Report an error or send an update to Deeds.com
Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Washington County Clerk/Recorder
About the Washington County Clerk & Recorder
Land records in Washington County are recorded by the County Clerk & Recorder. The office is held by Shari Hempen.
Certified records may be requested online through Official Records Online.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Washington County Clerk
Recording Fees
These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.
| Deeds and other conveyances | $78.00 flat (Standard Land Document, Deed/Contract for Deed; $60 where RHSP does not apply) |
|---|---|
| Mortgages and deeds of trust | $78.00 flat (Standard Land Document; $60 where RHSP does not apply) |
| Releases and satisfactions | $78.00 flat (Standard Land Document; $60 where RHSP does not apply) |
| Other standard documents | $78.00 flat (Standard Land Document, Miscellaneous Documents; $60 where RHSP does not apply) |
Other charges
| Document that does not meet the formatting standards | $90.00 per document when Document is on 11×14 paper or larger; contains 6 or more Parcel Identification numbers or Document Reference Numbers; creates a division of an active tax parcel; or is a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filing. $72.00 where RHSP does not apply. |
|---|---|
| Copies, per page | $1.00 |
| Certification | $5.00 |
Fee schedule effective March 11, 2025.
StatewideCounties set a predictable fee schedule by ordinance or resolution, with one all-inclusive aggregate fee for each document class (deeds; leases; mortgages, including assignments, extensions, amendments, subordinations and mortgage releases; easements; nonstandard documents; miscellaneous; maps or plats). Fees may not be based on page count or other individual attributes of a document. Statutory minimum aggregate fee for each of these classes: $31 (a minimum $13 county fee plus the $18 Rental Housing Support Program State surcharge). The minimum for maps or plats is $50. A county may adopt an additional fee for a document that references more than 5 tax parcels or document numbers. Certified and non-certified copy fees may not exceed the highest document class recording fee.
New Subdivision or Plat of Survey: $100.00. Non-Land Documents (Power of Attorney, Death Certificates, Judgements/Releases): $60.00. Liens/Release of Liens from Federal Government Agencies and State of Illinois Agencies: $60.00. Veterans Discharge (DD214) recording and certified copies: no charge. RHSP fees do not apply to municipalities, townships, public service entities, public utilities, state and federal agencies. Fee breakdown as published: Standard Recording Fee $28.00, County Clerk Automation Fee $8.00, Document Storage Fee $3.00, GIS Charge $19.00, Rental Housing Support Program (RHSP) $18.00, RHSP County $0.50, RHSP Recorder $0.50. Plat copy $1.00 per page. Email & fax charge $4.00 plus $1.00 per document page. Returned check fee $25.00.
Paying the office
| Accepted | Cash, Check, Money order, Cashiers check |
|---|
Returned check fee $25.00.
Transfer tax
Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax. 50¢ for each $500 of value or fraction of $500 stated in the declaration required by Section 31-25. The tax is collected when the document is recorded. (statewide, 35 ILCS 200/31-10)
StatewideCounties may add a county real estate transfer tax at the rate of 25 cents for each $500 of value or fraction thereof stated in the declaration required by Section 31-25 of the Property Tax Code (55 ILCS 5/5-1031). The recorder or registrar of titles collects it before recording the deed or trust document. Home rule municipalities may levy their own transfer taxes. The amount of a mortgage remaining outstanding when real estate is transferred subject to it is not included in the basis.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2 · 35 ILCS 200/31-10 Imposition of tax · 55 ILCS 5/5-1031 County real estate transfer tax · Fee Schedule | Washington County, Illinois
Document Requirements
Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.
| Paper size | 8.5 inches by 11 inches; graphic displays up to 11 inches by 17 inches (statewide, 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2(c)(5)) |
|---|---|
| Other margins | 0.5 in (statewide, 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2(c)(5)) |
| Ink and paper | Legibly printed in black ink by hand, type, or computer, on white paper of not less than 20-pound weight; signatures and dates may be in contrasting colors if they reproduce clearly (statewide, 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2(c)(5)) |
| Prepared-by statement required | Yes (statewide, 55 ILCS 5/3-5022) |
| Grantee address required | Yes (statewide, 55 ILCS 5/3-5026) |
| Tax statement mailing address required | Yes (statewide, 765 ILCS 5/35c) |
| Printed names under signatures required | Yes (statewide, 765 ILCS 5/35c) |
StatewideThe first page must contain a blank space measuring at least 3 inches by 5 inches from the upper right corner. Margins may be used only for non-essential notations, such as form numbers, page numbers, and customer notations.
StatewideA document that does not meet the statutory standards (size, ink, paper, margins, blank space, no stapled attachments, 5 or fewer parcels or document numbers referenced) may be recorded in the nonstandard document class if it allows a legible reproduction.
Forms filed along with a transfer
- PTAX-203, Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration Statewide Illinois Department of RevenueAt the time a deed, a document transferring a controlling interest in real property, or trust document is presented for recordation, except as provided in Section 31-45
Submitting documents
| Electronic recording | Accepted |
|---|---|
| eRecording through Deeds.com | Available for this office |
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2 · 35 ILCS 200/31-25 Transfer declaration · 55 ILCS 5/3-5022 · 55 ILCS 5/3-5026 · 765 ILCS 5/35c · Fee Schedule | Washington County, Illinois
Report an error or send an update
Help improve the information for Washington County, Illinois. Recorder staff and the public may report an error, suggest an update, or request a special message.
This goes to Deeds.com Customer Care, not the recorder's office. It is not for submitting documents, requesting deed copies, getting legal advice, or account support. We review submissions before making changes; publication is not guaranteed. Contact details are for our staff and are not displayed publicly. Do not include Social Security numbers, payment details, or other sensitive information.
Deeds.com Resources & Services
Using Deeds.com is optional. Contact the recorder's office directly for its services and submission options.
How to Get a Copy of Your Deed
Read Deeds.com's guide to requesting document copies from the recorder's office.
Deeds.com eRecording
Available through Deeds.com
Use Deeds.com's paid service to submit documents electronically to the recorder's office. Deeds.com service fees are separate from government recording fees and taxes.
Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Washington County Clerk/Recorder
Deeds.com Forms
Blank legal forms sold by Deeds.com, not by the recorder's office.
Supplemental Document Resources
Recording-related forms and instructions for reference. Confirm which documents apply with the recorder's office.
Deeds.com Customer Care
For help with Deeds.com products, services, or your account. This does not contact the recorder's office.
Contact Deeds.com