Recorder

Why is the Howard County Recorder’s Office an essential part of local government? The answer is simple: Preserving a clear and precise record of property ownership.

There are nearly 44,000 parcels of land in Howard County. Those parcels represent the single biggest investment most people will ever make – their homes and businesses. The Howard County Recorder’s primary function is to maintain permanent public records of the transactions that convey property from one owner to the next.

These records provide the legal foundation for the institution of private property ownership. Generally, all of these instruments are recorded either for giving legal public notice of their existence or for safekeeping and future reference.

The Howard County Recorder is responsible for receiving and processing thousands of documents a year, a collection dating back to 1844. Some of the most important documents in addition to property deeds, mortgages and liens, the Recorder’s Office hold neighborhood covenants, military discharge records and business name filings.

With the exception of veterans’ military discharge records (which, by Indiana statute, are open only to the veteran or his/her next of kin), ALL records held by the Howard County Recorder are public records and thus open to inspection without restriction. Copies of most Recorder’s Office documents cost $1 per page. Copies of military discharge documents are available to the veteran or next-of-kin free of charge.

Currently the Howard County Recorder’s Office is the only self-funded office in Howard County Government meaning that we operate solely on a portion of the user fees collected and without property tax dollars.