Access Franklin Deed Records
Franklin deed records are filed and maintained at the Johnson County Recorder's office, where all property deeds, land transfers, and mortgage documents for Franklin are part of the public record open to search and copying. Franklin is the county seat of Johnson County, so the recorder's office is located right in the city, making it easy for Franklin residents to access deed records or file new ones without driving to another city.
Franklin Quick Facts
Franklin Deed Records at the Johnson County Recorder
The Johnson County Recorder is the official keeper of all deed records in Franklin. The recorder's office is at 86 W. Court St., Franklin, IN 46131, phone (317) 346-4300. Since Franklin is the county seat, the recorder's office is in the Johnson County Courthouse right in downtown Franklin. This is where you file new deeds, search existing deed records, and get certified copies of recorded documents for Franklin properties.
Franklin has its own City Hall and Clerk-Treasurer office. City Hall is in Franklin at the same general downtown area. The Clerk-Treasurer handles city finances, licenses, and local government matters. But deed recording is a county function under IC 36-2-11, not a city function. All deed records for Franklin properties must go to and are kept by the Johnson County Recorder, not the city clerk. This is how the system works across all of Indiana.
| Office | Johnson County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 86 W. Court St., Franklin, IN 46131 |
| Phone | (317) 346-4300 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST |
| Online Search | Doxpop |
The Johnson County Recorder uses the Doxpop system for online deed record access. Doxpop pulls directly from the county recorder's index and provides document images for Franklin deed records. The recorder indexes every document under IC 36-2-11-16.5 by grantor and grantee name, which makes the records searchable by name online through Doxpop and in person at the courthouse in Franklin.
How to Search Franklin Deed Records
Doxpop at doxpop.com is the primary online service for Johnson County deed records, including Franklin properties. You can search by grantor, grantee, address, or document number. Doxpop shows document images so you can view the full text of any recorded deed. Pay-per-search and subscription plans are both available. This is the fastest way to find Franklin deed records without going to the courthouse.
Tapestry by Fidlar at tapestry.fidlar.com is another option for online access to Johnson County deed records. Real estate professionals and title companies use Tapestry for frequent deed searches on Franklin properties. The Indiana Recorders Association at indianarecorders.org provides links to recorder tools and resources across Indiana, including Johnson County. The Indiana State Board of Accounts at in.gov/sboa oversees county recorder offices statewide.
To search in person, go to the recorder's office at 86 W. Court St. in Franklin during business hours. Staff can help you look up deed records by name or document number and make copies from the index. Bring the property address or the owner's name. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies add a $5 certification fee. Since the recorder is right in Franklin, in-person visits are simple and do not require a long drive.
The image below is from Indiana's state property and deeds information portal, which provides statewide deed and real property reference.
Visit this portal at in.gov/idoa for state property and deed data, which may be relevant when Franklin deed history involves state-managed parcels or government land.
Recording a Deed for Franklin Property
To record a deed for Franklin property, bring or mail the signed, notarized document to the Johnson County Recorder at 86 W. Court St. in Franklin. The recorder checks the deed against IC 36-2-11-14 standards before accepting it. The deed must have the legal description, names of all parties, grantor signatures, and a notary acknowledgment. If anything is missing, the recorder returns the document unrecorded.
The recording fee for a deed is $25 under IC 36-2-11-15. Mortgages cost $55. If the deed is for a sale, you must include the sales disclosure form (State Form 46021) for taxable transfers. The recorder will not process the deed for a taxable transfer without this form. Call (317) 346-4300 if you have questions about local requirements before you record a Franklin deed.
Electronic recording is available through Simplifile and eRecording. These platforms let title companies, lenders, and attorneys submit Franklin deeds without coming to the courthouse. E-recording typically confirms acceptance within minutes, which is useful for same-day closings. Most real estate transactions in Franklin now use electronic recording as the standard approach.
Under IC 32-21-2-3, a deed recorded at the Johnson County Recorder gives constructive notice from the recording date. Any party who later acquires an interest in the same Franklin property is legally presumed to know about all prior recorded deeds, even without looking them up. Unrecorded deeds do not protect against later buyers who do search the public record. Recording right after closing on Franklin property is essential to protect your title.
After recording, the recorder creates a digital image of the deed and indexes it by grantor and grantee names under IC 36-2-11-16.5. This digital record appears in Doxpop and other online services, making it searchable by name. The deed then becomes part of the permanent public record for Johnson County. IC 36-2-7.5-4 allows the county to use recording fees for records management and technology, which funds the Doxpop integration for online access to Franklin deed records.
Franklin Property Record Types
The Johnson County Recorder holds many types of property documents for Franklin, including:
- Warranty deeds
- Quitclaim deeds
- Trustee's deeds and sheriff's deeds
- Mortgages and refinance instruments
- Mortgage releases and satisfactions
- Easements and right-of-way documents
- Subdivision plats
- Mechanic's liens and lien releases
- Affidavits of survivorship
- Lis pendens notices
All of these are public records under Indiana law. Anyone can search the Doxpop index and request copies. Franklin and the surrounding Johnson County area have seen strong residential growth in recent years as people move south from Indianapolis. The recorder handles a steady stream of new deed filings and plat recordings each month. If you are buying Franklin property, a title search will pull the full chain of title from the Johnson County Recorder's index to confirm clear ownership before you close.
Franklin Recording Fees
Standard fees at the Johnson County Recorder for Franklin deed records are:
- Deed recording: $25
- Mortgage recording: $55
- Plain copies: $1 per page (up to 11x17 inches)
- Certified copies: $5 certification fee plus copy cost
Call (317) 346-4300 to confirm current fees before recording. Fees are set by Indiana statute and are stable, but it is worth checking before you go. Electronic recording services may add their own transaction fees on top of the recorder's standard rate.
Nearby Cities with Deed Records
These qualifying cities are near Franklin in central Indiana. Greenwood and Indianapolis are the closest large cities in Johnson and Marion counties respectively.
Johnson County Deed Records
Deed records for Franklin are on file at the Johnson County Recorder in Franklin. The recorder serves all cities and towns in Johnson County from the county seat. For full details on recording procedures, fees, online access through Doxpop, and all Johnson County deed records, visit the county deed records page.