Morrow County, Ohio • Recorder’s Office • Updated October 26, 2026
Morrow County Recorder: Deeds, Property Records, Online Search, Fees & Office
The Morrow County Recorder maintains recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, easements and other documents affecting real estate in Morrow County, Ohio.
You can search the county’s online recording index, request copies of deeds, or submit documents for recording through the Recorder’s Office in Mount Gilead.
If you are transferring property, there is one important distinction: the Recorder records documents, while the County Auditor handles conveyance fees and ownership transfers.
Start here
Morrow County Recorder Quick Facts
Records and indexes documents affecting real property in the county.
Identified in the county’s Recorder documents and Ohio Recorders’ Association resources.
Mount Gilead, OH 43338.
Recording fees, document submission and copy requests.
Monday through Friday, excluding applicable closures.
First two pages of most recorded instruments under the current county schedule.
This guide covers Morrow County, Ohio, with its county seat in Mount Gilead. Morrow County, Oregon has a different recording office, laws and online system.
Primary search
How to Search Morrow County Recorder Deeds and Records Online
Morrow County provides an online recorded-document index through a Record Room search system operated by Cott Systems.
The Recorder’s own document-return notice identifies online index coverage for all document categories from 1994 onward, with additional older deed material.
The available historical coverage varies by record series. An old deed missing from the online index may still be available through the Recorder’s Office.
Search recorded documents
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Open the Morrow County recording index.
Use the county-specific Record Room link below.
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Search by a party name.
Start with the person or business named in the deed or mortgage.
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Use another available search field if needed.
The interface may offer document type, recording date or recording reference filters.
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Open the matching index entry.
Check the names, recording date, instrument reference and document category.
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Request the actual document when needed.
If an image is unavailable online, contact the Recorder with the recording reference.
Searching by grantor or grantee
The person or entity transferring a property interest.
The person or entity receiving the property interest.
May appear as a party on a recorded mortgage or related document.
A document number or other reference used to locate a recorded instrument.
What if my deed does not appear?
Try an earlier owner’s name, a previous surname or the full legal name of a business or trust.
Broaden the recording-date range if the portal supports date filtering.
For an older deed, contact the Recorder. The county’s online coverage notice does not guarantee that every historical record is searchable online.
You can also start with the Auditor’s parcel record if you only know the property’s street address.
Owner and parcel lookup
Search Morrow County Property Records by Address, Owner or Parcel
If you only know the address, the Morrow County Auditor Property Search is the better starting point.
The Auditor’s current system supports searches by owner name, parcel number and property address.
Its advanced search also includes sales history, townships, school districts, tax districts and residential property filters.
Search the official Auditor property system
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Open Auditor Property Search.
Choose Basic or Advanced search.
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Select your search method.
Use Owner Search, Parcel Search or Address Search.
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Enter the correct information.
For owner searches, the system labels its field “Last First.”
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Choose the matching parcel.
Verify the township, property location and owner information.
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Save the parcel number.
Keep this identifier for deed research or recording preparation.
What the Auditor search can help you verify
Identifies the property in county tax records.
Helps identify the name to use in recorded-document research.
Helps distinguish parcels with similar owner names.
Can provide a starting point for a deed-recording date search.
The Auditor is useful for parcel, owner, value and tax information. The Recorder maintains the underlying recorded documents.
An Auditor ownership listing is not a substitute for a complete legal title search.
Recording process
How to Record a Deed in Morrow County, Ohio
Recording a deed is different from searching for a deed.
Ohio deed transfers may need review by the county’s tax-map office and transfer processing by the Auditor before the document is presented for recording.
Documents to check before submitting a deed
Grantor and grantee: use accurate legal names that match the document.
Legal description: include the correct description and every referenced exhibit.
Parcel number: identify the correct permanent parcel number when required.
Township: verify that the township information is complete.
Notarization: check the acknowledgment, notary seal and commission information.
Prepared-by statement: ensure the required document-preparation statement is present.
Conveyance form: use the correct Auditor form for a taxable or exempt transfer.
