McHenry County Recorder: Deeds, Property Records, Online Search, Office Address & Recording Fees
The McHenry County Recorder maintains public records of real-estate transactions in McHenry County, Illinois, including deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements and subdivision plats.
The Recorder’s walk-in office is at 667 Ware Road, Room 109, Woodstock, IL 60098. The county also provides a free recorded-document index, paid document-image services and a free Property Fraud Alert program.
This guide explains how to find a deed, order an official copy, prepare a document for recording, calculate common charges and contact the correct county office.
McHenry County Recorder Quick Facts
Records and preserves deeds, mortgages, releases and other land documents.
Serves as both County Clerk and Recorder.
Administration Building, Room 109, Woodstock, IL 60098.
Recording, deed-search and document-copy assistance.
Monday–Friday, excluding county holidays.
Historical indexes and images through the county’s land-record systems.
McHenry County’s free online search displays indexed property-record information. Full document images and certified copies are available through separate paid or staff-assisted services.
McHenry County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours & Google Map
Recorder Walk-In Office
Recorder: Joseph J. Tirio
Physical address:
McHenry County Recorder
Administration Building
667 Ware Road, Room 109
Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone: 815-334-4110
Fax: 815-334-0276
Email: recorders@mchenrycountyil.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM.
Recorder Mailing Address
Mail documents to:
McHenry County Recorder
Government Center
2200 North Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
Important: This is the published mailing address, not the walk-in counter address.
Before mailing: Confirm the recording fee, document requirements and return-envelope instructions.
County government main line: 815-334-4000
For Recorder-specific questions, use 815-334-4110 rather than the general county number.
Google Map to McHenry County Recorder
The walk-in office is inside the McHenry County Administration Building on Ware Road in Woodstock, Illinois.
Open Driving Directions in Google Maps
Official Recorder Contact and Office Hours
Joseph J. Tirio also serves as McHenry County Clerk, but the Recorder’s land-recording services have their own contact number and public counter location.
How to Search McHenry County Recorder Deeds Online
McHenry County provides three principal online land-record options: free indexed search, Tapestry EON and Laredo Anywhere.
Search names, PINs, addresses and other indexed information without purchasing document images.
Pay-as-you-go access for users who need to retrieve recorded documents.
Subscription-based access with detailed searching and document images.
Step-by-Step Deed Search
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Open the official public-records search page.
Start with the free option unless you specifically need a paid image or professional subscription.
Open McHenry County Public Records Search Options
After opening: choose “Recorder’s Free Web Search” under the Free Web Search heading. -
Choose your search method.
Search using a person’s name, business or trust name, document number, PIN or property address.
Use the exact recorded instrument number when available.
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Search by grantor or grantee.
The grantor is generally the party transferring a property interest.
The grantee is generally the receiving party.
Search earlier owners when reviewing a property’s history.
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Review matching documents.
Compare document type, recording date, party names and the official recording number.
Make sure you are viewing the correct parcel and transaction.
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Choose whether you need the document image.
The free search provides indexed information, not the full recorded image.
Use Tapestry, Laredo or the Recorder’s copy service if you need the actual document.
Recent McHenry County recording references often use a format resembling 2020R0000000: the year, letter R and a seven-digit sequence.
A correct recording number is usually more precise than searching a common name.
How Far Back Do McHenry County Records Go?
The county’s public records search information identifies land-record indexes and images dating back to 1839.
Older documents may require additional searching by historic names, book references or document images.
Laredo Subscription Costs
The Recorder’s published Laredo pricing includes monthly plans beginning at $50 for up to 250 minutes.
Higher plans provide additional search minutes, with the published unlimited plan priced at $250 per month.
Laredo remote printing is listed at $1.50 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page.
These are the county’s posted rates; confirm the currently offered plans before subscribing.
Email Recorder About Laredo Access
Laredo technical assistance: 815-334-4108
How to Search McHenry County Property Records by Address or PIN
If you only know a street address, the county’s property and assessment systems can help you locate the correct parcel before searching Recorder documents.
McHenry County uses a Property Index Number (PIN) for identifying parcels in assessment and tax records.
