Montgomery County OH Recorder: Deeds & Records

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Montgomery County, Ohio • Dayton-area deed and recorded-document guide

Montgomery County Recorder Search: Find Deeds, Mortgages, Liens and Property Records

The Montgomery County Recorder is the official county office responsible for preserving and indexing documents that affect land ownership and real-property encumbrances in Montgomery County, Ohio.

Common records include deeds, mortgages, releases, leases, liens, assignments, plats, powers of attorney and other recordable instruments. The Recorder’s online system is called the Recorder’s Information Search System (RISS).

If you know only the street address: first search the Montgomery County Auditor property system to identify the current owner, parcel ID and legal description. Then open RISS, enter as a Guest and search the deed records by name or legal-description clues.
Current Recorder Lori Kennedy
Recorder phone 937-225-4275
Copy Center 937-225-6494
Recorder location 451 W. Third Street, 5th Floor, Dayton, Ohio
Office hours Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Recording cutoff 4:00 p.m.
Current-fee correction: Montgomery County’s current Fees & Documents page and Document Preparation Checklist show $39 for the first two pages. Some older FAQ text still displays $34. Use the current $39 schedule and verify immediately before filing.
Independent guide: County-CAD.us is not Montgomery County Government, the Recorder, Auditor, Treasurer, Engineer, Clerk of Courts or State of Ohio. Official searches, recordings, conveyances, payments and certified-copy requests must be completed through the government resources linked below.
Start with your actual task

What Are You Trying to Do?

I only know the property address Find owner, parcel and legal description before opening RISS. I want to search a deed Use the official Recorder Information Search System. I need a deed copy Print free online or order a certified copy. I paid off my mortgage Look for a Release/Satisfaction rather than a new deed. I want to check liens Search Recorder records, but remember liens can exist in other offices. I need to record a deed Go through the Auditor’s transfer process before Recorder filing. I need recording fees Check page count, marginal notation and standardization fees. I want to eRecord Understand why transfer documents are treated differently. I want deed-fraud alerts Register for the free FAN system. I need an old deed Use Recorder indexes and Records Center archives back to 1805.
Most beginner searches

Address → Auditor → Parcel → RISS → Deed → Verify

1 Address Start with the property.
2 Auditor Find owner and parcel.
3 Legal description Save the deed-search clue.
4 RISS Enter as Guest.
5 Get Documents Open the deed image.
6 Verify Match property and parties.
Government websites

Which Official Website Should You Use?

RISS
Recorder’s Information Search System Deeds, mortgages, releases, liens and recorded documents.
Open Official RISS
AUD
Montgomery County Auditor Property Search Address, owner and parcel search.
Open Official Property Search
TRF
Auditor Deed Transfer Conveyance, transfer fee and deed-transfer requirements.
Open Official Deed Transfer Guide
FEE
Recorder Fees & Documents Current $39 standard first-two-page fee and copy fees.
Open Current Fee Schedule
FAN
Fraud Alert Notification System Free notifications when documents are recorded concerning enrolled property.
Open FAN System
ARC
Records Center & Archives Historical deed records, indexes and tract records.
Open Historical Records
Scenario 1: only an address

How to Find a Montgomery County Deed From a Street Address

Montgomery County’s own property-research guide recommends finding the present property owner first through the Auditor, then working backward through deed records.

1
First website to open Montgomery County Auditor Real Estate Search
Open Property Search
Open the Auditor property-search website above.
Select “Search By Address.” The system also provides owner, parcel and advanced search.
Enter the property address. Use simple address terms first if an exact-format search fails.
Open the correct parcel result.
Save the Parcel ID. Montgomery County parcel IDs begin with a capital letter.
Save the current owner name.
Find the legal description. The county’s Home & Property Research Guide specifically recommends obtaining the legal description before researching deed records.
Open RISS. Go to Recorder’s Information Search System .
Enter the system as a Guest. Accept the legal disclaimer when prompted.
Search the owner name or legal description. Use current and prior-owner information when necessary.
Official deed-search system