Payment and return: confirm recording fees and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for mailed filings when required.
The Recorder’s official document-return form identifies missing prepared-by statements, marital status, notary details, parcel numbers and incomplete legal descriptions among the reasons a filing may be returned.
Check the Recorder’s document-return requirements
Open Official Document Rejection ChecklistRecorder staff can explain recording requirements, but they cannot determine which deed is legally appropriate for your situation.
For a transfer involving an estate, trust, divorce, survivorship or title correction, obtain qualified legal advice before preparing the instrument.
Auditor transfer step
Morrow County Conveyance Fees and DTE Forms
Morrow County’s Auditor publishes a conveyance fee of $4 per $1,000 of value conveyed.
This fee is separate from the Recorder’s document recording charge. The Auditor also provides a calculator that includes the parcel transfer fee.
Which DTE form applies?
Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement of Value and Receipt for transfers subject to conveyance reporting.
Statement of Reason for Exemption From Real Property Conveyance Fee for qualifying exempt transfers.
Used for applicable manufactured-home conveyances.
Used for qualifying exempt manufactured-home conveyances.
Download the correct county conveyance form
Official Auditor Conveyance FormsCalculate the conveyance fee
Open Auditor Conveyance Fee CalculatorA conveyance exempt from the value-based fee may still require DTE 100EX, supporting documents and any applicable parcel transfer charges.
Examples of potentially exempt transfers include some transfers between family members, certain trust transactions and qualifying corrective deeds. Eligibility depends on Ohio law and the specific facts.
Current recording costs
Morrow County Recorder Fees in 2026
Morrow County increased recording fees effective April 1, 2025, following Ohio Senate Bill 94.
The Recorder’s published notice sets the standard charge for most documents at $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page.
Examples apply to the standard first-two-page rate. Additional references, nonstandard formatting or special instrument types may change the total.
The county’s recording-fee notice states that applicable reference fees continue.
Can apply when a document does not meet Ohio recording-format standards.
Calculate a standard recording fee
Verify the official county fee notice
Open Morrow County Recording Fee NoticeOhio Revised Code 317.32 governs Recorder fees, including recording, copying and certification charges.
Avoid rejection and extra charges
Ohio Deed Recording Format Requirements
Ohio Revised Code 317.114 sets statewide recording-format requirements for many documents submitted to county recorders.
Morrow County’s Recorder also references standardization requirements in its document-return checklist.
Certain documents are exempt from the standardization requirements. Ohio law also provides exceptions for some incidental text or markings within margins.
Review Ohio’s recording standards
Ohio Revised Code 317.114Copies and certifications
How to Get a Copy of a Morrow County Deed or Mortgage
If the deed or mortgage was recorded in Morrow County, the Recorder’s Office can help locate the document.
The office’s published document-return notice states that emailed copies are available at $2 per page.
Useful for personal records, reviewing a deed or researching a mortgage.
Useful when an institution specifically requires an officially certified recorded document.
Prepare these details before requesting a copy
Name: the grantor, grantee or other party on the recorded document.
Document type: deed, mortgage, release, easement or another instrument.
Recording reference: include an instrument number, book/page or other index reference if available.
Contact details: provide your preferred delivery method and a way for staff to respond.
A certified copy may involve a seal and separate statutory certification charges. Confirm the exact total with the office instead of assuming every copy is certified.
Visit or contact
Morrow County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours and Google Map
Morrow County Recorder’s Office
County Recorder: Brandon J. Strain
Street address:
48 East High Street
Mount Gilead, OH 43338
Telephone:
419-947-3060
Email:
recorder@morrowcountyohio.gov
Office hours:
Monday–Friday
8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Before visiting
The Recorder and Auditor both have offices at 48 East High Street. This can make an in-person property transfer easier to coordinate.
However, the Tax Map Department may need to review your legal description first. The County Engineer’s published contact resources identify the Tax Map Department at 50 East High Street.
Call ahead if you need same-day review, have a complex legal description, or plan to arrive near closing time.
