Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Whiteside County Recorder
About the Whiteside County Recorder
Land records in Whiteside County are recorded by the County Recorder. The office is held by Kendra Kophamer Bush.
Online indexed information and images from 1960 to the present, including all subdivisions, plat books, and monument records; the tract index is searchable online from 1988 to the present. Tapestry searching fees are $8.95 plus prints ($1.00/page); Laredo subscription requires a minimum 2 month subscription. Records go back to approximately 1836; in the office, records may be searched by legal description from 1900 forward.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Staff Directory • Recorder Department · Online Access: 3 options | Whiteside County, IL
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 | $79.00 flat (Standard document; RHSP-exempt standard document $60) |
|---|---|
| Mortgages and deeds of trust | $79.00 flat (Standard document; RHSP-exempt standard document $60) |
| Releases and satisfactions | $79.00 flat (Standard document, 5 or fewer parcels or referenced documents) |
| Other standard documents | $79.00 flat (Standard document; RHSP-exempt standard document $60) |
Other charges
| Document that does not meet the formatting standards | $99.00 per document when Any document not conforming to standards 1-5, or referencing 6 or more tax parcel identification numbers or 6 or more recorded document numbers; RHSP-exempt nonstandard $80 |
|---|---|
| Copies, per page | $1.00 |
Fee schedule effective January 1, 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.
Plats of subdivision (condo), maximum 30 x 36: $109.00 (RHSP exempt $90.00). Federal tax liens: $21.00 (additional names $1 each). Uniform Commercial Code (all types): $60.00. Veterans discharge (includes 1 certified copy): no charge; each additional certified copy of a recorded discharge $1.25. Emailed copies are $1.25 per page.
Paying the office
| Accepted | Cash, Check, Money order, Credit card |
|---|---|
| Checks payable to | Whiteside County Recorder |
Credit cards are accepted in person only; payments are not taken over the phone.
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 · Recorder - Land Records | Whiteside County, IL · Whiteside County Predictable Fee Schedule 1/1/2025 · Recorder FAQs
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)) |
| Minimum type size | 10 pt |
| 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) |
| Parcel number required | Yes |
| 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.
Only originals or certified copies are accepted for recording. Please provide PIN/Parcel number(s) and complete legal description(s). Plats of subdivision: submit original along with 10 signed copies (within city limits, original along with 5 signed copies).
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
| In person | Accepted |
|---|---|
| By mail | Accepted |
| Electronic recording | Accepted |
| eRecording through Deeds.com | Available for this office |
| Stamped, self-addressed return envelope | Required |
E-recording submissions are accepted between 8:30 am - 3:40 pm on days the courthouse is open.
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 · Recorder - Land Records | Whiteside County, IL · Whiteside County Predictable Fee Schedule 1/1/2025 · Recorder FAQs · E-Recording | Whiteside County, IL
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.
Whiteside County 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