Fayette County, Iowa - Recorder Information

Register of Deeds

You are NOT on the Fayette County official website, you are on Deeds.com, a private website that is not affiliated with any government agency.

The County Recorder is responsible for recording and maintaining records related to real property located in Fayette County.

Recording Fees

Documents that do not meet the requirements will be charged an additional $10 per noncompliant document.

To record a mortgage, easement, release, or assignment, the fee is $7 for the first page. Each additional page is $5.

For conveyance documents (all documents that need transferred for taxation), the regular recording fee applies, plus $5 for each section or block to be transferred.

Multiple-transaction documents are $7 per transaction, plus $5 for each additional page.

Note that recording fees are subject to change. Please verify the information with the local recorder's office.

Document Formatting Requirements

• Documents should consist of one or more pages individual pages not permanently bound or in a continuous form. Instruments may be stapled together for presenting to the recorder.

• Pre-printed text for your real property document should be at least 8 point font with no more than twenty characters and spaces per inch. All other typed text, including but not limited to all names of the parties of an agreement must be at least 10 point font and no more than sixteen characters and spaces per inch. Documents not abiding by this requirement must be accompanied by an exact typewritten copy that meets the requirements.

• Documents of conveyance should be submitted on white paper of at least 20lb weight, with black or dark blue ink.

• All signatures must be in black or dark blue ink. The corresponding names should be printed, stamped, or typewritten underneath the signatures.

• The first page of a document of conveyance should have a top margin of at least 3 inches. This is reserved for the recorder’s use. All other margins are to be a minimum of ¾ of an inch.

• On the first page, below the 3 inch top margin, include the following information: The name, address, and telephone number of the preparer of the document; for an instrument of conveyance, include the name of the taxpayer and a complete mailing address; a return address; the title of the document; all grantor and grantees’ names; any address required by statute; the legal description of the property and parcel identification number, if required; a document or instrument number for statutory requirements, if applicable. If there is not enough room on the first page for all of this information, include a page reference of where the information is located in the document.

When a deed, contract, or other document is presented to the recorder, it should be accompanied by a Declaration of Value form reflecting the full consideration paid in certain non-exempt real estate conveyances. Submitters need to only complete Part 1 of the form.

If a document is exempt, the exemption must be stated on the document presented for recording.

A social security number is required on the form, but this is redacted before the form is recorded with the document of conveyance.

A legal description of the property being conveyed should be included in an attachment. The attachment should be on an 8.5x11 inch piece of paper.

In addition to the Declaration of Value form, a Groundwater Hazard form may also need to be submitted with your documents.