How to Use Montgomery County RISS Step by Step

RISS
Recorder Information Search System Official Montgomery County Recorder record search.
Open RISS
Open RISS using the button above.
Use Guest access if you only need a public search.
Review and accept the legal disclaimer.
Search by owner/party name or legal-description information.
Review the returned document list. A property can have many deeds, mortgages, releases and liens.
Select “Get Documents.” This moves from the index results to available document images.
Find the correct deed or other instrument.
Select the document-image icon. The county’s instructions say the image appears at the far right of the row.
Open the printable PDF. Use the Print control if you need an ordinary personal copy.
Verify the legal description and parties before relying on the document.
Browser tip: RISS states that pop-ups must be enabled for riss.mcrecorder.org and onbase.mcohio.org. If “Get Documents” appears to do nothing, check your browser’s pop-up blocker.

How to Understand the Recorder Result

Grantor Generally the person or entity conveying or granting an interest.
Grantee Generally the person or entity receiving the interest.
Legal Description Formal description connecting the recorded document to the land.
Parcel ID Auditor identifier that helps connect tax/property records to the deed.
Document Type Deed, mortgage, release, lien, lease, assignment or another instrument.
Recording Date Date the document entered the Recorder’s records.
Prior Reference Later documents can refer to an earlier mortgage, deed or lien.
Document Image Read the actual recorded document rather than relying only on index text.
Free print vs certified copy

How to Get a Montgomery County Deed Copy

Montgomery County explains that deeds and releases can be searched and printed from its online Recorder system at no charge.

$0 Online printable copy Use RISS and print the available document PDF yourself.
$2/page + $1 Certified copy Copy Center page charge plus certification.
Search the document in RISS.
Select Get Documents.
Open the document-image icon.
Print the PDF if an unofficial copy is enough.
If certification is required, call the Copy Center. Phone: 937-225-6494.
Have the document reference ready. This prevents staff from having to reconstruct your search.
Before buying certification: ask the court, lender, title company, probate office or other recipient whether a certified copy is actually required.
Common homeowner question

Mortgage Paid Off? Look for a Release/Satisfaction

Montgomery County Recorder explains that paying off a mortgage does not generate a new deed. Your deed represents ownership; the mortgage is a separate financing instrument.

After payoff, the lender normally records a Release/Satisfaction of Mortgage.

Open RISS.
Find the original mortgage. Save its recording information and lender.
Search later documents.
Look for a Release/Satisfaction of Mortgage.
Confirm the release references the correct mortgage.
If the expected release is missing, contact the lender or servicer.
Releases and assignments of mortgages currently carry a $4 marginal notation fee when recorded.

How to Check Liens in Montgomery County

The Recorder is one of several offices where liens can be recorded. A Recorder search is therefore an important part of lien research, but it is not necessarily a complete title search.

Search RISS using the property owner name and legal-description clues.
Identify any lien document in the results.
Save the creditor/agency, date and document reference.
Search later filings for a release or satisfaction.
Check other responsible offices when appropriate. Court judgments, taxes and other obligations may originate elsewhere.
Use a title professional for complete lien-priority research.
The Recorder does not perform title searches. Computers are available in the Public Research Area, but staff cannot determine whether a property has clear title or which lien has priority.
Current Recorder schedule

Montgomery County Recorder Fees

$39 First two pages Current basic recording fee.
$8 Each additional page Added after page 2.
$4 Marginal notation Added to releases and assignments of mortgages.
$20 Standardization issue Added when the required clear first-page top margin is missing.
$2/page Photocopy Recorder Copy Center rate.
$2/page + $1 Certified copy Current certified-copy charge.
FEE
Official Recorder Fees Check immediately before filing.
Open Current Fees
Ignore old $34 fee references. Some legacy FAQ content still displays $34. The Recorder’s current Fees & Documents page, eRecording page and Document Preparation Checklist all show $39 for the first two pages.
Do not walk directly to the Recorder with a transfer deed

How to Record a Deed in Montgomery County

The Montgomery County Auditor is responsible for the deed-transfer process for parcels before applicable deeds are recorded.

