Linn County, Iowa • Recorder deed and land-record guide • Reviewed September 19, 2026
Linn County Recorder: Deeds & Records
This guide covers the Linn County Recorder in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Use it when you need deeds, mortgages, releases, plats, surveys, easements, trade names, military records, property-fraud alerts, copies or recording-fee guidance.
The Recorder maintains recorded documents. Property values, tax bills and ownership disputes are handled by other offices or legal professionals.
Start here
Linn County Recorder Quick Facts
Maintains official documents for homes, families and businesses.
Listed by Linn County as the county Recorder.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Use this number for Recorder and real-estate-record questions.
Monday–Friday. Second Wednesday: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM.
Linn County asks visitors to arrive by 4:00 PM for same-day services.
People searching “Linn County Recorder” usually want to find a deed, search a recorded document, check recording fees, record a real-estate document, get a copy or sign up for property-fraud alerts.
Local office
Linn County Recorder Office Address, Contact and 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
Open official Recorder pageArrival tip: Bring the exact owner name, document type, approximate recording date, parcel or legal description, and instrument number if known.
Drop box tip: Linn County says remote services may be handled by mail, phone, email and the depository box at the Public Service Center entrance.
Official search
How to Search Linn County Deeds and Recorded Documents Online
Linn County links its real-estate record search to the AVA/Fidlar land-record system.
Use this system for recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, releases, easements, plats and other indexed instruments.
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Open the official Linn County real-estate record search.
Use the Recorder’s AVA search, not a paid third-party people-search site.
Open Linn County Real Estate Record SearchAfter opening: confirm the page is for Linn County, Iowa. Start with name search if you do not already know the document number. -
Search by party name first.
Try the last name only, then add the first name. For businesses, remove punctuation and try the main business name.
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Use recording details when you have them.
If you have an instrument number, book/page or recording date, use those details to narrow results.
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Open the matching document result.
Review the document type, party names, recording date and legal description before relying on the record.
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Save the reference number.
Save the instrument number or book/page before requesting copies, asking staff for help or comparing records with parcel data.
A deed search is usually indexed by names and document data. A street address alone may not find the correct recorded document.
Record result decoder
What You May See in a Linn County Recorder Search Result
Grantor
The person or entity transferring, releasing or granting an interest.
Grantee
The person or entity receiving an interest or benefit under the recorded instrument.
Instrument number
The recorded-document identifier. Save it for copy requests and future verification.
Recording date
The date the Recorder accepted and indexed the document. It may differ from the signing date.
Document type
Examples include deed, mortgage, release, assignment, lien, easement, plat, contract or power of attorney.
Legal description
The legal description is more precise than a street address. Use it to match the record to the correct parcel.
A Recorder search helps locate public documents. It does not prove clear title, remove liens, interpret deed language or replace a title company or attorney.
Recording workflow
How to Record a Deed or Real-Estate Document in Linn County
Linn County says services can be handled in person, online through Iowa Land Records, by email, by mail, by drop box or by phone.
Real-estate transfers may also require forms, revenue tax review and Auditor-related information before a document is ready to record.
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Confirm the document type.
Deeds, mortgages, contracts, releases, assignments, plats, surveys and tax liens are examples of documents recorded by the office.
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Prepare the correct forms.
Real-estate transfers may require Declaration of Value, groundwater hazard, trade-name or Auditor-related forms depending on the document.
Open real estate forms and revenue taxesAfter opening: review the listed forms. Download the form that matches your transaction before submitting a deed or transfer document. -
Check page count and formatting.
Recording fees depend on document type, first-page cost, additional-page cost, parcel transfer fees and non-standard document fees.
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Calculate revenue tax if required.
Linn County lists Iowa real-estate revenue tax at $1.60 per thousand dollars, with the first $500 exempt.
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Submit through the correct route.
Use in-person service, Iowa Land Records, mail, email, phone or the depository box according to what the Recorder accepts for your document type.
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Keep proof of recording.
Save the recorded instrument number, receipt, return envelope details and any accepted-document confirmation.
Recording costs
Linn County Recorder Fees, Copies and Revenue Tax
The Recorder page describes basic recording fees this way.
Linn County’s standard fee list shows a deed first-page cost of $12.
Many listed document types show $5 for each additional page.
Conveyance documents can require a transfer fee. One parcel is included in the $12 first-page deed cost.
Linn County lists this maximum for the applicable transfer fee.
Two-sided documents or documents missing the 3-inch top margin can trigger this fee.
Regular document copies are listed at $1 per page.
Certification is $5 per document copied, plus $1 per page.
Round down to the nearest $500, then multiply by .0016.
Call 319-892-5420 before mailing a deed, check or large document package. Small fee differences can delay recording.
Forms and transfer documents
Forms Commonly Connected to Linn County Real-Estate Recording
Declaration of Value
Used for many real-estate transfer transactions. Linn County links the fillable D-O-V form and instructions through its real-estate forms page.
Groundwater Hazard Statement
Real-estate transfers may require this form depending on Iowa transfer rules and the transaction type.
Verified Statement — Trade Names
Linn County lists a verified statement form for trade-name filings.
Real Estate Records Redaction Request
Linn County lists a redaction request form for law enforcement agencies.
Auditor real estate taxation record change
Some transfers may require Auditor-related real-estate record updates.
Iowa Land Records
Linn County states recording and searching can be conducted online through Iowa Land Records.
