Recorder

Services During COVID-19

Linn County’s top priority is the health and safety of employees and the public. That is why Linn County offices will reopen July 20 on an appointment-only basis as part of a phased approach to reopening. Linn County will continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 situation and adjust County operations and safety measures as needed.  Anyone entering County buildings will be required to wear a face covering and social distance. COVID-19 symptom screening will also be in place.

Many County services can be conducted online or remotely through email, mail, our drop boxes, or over the phone. For items placed in the drop box, please put all documents in an envelope marked Recorder’s Office and include your contact information. To schedule an appointment with the Recorder’s Office or for questions about remote services, please call 319-892-5420. For vital record information, please call 319-892-5445.

Read more about our service modifications designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and keep employees and customers safe.

Services Offered by Appointment

All Services are by appointment only.  Appointments can be booked up to 90 days in advance. If you receive the message "There are no time slots available," please check back as there are no appointments available at this time. Please check regularly as appointments can open up on an hourly basis. Thank you for your patience as we work through this new way of doing business.

Make An Appointment


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: Issuing a certificate showing federal tax lien on file $6 fee per request. Requesting a copy of a federal tax lien $5 per copy. Copies of documents costs $1 per page - certifications cost $5 per document copied. Any page longer than 14 inches and any attached piece will be considered an additional page. Any document larger than 11 by 14 inches will be required to have original size copies to accompany it.

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