McHenry County Athena Property Viewer
Athena is the county’s interactive property map. It combines geographic parcel information with assessment-related records.
The map supports searches for properties, owners, assessed values and sales information.
Official McHenry County Interactive Property Maps
Property Tax and Assessment Search
The McHenry County Property Tax Inquiry portal provides parcel, assessment and tax information.
Open McHenry County Property Tax Inquiry
McHenry County began posting 2026 assessment notices online rather than mailing every notice for properties adjusted only by an equalization factor.
Assessment notices and property-tax bills are not recorded deeds. Use the Recorder when you need the underlying legal instrument.
Supervisor of Assessments Contact
Phone: 815-334-4290
How to Record a Deed in McHenry County, Illinois
A deed must be properly prepared and meet Illinois recording requirements before the Recorder can accept it.
The Recorder provides forms and recording instructions, but staff cannot choose the correct deed or provide legal advice.
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Prepare the deed.
Confirm the grantor, grantee, full McHenry County legal description and required signatures.
Obtain the acknowledgment or notarization required for the instrument.
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Add the required document information.
Include the grantee’s address, the preparer’s name and address, and the address where the recorded original should be returned.
The county asks for clear “Prepared By” and “Return To” or “Mail To” labels.
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Check the recording format.
Use white paper of at least 20-pound weight and maintain the required margins.
Reserve a clear 3 × 5-inch space at the upper-right corner of the first page.
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Complete the transfer declaration or exemption.
Many deeds require Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration Form PTAX-203 or the MyDec equivalent.
A valid statutory exemption statement may apply instead, depending on the transaction.
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Verify municipal and county requirements.
Check whether transfer taxes, local transfer stamps, a Plat Act Affidavit or another attachment is required.
Confirm the current recording charge before submitting payment.
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Submit and retain the document.
Record the instrument at the Recorder’s office, by mail or through an approved eRecording provider.
Keep the assigned document number and the returned original or electronic recorded copy.
McHenry County Document Formatting Checklist
- Legible original or an accepted certified copy.
- White paper with at least 20-pound weight.
- At least one-half-inch margins.
- Clear 3 × 5-inch first-page recording area.
- Complete legal description of the McHenry County property.
- Required signatures and acknowledgment.
- Document preparer’s name and address.
- Return mailing address.
- Required PTAX-203, MyDec or exemption documentation.
- Correct recording fee and any applicable transfer taxes.
McHenry County states that a Plat Act Affidavit must accompany a deed when its legal description is in metes and bounds, when applicable to the transaction.
Check the current county form and obtain professional help with legal descriptions or parcel divisions.
Official McHenry County Recording Requirements and Tips
McHenry County Recorder Fees: Deeds, Mortgages, Copies & Transfer Tax
McHenry County uses a predictable fee schedule for standard recording documents.
Its official schedule, effective December 1, 2023 and still linked on the county fee page, lists different flat rates for deeds, mortgages, leases, easements and other instruments.
RHSP-Exempt Recording Fees
Certain documents may qualify for exemption from the Illinois Rental Housing Support Program surcharge.
The county’s published schedule lists these alternative amounts when the applicable exemption requirements are met:
Use the county’s RHSP Exemption Declaration when the transaction qualifies. Do not claim a lower rate merely because the deed has no stated sale price.
Nonstandard Recording Fees
The published schedule identifies an additional $16 for the first four pages and $2 per page thereafter for qualifying nonstandard instruments.
Nonstandard classification can result from document-format problems or other statutory criteria, including certain multiple-parcel or multiple-document references.
Correcting the document before submission may avoid additional charges or rejection.
Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax
Recording fees and transfer taxes are separate charges.
Illinois imposes a state transfer tax of $0.50 per $500 of taxable value or fraction thereof.
McHenry County’s transfer-tax ordinance also imposes a county tax of $0.25 per $500 of taxable value or fraction thereof.
Home-rule municipalities may impose an additional local transfer tax.
Illinois state tax: $300,000 ÷ $500 × $0.50 = $300.
McHenry County tax: $300,000 ÷ $500 × $0.25 = $150.
Combined state and county transfer tax: $450.
