Marion County, Indiana • Recorder deeds & land records • Reviewed September 30, 2026
Marion County Recorder: Deeds, Property Records, Search Steps, Fees & Office Guide
The Marion County Recorder’s Office in Indianapolis maintains permanent public records of property transactions, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, surveys and related instruments.
Use the Recorder when you need the actual recorded deed, mortgage, lien, release, survey or certified copy.
If you only know the street address, start with the Marion County Assessor property card. Find the owner or parcel information first, then move to the Recorder search.
Start here
Marion County Recorder Quick Facts
Deeds and other documents that transfer ownership must go to the Marion County Assessor in Room 1360 for the required transfer endorsement before the Recorder accepts them.
Office role decoder
Recorder vs. Assessor vs. Auditor vs. Treasurer
Marion County Recorder
- Deeds
- Mortgages
- Mortgage releases
- Liens
- Easements
- Surveys and plats
- Certified copies
Marion County Assessor
- Property Record Card
- Parcel number
- Owner display
- Property characteristics
- Assessed value
- Transfer document stamp
County Auditor
- Property deductions
- Transfer-related administration
- Tax duplicate functions
- Property deduction records
County Treasurer
- Property-tax bills
- Tax payments
- Delinquent taxes
- Payment receipts
I only know the street address → start with the Assessor Property Record Card.
I need the actual deed → use the Recorder.
I need the assessed value → use the Assessor.
I need the property-tax balance → use the Treasurer.
Online records
How to Search Marion County Deeds and Recorded Documents
Marion County provides several ways to research recorded real-estate documents.
Occasional users should start with the County’s official search page. Frequent professional users can review the subscription search option listed there.
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1
If you only know the address, identify the property first
Open the Marion County Property Record Card system and search by address, owner or parcel information.
Open Property Record CardsAfter opening: search the street address, select the correct parcel and save the owner name, parcel number and legal-description clues before moving to the Recorder search. -
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Open the official Recorder search page
Open Real Estate Records SearchAfter opening: compare the available search options. Use the basic remote search for occasional research or the professional subscription option if you perform frequent Recorder searches. -
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Search using the strongest clue you have
Use party name, instrument number, document type or recording-date information where supported.
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Open the matching instrument
Compare the parties, document type, recording date and property information before assuming you found the correct deed.
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Save the instrument number
The instrument number is useful when requesting copies, tracing related documents or talking with Recorder staff.
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Search later records too
Look for mortgages, releases, liens, easements, survivorship affidavits or later deeds that may affect the property.
The Assessor is generally the easier starting point for an address. The Recorder is the better source for the underlying recorded legal instrument.
Understand the results
Marion County Recorder Search Result Decoder
Instrument number
The Recorder reference assigned to a recorded document.
Save it before requesting a copy.Grantor
The party transferring or granting an interest.
Often the seller on a deed.Grantee
The party receiving the interest.
Often the buyer on a deed.Recording date
The date the Recorder accepted the instrument.
It can differ from the closing or signature date.Document type
Examples include deed, mortgage, release, lien, easement, survey or affidavit.
Not every recorded document changes ownership.Parcel information
Helps connect the instrument with the correct Marion County property.
Verify it against the Assessor card when possible.Historic land records
How Far Back Do Marion County Recorder Records Go?
The Marion County Recorder maintains real-estate records dating back to 1821.
The office has digitized millions of older documents, but historic records can require a different search path than modern indexed instruments.
Modern indexed records
Use the current remote search tools for documents available through the electronic index.
Instrument numbers, party names and date ranges are usually the best clues.
1821–March 1964 material
Older material may rely on digitized historic indexes, microfilm or in-office assistance.
If an online search fails, contact Recorder staff rather than assuming the document does not exist.
Local transfer workflow
How to Record a Deed in Marion County, Indiana
Marion County has an important extra step for deeds and other ownership-transfer documents.
The Recorder’s official page states that a property-transfer document must be stamped by the Assessor’s Office in Room 1360 before recording.
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1
Prepare the deed correctly
Confirm the parties, legal description, signatures, acknowledgment and return information.
