Montgomery County, Ohio • Recorder deed search and office guide • Reviewed September 18, 2026
Montgomery County OH Recorder of Deeds: Search & Office
The Montgomery County Recorder records and preserves official documents for real estate in Montgomery County, Ohio.
Use this office for deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments, liens, plats, powers of attorney, UCC filings, copies and recorded-document searches.
For deed transfers, the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department is also important because deeds must receive a transfer or no-transfer stamp before recording.
Start here
Montgomery County Recorder Quick Facts
Maintains recorded documents affecting real property in Montgomery County, Ohio.
The Recorder is the elected county official responsible for the office.
5th floor, County Administration Building, Dayton, OH 45402.
Use this for recording, office and document questions.
Use this for recorded-document copy questions.
Monday through Friday. Document recording ends at 4 PM.
Additional pages are listed at $8 each on the Recorder fee page.
Certified copies are $2 per page plus $1 certification.
Search Montgomery County Recorder records online by name and other index details.
Recorder = recorded deeds and copies. Auditor = parcel data, ownership display and deed transfer stamp. Treasurer = tax bills and payments.
Local office details
Montgomery County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours and Map
The Recorder’s Office is located on the fifth floor of the Montgomery County Administration Building in downtown Dayton.
Parking is available in the adjacent parking garage. County directions mention entrances from Second Street and Vista View Drive.
Montgomery County Recorder
Address: 451 W. Third Street, 5th Floor, Dayton, OH 45402
Main phone: 937-225-4275
Copy Center: 937-225-6494
Fax: 937-225-6388
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Recording cutoff: document recording ends at 4:00 PM.
Open Recorder About pagePublic research terminals
The Recorder location page says office terminals provide online access to Recorder, Auditor and Treasurer records.
Recorder screen: online index information by name.
Auditor screen: appraisal, assessment and ownership by name, address or parcel ID.
Treasurer screen: tax figures and payment information.
Open Recorder location pageMain Recorder Office Map
Use this map for the Recorder’s Office in the Montgomery County Administration Building. Arrive before 4 PM if you need to present documents for recording.
Search workflow
How to Search Montgomery County Deeds and Recorded Documents
Montgomery County uses the Recorder’s Information Search System, also called RISS, for online recorded-document searching.
This is the best starting point for deeds, mortgages, releases, assignments and other Recorder records.
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Open the official RISS portal.
Use the county Recorder search system, not a private paid directory.
Open Montgomery County RISS -
Start with the party name.
Try owner, grantor, grantee, borrower, lender, business, trust and spelling variations.
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Use document clues.
Look for deed, mortgage, release, assignment, lien, plat, power of attorney or UCC-related references.
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Save the recording reference.
Keep the instrument, reference, book/page, date or index detail before contacting the office.
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Print or order copies.
The Recorder FAQ says deeds and releases can be printed from the online search. The Copy Center can provide copies if you cannot print.
If you only know the property address, use the Montgomery County Auditor property search first. The Recorder index is mainly name and document-reference driven.
Deed recording workflow
How to Record a Deed in Montgomery County, Ohio
A deed transfer in Montgomery County usually involves both the Auditor and the Recorder.
The Auditor maintains the accuracy of parcel ownership records through the deed transfer process. The Recorder records the deed after the transfer or no-transfer step.
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Prepare the deed correctly.
The Recorder can record documents, but staff cannot give legal advice or complete documents for you.
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Include a full legal description.
The document checklist says a full legal description should include the “situated in” clause.
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State the grantor’s marital status on deeds.
The Recorder checklist says the grantor’s marital status must be set out on deeds.
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Handle dower release when required.
The checklist says the grantor’s spouse must release dower rights by signing before a valid notary, even if not on the original deed.
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Add a preparation statement.
Documents notarized in Ohio must include a preparation statement naming the person who prepared the document.
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Get the Auditor’s transfer or no-transfer stamp.
For deed changes, present the deed to the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department before presenting it to the Recorder.
Open Auditor deed transfer page -
Record with the Recorder.
Submit by mail, walk-through or approved eRecording route, depending on the document type.
