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The County Recorder is responsible for recording and maintaining records related to real property located in Plymouth County.
Recording Fees
Deed*: $12.00 for the first page
Contract*: $12.00 for the first page
Mortgage: $7.00 for the first page
Amendment/Modification: $7.00 for the first page
Assignment: $7.00 for the first page
Release/Satisfaction: $7.00 for the first page
ADDITIONAL RECORDING FEES
Additional pages and attachments: $5.00 per each additional page
Multiple assignments or releases: $7.00 per reference after first
Combined document: $7.00 per transaction after first
Auditor's transfer fees: $5.00 per parcel after first
*The basic deed & contract recording fee includes $5.00 for Auditor's transfer fee applicable to the first parcel included. If the deed contains 10 or more parcels, the total Auditor's transfer fee is capped at $50.00.
** For any document, after the first Book & Page or document number listed, each additional reference that transfers, releases or changes that document requires an additional $7.00 per entry.
Fees for copies made by the office are $0.50 a page. The certification fee, in addition to applicable copy fees, is $5 a document.
The Real Estate Revenue Stamp Tax is $0.80 per $500 or fraction thereof. The first $500 is exempt. A Sales Calculator is available on the County Recorder’s webpage to help calculate real estate tax due.
Note that recording fees are subject to change. Please verify the information with the local recorder's office.
Document Formatting Requirements
• The entire document must be legible and reproducible in order to be recorded.
• Pages must have printing on one side only and cannot be permanently bound or in a continuous form. Use white paper not more than 20# weight with no visible watermarks. Document can be letter sized (8.5x11 inches), legal sized (8.5x14 inches), or 11x17 inches. There should not be any attachments stapled, taped, or otherwise affixed to any page.
• Pre-printed text must be at least 8 point and no more than 20 characters per inch. All other text must be at least 10 point and no more than 16 characters per inch.
• The grantor must sign the deed and have his signature acknowledged.
• Signatures must be in dark black or blue ink. Corresponding names should be typed, printed, or stamped beneath signatures.
• Embossed or inked stamps are not to cover or interfere with any part of the document.
• Margins should be a minimum of ¾ of an inch. However, the first page must have a top margin that is a minimum of 3 inches. This is reserved for the recorder’s use.
• Below the 3-inch top margin, provide the following information: the name, address, and phone number of the individual who prepared the document; a return name and complete address; the name and address of the taxpayer for any document of transfer; the title of the document; the names of all grantors and grantees; the legal description of the real property and the parcel identification number, if applicable.
• If there is insufficient space on the first page for all of the required information, please reference the page number within the document where the information is located (example: legal description, see page 3).
• When referencing a related document that was filed before July 1, 1997, use a book and page number. If filed after July 1, 1997, use an instrument number.
The purpose of this statement is to satisfy legal requirements for filing instruments of conveyance of real property with the County Recorder. The transferor of real property is required to complete this form. The Department of Natural Resources does not approve or disapprove of property transfers based off these statements. The Groundwater Hazard Statement must be signed by one of the persons (or an agent) transferring the property interest.
Iowa law requires that a Declaration of Value statement reflecting the full consideration paid in certain non-exempt real estate conveyances be submitted to the county recorder at the time a deed, contract, instrument, or other writing is presented for recording. Part I of the form is the prescribed Declaration of Value statement that must be completed by the buyer or seller (or either’s agent) for non-exempt transactions. Part II of the form will be completed by the assessor. The blank area at the top of the form will be used by the Recorder.
The Declaration of Value does not have to be completed for any document presented for recording which clearly indicates that it is an exempt transaction. If the transfer is exempt, but the reason for exemption is not stated on the actual document presented for recording, Part I of the form must be completed. If the Declaration of Value is not completed accurately and completely for non-exempt transactions by the buyer or seller (or either’s agent), the county recorder is required by law to refuse to record the deed conveying the affected property.
Social security numbers are required to be on the Declaration of Value. All social security numbers and Federal IDs must be redacted prior to release to the public.
The recording of a document shall be constructive notice to all persons, as provided in other cases of entries upon said index, and the recorder shall receive the same fees therefor as for recording other instruments.
An instrument affecting real estate is of no validity against subsequent purchasers for a valuable consideration, without notice, or against the state or any of its political subdivisions during and after condemnation proceedings against the real estate, unless the instrument is filed and recorded in the county in which the real estate is located, as provided in this chapter.