Montgomery County, Ohio • Recorder, deeds and land records • Reviewed September 18, 2026
Montgomery County OH Recorder: Deeds & Records
The Montgomery County Recorder records and preserves deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats, powers of attorney and other land-related documents for Montgomery County, Ohio.
Use the Recorder’s online search when you need a deed image, mortgage, release, lien or recorded-document reference. Use the Auditor’s real estate search when you only know the property address or parcel.
The Recorder’s Office is on the fifth floor of the Montgomery County Administration Building at 451 W. Third Street, Dayton, Ohio.
Start here
Montgomery County Recorder Quick Facts
The office records and preserves land-related documents for Montgomery County.
The county’s Recorder pages identify Lori Kennedy as Montgomery County Recorder.
Recorder’s Office, fifth floor, Dayton, Ohio 45402.
Use this number for recording questions and office guidance.
Useful when you need deed copy help or legal-description assistance.
The office is open 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, but recording ends at 4:00 PM.
If you only know the address, start with the Auditor’s property search. If you need the actual deed, mortgage, release or lien image, use the Recorder’s RISS online search.
Use the correct office
Recorder vs Auditor vs Treasurer: Who Handles What?
Montgomery County Recorder
Use for: deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, powers of attorney, plats, UCC-related records, veterans programs and recorded-document copies.
Address: 451 W. Third Street, 5th Floor, Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: 937-225-4275
Fax: 937-225-6388
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM; document recording stops at 4:00 PM.
Open Recorder OfficeMontgomery County Auditor
Use for: property search, parcel number, owner information, valuations, deed transfer review and conveyance forms.
Address: 451 W. Third Street, P.O. Box 972, Dayton, OH 45422
Phone: 937-225-4326
Deed transfer questions: 937-225-4373
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Open Deed TransferMontgomery County Treasurer
Use for: tax bills, tax balances, tax payments, receipts and mailing-address changes for tax-bill purposes.
The Recorder records documents; the Treasurer handles real-estate tax payment status.
A recorded deed does not prove that all property taxes are paid.
Open Treasurer Tax SearchRecorder Record Center & Archives
Use for: older records, historical-record questions and documents not easily located through normal online search.
Start online first when possible. Then contact the Recorder’s Office if the record is older, unclear or missing from search results.
Open Recorder ResourcesOnline search
How to Search Montgomery County Deeds and Recorded Documents
The Recorder’s Information Search System, commonly shown as RISS, is the main online search tool for Montgomery County recorded documents.
Use it when you need a recorded deed, release, mortgage, lien, plat reference or recording number.
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Start with the name or document clue.
Try grantor, grantee, business name, trust name, document number or recording date.
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Use the Auditor property search if you only know the address.
Find the parcel, owner and transfer clues first. Then return to the Recorder search.
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Open the likely document match.
Check document type, recording date, party names and legal-description clues.
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Search forward for releases or assignments.
A mortgage or lien may have a later release, satisfaction, assignment or cancellation.
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Save the recording reference.
Write down instrument number, book/page if shown, date and party names before calling the office.
No-result troubleshooting
Remove punctuation: try the name without periods, commas, apostrophes or abbreviations.
Search fewer words: try only the surname or only the business keyword.
Search prior owner: the deed you need may be indexed under the seller or previous owner.
Use the Auditor first: confirm the parcel number, transfer year and owner spelling in property records.
Search related document types: mortgage, assignment, release, satisfaction, certificate of transfer, affidavit or easement.
Transfer workflow
How Deed Transfer and Recording Works in Montgomery County
A deed is a legal document that affects property ownership. The Auditor’s deed-transfer process updates parcel ownership, and the Recorder records the instrument.
Montgomery County says deed transfer is required for every parcel of real estate in the county for the transfer to be considered a legal transaction.
Auditor conveyance fee
The Auditor’s deed-transfer page lists a mandatory conveyance/transfer fee of $3 per $1,000 of actual sale price and $0.50 for each parcel transferred.
Open Deed Transfer PageDTE 100 and DTE 100EX
DTE 100 is generally used for non-exempt real-property conveyance reporting. DTE 100EX is used when claiming a conveyance-fee exemption.
Open Real Estate FormsCounty staff can explain recording requirements, but they cannot draft your deed or tell you the legal effect of a transfer. Use an Ohio attorney or title professional when ownership rights matter.
Before recording
Montgomery County Document Preparation Checklist
Montgomery County publishes a document preparation checklist. Use it before walking in, mailing documents or asking a title company to record.
Exact recording fees: standard documents are $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page.
Top margin: the first page needs a clear 3-inch top margin, or a $20 standardization fee may be added.
Notarized signatures: original signatures must be acknowledged in front of a valid notary.
Deed marital status: the grantor’s marital status must be set out on deeds.
Dower release: the grantor’s spouse may need to release dower rights by signing before a notary.
Legal description: include the full legal description with the “situated in” clause.
Preparation statement: Ohio-notarized documents must name the person who prepared the document.
Return envelope: include a self-addressed stamped envelope for mailed documents.
Costs
Montgomery County Recording Fees and Copy Costs
Applies to deeds, mortgages, leases, powers of attorney and similar documents listed by the Recorder.
Each additional page after the first two pages adds $8.
A $4 marginal notation fee is added only to release of mortgages and assignment of mortgages.
The county fee page lists photocopies and local fax copies at $2 per page.
Use certified copies when a lender, court, agency or title company requires certification.
The fee page lists UCC search at $20 for the search, with no fee for findings.
Electronic filing
eRecording in Montgomery County
The Recorder’s Office accepts non-transfer documents through eRecording.
