Welcome to the
Geauga County Recorder's Office
Preserving Your Past, Providing for Your Future
The Geauga County Recorder's Staff is dedicated to efficient, accurate, quality public service.
The Geauga County Recorder's Office is open to the public Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
We look forward to serving you.
SUMMER 2010 HOURS
From July 12 through August 6, 2010, we will extend the hours at the Recorder's Office to better serve you. The new hours during those weeks will be from 7:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. Please click on the above link for details about the extended hours.
 Video: The County Recorder - From Quill to Computer
CONSUMER WARNING RE LETTER OFFERING CERTIFIED DEED COPIES
Year End Newsletter 2009
| Please note the Geauga County Offices will be closed for the following holidays: |
| Independence Day - Monday, July 5, 2010 |
Please note our extended summer hours |
| Labor Day - Monday, September 6, 2010 |
Columbus Day - Monday, October 11, 2010 |
| Veteran's Day - Thursday, November 11, 2010 |
Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 25, 2010 |
| Christmas - Friday, December 24, 2010 |
New Year's - Friday, December 31, 2010 |
| Courthouse Annex Entrance |
It is the County Recorder who has the important and indispensable task of keeping vital records pertaining to ownership in real estate (land) and to all encumbrances or liens upon it. Without the work of the County Recorder in recording, safekeeping and organizing all documents in a competent and logical manner it would be nearly impossible to purchase land and be assured of a clear title or to lend money with land as security.
The practice of recording real estate documents is based on law in England which traveled to the New World with the colonists. Public land registrars were appointed in colonial America to keep accurate records. A system of registration was necessary to prove the rights of persons who first made claims to property.
In 1787, the Northwest Territory was formed, encompassing all lands north and west of the Ohio River. A Recorder's office was established in each county. Ohio became a state in 1803 and although the state constitution did not provide for a Recorder's office, the first state legislature mandated that a Recorder be appointed in each county by the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1829, the Recorder's office became an elective position and in 1936, the term was established at four years.
Today, the County Recorder keeps and maintains accurate land records that are current, legible and easily accessible. An important aspect of the Recorder's work is to index each document so it may be readily located. Accurate indexing makes it possible for persons searching land records to find the documents necessary to establish a "chain of title" (history of ownership) and ensures that any debts or encumbrances against the property are evident. These invaluable records are utilized by the general public, attorneys, historians, genealogists and land title examiners.
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