal effect of a deed.
Fees, forms, tax calculations, hours and electronic-recording procedures can change. Verify current requirements with the Recorder before submitting a document or payment.
Public property records should be used for property, recording, title-reference and legitimate public-record research.
Do not use these records for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another FCRA-regulated purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.
Fast answers
Linn County Recorder FAQs
Who is the Linn County Recorder in Cedar Rapids?
The official Linn County website identifies Carolyn Siebrecht as the Linn County Recorder.
Where is the Linn County Recorder’s Office?
The Recorder is at 935 2nd Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1406, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-1406.
What are the Linn County Recorder office hours?
Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. On the second Wednesday of each month, the office opens at 10:00 AM.
How do I search Linn County Iowa deeds online?
Use the official Linn County AVA/Fidlar land-record search. Iowa Land Records can also be used for statewide land-record research.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Linn County?
A typical deed is listed at $12 for the first page, which includes the first parcel transfer fee, plus $5 for each additional page. Additional parcel and other charges can apply.
What is the Linn County Auditor transfer fee?
Conveyances such as deeds and contracts generally carry an additional $5 transfer fee for each separate parcel, with a published maximum transfer fee of $50.
How much does a Linn County deed copy cost?
The Recorder publishes a $1-per-page copy fee. Certification costs $5 per document in addition to the copy charge.
Does Linn County offer electronic recording?
Yes. Linn County lists Iowa Land Records as an online option for recording and searching documents.
Does Linn County offer a property fraud alert?
Yes. The Recorder offers a free Property Fraud Alert service that can notify enrolled users when a document is recorded under a monitored name.
Which assessor handles property inside Cedar Rapids?
Property inside Cedar Rapids city limits is assessed by the Cedar Rapids City Assessor. The Linn County Assessor handles Linn County property outside Cedar Rapids.
Official resources