Recorder

Services During COVID-19

Due to the alarming surge in positive COVID-19 cases and record-breaking hospitalizations across the country and locally, Linn County is closing buildings to the public once again to help reduce community spread of the virus and to help ensure continuity of County services. The closure will take effect Thursday, November 19 and remain in effect until public health conditions improve and allow for modifications.

Our office will continue to process Real Estate, DNR, and Vital Record requests. Services can be conducted through the email, mail, over the phone or using our drop box located in front of the building. For items placed in the drop box, please put all documents in an envelope marked Recorder’s Office and include your contact information. 

For questions about remote services for Real Estate and DNR information, please call 319-892-5420.  For Vital Record information, please call 319-892-5445 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Learn more.

Core Functions

To search Linn County real estate records, visit the Linn County Recorder website.

Search the Iowa Land Records website for statewide information about recorded real estate documents in Iowa.

Recording

The following documents are recorded in the Linn County Recorder's Office. Basic recording fees are $5 per page, plus $2 per transaction surcharge. Conveyances (deeds, contracts, changes of title etc.) require an additional auditor's transfer fee of $5 per parcel.
  • Affidavits
  • Assignments and releases
  • Bills of sale
  • Condemnations
  • Contracts
  • Deeds
  • Drainage agreements
  • Easements
  • Farm names
  • Leases
  • Military service records
  • Mortgages
  • Plats and surveys
  • Powers of attorney
  • Section corner certificates
  • State and federal tax liens
  • Trade names
  • Many other documents

Standard Fees

Type
First Page Cost
Additional Page Cost
Contract*
$12
$5
Bill of Sale
$7
$5
Lease
$7
$5
Mortgage
$7
$5
Release
$7
$5
Affidavit
$7
$5
Tax Lien
$7
$5
Plat*
$7
$5
Condemnation*$12$5
Article of Incorporation
$7
$5
Deed*$12$5
Trade Name
$7
$5
Farm Name
$7
$5
Change of Name*
$7
$5

*In addition to the above fees, these require an additional $5 transfer fee for each separate parcel of real estate involved (one parcel is included in the first page fee of $12.00) The maximum transfer fee is $50.

Please note: Copies of documents costs $1 per page - certifications cost $5 per document copied.  Any page or document larger than 11 by 17 inches will be required to have original size copies to accompany it.  Non-standard documents, including a two-sided document or a document submitted without a 3" margin at the top of the page will incur a $10.00 non-standard fee.  Issuing a certificate showing federal tax lien on file $6 fee per request. Requesting a copy of a federal tax lien $5 per copy.  

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