The primary function of the Recorder's office is to accurately record and maintain public records according to the statutes of the State of Indiana and make them accessible for viewing by the public. We preserve a wide variety of official documents affecting real estate and numerous other valuable miscellaneous documents including affidavits, plats, military discharges, contracts, and federal tax liens.
It is the primary duty of the County Recorder to record instruments submitted for recording and maintain those records for perpetuity. The Recorder’s Office maintains and preserves a wide variety of legal documents affecting title to real property. Some of these documents include Deeds, Mortgages, Assignments, Releases, Affidavits, and various types of Liens. These records are considered public record, and you may request copies for a fee.
Please visit the link titled Essential Recording Requirements listed under Relevant Links.
Employees of the Recorder's Office cannot search records. If you know the recording information, you may request a copy from our office. Otherwise, you may come into the office and access one of our public computers. You may also search for records online using the Tapestry EON link.
The Recorder’s Office does not have blank forms and cannot prepare a document for you. You may either contact an attorney, title company, or prepare it yourself. Our office does NOT give legal advice and cannot help you fill out a document.
If you are mailing in a document, please be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope for us to return the document. The original document will always be returned after progressing through the archival process.
Blanket assignments and releases are not accepted. Each assignment or release must be an individual document.
Effective May 15, 2007, in response to the ongoing identity theft crisis, a Military Discharge Document (DD-214) is considered by Indiana State Statute to be a confidential document. According to Indiana Code 10-17-2-4, only specific persons and/or entities are allowed to view and obtain copies of these documents after providing photographic identification. The list is very specific and set out within the statute. In order to comply with this statute, you will be asked to provide a photo ID. If you would like to obtain a copy of a DD214 please visit https://www.in.gov/dva/request-dd214/ and fill out the request form before visiting the office. If you have any questions please call the office.
The Recorder’s Office is required by law to furnish copies and certified copies of any recorded document upon request. The Indiana Statutes also instruct us to refuse to record illegible documents that will not be able to provide a clear reproduction after filming and/or digitally imaging. Unfortunately, filming and/or digitally imaging cannot make a poor quality document better, it stays the same, or in some cases, get worse.
The following qualities are not good for reproduction:
Tapestry EON
View and print digital recorded documents (fee required).
A subscription-based service for account holders who regularly search recorded documents. Please contact the office for more information.
A free service that can alert you any time a document is recorded in your name.
Honor Rewards is a program that enables local veterans to receive discounts and benefits from local businesses and retailers that elect to participate in the program. Select the link above and go to Elkhart County’s page to sign up and see the discounts offered.
When finished please bring into the Recorders Office. If you are mailing it please send a check payable to the Elkhart County Recorder’s Office along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to return it. Cost is $25.00 to record.
Please visit the link titled View Recording Fees listed under Relevant Links.
Make Checks Payable To: Elkhart County Treasurer
There will be a $20.00 Returned Check Fee to the Elkhart County Treasurer on any returned check, no matter what the reason. All fees for the Elkhart County Recorder’s Office are set by state statute and cannot be waived, increased, or decreased.