From the 2007 Guide to Indiana County Government
(Published by the Association of Indiana Counties)

The County Recorder's function is to maintain permanent public records involving a wide variety of instruments. These documents detail transactions involving real estate, mining, personal property, mortgages, liens, leases, subdivision plats, military discharges, personal bonds, etc. (IC 36-2-11-8) Generally, all of these instruments are recorded either for giving legal public notice of their existence or for safekeeping and future reference.

The recorder maintains and preserves all legal documents affecting title to real property. These records are the legal basis for determining ownership. The degree with which the recorder fulfills his or her responsibilities ultimately forms the legal foundation for the institution of private property.

The recorder is a member of the county commission on public records, which has authority over the preservation or disposition of all public records maintained by the county. (IC 5-15-6).

(Generally see IC 36-2-11, for the duties of the county recorder.)  

When a document is mailed or delivered to be recorded; a self-addressed - stamped envelope is required for return. The document is recorded, imaged into the computer, microfilm is created from the images, processed and proofed. The original document is returned in approximately three weeks from the recording date.

Documents recorded 1990 forward on the computer can be accessed by name, document number, plat name, lot, section-township-range, index and type using our public access area. Doxpop is a website that is available for your use as well.  If the recording was prior to 1990, the deed information can only be found under the transfer date, which can be obtained from the Auditor's Office. This information is only available in the record books.

All military service discharges which have been recorded (including prior to 1990) have been indexed into the computer.