Recorder staff cannot tell you which deed form to use or provide legal advice.
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2
Complete transfer paperwork
Determine whether an Indiana Sales Disclosure Form or other transfer documentation is required.
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3
Take the transfer to the Assessor first
Go to the Assessor’s transfer function in Room 1360 at the City-County Building.
Obtain the required Assessor endorsement before going to the Recorder.
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Check the Recorder fee
Marion County uses the Indiana Recorder fee structure plus the local supplemental recording fee applicable in the consolidated city.
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Submit the document
The Recorder accepts qualifying documents in person, by mail or through approved eRecording partners.
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Save the recorded instrument number
Use that number later for copies, title research or related-document searches.
Recording and copy cost
Marion County Recorder Fees
Indiana establishes most county Recorder charges by statute.
Marion County also has a local $10 supplemental recording fee for each document, which supports the Indianapolis housing trust fund.
$25 statewide recording charge plus the $10 Marion County supplemental recording fee.
Mortgage recording uses a separate Indiana statutory fee and Marion County supplemental charge.
Indiana fee guidance lists $1 per page for copies 11 × 17 inches or smaller.
For copies larger than 11 × 17 inches.
Added when an officially certified Recorder copy is requested.
Indiana law provides an additional charge for pages exceeding standard dimensions.
An ownership transfer may involve Assessor or Sales Disclosure charges in addition to the Recorder’s recording fee. Verify the complete amount before mailing a deed.
Copies and certification
How to Get a Copy of Your Marion County Deed
Losing your paper deed does not mean the ownership record disappeared.
Once a deed is recorded, the Marion County Recorder maintains the recorded version and can provide copies.
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Locate the recorded deed
Search the Recorder records using owner, instrument or date information.
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Verify the parties and property
Check that the grantor, grantee and property information match your parcel.
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Choose plain or certified
Use a normal copy for research. Request certification when a court, lender, agency or legal process requires it.
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Use the current County copy process
Follow the Recorder’s online, mail or in-office instructions.
Liens and releases
How to Check Liens on Marion County Property
Recorder records can contain mortgages, mechanic’s liens, judgments, tax-related liens and releases.
A broad property review should look for both the original lien and any later release or satisfaction.
Search the current owner: look for liens, mortgages and other recorded claims.
Search prior owners: older unreleased instruments may still need investigation.
Check later documents: a release or satisfaction can change the meaning of the earlier lien record.
Do not assume the Recorder can clear a lien: the underlying creditor or agency normally controls the release.
Ownership after death
Survivorship Affidavit and Removing a Deceased Owner
Marion County publishes a specific Recorder process for recording a survivorship affidavit.
This procedure may be useful when title was held in a form that allows the surviving owner to establish the death of a co-owner through a recordable affidavit.
Probate, trusts, transfer-on-death instruments, tenancy language and estate circumstances can change the correct legal procedure.
Electronic submission
Marion County eRecording
Marion County accepts qualifying documents electronically through approved eRecording partners.
This route is commonly used by title companies, law firms, lenders and other organizations that record documents regularly.
Recorder charges
Normal statutory and Marion County recording charges still apply to the submitted instrument.
Provider charges
The eRecording company may add its own transaction or service charge.
Free monitoring service
Marion County Property Fraud Alerts
Marion County promotes a free property-fraud notification service that can alert registered users when a document matching monitored information is recorded.
The service is an early-warning tool. It does not prevent a document from being recorded and does not determine whether a filing is fraudulent.
Cost
Free for residents who register for the alert service.
Purpose
Helps users notice new recording activity sooner.
Limitation
An alert is not title insurance and does not block a suspicious instrument.
Other Recorder services
Additional Records and Filings Handled by the Recorder
Mechanic’s liens
The Recorder accepts qualifying mechanic’s lien filings that satisfy Indiana requirements.
UCC filings
Certain Uniform Commercial Code filings are handled through the Recorder.
Military discharge
The County provides a process to record qualifying military discharge documents.
