Linda Koontz
Recorder

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Howard County Recorder's web site. The Office of Recorder was established under the first constitution of the State of Indiana. It is our goal to serve the citizens of Howard County in a professional, courteous and accurate manner. The Howard County Recorder is an elected term of four years with a two term limit. I began my first term as Recorder on January 1, 2003, and was re-elected to my second term 11-7-06.

This office records deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, real estate contracts, annexations, trustee elections, affidavits, surveys, federal tax liens, mechanics liens, military discharges, bonds, ditches, plats, and UCC's to name a few.

We supply copies of any instrument for a fee of $1.00 per page, and we can certify a document for a fee of $5.00 for each certification.

We are currently computerized and use the Fidlar Software Program. Our office processes documents on the same day they are received in almost all cases. Processed documents are mailed back the following business day.

Statutes controlling this office begin with IC 36-2-1. Some of the basic rules for most recordings include the following:

• The name of each person who executed the instrument must be legibly printed, typewritten or stamped immediately beneath the signature;

• The name of each witness to the instrument is legibly printed, typewritten or stamped immediately beneath the signature;

• An instrument executed or acknowledged in Indiana must have a statement as follows: "This instrument was prepared by (name)."

• Page sizes accepted are 8 ½ by 11 inches or 8 ½ by 14 inches.

• Page must have a clear top margin of two inches

• Page must have legible printing or typewriting of at least 10 point type

• Page must be on at least 20 pound weight paper and have clean margins

• Document must be notarized

For a complete listing of fees, click here. (Must have Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

On behalf of our office, I thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.