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The County Clerk and Recorder is responsible for maintaining records for real property located in Washington County.
Recording Fees
(A) Nonstandard Document-$90.00
Any document:
- that creates a division of an active existing tax parcel identification number;
- recorded pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code;
- which is non-conforming, as described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of 55 ILCS 5/3-5018;
- representing a State Lien or a Federal Lien;
- that makes specific reference to more than 5 Tax Parcel Identification numbers in the county in which it is presented for recording; or
- that make specific reference to more than 5 other document numbers recorded in Washington County
(B) Standard Document (8" x 11)-$78.00
- Deeds
- Leases
- Mortgages
- Easements not otherwise part of another classification
- Miscellaneous (Documents not falling within B(1)-B(4) and not considered a Nonstandard Document)
(C) Standard Document (Exempt from Rental Housing Support Program Surcharge)-$60.00
- Deeds
- Leases
- Mortgages
- Easements not otherwise part of another classification
- Miscellaneous (Documents not falling within C(l)-C(4) and not considered a Nonstandard Document)
(D) State and Federal Liens & Releases-See Recorder
(E) Plats (Other than 8" x 11, which would be a Standard Document)-$100.00
Plat of survey/subdivisions, etc.
*The $18.00 Rental Housing Support fee does not apply to the following documents: Utility & Right of Way Easements, State/Federal Liens & Releases
County recording fees are subject to change without notice. For the most current fees and further information, contact the local recording office directly.
Document Formatting Requirements
Documents should consist of one or more individual sheets of white paper measuring 8.5 x 11 inches. Individual sheets should not be permanently bound or in a continuous form. Graphic displays measuring up to 11 x 17 inches accompanying a document will be recorded with the document without additional fees. If an attached rider needs to be recorded with a deed, the rider should be permanently attached as an additional page on the back of the deed.
Use legible printing or typing, black ink, and a font size of at least 12 point. Signatures and dates can be in contrasting colors so long as they will reproduce clearly.
Deeds presented to the county recorder should have a blank space measuring 3 x 5 inches in the upper right corner on the first page, set aside for the recorders use. Failure to include this will not affect the validity of the deed, but will incur additional fees. All other margins in the document should be at least .5 an inch and free from all markings.
When a deed is made a matter of record, it shall have the names of the parties signing the instrument typed or printed below or next to the signatures, including the witnesses, if any, and the names of the parties or officers taking acknowledgment.
Signatures of the parties executing the instrument shall be acknowledged by a notary public.
A deed must contain the name and residence of the grantor, the consideration exchanged for the property, any covenants of warranty, the grantees name and address, and a legal description of the real property, including street address and PIN. In addition, the grantors original signature must be present.
Provide the name and address of the owner to whom subsequent tax bills are to be sent.
Include the name and address of the person who prepared the deed.
Whenever a metes and bound description is used in the legal description of real property, the metes and bounds description should contain the section, township, and range with an identifiable point of beginning.
An affidavit for purposes of the plat act is required to accompany a deed when 1) a metes and bounds legal description is given, 2) when roadway easements and right of way (ingress or egress) are designated, or 3) when a division of land five acres more or less is noted on a deed of transfer.
Transfer Tax Declaration:
An Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration (PTAX-203) must be filed with deeds and any non-exempt transactions. The information requested on this form is requested by the Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax law. All parties involved in the transaction must complete the form truthfully. This form is used to collect sales data and to determine if a sale can be used in assessment ratio studies. It is also used to compute equalization factors, which are used to help achieve a statewide uniform valuation of properties based on their fair market value.
If the property transfer is exempt from transfer tax, the PTAX-203 form is not required. A specific exemption number should be noted on the deed presented for recording. The Illinois Department of Revenue webpage has a list of exempt transactions. The form can be completed online or as a hard copy.
Effect of Recording:
Deeds, mortgages, and other instruments of writing that are authorized to be recorded will take effect and be in force from and after the time they are filed for record as to all creditors and subsequent purchasers, without notice. All such deeds and title papers will be judged void as to all such creditors and subsequent purchasers, without notice, until the same is filed for record.
From the time they are filed for record, deeds, mortgages, and other instruments of writing related to real estate shall be deemed notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors, though not acknowledged or proven according to law; but the same shall not be read as evidence, unless their execution be proved in the manner required by the rules of evidence applicable to such writings, so as to supply the defects of acknowledgment or proof.