In Ohio, it has been the County Recorder who has had the important task of keeping the vital records pertaining to ownership of real estate (land) and 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 impossible to purchase land and be assured of a clear title or to lend money with confidence the land is securely on record with your County Recorders office
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 in 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 the Court of Common Pleas. In 1829 the Recorder's office became an elected position and in 1936 the term was established at four years
Today your County Recorder keeps and maintains accurate land records that are current, legible, and easily accessible. An important aspect of the Recorder's work is to record, image, and index each document so that it is readily available. 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 ensure that any debts or encumbrances against a property are evident. These invaluable records are utilized by the general public, attorneys, historians, genealogists, and land title examiners.