AUD
Official Deed Transfer Guide Auditor transfer/conveyance process.
Open Auditor Deed Transfer
Identify the correct parcel ID. Use the Auditor property-search system.
Prepare the correct deed. Recorder staff cannot provide legal advice or complete the document for you.
Include buyer and seller names.
Include the full legal description. The Recorder says this should include the “situated in” clause.
Check the grantor’s marital status and dower requirements. Montgomery County’s preparation checklist says the grantor’s marital status must be stated and applicable spouse dower rights must be released.
Use proper signatures and notarization.
Include the required preparation statement. Ohio-notarized documents should identify the person who prepared the document.
Take the deed through the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department. Obtain the appropriate Transfer or No Transfer stamp.
Obtain Engineer approval where required.
Present the approved deed to the Recorder. Walk-in recording stops at 4:00 p.m.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Recorder holds recorded documents overnight for imaging and returns them the next business day.

Montgomery County Deed Transfer / Conveyance Fee

The Auditor currently lists the mandatory conveyance fee for applicable real-estate transfers as:

$3 Per $1,000 of actual sale price Current county conveyance/transfer fee.
$0.50 Per parcel transferred Added for each parcel.
This conveyance fee is separate from the Recorder’s document-recording fee. Do not calculate a deed transaction using only the $39 Recorder fee.
SRC
Conveyance Form Search Search prior conveyance forms by year/number, parcel or address.
Open Conveyance Form Search

The current search supports:

  • year and conveyance number;
  • parcel ID;
  • property street number and street name.
Address search tip: the conveyance search specifically says do not enter street direction or suffix.
Recorder checklist

Before Recording: Montgomery County Document Checklist

Correct fee $39 first two pages plus applicable additional-page charges.
First-page top margin Keep a clear 3-inch margin to avoid the additional standardization fee.
Original signatures Properly executed and acknowledged.
Valid notary Correct notarial statement, signature and applicable commission information.
Grantor marital status Required on deeds under the county checklist.
Dower release Applicable grantor spouse signs before a valid notary.
Full legal description Include the “situated in” clause.
Preparation statement Identify who prepared the document.
Return envelope Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Transfer / No Transfer stamp Obtain Auditor approval when applicable.
Need the previous legal description? The Recorder directs users to the previous deed or its Copy Center at 937-225-6494.
Electronic recording limitation

Can You eRecord a Montgomery County Deed?

The Recorder currently accepts non-transfer documents through eRecording.

Deeds and documents requiring a Transfer or No Transfer stamp still must go through the Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department before recording.

Document
Current route
What to remember
Non-transfer document
eRecording available
Standardization laws and recording fees still apply.
Deed
Auditor transfer process first
Cannot simply bypass the deed-transfer workflow through ordinary Recorder eRecording.
TOD designation / easement / deed-referencing affidavit
Transfer or No Transfer review first when required
Follow Auditor processing before recording.
eREC
Official eRecording Instructions Montgomery County Recorder
Open eRecording Guide
The Recorder currently directs users interested in electronic filing to Simplifile. The Auditor’s Deed Transfer page also lists ePN and Simplifile for applicable electronic transfer workflows.
Free fraud-monitoring service

Montgomery County Fraud Alert Notification (FAN) System

The Recorder offers a free FAN system for Montgomery County property owners. Once a property is enrolled, the system can notify the registrant when a document concerning the registered property is recorded.

FAN
Official Fraud Alert Notification System Online registration and registration management.
Register for FAN
Open the official FAN page.
Select Register Now.
Enter the property/registration information requested.
Choose the available notification method. FAN currently describes notifications by mail, email or text.
Keep your security phrase. The registration-management screen uses first name, last name and security phrase to locate existing registrations.
If an unfamiliar notification arrives, search RISS independently.
A FAN notice does not automatically mean fraud occurred. It means a document was recorded concerning the enrolled property. Review the actual instrument before drawing a conclusion.
Dayton-area property history

How Far Back Do Montgomery County Deed Records Go?