Changing a deed can affect ownership rights, survivorship, taxes, Medicaid planning, liens, estate planning and title insurance. Use a qualified Ohio attorney or title professional when legal consequences matter.
Electronic recording
eRecording in Montgomery County
Montgomery County states that the Recorder’s Office accepts non-transfer documents through eRecording.
Deeds and documents requiring a “No Transfer” stamp still need to be mailed or walked through the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department before recording.
Good eRecording fit
Non-transfer documents that meet standardization laws may be eligible for electronic recording.
Professional submitters should verify current provider requirements before filing.
Not fully electronic
Deeds, Transfer on Death designations, easements and affidavits referencing a deed may require Auditor review first.
Check before assuming the document can go straight to the Recorder.
Recording fees
Montgomery County Recorder Fees and Deed Transfer Costs
For deeds, mortgages, leases, powers of attorney and similar documents.
Applies after the first two pages for the basic recording category.
Added to release of mortgages and assignment of mortgages only.
Photocopies and fax copies are listed at $2 per page for local copies.
Certification is listed as $2 per page plus $1 for certification.
Montgomery County Auditor lists this conveyance/transfer fee, plus $0.50 per parcel transferred.
Always verify current fees before mailing or presenting documents. Fees can depend on document type, page count, marginal references, maps and whether a conveyance fee applies.
Open Recorder fee scheduleCopies and certified copies
How to Get Copies of Montgomery County Deeds and Recorded Documents
Montgomery County’s FAQ says deeds and releases can be searched online and printed at any time.
If you cannot print, the Recorder Copy Center can provide copies for $2 per page. Certification is available for an additional $1.
Find the deed, release, mortgage, lien or other recorded reference.
Open RISS records searchIf the system allows a printable image, save a copy for your records.
Call 937-225-6494 if you need help with copies or cannot print.
Certified copies may be needed for court, lender, title, probate or agency purposes.
The Recorder FAQ says service discharge images are not viewable to the public. If a DD214 was recorded, the office provides a separate request process.
Property protection
Montgomery County Fraud Alert Notification System
The Recorder’s Fraud Alert Notification system, also called FAN, is a free alert service for Montgomery County property owners.
Once registered, the system can notify you by mail or email when a document is recorded concerning the registered property.
Use the parcel ID if you know it. Montgomery County parcel numbers begin with a capital letter.
Use the owner name if you do not have the parcel number.
Use street number and street name without entering direction or suffix when prompted.
A fraud alert notifies you after a recording is found. It does not block recording and does not replace title insurance, legal review or law enforcement action.
Avoid the wrong office
Recorder vs Auditor vs Treasurer in Montgomery County
Recorder
Use for: deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats, powers of attorney, UCC filings, copies and recording fees.
Not for: assessed value, tax bills or parcel valuation.
Open Recorder siteAuditor
Use for: property ownership display, parcel search, appraisal, assessment, deed transfer and conveyance forms.
Important: deeds need a transfer or no-transfer stamp before recording.
Open Auditor property searchTreasurer
Use for: real estate tax balances, tax payments, tax history and payment-related questions.
Search by: parcel, owner name or property address.
Open Treasurer tax searchA deed can be recorded before Auditor and Treasurer records fully update. Check the office responsible for the specific record you are reviewing.
Local programs
Additional Recorder Programs and Services
Good Deeds Program
Montgomery County’s Good Deeds Program helps homeowners plan future ownership of their home after death.
The Recorder notes that staff cannot provide legal advice or help complete the forms.
Open Good Deeds ProgramVeteran ID Program
The Recorder records DD214s and provides a Veteran ID program.
The Recorder FAQ says DD214 images are not publicly viewable.
Open Recorder programsRecord Center & Archives
Historical deed and property research may involve Recorder records and the County Records Center & Archives.
Older property history may require in-person or archive research.
Open Recorder resourcesDocument examples
Common Documents Recorded in Montgomery County
Deed
Transfers or documents real property ownership.
Deeds usually need Auditor transfer review before recording.
Mortgage
Records a lien or security interest related to a real estate loan.
Mortgage releases and assignments may have marginal notation fees.
Release of mortgage
Shows that a mortgage has been released or satisfied.
Search releases when verifying whether an old mortgage was cleared.
