The Recorder’s Office preserves official records that affect ownership and interests in real property.

It also handles military discharge recordings, marriage licenses, certain vital records, hunting and fishing licenses, and recreational vehicle registrations.

Scott County provides free public access to recorded land records through AVA, its web-based search system.

The county also offers Laredo Anywhere for users who need advanced search features and more frequent access.

Step-by-step: Find a Scott County deed

1. Open the county’s Land Records page.

   Visit the official Scott County Recorder website and locate the AVA search option.

2. Open the free AVA system.

   Select the public land-record search option rather than the professional Laredo service.

3. Enter a person’s or organization’s name.

   Search the grantor, grantee, borrower, lender or other recorded party.

4. Use available document filters.

   Narrow results by recording date, document type or other available criteria.

5. Review the matching instrument.

   Check the parties, recording date, document type and legal description before relying on the result.

6. Save the recording reference.

   Keep the document number or other recording reference for a copy request or future title research.

Why might a recently recorded document be missing?

The county explains that its public search contains records that have been recorded, indexed, verified and released for public viewing.

A document can receive an official recording number before it has completed indexing and become available online.

Searching by street address

If you only know the property address, begin with Scott County’s parcel search to identify the owner or parcel number.

Then use that information to locate the recorded deed in AVA.

Scott County Administrative Center, 600 West Fourth Street, Davenport. Check county holiday closures before visiting.

Iowa has statewide document formatting and real estate transfer requirements.

Scott County’s Recording Requirements page explains what must appear on a document before the Recorder can accept it.

Document preparation checklist

Declaration of Value

Scott County states that deeds and other conveyance documents generally require an Iowa Declaration of Value unless a legal exemption applies.

The Recorder’s instructions explain that this requirement applies to deeds recorded after January 1, 1979.

Some exempt transfers still require the correct exemption documentation or notation.

Groundwater Hazard Statement

Iowa changed the groundwater hazard filing process in July 2022.

In qualifying transactions, the deed may include the statutory exemption statement instead of a separate groundwater hazard form.

If the property does not qualify for that exemption, a separate Groundwater Hazard Statement may be necessary.

Can you file a deed electronically?

Iowa offers an electronic document submission system through Iowa Land Records.

Attorneys, title companies, financial institutions and other eligible users may use electronic filing where supported.

Scott County’s published recording schedule charges $7 for the first page and $5 for each additional page for most recorded documents.

Basic deed recording example

Auditor transfer fee

Scott County’s fee schedule lists a separate $5 transfer fee for a qualifying parcel unit conveyed.

The fee is capped at $50 for the transfer of property in one document.

This is separate from the ordinary recording-page fee.

Iowa real estate transfer tax

Iowa also imposes a real estate transfer tax on certain conveyances.

The amount depends on the taxable consideration and any applicable exemptions under Iowa law.

Use the state’s transfer-tax calculator or ask the Recorder to confirm the required amount before filing.

Recorded land documents may be viewed through the county’s online system or at the Recorder’s Office.

If you need a certified copy for legal, financial or government use, ask the Recorder for certification.

1. Locate the document.

   Use AVA to find the recorded deed, mortgage or other instrument.

2. Save the reference.

   Record the document number, recording date and parties.

3. Confirm the number of pages.

   The copy fee depends on the number of pages requested.

4. Request certification if needed.

   Tell the office whether a regular copy or certified copy is required.

Published land-record copy charges

Scott County’s fee schedule lists $1 for copies up to four pages, with additional copy charges depending on the document length.

Certification adds $5 to the applicable copy cost.

Scott County offers Property Fraud Alert, a free service that notifies subscribers when matching documents are recorded.

Users can choose notifications by email, text message or telephone.

This can help homeowners monitor unexpected filings involving their names.

The Scott County Recorder maintains certain military discharge records, commonly known as DD214 documents.

The Recorder has warned veterans about private companies charging to record or request military discharge documents.

The county states that military discharge recording or requests should be free for eligible veterans.

A recorded deed and a property assessment record serve different purposes.

Use the Recorder to inspect the document itself. Use the Assessor or county parcel system to understand property identification and assessed value.

These official resources cover land records, recording requirements, current office information and related property services.