Recorded documents in Iowa — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the County Recorder in each county.
What this page covers: Iowa recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).
Where to start: Go to the County Recorder in the county where the property is located. Many county county recorders offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.
Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.
Iowa Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)
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The 5-Type Iowa Recorded Documents Map
Five Things People Get Wrong About Iowa Recorded Documents
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- sos.iowa.gov — Official Iowa Recorded Documents — State portal for Iowa recorded documents
- NASS UCC Filings overview — National Association of Secretaries of State
- National Archives — Military Records (DD-214) — National Personnel Records Center
- IRS Federal Tax Liens — Federal lien procedures
- HUD Recording Basics — Federal property recording basics
- USA.gov — Government Records — Federal record retrieval portal
- data.gov — Assessor datasets — Federal-cataloged county data
Related Recorded Documents Resources
- Iowa Court Records →
- Iowa Criminal Records →
- Iowa Property Records →
- Iowa Vital Records →
- Iowa Voter Records →
- Iowa Wants & Warrants →
- Iowa Licenses →
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Recorded Documents Databases
15 official Iowa recorded documents sources.
Recorded Documents
Iowa Counties
99 Iowa counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Which Iowa counties publish deed and recording indexes online
46 of Iowa's 99 counties run their own online source for deed and recording indexes, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a county for its full records page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds and mortgages in Iowa?▼
In Iowa, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real-property documents are recorded at the county level by the county Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder). The Official Iowa Recorded Documents at sos.iowa.gov handles statewide filings such as UCC-1 financing statements and corporate documents.
Where do I file a UCC-1 financing statement in Iowa?▼
UCC-1 financing statements covering personal property and business collateral are filed centrally with the Official Iowa Recorded Documents at sos.iowa.gov. Fixture filings on real estate are an exception — those go to the county where the property is located.
Are Iowa recorded documents available online?▼
Most Iowa countys publish a free online index of recorded documents (by name, document type, or date). Image access (the actual deed image) is often available either free or for a small per-page fee. Statewide UCC and corporate filings are searchable through the Official Iowa Recorded Documents at sos.iowa.gov.
How do I obtain a certified copy of an Iowa recorded deed?▼
Certified copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are issued by the county Recorder where the document was originally recorded. Fees and ID requirements vary; see your specific county page below. The Official Iowa Recorded Documents (sos.iowa.gov) handles certified copies of statewide filings such as UCCs and articles of incorporation.
What's the difference between a deed and a title in Iowa?▼
A deed is the recorded instrument that conveys ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership itself. Deeds in Iowa are recorded with the county Recorder; title insurance and title searches are private-sector services that examine the chain of recorded deeds. The Official Iowa Recorded Documents at sos.iowa.gov publishes the statewide rules.