Copies and certified records
How to Get a Copy of a Linn County Deed or Recorded Document
Start with the AVA real-estate record search. If you find the document, save the instrument number, document type, recording date and party names.
If you need an official certified copy, request it directly from the Recorder’s office. Do not rely on a screenshot when a certified copy is required.
For regular copies: Linn County lists document copies at $1 per page.
For certified copies: Linn County lists certification at $5 per document copied, plus $1 per page.
For federal tax lien copies: Linn County lists a $5 copy fee and a $6 certificate showing federal tax lien on file.
Before calling: gather the name, recording year, document type and instrument number if available.
Linn County has warned property owners about letters suggesting they buy certified deed copies from third-party companies. If you only need a deed copy, check with the Recorder first.
Fraud alerts
Linn County Property Fraud Alert and Notary Fraud Alert
Linn County offers Property Fraud Alert, a free service that monitors names in the Recorder’s Office and sends a notice if a document is recorded with that name.
The alert does not prevent fraud or decide whether a document is valid. It helps you review a new recording quickly.
Property Fraud Alert
Useful for property owners who want notice when a document is recorded with their name.
Open Property Fraud AlertNotary Fraud Alert
Useful for notaries who want monitoring for possible fraudulent use of credentials.
Open Notary Fraud AlertAvoid the wrong office
Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer vs Auditor
Recorder
Records and preserves deeds, mortgages, releases, plats, liens and other documents.
Use this office for recorded-document searches, copies, recording fees and fraud-alert questions.
Assessor
Handles property assessment and parcel value information.
Linn County’s Assessor assesses real property outside Cedar Rapids; Cedar Rapids has its own city assessor.
Open Linn County AssessorTreasurer
Handles property-tax payments, tax sale, tax sale redemptions and related tax-payment questions.
Open Linn County property tax pageAuditor / transfer records
Some real-estate transfers involve Auditor real-estate taxation records, levy areas or transfer processing.
Do not confuse recording a deed with updating every parcel or tax record.
Search problems
Why You May Not Find a Linn County Deed Online
Name variation: try last name only, maiden name, business name, trust name or prior owner name.
Punctuation issue: remove commas, periods, apostrophes, “LLC” punctuation and extra initials.
Wrong county: verify the property is in Linn County, Iowa, not another Linn County or a neighboring Iowa county.
Street-address problem: recorded documents are often indexed by party names and legal descriptions, not only addresses.
Recent document: call the Recorder if timing is important and the online record has not appeared yet.
Assessor mismatch: parcel ownership and recorded ownership may update on different timelines.
Avoid delays
Common Linn County Recorder Mistakes
Using the Recorder for tax bills: taxes and payments belong with the Treasurer.
Using the Recorder for values: assessments and parcel values belong with the Assessor.
Mailing without fees: recording fees, transfer fees and revenue tax may all matter.
Ignoring the 3-inch margin: missing formatting standards can trigger a non-standard fee.
Skipping Auditor steps: some real-estate transfers need Auditor-related review before or alongside recording.
Buying unnecessary deed copies: contact the Recorder before paying a third-party deed-copy company.
Decision path
What to Do Next
If you need to find a deed
Start with the Linn County AVA record search. Use party name first, then narrow by date or document type.
If you need to record a deed
Check forms, revenue tax, page count, transfer fee and formatting before submitting.
If you need a certified copy
Save the instrument number and contact the Recorder to confirm copy and certification cost.
If ownership, taxes or value look wrong
Use the Assessor for values, the Treasurer for tax bills, and a title professional or attorney for legal ownership disputes.
Important notice
Independent Information, Legal Caution and Property-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Linn County, the Linn County Recorder, Iowa Land Records or any government agency.
It is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice, a title search, title insurance or a certified public record.
Verify current fees, hours, filing rules, revenue tax, forms and recording requirements directly with the Linn County Recorder before submitting documents.
Do not use property-record information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other FCRA-regulated purpose.
FAQs
Linn County Recorder FAQs
Which Linn County does this Recorder guide cover?
This guide covers the Linn County Recorder in Linn County, Iowa. The office is located at 935 2nd Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Who is the Linn County Iowa Recorder?
The Linn County website lists Carolyn Siebrecht as the Recorder.
How do I search Linn County Iowa deeds online?
Use the Linn County Real Estate Record Search through the AVA/Fidlar system. Start with party name, then narrow by recording date, document type, instrument number or other available fields.
What documents does the Linn County Recorder record?
The Recorder records documents such as deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, contracts, plats, surveys, easements, leases, tax liens, trade names, farm names and powers of attorney.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Linn County?
Linn County lists deeds at $12 for the first page and $5 for each additional page, with an additional transfer fee of $5 for each separate parcel of real estate involved. One parcel is included in the first-page fee.
How much are copies from the Linn County Recorder?
Linn County lists document copies at $1 per page. Certifications cost $5 per document copied, plus $1 per page.
Does Linn County charge a non-standard document fee?
Yes. Linn County says non-standard documents, including two-sided documents or documents submitted without a 3-inch top margin, incur a $10 non-standard fee.
Can the Recorder tell me if I have clear title?
No. The Recorder records documents and can help explain office procedure, but clear-title questions should be handled by a title company or attorney.
Does Linn County offer property fraud alerts?
Yes. Linn County offers Property Fraud Alert, a free service that monitors names in Recorder records and sends a notice if a document is recorded with that name.
Who handles Linn County property taxes?
The Linn County Treasurer handles property-tax payments and related tax-payment questions. The Recorder handles recorded documents, not tax collection.
Official resources