About the Recorder's Office
History of the Recorder's Office
In 1857 the law provided that Recorders should maintain real estate records, and set fees for recording deeds and mortgages. In 1860 the law was revised to say that “each organized county” should elect a recorder.
A significant portion of the information acquired by other county offices results from the work performed by the County Recorder because every real estate transaction that takes place in the county starts in the Recorder’s Office. For example, after a deed is recorded it is sent to the Auditor’s Office so the real estate can be changed to the new owner’s name for tax purposes. The Assessor receives a copy of every deed and real estate contract, along with the completed Declaration of Value form. The changes that take place in the Auditor’s and Assessor’s offices subsequently show up on the tax records and receipts in the Treasurer’s Office. The Recorder interacts with the Clerk of Court’s office through changes of title from estates being probated and various recordings concerning mortgage forfeiture actions.
Duties & Responsibilities
- The office collects real estate transfer tax for the Iowa Department of Revenue and collects and reports the County Auditor's fee on transfer of property.
- The Recorder's office serves as a licensing agent for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources by issuing fishing and hunting licenses and registering and titling boats, snowmobiles, and ATV's.
- As of July, 1997 the Recorder's office is the County Registrar of Vital Records and has the responsibility of issuing Marriage Licenses, registering Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates and issuing certified copies of Vital Records.
- The Jackson County Recorder's office is a Passport Acceptance Agent assisting U.S. citizens with obtaining a U.S. Passport. The Recorder's duties are defined by state statutes and established by state agencies through administrative actions.
- The County Recorder works with the IA Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Revenue, Iowa Department of Public Health, and the U.S. Department of State Federal Passport Agency. Detailed reports are filed monthly and annually to the county and to the state agencies.