Use the Recorder’s published address and confirm payment instructions before mailing originals.
The county document-return checklist asks submitters to include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Choose the right department
Recorder vs. Auditor vs. Engineer vs. Treasurer
Several Morrow County departments work with real estate records, but they do not perform the same job.
County Recorder
Brandon J. Strain
Deeds, mortgages, liens and recorded instruments.
48 E. High St., Mount Gilead
County Auditor
Conni McChesney
Property values, parcel records, conveyance fees and ownership transfer processing.
48 E. High St., Mount Gilead
Auditor Official WebsiteCounty Engineer / Tax Map
Bart Dennison, P.E., P.S.
Tax maps, surveys, parcel mapping and legal-description reviews.
Engineer: 417 W. Marion St., Mount Gilead
Tax Map: 50 E. High St., Mount Gilead
Engineer Office ServicesCounty Treasurer
Jim Jahn
Real estate tax payments, balances and collection matters.
48 E. High St., Mount Gilead
Electronic recording
Does Morrow County Accept eRecording?
Yes. CSC has published a Morrow County, Ohio eRecording notice for electronically submitted documents.
However, the provider’s published instructions state that transfer documents are not accepted through that eRecording route.
If your document needs a conveyance or transfer stamp, confirm the current procedure with the Recorder and Auditor rather than submitting it as an ordinary mortgage or release.
Title companies, attorneys, lenders and organizations that submit recorded documents regularly.
Check current restrictions with the Recorder. The provider notice does not support treating deed transfers as generally eligible.
Review the published eRecording requirements
Morrow County eRecording Submitter BulletinLand descriptions and parcel maps
Morrow County Tax Maps, GIS and Survey Records
The Morrow County Engineer maintains tax maps, historic surveys, subdivision maps and other geographic records.
These resources are helpful when a deed’s legal description refers to a lot, subdivision, township, survey or other parcel information.
Help identify parcel boundaries, map references and related geographic information.
Useful for properties in recorded developments, including Candlewood Lake and other subdivisions.
May help explain older legal descriptions or locate survey references.
Useful for viewing parcel locations and comparing tax-map information.
Find Morrow County tax maps
Official Subdivision Tax MapsView Engineer records and surveys
Official Engineer Records and MapsCounty map lines help with research but do not establish a surveyed boundary. Hire a licensed surveyor when exact boundary location matters.
Understand recorded documents
Deeds, Mortgages, Releases, Liens and Other Records
Records a conveyance or another real-property interest transfer.
Records a lender’s security interest in real estate.
Documents the satisfaction or release of a previously recorded mortgage interest.
May grant a person, utility or organization a specific right to use property.
May record a construction-related claim against real estate.
May establish authority used in a real-estate transaction.
Records the transfer of an existing mortgage or other interest.
Records information about subdivisions or surveyed lots when applicable.
What if a paid-off mortgage still appears?
Paying off a mortgage does not mean the original recorded mortgage disappears from the public record.
The release or satisfaction is normally recorded as a separate document. Search for that later instrument and confirm that its references match the mortgage.
If no release appears, contact the lender or settlement agent. The Recorder does not independently determine that a loan was paid off.
Property record safety
How to Check for Unexpected Deeds or Liens
Recorded-document research can help reveal unexpected conveyances, mortgages or liens associated with a name or property.
Start with the Recorder’s index and compare the parties, dates and references with your known documents.
Check the grantor: an unexpected grantor entry may need investigation.
Check the recording date: distinguish an old document from a new filing.
Check the legal description: confirm the document actually concerns your property.
Save the reference: record the index number and obtain a copy of the document.
Ask for help: contact the Recorder and a qualified attorney if the recording appears unauthorized.
Morrow County, Oregon publishes a Property Recording Alert Service. That Oregon service should not be presented as an available Morrow County, Ohio program.
For current fraud-monitoring options in Ohio, contact the Morrow County Recorder directly.
