RECORDING

What documents are recorded?

Deeds, mortgages, releases, surveys, contracts, UCCs, corporation filings, and military discharges are examples of documents to record.

How soon may we expect to get a document back?

If you walk-in, have the documents prepared correctly, and payment, we will record it immediately. We record based upon first come, first serve. Wait a few minutes while we record the document, and we will return the original to you.

If you mail-in a document, we will record it that morning. Make sure to include instructions (name and address) for mailing it back.

What are the recording fees?

The typical recording fee for a document is $45 for up to four pages.
Additional pages cost $1 additional per page. If the document is larger than 8 1/2" by 11", then the recording fee is $60 for up to four pages.

Why are fees so high?

Most of the fees you pay are not used for recording. We are required to
collect $10 for rental housing support, and $15 for geographic information purposes as part of the recording cost.

Who can prepare document to be recorded?

Usually, the documents are prepared by an attorney, title company,
financial institution, or land surveyor.

What other items are needed to record a document?

Most deeds require a real estate transfer tax declaration to be filed, and
payment of the transfer tax.
Deeds exempt from real estate transfer tax must include the signed
exemption.
Deeds must have a permanent index number.
Deeds must have a billing address.

What advice do you have?

Pay a professional to do the job right. A home or real estate is usually our most valuable and important asset. Protect it.

What is your mailing address?

The mailing address is:

Hancock County Clerk

P.O. Box 39

Carthage, IL 62321