West Lafayette Deed Records Search
West Lafayette deed records are maintained by the Tippecanoe County Recorder in Lafayette. All property transfers, mortgage documents, and land records for West Lafayette are filed with this office and are available to the public through online platforms or in-person visits to the recorder's office on the second floor of the county building on North 3rd Street.
West Lafayette Quick Facts
Where West Lafayette Records Are Kept
The Tippecanoe County Recorder is the official keeper of all West Lafayette deed records. Indiana Code IC 36-2-11 gives the county recorder responsibility for recording, indexing, and preserving all land documents filed in the county. Every deed, mortgage, and easement for a West Lafayette property goes through this office and becomes a public record once accepted.
| Office | Tippecanoe County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 20 N 3rd St, 2nd Floor Lafayette, IN 47901 |
| Phone | (765) 423-3952 |
| City Clerk (West Lafayette) | clerk@westlafayette.in.gov | (765) 775-5150 |
| Online Access | Tapestry, Laredo, Beacon |
The recorder's office is in Lafayette, just across the Wabash River from West Lafayette. The short drive is all that separates West Lafayette residents from in-person record access. Staff can assist with lookups and copy requests during business hours. If you call ahead at (765) 423-3952, you can find out wait times and what you need to bring for your visit.
Search West Lafayette Deed Records Online
Tippecanoe County offers multiple online paths to search West Lafayette deed records. Tapestry by Fidlar Technologies at tapestry.fidlar.com is the web-based option that requires no software installation. You can search by name, document type, or date range. Document images are available through the platform with a paid account or per-page fee.
Laredo is a desktop-based alternative also from Fidlar that many title companies and attorneys use to access Tippecanoe County records. It works well for users who need to pull large volumes of records at once. Both Tapestry and Laredo connect to the same recorder database, so the underlying West Lafayette deed records are the same regardless of which platform you use.
Beacon by Schneider Corporation at beacon.schneidercorp.com (AppID=578 for Tippecanoe County) offers a map-based search option. You can look up West Lafayette parcels by address or owner and see boundary data alongside assessor information. This is especially useful for locating a parcel before searching the recorder records for the deed history.
Under IC 36-2-11-14, the recorder must make these records available to the public. That applies to online access as well as in-person visits. You do not need to explain why you are searching West Lafayette deed records. The records are open to anyone.
Electronic Recording in Tippecanoe County
Tippecanoe County has accepted electronic deed submissions since October 2010. This makes West Lafayette one of the earlier-served counties for e-recording in Indiana. E-recording is done through Simplifile at simplifile.com or through erecording.com. Both platforms let title companies and attorneys submit deeds digitally without a paper trip to the Lafayette courthouse.
E-recording for West Lafayette deeds is fast. Documents are typically processed the same day they are submitted if received during business hours. The recorder assigns an instrument number electronically, and the original document can be returned by mail. This approach saves time for high-volume users and is now standard practice for most real estate closings in West Lafayette.
For individual property owners who are not regular e-recording users, in-person or mail submission is also still available. If mailing a West Lafayette deed for recording, include the correct fee and a return envelope so the recorder can send your recorded document back. IC 32-21-2-3 governs what information must be on a deed before it can be accepted, and the Tippecanoe County Recorder enforces these standards for all West Lafayette filings.
Indiana Property Deed Resources
The Indiana Department of Administration maintains a state property portal with deed and land record information at in.gov.
This resource documents how Indiana manages state-owned properties and provides context for the deed recording standards that apply to all Tippecanoe County filings, including West Lafayette property transfers.
How to Record a West Lafayette Deed
Recording a deed for West Lafayette property follows the same steps used across Indiana. The deed must be prepared and signed by the grantor in front of a notary. Indiana Code IC 36-2-11-15 sets out required elements: the grantor and grantee names, a legal description of the property, proper execution, and notarization. The recorder checks these before accepting any document.
Once the deed is ready, submit it to the Tippecanoe County Recorder with payment. Standard fees for West Lafayette deed recording are:
- Deeds: $25.00
- Mortgages: $55.00
- Copies (11x17 or smaller): $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00
After the recorder accepts the document, it is assigned an instrument number under IC 36-2-11-16.5. This number is logged in the county index and links to the stored document image. Keep your instrument number. It is the fastest way to find your West Lafayette deed record again if you need it later. The recorded deed is returned to the address you provide, either in person or by mail.
IC 36-2-7.5-4 covers the Statewide Vital Records system and how counties must report certain recording data. For deed records specifically, the Tippecanoe County Recorder maintains the master index and document archive for all West Lafayette filings. The Indiana Recorders Association at indianarecorders.org provides guidance on best practices for recording offices statewide.
West Lafayette Land Record Types
The Tippecanoe County Recorder holds a wide range of documents tied to West Lafayette real estate. Knowing the types helps when you search.
Warranty deeds are common in standard home sales. They come with guarantees from the seller that the title is clear. Quitclaim deeds transfer only what the grantor owns, with no promises about the title. You see these in transfers between family members or when correcting an earlier deed error. Deeds of trust tie a property to a loan and are similar to mortgages.
Other West Lafayette records at the Tippecanoe County Recorder include:
- Mortgage documents and satisfactions of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens from contractors
- Plats showing subdivision layouts in West Lafayette
- Easements and access agreements
- Affidavits of survivorship for joint ownership changes
- Subordination agreements tied to mortgages
Each document in the county index goes back many decades. If you need to trace a West Lafayette property's ownership chain, the recorder office can walk you through how the index is organized. Staff can help you start a search, though they cannot give legal advice about what the records mean for your specific situation.
Nearby Indiana Cities
Property deed records for nearby Indiana cities are also available through their county recorders:
Tippecanoe County Deed Records
Deed records for West Lafayette properties are filed with the Tippecanoe County Recorder. The recorder maintains all land documents for every city and township in Tippecanoe County. For the full list of recorder services, contact details, and guidance on searching or recording property documents, visit the Tippecanoe County deed records page.