Guernsey County Recorder

Guernsey County Recorder
(740) 432-9275
Colleen Doutt Wheatley

In Ohio it is the County Recorder who has the important and indispensable task of keeping the vital records pertaining to ownership in real estate (land) and to all encumbrances or liens upon it. Without the work of the County Recorder in recording, safekeeping and organizing all documents in a competent and logical manner, it would be nearly impossible to purchase land and be assured of a clear title or to lend money with land as security.

The Practice of Recording real estate documents is based on law in England which traveled to the New World with the colonists. Public land registrars were appointed in colonial America to keep accurate records. a system of registration was necessary to prove the rights of persons who first made claims to property.

In 1787 the Northwest Territory was formed, encompassing all lands north and west of the Ohio River. A Recorder's office was established din each county. Ohio became a state in 1803 and although the state constitution did not provide for a Recorder's office, the first state legislature mandated that a Recorder be appointed in each county by the Judges of Court of Common Please. In 1829 the Recorders office became an elective position and in 1936 the term was established at four years.

Today the County Recorder keeps and maintains accurate lang records that are current, legible and easily accessible. An important aspect of the Recorder's work is to index each document so it may be readily located. Accurate indexing makes it possible for persons searching land records to find the documents necessary to establish a "chain of title" (history of ownership) and ensures that any debts or encumbrances against the property ar evident. These invaluable records are utilized by the general public, attorneys, historians, genealogist, and land title examiners.

In some counties, certain property is registered under the Torrens Act. This "registered land" has boundaries certified to be correct; title is guaranteed by a state insurance fund. Torrenized land records are the responsibility of the County Recorder.

COLLEEN WHEATLEY
627 Wheeling Ave Ste 305
Cambridge, OH 43725
Phone: 740-432-9275
Fax: 740-439-6258
cwheatley@guernseycounty.org

Documents Filed or Recorded in the
Recorder's Office....

Deeds
Warranty Deeds Quit Claim Deeds	Survivorship Deeds Sheriff's Deeds

Mortgages
Mortgage Releases Assumptions Encumbrances	Assignments Subordinations Waivers of Priority

Certificates of Transfer
Affidavits - Easements
- Leases

Certificate of Title to Registered Land
(Torrens Land)

Land Contracts

Plats

(Drawings showing locations of lots and boundaries, usually of subdivided land.)

Condominiums

(Drawings of property where there is individual ownership of portions of a building and joint ownership of
common elements.)

Partnerships - Power of Attorneys Trusts - Miscellaneous Records

Zoning Resolutions, Maps & Amendments

Annexations - Petitions
State Centerline Surveys
Street Name Changes
Vacating of Streets and Alleys

Military Service Discharges

Financing Statements - Real Estate Only

(Filed under provisions in the Uniform Commercial Code)

Corporate Mergers
Name Changes, Cancellations

Bills of Sale

Liens

Mechanic's Liens and Notices
of Commencement

Recognizance Bond Liens

Corrupt Activity and Medicaid
Fraud Liens

Unemployment Compensation Liens

Workers' Compensation Liens and Personal Tax Liens

Federal Tax Liens and
Child Support Liens