DBA certificates
The Recorder publishes filing and dissolution instructions for certain assumed business-name records.
Plats and surveys
Recorded plats and surveys form part of the County’s permanent land-record collection.
Easements
Recorded easements can document rights to use or restrict portions of real property.
Visit or contact
Marion County Recorder Address, Phone, Email & Google Map
Marion County Recorder’s Office
Recorder: Faith Kimbrough
Address:
City-County Building
200 E. Washington Street
Suite T-741
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-327-4020
Email: recorder@indy.gov
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Published phone-answering hours: approximately 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Before visiting
For deed research: bring the owner name, property address, parcel number, approximate recording year and any known instrument number.
For a transfer deed: complete the Assessor transfer-stamp step before arriving at the Recorder counter.
For copies: locate the instrument online first whenever possible.
For legal questions: the Recorder can explain procedure but cannot select a deed form, interpret title or resolve an ownership dispute.
Avoid delays
Common Marion County Recorder Mistakes
Taking a transfer deed straight to the Recorder: ownership-transfer documents need the Assessor endorsement first.
Using the Recorder to find assessed value: values and Property Record Cards belong with the Assessor.
Stopping at the first matching name: verify the parcel, instrument and legal-description information before relying on the result.
Looking only for the deed: later mortgages, releases, liens, easements or affidavits may also matter.
Using an old fee amount: confirm current County and statutory charges before mailing payment.
Confusing a recorded document with clear title: the Recorder preserves instruments but does not issue title opinions.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
Search the Assessor Property Record Card and save the owner and parcel information.
Use the Recorder search, locate the instrument and request a normal or certified copy.
Complete the transfer paperwork and Assessor stamp before Recorder submission.
Search the Recorder index and look for both the original lien and later releases.
Use the older-record search instructions or contact Recorder staff for historic-index assistance.
Sign up for the County’s free Property Fraud Alert service.
Important caution
Independent Information, Legal Caution and FCRA Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Marion County, Indianapolis, the Recorder, Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer or the State of Indiana.
This guide is not legal advice, a title examination or a guarantee that a deed, lien, release or other instrument is legally valid.
Deed preparation, survivorship, probate, trust transfers, disputed ownership and title defects can materially affect legal rights. Consult a qualified Indiana attorney or title professional when necessary.
Recording rules, fees, office hours, online-search systems and submission methods can change. Verify current requirements with the official office before recording or paying fees.
Do not use Recorder or property records for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.
Fast answers
Marion County Recorder FAQs
Which Marion County Recorder does this guide cover?
This guide covers the Marion County Recorder’s Office in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Where is the Marion County Recorder’s Office?
The Recorder is in the City-County Building at 200 E. Washington Street, Suite T-741, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Who is the Marion County Recorder?
Faith Kimbrough is the Marion County Recorder. She took office in January 2023.
How do I search Marion County deeds online?
Use the Recorder’s official Search Real Estate Records Online page. If you only know the street address, start with the Marion County Assessor Property Record Card first.
How far back do Marion County Recorder records go?
The Recorder maintains real-estate records dating to 1821. Older records can require historic indexes, microfilm or additional search steps.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Marion County?
The current basic deed recording total is generally $35, reflecting Indiana’s statutory deed/instrument fee plus Marion County’s local $10 supplemental recording fee. Verify the live amount before filing.
Does a deed need the Assessor’s stamp before recording?
Yes. The Marion County Recorder states that deeds and other property-transfer documents must be stamped by the Assessor’s Office in Room 1360 before they are recorded.
How do I get a certified deed copy?
Locate the recorded instrument first, then request certification through the Recorder’s current copy process. Indiana’s Recorder fee framework lists a $5 certification charge in addition to applicable copy fees.
Does Marion County accept eRecording?
Yes. The Recorder accepts eligible documents electronically through approved eRecording partners in addition to mail and in-person submissions.
Does Marion County offer property fraud alerts?
Yes. Marion County promotes a free Property Fraud Alert service that can notify registered users about potentially relevant new recording activity. The alert does not prevent a document from being recorded.
Official resources