Avoid delays and confusion
Common Morrow County Recorder Mistakes
Using an outdated recording fee: the county’s standard fee increased in April 2025.
Searching deeds only by street address: use the Auditor’s address search first, then identify the recorded parties.
Leaving out the parcel number: the Recorder’s rejection checklist identifies a missing PPN as a problem.
Forgetting the legal-description exhibit: an incomplete description can prevent successful recording.
Skipping the Auditor transfer step: some deed transfers need conveyance processing before recording.
Incorrect margins: Ohio formatting rules may add a $20 fee for nonconforming documents.
Assuming all deeds can be eRecorded: verify the provider’s restrictions on transfer documents.
Assuming the online index is complete back to the county’s earliest deeds: contact the Recorder for older records.
Confusing the Recorder with the Clerk of Courts: Recorder land records and court case records are different record collections.
Choose your next action
What Should You Do Next?
I need a deed copy → search the Recorder index, save the recording reference and contact the office if an image or certification is needed.
I only know the property address → use the Auditor search and obtain the parcel number and owner name.
I am transferring a property → prepare the deed, check the Tax Map requirements, complete Auditor conveyance and confirm Recorder fees.
I need to calculate conveyance tax → use the Auditor’s calculator with the actual sale value and parcel count.
I need an old survey or plat → check the Morrow County Engineer’s map and survey resources.
My mortgage was paid off → search for a mortgage release and contact the lender if the expected document has not been recorded.
I think a deed is fraudulent → obtain the recorded document, preserve its reference and seek legal guidance.
My property valuation or tax bill is wrong → contact the Auditor or Treasurer rather than the Recorder.
Frequently asked questions
Morrow County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Morrow County Recorder’s Office?
The Recorder’s Office is at 48 East High Street, Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338.
Who is the Morrow County Recorder?
Brandon J. Strain is identified as the Morrow County Recorder in county documents and Ohio Recorders’ Association resources.
What are the Recorder’s office hours?
The published regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding applicable closures.
How do I search Morrow County deeds online?
Use the Morrow County Record Room search portal. Search by recorded party information and use available recording references or other portal filters when needed.
Can I search property records by address?
Yes. Use the Morrow County Auditor Property Search for address, parcel and owner searches. Then use the Recorder’s index to research recorded documents.
How far back do online Morrow County Recorder records go?
The county’s published document-return notice identifies all-document index coverage from 1994 onward and additional earlier deed material. Contact the Recorder for historical records not found online.
What does it cost to record a deed in Morrow County?
The county’s standard recording schedule lists $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page for most documents. Reference fees and other charges may apply.
What is the Morrow County conveyance fee?
The Auditor publishes a conveyance fee of $4 per $1,000 of value conveyed. Parcel transfer charges and exceptions may affect the final amount.
Do I need DTE 100 or DTE 100EX?
DTE 100 is used for applicable real-property conveyance reporting. DTE 100EX is used when a transfer qualifies for a conveyance-fee exemption. The Auditor determines which form is appropriate.
How much does a deed copy cost?
The Recorder’s published document-return notice lists $2 per page for emailed copies. Ask the office about current delivery and certification charges.
Does Morrow County accept eRecording?
Yes. A CSC submitter bulletin documents electronic recording in Morrow County, Ohio. The published instructions restrict transfer documents, so confirm eligibility for the specific document before submitting.
Can the Recorder prepare a deed for me?
The Recorder records eligible instruments but does not provide legal representation or determine which deed is appropriate. Consult a qualified attorney for deed preparation and title questions.
Official references
Morrow County and Ohio Government Resources
These resources support the office information, recording requirements, conveyance guidance and fees in this article.
Independent Records and Legal Information Notice
County-appraisal-district.org is an independent information website. It is not operated by Morrow County, the Morrow County Recorder, the Auditor, the Engineer or the State of Ohio.
This article is not legal advice, a title report, a certified public record or an official county determination.
Recording fees, office hours, document requirements and online services may change. Verify the applicable requirements with the responsible office before submitting documents or payments.
Public property records must not be used 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.