About the Recorder
The Recorder is a constitutional officer. Their primary duty is to maintain permanent public records submitted for recording. These documents, sometimes called instruments, include mortgages, deeds, liens, military discharges, subdivisions plats, leases, public and private bonds, personal property, and powers of attorney.
Instruments are recorded either for giving legal public notice of their existence or for safekeeping and future reference.
It is the duty of the recorder to see that each instrument meets the essential requirements for recording. Each instrument must be scanned and indexed into a computer system and then microfilmed for archival purposes.
The county recorder prepares and furnishes official copies of any record or instruments when required by law or ordered by the court, or requested by any parties. And if requested the recorder certifies that it is a true and correct copy of the document in the records of the office.
The recorder may under IC 32-21-2-3 acknowledge any conveyance, mortgage or instrument of writing to be recorded.
The county recorder files Uniform Commercial Code financing statements that pertain to fixtures to the real property. They also conduct searches on names presented to them by a financial institution or company.
The recorder is a member of the county commission on public records, which has authority over the preservation or disposition of all public records maintained by the county.
We DO Not preform searches or give legal advice.
Recording Fees
*** Cash or checks only ***
A printable copy of Recording Fees can be found here.
Mortgages:
(Including subordinate / 2nd Mortgages / Indentures & Re-Recordings of Mortgages
| $55
(no min / no max on page count)
|
Deeds & All Other Instruments:
(Including Re-Recordings of Deeds and all other Instruments)
| $25
(no min / no max on page count)
|
*** Make transfer check payable to Auditor's Office.
*** Please contact Auditor's Office for fee charges if applicable. 812-427-4404
Plats
(Mylar only for recording)
| $25 (for first page, max 24"x36", min 18"x24")
$5 (each additional page)
|
Mechanics Lien
(One mailout)
| $25 (no min / no max on page count)
$2 (each additional mailing, include self address stamped envelope for document to return to you)
|
Financial Statements
(UCC's / Fixtures)
| $25 (include copy & self-addressed stamped envelope, recorder keeps the original)
$25 (each UCC11 - UCC Search / Information Request Form)
$1 (per copy requested)
|
| Copies | $1 for copies on letter, legal or ledger size
$5 for copies on survey sizes (examples 18"x24", 24"x36")
|
| Certification | $5 for certifying a copy |
Common Reasons for Rejection
- Names not appearing the same throughout the document. Name of each person who executed the instruments appears identically in the body of the instrument, in the acknowledgement, in their signature and beneath their signature. (IC 36-2-11-16)
- Names not typed or printed identically beneath the signature. (IC 36-2-11-16)
- Prepared by statement missing. Must have the company and name of the person that prepared the document. (IC 36-2-11-15)
- Incorrect recording fees. (see Fee Schedule)(IC 36-2-7-10)
- Recording checks must be made payable to the Switzerland County Recorder.
- Name of Company and/or title of officer are missing at signature. (IC 32-29-5-1)
- Cross reference is missing, incorrect or incomplete.
- Copy must state "copy" and where the original is located.
- Legal is missing, incomplete or not in Switzerland County.
- Power of Attorney reference number is not listed at signature point. (IC 30-5-3-3)
- Not authorized to sign off on the document.
- Witness names not printed under signature.
- Font size must be 10 points or larger. (IC 36-2-11-16 & 16.5)
- Poor document quality, will not scan/digitally image. (IC 36-2-11-16 & 16.5)
- Affirmation Statement missing. (IC 36-1-11-15)
- Notary section missing or incomplete such as:
- county of residence
- printed name missing
- notary seal
- expiration date
- commission number
- signed as printed on seal
- Court documents must have Judge's signature and be filed stamped by the clerk.
