Indianapolis Deed Records Search
Deed records for Indianapolis properties are filed with the Marion County Recorder, not the city. The recorder's office holds all land transfers, warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and other recorded documents for properties within Indianapolis and the rest of Marion County. Whether you need to look up an owner, confirm a transfer, or get a copy of a recorded deed, the Marion County Recorder is your primary source for Indianapolis deed records.
Indianapolis Quick Facts
Indianapolis Deed Records at the Marion County Recorder
All deed records for Indianapolis properties are kept by the Marion County Recorder. The office is in the City-County Building in downtown Indianapolis. This office handles all land document recording for the county, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats. If a document was recorded for an Indianapolis property, it is in the Marion County Recorder's files.
| Office | Marion County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 E. Washington Street, Suite 741 Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
| Phone | (317) 327-4020 |
| recorder@indy.gov | |
| E-Recording | Yes, available through Remote Search Services |
The City-County Building is in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Parking is available in nearby garages off Washington Street. The recorder's office is on the seventh floor in Suite 741. Staff there can help you find deed records, confirm ownership, or assist with recording a new document. Call ahead if you have questions about what to bring or what fees apply before your visit.
Marion County has a special step that other Indiana counties do not. Before the recorder can accept a deed for recording, the Marion County Assessor must stamp the transfer document. This stamp confirms the property transfer data for tax purposes. Plan for this extra step when recording a new deed for an Indianapolis property. Under IC 36-2-11, county recorders across Indiana are responsible for receiving, recording, and indexing all land instruments presented to them. In Marion County, the assessor stamp is part of that process.
How to Find Indianapolis Property Deed Records
You can search Indianapolis deed records online or in person. Online tools let you look up documents any time without going to the office. In-person visits at the recorder's office let you view the full document and get certified copies on the spot. Both approaches work well. Your choice depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Doxpop is one of the main online tools for Marion County deed records. You can search by name, address, or instrument number. Doxpop gives access to recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Visit doxpop.com to search Indianapolis deed records online. Some searches are free. Others require a subscription or per-document fee. This is a fast way to check if a deed was recorded or to get a copy without going downtown.
The Marion County Assessor property card system also helps with Indianapolis deed records research. The Assessor keeps property records that link to owner names, parcel numbers, and transfer history. You can use the property card portal to look up an address and find ownership information tied to recorded deeds. This is useful when you know an address but not the parcel number or owner name.
The image below is from the Marion County Assessor property card system, one of the tools used alongside deed records to track Indianapolis property ownership and transfer history.
The property card portal at maps.indy.gov shows parcel data and ownership details that supplement the recorder's deed index for Indianapolis properties.
Recording Indianapolis Deed Documents
To record a deed for an Indianapolis property, you take the document to the Marion County Recorder's office. The deed must meet state formatting requirements under IC 36-2-11-14 before the recorder will accept it. These rules cover paper size, font, margins, and the first-page layout. Documents that do not meet these standards may be rejected or recorded at a higher fee.
The recording fee for a deed in Marion County is $35. This is higher than most Indiana counties, which charge $25. Mortgages cost $65 to record in Marion County. UCC filings are $35. Fees may change, so check with the recorder's office before you bring documents in. Under IC 36-2-11-15, the recorder must collect fees set by state law at the time of recording. Marion County fees apply to all Indianapolis property transactions.
Before you bring a deed to the recorder, get the Marion County Assessor's stamp on the transfer document. The assessor's office is also in the City-County Building, which makes this a manageable two-stop process. Once you have the stamp, take the deed to Suite 741. The recorder will review the document, collect the fee, assign an instrument number, and return a recorded copy to you. E-recording is also available through Remote Search Services if you prefer to submit documents electronically.
IC 36-2-11-16 sets the standards for what information a recorded deed must contain. The document needs the names of the grantor and grantee, the legal description of the property, the county, and the notarized signature of the grantor. Missing any of these elements can delay recording or result in rejection. Make sure your deed is complete before you submit it at the Marion County Recorder's office.
Online Tools for Indianapolis Deed Records
Several online services connect to Marion County deed records. Each one has a different focus and cost structure. Knowing which tool fits your need saves time.
Doxpop at doxpop.com provides direct access to Marion County recorded documents. You can search by grantor or grantee name, by address, or by instrument number. Doxpop stores digital images of recorded deeds going back many years. This is useful for title research and for getting a copy of an older deed recorded for an Indianapolis property. Remote Search Services through the recorder's office is another option for electronic access to Marion County deed records.
Tapestry at tapestry.fidlar.com is another tool used in some Indiana counties. The Indiana Recorders Association at indianarecorders.org lists all county recorder offices and their online tools, which is a useful starting point if you are searching across multiple counties for Indianapolis-area properties. Simplifile at simplifile.com and CSC eRecording at erecording.com are used by lenders and title companies to submit deeds electronically to the Marion County Recorder.
IC 36-2-7.5-4 governs electronic recording in Indiana. It allows county recorders to accept documents submitted through approved e-recording services. Marion County participates in this program, so lenders, title companies, and attorneys can submit deeds for Indianapolis properties without mailing or hand-delivering them to the recorder's office.
What Indianapolis Deed Records Include
Deed records for Indianapolis properties contain detailed information about land transfers. Each recorded deed shows the grantor (seller or transferor) and grantee (buyer or recipient), the legal description of the property, the date of signing, and the county where the property sits. Most deeds also show the consideration amount, which is what was paid for the property.
The Marion County Recorder maintains an index of all recorded instruments. This index is searchable by name and instrument number. Each recorded deed gets a unique instrument number and a book and page reference from older records. The recorder's staff can locate a deed in the index using a party name, a property address, or a parcel number. IC 32-21-2-3 governs the form and effect of conveyances in Indiana. Under this statute, a deed transfers ownership of real property when it is signed, notarized, and delivered. Recording at the county recorder's office gives public notice of the transfer and protects the new owner's interest against later claims.
Common types of deeds recorded at the Marion County Recorder for Indianapolis properties include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, sheriff's deeds, trustee's deeds, and executor's deeds. Each type serves a different purpose. Warranty deeds come with guarantees about title. Quitclaim deeds transfer whatever interest the grantor has without a guarantee. Sheriff's deeds come from foreclosure or court-ordered sales.
Deed Record Copy Fees in Indianapolis
Getting a copy of a recorded deed from the Marion County Recorder costs money. The amount depends on whether you want a plain copy or a certified copy. Plain copies are cheaper. Certified copies have the recorder's official stamp and signature and cost more. Certified copies are often needed for legal transactions or to prove title to a property.
For current copy fees, call the Marion County Recorder at (317) 327-4020 or email recorder@indy.gov. Fees can change, and it is best to confirm the current rates before you make a trip to the office. If you use Doxpop to access Indianapolis deed records online, the fee structure there is separate from what the recorder charges for physical copies. Online copies through Doxpop may cost less for basic document images. Certified copies still require a request through the recorder's office directly.
IC 36-2-11-16.5 allows Indiana county recorders to charge fees for copies of recorded documents. Marion County sets its copy fees within the limits allowed by state law. The recorder's office can tell you the exact cost for copies of Indianapolis deed records before you place your order.
Nearby Cities with Deed Records
Other cities near Indianapolis also have deed records held by their respective county recorders. Each city below has its own deed records page with local recorder contact details and search options.
Marion County Deed Records
Indianapolis is in Marion County. All deed records for Indianapolis properties are filed with the Marion County Recorder at 200 E. Washington Street, Suite 741. The county page has more detail on recording procedures, fees, online search tools, and related instruments for all Marion County properties.