Montgomery County maintains extensive historical real-estate records reaching back to the early 1800s.

Record
Published coverage
Where to research
Recorder indexes
1805 to present
Recorder office / available index systems.
Deed records
1805 onward
Recorder plus historical archival collections.
Archives deed records
1805-1933
Montgomery County Records Center & Archives.
Archives deed indexes
1805-1928
Records Center & Archives.
Tract index
1805-1986
Historical microfilm collections.
ARC
Records Center & Archives Historic deed, tract, tax, court and estate research.
Open Historical Records
Best historical method: Montgomery County recommends beginning with the present owner and working backward through the deed chain using the Alphabetical Index or Tract Index.
Dayton / Montgomery County-specific shortcuts

Local Tips That Save Time

Start with the Auditor if all you know is the address. The property record gives you the owner, parcel ID and legal description.
RISS pop-up blocked? Allow pop-ups for both riss.mcrecorder.org and onbase.mcohio.org.
Print your ordinary deed copy free. Do not pay a third-party document seller before checking RISS.
Use $39, not the old $34 recording fee. Current Recorder pages have been updated even though legacy FAQ text remains.
Do not show up at 4:30 p.m. with a deed. The office remains open until 5:00 p.m., but document recording stops at 4:00 p.m.
Bring the legal description. It is one of the most useful clues for both chain-of-title research and deed preparation.
Parcel IDs begin with a capital letter. The county specifically calls this out in its property and conveyance searches.
Address search: omit direction and suffix where the county instructs. This is especially important in the Deed Transfer Conveyance Search.
Mortgage payoff does not create a new deed. Search for the lender’s Release/Satisfaction instead.
Use the FAN system before you need it. Registration is free and gives an additional monitoring layer for recorded documents.
Use the garage entrances on Second Street or Vista View Drive. The Recorder identifies these as parking access points for the Administration Building.
For very old Dayton property, use the Tract Index. Street addresses and owner names change; legal-description-based research can be more reliable.

Which Montgomery County Office Handles Your Question?

Your task
Correct office
What to do
Deed, mortgage, lien or release
Recorder
Search RISS and review the actual recorded instrument.
Find owner, parcel or appraisal value
Auditor
Search mcrealestate.org by address, owner or parcel.
Transfer a deed
Auditor Deed Transfer
Obtain Transfer/No Transfer processing before recording.
Property-tax payment
Treasurer
Search tax records, balances and payment information.
Property-value complaint
Board of Revision
File during the January 1-March 31 annual filing period.
Old deed / historical ownership
Recorder + Records Center & Archives
Use deed indexes, tract index and archival holdings.
Current Montgomery County contacts

Montgomery County Recorder Address, Phone and Hours

Recorder’s Office

Recorder
Lori Kennedy
Address
451 W. Third Street
5th Floor
Dayton, Ohio
Phone
937-225-4275
Fax
937-225-6388
Email
mcrecorder@mcohio.org
Hours
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Recording Ends
4:00 p.m.

Recorder Copy Center

Use for
Deed/document copies and legal-description copy assistance
Phone
937-225-6494
Ordinary Copy
$2 per page
Certification
$1 additional
Online Alternative
Search RISS and print the available document yourself.

Records Center & Archives

Address
Reibold Building
117 South Main Street
6th Floor
Dayton, OH 45422
Phone
937-225-6366
Hours
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Use for
Historic deeds, deed indexes, tract records and other county archives.
Directions to Montgomery County Recorder
Official government research

Sources Used for This Montgomery County Recorder Guide

Montgomery County Recorder

Current Recorder, office services, address and contact routing.

Open Recorder Homepage
Recorder Information Search System

Official RISS recorded-document search.

Open RISS
Fees & Documents

Current basic recording, lien, copy, certification and plat fees.

Open Current Fees
Document Preparation Checklist

Current $39 fee, first-page margin, legal description, marital-status, dower, notary and return-envelope requirements.