Power of attorney
May be recorded when it affects real property or other recordable rights.
Check form and notary requirements before recording.
Plat or map
Recorded plats and maps may be subject to different fee calculations.
The fee page lists plats by square-inch calculation with a minimum fee.
UCC filing
UCC filings, amendments, continuations and terminations may be recorded or searched through the Recorder when applicable.
Fees depend on filing type and names indexed.
Search result decoder
Terms You May See in Recorder Search Results
Grantor: the person or entity giving, transferring or encumbering an interest.
Grantee: the person or entity receiving an interest or benefit.
Instrument or reference number: the recorded-document identifier used to find the record again.
Book/page: older or alternate reference format for recorded records.
Legal description: the property’s legal description, not just the street address.
Release: a document that may clear or release a prior mortgage or lien.
Transfer stamp: Auditor approval step for deeds that transfer or affect property ownership records.
Common mistakes
Common Montgomery County Recorder Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the Auditor: deed changes must go through the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department for a transfer or no-transfer stamp before recording.
Searching only by address: Recorder records are often easier to search by name or document reference.
Missing legal description: a full legal description, including the “situated in” clause, is expected for recordable deeds.
Forgetting marital status: Montgomery County’s checklist says marital status of the grantor must be set out on deeds.
Ignoring dower release: the checklist says the grantor’s spouse must release dower rights before a valid notary when required.
Missing preparation statement: documents notarized in Ohio must identify the person who prepared the document.
Late arrival: the office is open until 5 PM, but document recording ends at 4 PM.
Expecting legal advice: Recorder staff cannot give legal advice or assist in completing documents.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
I need a copy of a deed
Search RISS by name or record details. Print the image if available or call the Copy Center at 937-225-6494.
I need to record a deed
Prepare the deed, verify checklist items, get the Auditor transfer or no-transfer stamp, then present it to the Recorder.
I need to search by address
Start with the Montgomery County Auditor property search to find owner, parcel and property details.
I need to pay property taxes
Use the Montgomery County Treasurer tax search and payment tools.
I am worried about deed fraud
Enroll in the free FAN system and review any unexpected recording notice quickly.
I need legal help with a deed
Contact an Ohio real estate attorney, title company or legal aid resource. The Recorder cannot choose or complete forms for you.
Important caution
Independent Information, Legal Caution and Property-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Recorder, the Auditor, the Treasurer or any government agency.
Recording requirements, fees, office hours, transfer procedures, eRecording availability and copy methods can change. Verify current requirements with the official office before recording or ordering documents.
This page is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice or a substitute for a title company, attorney, surveyor, notary or public official.
Do not use property-record information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act or similar laws. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.
FAQs
Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Where is the Montgomery County Recorder’s Office?
The Recorder’s Office is at 451 W. Third Street, 5th Floor, Dayton, OH 45402, inside the Montgomery County Administration Building.
What is the Montgomery County Recorder phone number?
The main Recorder phone number is 937-225-4275. The Copy Center phone number is 937-225-6494.
What are the Recorder’s Office hours?
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Document recording ends at 4:00 PM.
How do I search Montgomery County deeds online?
Use the Recorder’s Information Search System, also called RISS, to search online Recorder records by name and other document details.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Montgomery County?
The Recorder fee page lists the basic recording fee for deeds and similar documents as $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. Other fees can apply.
Do I need the Auditor before recording a deed?
Yes. For deed changes, the deed must be presented to the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department for a transfer or no-transfer stamp before it is recorded.
How much is the Auditor conveyance fee?
The Auditor’s deed transfer page lists a mandatory conveyance or transfer fee of $3 per $1,000 of the actual sale price, plus $0.50 for each parcel transferred.
Can I print a deed online?
The Recorder FAQ says deeds and releases are available through the online search and can be printed for free. If you cannot print, the Copy Center can provide copies for $2 per page.
Does Montgomery County offer deed fraud alerts?
Yes. The Recorder offers the free Fraud Alert Notification system, which can notify registered owners when a document is recorded concerning the registered property.
Can the Recorder help me complete a deed?
No. The Recorder’s checklist states that staff cannot give legal advice or assist in completing documents.
Official resources