Howard County Property Deed Records

Howard County deed records are filed at the Recorder's office in Kokomo and available online through Tapestry and Laredo. This page explains how to search, request, and record property documents in Howard County, Indiana.

Howard County Recorder Office

The Howard County Recorder's office is responsible for recording and indexing all deed records and land documents in the county. Recorder Cindy Miller leads the office, which is located in Room 330 of the Howard County Courthouse in Kokomo. The office records warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, releases, easements, and other property documents under IC 36-2-11.

Howard County's recorder office offers online access to deed records through Tapestry EON and Laredo. These platforms are used by title companies, real estate attorneys, and lenders who work regularly with Howard County property records. Tapestry is the more common public-facing option and allows searches by name or document type. Laredo is typically used by professional subscribers who need high-volume access to Howard County deed data.

For in-person service, the office is at 220 N Main St, Room 330, Kokomo. Staff can search the index, pull document copies, and process new filings. Call ahead if you plan to visit so you know what to bring for your specific request in Howard County.

Search Howard County Deed Records Online

Tapestry EON at tapestry.fidlar.com is the primary platform for online access to Howard County deed records. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, or document type. A subscription is needed for full document images. This is the tool most used by real estate professionals who work with Howard County property on a regular basis.

Laredo is another platform available for Howard County deed records. It is designed for title companies and attorneys who need bulk or recurring access to the deed index. Contact the Howard County Recorder at 765-456-2210 to confirm access options for both systems.

The Indiana State Land Office maintains state-owned property records and maps. While it does not cover private parcels in Howard County, it is a useful reference for understanding how Indiana manages property deed records statewide.

The image below shows the Indiana state property portal, which provides access to deeds and maps for state-owned land across Indiana.

You can also use Beacon for property assessment and parcel data in Howard County. Beacon does not replace the recorder's deed index but is useful for identifying parcels and finding current ownership information before you dig into deed history.

Howard County Recording Fees

Howard County applies Indiana's standard recording fee schedule under IC 36-2-7.5-4. Fees are the same for in-person, mail, and electronic filings. Know the fee before you come in so you have the right payment ready.

Standard recording fees for Howard County:

• Deeds: $25.00
• Mortgages: $55.00
• Oversized pages: $5.00 per page
• Copies up to 11x17 inches: $1.00 per page
• Copies larger than 11x17: $5.00 per page
• Certified copies: $5.00

Call 765-456-2210 if you have a multi-page or unusual document. The recorder's staff can give you the exact total before you submit. This is especially helpful for plats or large easement agreements that may involve multiple pages or oversized sheets in Howard County.

Deed Document Requirements in Howard County

Documents submitted to the Howard County Recorder must comply with Indiana's formatting rules under IC 36-2-11-14. Documents that fail to meet the standards are returned unfiled. This adds time and cost to any transaction, so it is worth checking the requirements before you prepare your filing.

Howard County deed requirements: white paper, letter or legal size; black ink; 8-point font minimum; 3-inch top margin on the first page for the recorder's stamp; half-inch margins on all other sides; original wet signatures; notarization. IC 36-2-11-15 requires that the name and address of the person who prepared the document appear on the first page. Leaving this off is a common mistake that leads to returns.

IC 32-21-2-3 sets the rule on when a deed takes effect in Indiana. A deed does not protect the buyer against third-party claims until it is recorded. The Howard County Recorder's stamp gives the document its legal priority date. This is why recording quickly after a real estate closing matters. If another deed or lien is recorded first, it may take legal priority over yours under Indiana law.

The Indiana Recording Manual from the Indiana Recorders Association is a detailed guide to all state formatting requirements. Review it before preparing documents for Howard County to avoid rejection.

E-Recording in Howard County

Electronic recording of deed documents is available in Indiana under IC 36-2-11-16.5. Contact the Howard County Recorder at 765-456-2210 to confirm current e-recording options for the county. Most Indiana counties use approved vendor services for electronic submission.

The two major vendors used across Indiana are Simplifile at simplifile.com (800-460-5657) and CSC through erecording.com (866-652-0111). Both services accept documents electronically, forward them to the county recorder, process the recording, and return the stamped document to the submitter digitally. Standard Howard County recording fees still apply. E-recording eliminates the need to deliver paper originals and often results in faster turnaround times.

Howard County Deed Record Types

The Howard County Recorder files many types of property documents beyond standard deeds. Each one affects the legal status of real estate in Howard County.

Warranty deeds are the most common type. The grantor promises that the title is free of defects and will defend the grantee against any future claims. Quitclaim deeds transfer whatever interest the grantor has without any promises about the title. These are often used between family members or in trust transfers. Special warranty deeds limit the grantor's promise to the period they owned the property.

Mortgages and deeds of trust are also recorded in Howard County. These documents show that a lender holds an interest in the property as collateral for a loan. When the loan is paid, a release of mortgage must be recorded to clear the lien. IC 36-2-11-16 addresses how releases are handled. An unrecorded release creates title problems, so check the Howard County deed index for both the mortgage and the release when researching a property.

Other documents in the Howard County recorder's files include tax liens, mechanic's liens, easement grants, right-of-way agreements, subdivision plats, and lis pendens filings. A complete title search in Howard County covers all of these in addition to the deed chain itself.

Cities in Howard County

Howard County is home to Kokomo, the county seat and the largest city in the area. All deed filings for property in Howard County are recorded at the Recorder's office in Kokomo regardless of the specific city or township.

Other communities in Howard County include Russiaville, Greentown, and Bunker Hill. Deed records for property in all of these areas are on file at the Howard County Recorder's office in Kokomo.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Howard County. Each county has its own recorder's office for property deed records in that county.