Deeds and documents needing a “No Transfer” stamp, including Transfer on Death designations, easements and affidavits referencing a deed, still need to be mailed or walked through the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department before recording.
When eRecording may work
Use it for eligible non-transfer documents submitted through approved eRecording providers.
Standardization rules and Recorder fees still apply.
When eRecording may not work
Use the Auditor deed-transfer route first for deeds or documents needing transfer review or a No Transfer stamp.
Confirm requirements before assuming a deed can be electronically recorded.
Copies and alerts
Copies, Certified Copies, FAN System and Notary Help
Plain deed copies
Deeds and releases can be searched online through the Recorder’s system and may be printed for research use.
If you need help finding a legal description, the county checklist points users to the Copy Center.
Certified copies
Use certified copies when the receiving party needs the Recorder’s certification.
Ask the court, lender, title company or agency whether a plain copy is enough before paying.
FAN System
The Recorder links to a FAN System. Property owners can use fraud-alert style tools to watch for recorded-document activity tied to their name or property.
Open FAN SystemNotary services
The Recorder announced notary services to help prevent deed fraud. Verify availability directly before visiting.
Open Recorder NewsRecord decoder
What You Can Find in Montgomery County Recorded Documents
Deed
Shows a recorded ownership-transfer instrument. It does not prove there are no liens or title defects.
Mortgage
Shows a recorded security interest. Search later dates for releases, assignments or satisfactions.
Release
May show a mortgage or lien was released. Match names and recording references carefully.
Certificate of Transfer
Often appears after probate-related transfers. Legal meaning can depend on the court record.
Affidavit
Can explain facts affecting title, survivorship or ownership history. Read the exact document before relying on it.
Plat or map
Can show subdivision or recorded land layout. It is not a substitute for a current boundary survey.
Recorder research is not the same as a title opinion. For purchase, refinance, probate, foreclosure, lien priority, survivorship or boundary questions, use a title company or Ohio attorney.
Office visit
Montgomery County Recorder Map, Parking and Arrival Tips
The Recorder’s Office is located on the fifth floor of the Montgomery County Administration Building.
The county says parking is available in the adjacent parking garage, with entrances from Second Street or Vista View Drive.
Montgomery County Recorder
Address: 451 W. Third Street, 5th Floor, Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: 937-225-4275
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Recording cutoff: 4:00 PM, including walk-ins.
Arrival tip: bring the document, exact fee, return envelope, parcel information, party names and legal description.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
If you only know the address: open the Auditor property search first, then use owner and transfer clues in RISS.
If you need the deed image: search RISS by grantor, grantee, document type, recording date or document reference.
If you need to record a deed: review Auditor deed-transfer requirements, DTE forms and Recorder checklist before visiting.
If you need a certified copy: call the Copy Center or Recorder’s Office to confirm copy and certification fees.
If a mortgage still appears: search later dates for release, satisfaction or assignment documents.
If taxes are the issue: use the Treasurer after confirming the parcel in the Auditor property search.
If the document affects legal ownership: speak with an Ohio attorney or title professional before recording.
Avoid delays
Common Montgomery County Recorder Mistakes
Recording after 4 PM: the office may be open until 5 PM, but document recording stops at 4 PM.
Missing the 3-inch margin: a $20 standardization fee may be added if the first page top margin is not clear.
Skipping the Auditor: deeds and transfer documents may need Auditor deed-transfer review before recording.
Using the wrong DTE form: DTE 100 and DTE 100EX serve different conveyance purposes.
No preparation statement: Ohio-notarized documents must name who prepared the document.
No return envelope: mailed documents should include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Assuming staff can draft deeds: county staff cannot provide legal advice or complete documents for you.
Important notice
Independent Information, Legal Caution and FCRA 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 Ohio government agency.
This guide is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice, a title search, a lien opinion or a substitute for review by a qualified professional.
Deed preparation can affect ownership rights, survivorship, probate, mortgages, liens, divorce orders, trusts and title insurance.
Public property and recorder records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any FCRA-regulated consumer-reporting purpose.
FAQs
Montgomery County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Montgomery County Recorder’s Office?
The Recorder’s Office is on the fifth floor of the Montgomery County Administration Building at 451 W. Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402.
What is the Montgomery County Recorder phone number?
The main Recorder phone number is 937-225-4275. The Copy Center number is 937-225-6494.
What are the Montgomery County Recorder office hours?
The Recorder’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Recording of documents stops at 4:00 PM, including walk-ins.
Where do I search Montgomery County deeds online?
Use the Recorder’s Information Search System, known as RISS, to search online recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens and releases.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Montgomery County?
The Recorder lists the basic recording fee as $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. Other fees can apply depending on the document.
What is the Montgomery County Auditor’s role in deed transfers?
The Auditor maintains ownership accuracy through deed transfers. The Auditor’s page lists a conveyance/transfer fee of $3 per $1,000 of sale price and $0.50 for each parcel transferred.
Can I eRecord a deed in Montgomery County?
The Recorder accepts non-transfer documents through eRecording. Deeds and documents requiring a No Transfer stamp must still go through the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department before recording.
What documents are needed to record a deed?
Requirements can include exact recording fees, clear 3-inch top margin, notarized original signatures, grantor marital status, dower release when applicable, full legal description, preparation statement and return envelope.
Can the Recorder’s Office prepare my deed?
No. The county states staff cannot give legal advice or assist in completing documents. Use an Ohio attorney or title professional when legal ownership rights are involved.
Is the Auditor property search the same as the Recorder deed search?
No. The Auditor property search is useful for parcel and ownership information. The Recorder search is used for recorded instruments such as deeds, mortgages, releases and liens.
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