Recorder fees and any municipal taxes are additional. This example assumes the entire $300,000 is taxable and no exemption applies.
The Recorder’s online PDF is the county-published reference, but recording charges and tax requirements can change.
For a document-specific total, call 815-334-4110.
Official McHenry County Recording Fee Schedule
How to Get a McHenry County Deed Copy or Certified Copy
McHenry County allows property owners and researchers to request recorded-document copies in person, by mail, email, fax or telephone.
The correct copy type depends on whether you need the document for personal research or official use.
Additional pages are listed at $0.50 each.
Covers up to four pages; additional pages cost $1 each.
Applies to qualifying large-format copies.
How to Request a Copy
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Find the recorded document.
Search the county’s free index and save the document number.
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Confirm the number of pages.
This helps the Recorder determine the correct copy fee.
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Choose plain or certified.
A certified copy may be required for court, title, estate or financial purposes.
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Contact the Recorder.
Call 815-334-4110 or email recorders@mchenrycountyil.gov with the document details.
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Complete payment and delivery.
Follow the county’s current instructions for pickup, mail, email or fax delivery.
Copy Request by Mail
When requesting copies by mail, the county asks you to include the correct check amount and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Telephone, email and fax copy requests require credit-card payment under the Recorder’s published guidance.
Official McHenry County Deed Copy Instructions
A mortgage payoff usually results in a release or satisfaction of mortgage, not a new ownership deed.
Search the recorded documents for the mortgage release and contact your lender if the expected document has not appeared.
McHenry County eRecording, Mail Filing & Swift Electronic Returns
Electronic Recording
McHenry County accepts eligible recording documents electronically through participating eRecording providers.
The county lists these providers:
- Corporation Service Company (CSC)
- eRecording Partners Network (ePN)
- Hopdox
- Indecomm Global Services
- Simplifile
Each provider establishes its own account requirements and service charges.
Official McHenry County eRecording
Recording by Mail
The Recorder accepts properly prepared documents by mail.
McHenry County Recorder
Government Center
2200 N. Seminary Avenue
Woodstock, IL 60098
The county asks submitters to provide a suitably sized self-addressed stamped envelope for returning recorded originals.
It recommends sending no more than ten documents per folder and delivering documents before 4 PM when possible.
The office states that properly prepared documents with correct fees are ordinarily recorded the same day they are received, with originals generally returned within approximately two working days.
Swift Electronic Document Return
McHenry County offers a free service called Swift for customers who want electronic delivery of their recorded documents.
Customers may choose email-only delivery or electronic delivery together with the returned paper original.
The county’s Swift agreement states that emailed document links expire after seven days.
Official Swift Electronic Return Service
Free McHenry County Property Fraud Alert & Deed Fraud Protection
McHenry County offers Property Fraud Alert, a free subscription service that notifies users when documents are recorded under monitored names.
Alerts can be sent by email, text message or voice telephone call.
Owners can monitor personal names, business names or trust names that may appear in property recordings.
- Open the official Property Fraud Alert page.
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Choose the registration service.
Follow the county’s link to PropertyFraudAlert.com or call 1-800-728-3858.
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Register the names to monitor.
Use your legal name and any relevant business, trust or name variations.
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Select a notification method.
Choose email, text or telephone notification.
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Review unexpected alerts.
Verify the actual recorded instrument through the Recorder’s search before drawing conclusions.
McHenry County Deed Fraud Referral Program
The Recorder has also announced a Deed Fraud Referral Program under Illinois law, designed to coordinate suspected fraudulent real-estate recording referrals with appropriate authorities.
Contact the Recorder if you believe an unauthorized deed or other suspicious instrument was recorded.
An alert does not prevent a document from being recorded, remove an invalid instrument or establish ownership.
If an unfamiliar deed appears, obtain the document and consider contacting law enforcement and an Illinois real-estate attorney.
Notary Fraud Alert
McHenry County also provides a separate free Notary Fraud Alert service for notaries who want notice when a recorded document contains their monitored name and commission number.
Plats, UCC Records, Restrictive Covenants & Military Documents
Subdivision Plats and Maps
The Recorder maintains subdivision plats, condominium plats, surveys and other recorded land maps.
