How to Search Illinois Recorded Documents (Start Here)
Recorded documents in Illinois — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the County Recorder in each county.
What this page covers: Illinois 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.
Recorder of deeds
Statewide deed index?
Recording statute
Number of counties
102 counties
Population
12,710,158
Households
4,956,000
Median Income
$78,433
Median Home Value
$250,800
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Illinois recorded documents URL verified against the official state publisher at www.ilsos.gov on the review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
Illinois Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)
Deeds, mortgages, UCC filings, liens, military discharges in Illinois — what gets recorded and where in 2026.
County
Where deeds live
Permanent record
SoS
Where UCC live
Secretary of State
Article 9
UCC governs
Secured transactions
Public
Most recorded docs
With redaction
Federal
DD-214 / IRS liens
National-level
Deeds
100
Mortgages
95
Liens (property)
70
UCC (business)
55
Powers of attorney
25
Military DD-214
10
Unit: relative volume (deeds=100).
What Changed in 2026 — Illinois Recorded Documents
2026
Illinois recorded documents portal active
The official Illinois portal at www.ilsos.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for recorded documents in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for recorded documents
The NASS UCC Filings overview at www.nass.org provides federal-level context that complements Illinois state records.
2026
Illinois access in 2026
For 2026, Illinois continues to publish recorded documents information through state-authorized portals; check www.ilsos.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Illinois's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.
The 5-Type Illinois Recorded Documents Map
1
Type 1 — Real property (Deeds, Mortgages)
Illinois County Recorder / Register of Deeds. Permanent record.
2
Type 2 — UCC (business collateral)
Most filed with Illinois Secretary of State. Some real-estate UCCs are county.
3
Type 3 — Liens (tax, mechanic's, judgment)
Property liens at the county. IRS federal tax liens may file at county OR state.
4
Type 4 — Personal documents (POA, military DD-214)
Often optional county recording in Illinois for safekeeping. Originals at federal NPRC.
5
Type 5 — Maps & subdivisions
Illinois county recorder; some at state mapping office.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Illinois Recorded Documents
MYTH"The online index goes back forever."
FACTMost Illinois counties' online indexes reach back a few decades at best. Before that it's microfilm and deed books, and often a trip to the courthouse.
MYTH"A printout equals a certified copy."
FACTCourts, lenders, and agencies usually want the certified copy with the county's seal — the free printout is for research, not proof.
MYTH"UCC filings are at the county."
FACTMost UCC financing statements are filed with the Secretary of State, not the county recorder. Searching only the county misses them.
MYTH"Recording a deed is what makes it valid."
FACTRecording gives the world notice — it doesn't make the deed good or bad. An unrecorded deed can still bind the people who signed it.
MYTH"E-recording is a public search tool."
FACTE-recording is the submission pipe for title companies and lenders. The public searches the index — the two systems just meet at the recorder's desk.
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.ilsos.gov — Official Illinois Recorded Documents — State portal for Illinois 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
📍 Other Illinois records:
- Illinois Court Records →
- Illinois Criminal Records →
- Illinois Property Records →
- Illinois Vital Records →
- Illinois Voter Records →
- Illinois Wants & Warrants →
- Illinois Licenses →
🇺🇸 Recorded Documents in other states:
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
National: U.S. Recorded Documents hub →
Related Public Records
More Illinois records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses
National view of this topic: All states: Recorded docs
Recorded Documents Databases
24 official Illinois recorded documents sources.
Recorded Documents
Carroll County Illinois Yearbook
Official Free
This office maintains the official recorded-document index for Carroll County. Confirm details with the official recorded document office before relying on them.
Supervisor of Assessments
Official Free
June 1st, 2024: In Accordance with 35 ILCS 200/16-30, the Coles County Board of Review has convened for the 2024 assessment year. Their meetings will take place at the Coles County Courthouse in the Board of Review Office, located at 651 Jackson Ave, Room 133, Charleston, Illinois.
Cook County Clerk's Office
Official Free
This office answers most records requests in Cook County. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
New County Website • Jo Daviess County, IL
Official Free
New County — official .gov source for recorded documents.
Clerk of Court - Recording Division | White County, GA
Official Free
This division is responsible for recording and maintaining the land records and other miscellaneous records for White County.
County Recorder | Kendall County, IL
Official Free
This office maintains the official recorded-document index for Kendall County. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
Logan County, Illinois - Land Records
Official Free
The County Clerk’s staff will review, record, and return the document electronically as well. This process reduces the turnaround time, reduces the time for handling rejected documents, and eliminates uncertainty caused by delays in the mail. This service is available through four separate vendors:. Follow the links to any of the above providers to create an account and begin e-recording with Logan County.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Macon County, Illinois
Official Free
Parcel and valuation data for Macon County — ownership, assessed values, and property characteristics. Confirm details with the official recorded document office before relying on them.