Open Recording Checklist
eRecording

Current non-transfer eRecording rules and transfer-document limitation.

Open eRecording Guide
Auditor Deed Transfer

Current conveyance fee, transfer workflow and electronic-filing contacts.

Open Deed Transfer
Auditor Conveyance Form Search

Search conveyance records by year/number, parcel or address.

Open Conveyance Search
FAN System

Free property/mortgage fraud-monitoring registration.

Open FAN System
Home & Property Research Guide

County guidance for chain-of-ownership research and old-house history.

Open Property Research Guide
Records Center & Archives

Historical deed, deed-index and tract-record coverage.

Open Archives
Editorial verification: August 14, 2026. Search systems, recording fees, forms, officeholders, eRecording options and document requirements can change. Confirm the final transaction through the responsible Montgomery County office before filing, paying or relying on a certified record.

Montgomery County Recorder Search Checklist

  • Search the Auditor first if you know only the address.
  • Save the Parcel ID, owner and legal description.
  • Open RISS and enter as Guest.
  • Enable pop-ups for RISS and OnBase if document images do not open.
  • Search current and prior-owner names when needed.
  • Use Get Documents to open the actual recorded image.
  • Verify the legal description, parties and document type.
  • Print an ordinary deed copy free when certification is unnecessary.
  • Use the Copy Center for certified copies.
  • Use $39 as the current standard first-two-page recording fee.
  • Send transfer deeds through the Auditor’s transfer process first.
  • Register for the free FAN property alert.
10 Montgomery County deed questions

Montgomery County Recorder FAQs

1. What is the official Montgomery County Ohio deed search?

Use the Montgomery County Recorder’s Information Search System, or RISS, at riss.mcrecorder.org. Public users can enter as a Guest, search recorded records by name or legal-description information, select Get Documents and open available document images.

2. How do I find a deed if I only know the property address?

First use the Montgomery County Auditor property search at mcrealestate.org. Search by address, open the correct parcel and save the current owner, parcel ID and legal description. Then open RISS and search the Recorder records using those details.

3. Can I print my Montgomery County deed online for free?

Yes. Montgomery County’s instructions say users can search RISS, select Get Documents, open the deed image and print the resulting PDF without purchasing an ordinary copy from the office.

4. How much is a certified deed copy in Montgomery County?

The Recorder’s current fee page lists copies at $2 per page and certified copies at $2 per page plus $1 for certification. Contact the Copy Center at 937-225-6494 if you need a certified document.

5. What is the current Montgomery County Recorder recording fee?

The current Recorder fee schedule and Document Preparation Checklist show $39 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page. Releases and assignments of mortgages also carry a $4 marginal notation fee. Some older county FAQ text still displays $34, so use the current $39 schedule.

6. I paid off my mortgage. Will Montgomery County send me a new deed?

No. The Recorder explains that paying off a mortgage does not create a new deed. Your lender normally records a Release or Satisfaction of Mortgage. Search RISS for the original mortgage and the later release.

7. Can the Montgomery County Recorder tell me whether my property has clear title?

No. Recorder staff do not perform title searches or provide legal advice. Public computers are available for record research, but a complete title examination or lien-priority opinion should be handled by a title company or Ohio attorney.

8. Can I eRecord a deed in Montgomery County?

The Recorder currently accepts non-transfer documents through eRecording. Deeds and documents requiring a Transfer or No Transfer stamp must still go through the Montgomery County Auditor’s Deed Transfer Department before recording.

9. Does Montgomery County offer property fraud alerts?

Yes. The Recorder provides a free Fraud Alert Notification, or FAN, system. Property owners can register and receive notification by available mail, email or text options when a document concerning the enrolled property is recorded.

10. Where is the Montgomery County Recorder office?

The Montgomery County Recorder is on the fifth floor of the County Administration Building at 451 W. Third Street in Dayton, Ohio. The main phone number is 937-225-4275. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but document recording stops at 4:00 p.m.

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