The county publishes separate format and recording rules for plats, including requirements for signatures, dimensions and approved copies.
Official Subdivision Plat Requirements
Uniform Commercial Code Filings
The Recorder accepts certain real-estate-related Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings.
The published schedule lists $71 for a qualifying UCC filing and $51 for a termination.
Confirm that the filing belongs with the county rather than the Illinois Secretary of State.
Unlawful Restrictive Covenants
Some older real-estate documents contain unlawful discriminatory restrictions.
Illinois law provides a procedure for modifying certain recorded documents to remove unenforceable discriminatory covenant language.
McHenry County provides instructions and a user guide for this process.
Official Restrictive Covenant Modification Guide
Military Discharge Documents
The Recorder handles eligible military discharge records, commonly called DD214 records.
The county’s fee schedule lists no charge for recording a DD214 and obtaining the first two certified copies.
Access to these records is subject to special privacy requirements.
Honor Rewards Program
McHenry County also provides Honor Rewards, an incentive program connecting eligible veterans with participating local businesses.
This is a separate Recorder service and is not part of ordinary deed searches.
McHenry County Recorder FAQs
Where is the McHenry County Recorder’s Office?
The walk-in office is at 667 Ware Road, Room 109, Woodstock, IL 60098. Documents sent by mail go to 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098.
Who is the McHenry County Recorder?
Joseph J. Tirio serves as the McHenry County Recorder and County Clerk.
What is the McHenry County Recorder phone number and office hours?
The Recorder’s phone number is 815-334-4110. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding county holidays.
Can I search McHenry County deeds online for free?
Yes. McHenry County provides free online indexed land-record searching. Full document images are accessed through separate paid services or copy requests.
How far back do McHenry County recorded documents go?
The county’s land-record systems include indexed records and document images dating back to 1839.
How do I find a McHenry County deed by address?
Use the county’s free Athena Property Viewer or Property Tax Inquiry system to identify the parcel and owner. Then search the Recorder’s document index using the address, PIN or recorded party name.
How much does it cost to record a deed in McHenry County?
The county’s published fee schedule lists $83 for a standard deed and $64 for an eligible RHSP-exempt deed. Additional taxes and special fees may apply. Confirm the current total before recording.
How much does a certified McHenry County deed copy cost?
The published schedule lists $12 for a certified copy of up to four pages, plus $1 for each additional page. Confirm current charges with the Recorder.
Can I record a deed electronically in McHenry County?
Yes. Eligible documents may be submitted through participating eRecording providers, including CSC, ePN, Hopdox, Indecomm and Simplifile.
Does McHenry County offer free property fraud alerts?
Yes. McHenry County’s free Property Fraud Alert service can notify subscribers by email, text or telephone when documents are recorded under monitored names.
McHenry County Recorder Official Resources
Official department, services, fraud notices and recording information.
Free Web Search, Tapestry and professional Laredo access.
Office hours, phone, email, walk-in address and mailing address.
Standard documents, nonstandard recordings, copy charges and special fees.
Document formatting, acknowledgments, transfer forms and return-envelope requirements.
Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, PTAX-203, Plat Act Affidavit and exemption forms.
Deed copies, recording processes, lost deeds and lien searches.
Electronic filing and listed participating vendors.
Free property-recording notifications by email, text or phone.
Free property maps, parcel information, ownership and assessment records.
State transfer-tax requirements, PTAX forms and exemptions.
Illinois electronic real-estate transfer declaration services.
McHenry County Property Records Disclaimer
This is an independent informational guide. County-appraisal-district.org is not the official McHenry County government website and is not affiliated with the McHenry County Recorder, County Clerk or Supervisor of Assessments.
A recorded deed is evidence of a transaction, but a single document does not establish that legal title is free from every lien, easement, ownership dispute or other restriction.
Consult a qualified Illinois real-estate attorney, title company or licensed surveyor for deed preparation, title examinations, legal disputes or boundary questions.
Public property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, insurance underwriting or other decisions regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Recording fees, copy charges, tax rules and office services may change. Verify current requirements with the responsible county office before submitting documents or payment.