Madison County ILLINOIS
Official Free
Madison County, Illinois was established and named for President James Madison in September 1812. The county seat and third oldest city in Illinois is Edwardsville. The rich history includes the departure of William Clark and his troops from Camp Dubois (Wood River), to join John Meriwether.
Maps | McHenry County, IL
Official Free
For a complete listing of transportation maps, please visit the Division of Transportation's Maps, Traffic Counts & Publications page. McHenry County Property Search Viewer (Athena) McHenry County Sheriff's Crime Map Zoning Map (PlanDev Viewer) MCDOT Roadway Construction Projects Tax Increment Financing Viewer Historic Documents McHenry County Drainage District
eSearch | Name Search
Official Free
As many of you have noticed t McLean County has been added to the list of Counties within the RECORDhub portal. Currently the Historical Record Book indexes and images are being loaded. It is hopeful that within the next 2 weeks the existing data available on the eSearch database will be fully.
Ogle County Clerk & Recorder
Official Free
The County Clerk and Recorder’s Office has five major functions: (1) Clerk of the County Board and Keeper of the County Records, (2) Chief Election Officer for Ogle County, (3) Keeper of Vital Records (Births, Civil Unions, Marriages and Deaths), (4) Computation of Property Taxes and Redemption of Delinquent Taxes, (5) Record and maintain all Land Transactions for Ogle County.
Assessment Search | Rock Island County, IL
Official Free
Welcome to the Rock Island County Online Assessment Search Web Pages. In our continuing effort to provide accurate and timely information to the citizens of Rock Island County, we are pleased to offer you online access to assessment information.
Sangamon County Board | Springfield, Illinois
Official Free
The Sangamon County Board (Springfield, Illinois) is responsible for the financial management of County funds, and regulatory powers, including zoning, public health and building safety.
St. Clair County Illinois > Home
Official Free
Upcoming Events: View All · The St. Clair County Administration and Courts Building is preparing to undergo extensive renovations that will affect parking, traffic, and building access. To aid those who are planning on visiting the building, we have set up an informational page that will provide.
Departments - Vermilion County
Official Free
The land-records trail for Vermilion County runs through here: recorded deeds, liens, and related filings. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official recorded document office.
Q: What does the Purchase Property Report button do?
Official Free
Live NOW in Select Counties at www.landrecords.com. to attend one of our training sessions and see it in action
Karen A. Stukel | Recorder of Deeds, Will County, IL
Official Free
Welcome to the Will County Recorder's Website · The Will County Recorder's Office is a repository for all documents recorded in Will County since its inception in 1836. The Recorder's primary responsibility is the accurate and timely recording and indexing of Real Estate related documents,.
AVA
Official Free
McHenry County land records database, including affidavits, agreements, easements, mortgages, deeds, liens, plats, and more.
FAQs – Kankakee County Recorder
Official Free
Not generally. If the birth, marriage, or death took place in Kankakee County, the documents are archived by the Kankakee County Clerk’s Office, which is located on the main floor of the Kankakee County Administration building at 189 East Court St in Kankakee, Illinois.
Lee County, IL | Official Website
Official Free
The land-records trail for Lee County runs through here: recorded deeds, liens, and related filings. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
Illinois Southern District Court | PACER: Federal Court Records
Official Free
An official website of the United States government · Here’s how you know
Illinois Counties
102 Illinois 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 Illinois counties publish deed and recording indexes online
56 of Illinois's 104 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.
Adams Boone Calhoun Carroll Cass Clark Coles Cook Crawford Cumberland De Kalb Douglas Du Page DuPage Effingham Franklin Fulton Grundy Hamilton Jackson Jasper Jo Daviess Kane Knox LaSalle Lake Livingston Logan Madison Marion Marshall McDonough McLean Menard Mercer Monroe Montgomery Moultrie Ogle Peoria Perry Piatt Pike Pulaski Putnam Randolph Rock Island Sangamon St. Clair Stephenson Tazewell Union White Whiteside Will Williamson
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds and mortgages in Illinois?▼
In Illinois, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real-property documents are recorded at the county level by the county Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder). The Official Illinois Recorded Documents at www.ilsos.gov handles statewide filings such as UCC-1 financing statements and corporate documents.
Where do I file a UCC-1 financing statement in Illinois?▼
UCC-1 financing statements covering personal property and business collateral are filed centrally with the Official Illinois Recorded Documents at www.ilsos.gov. Fixture filings on real estate are an exception — those go to the county where the property is located.
Are Illinois recorded documents available online?▼
Most Illinois 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 Illinois Recorded Documents at www.ilsos.gov.
How do I obtain a certified copy of an Illinois 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 Illinois Recorded Documents (www.ilsos.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 Illinois?▼
A deed is the recorded instrument that conveys ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership itself. Deeds in Illinois are recorded with the county Recorder; title insurance and title searches are private-sector services that examine the chain of recorded deeds. The Official Illinois Recorded Documents at www.ilsos.gov publishes the statewide rules.