In Ohio it is the County Recorder who has the important and indispensable task of keeping the vital records pertaining to ownership in real estate (land) and to all encumbrances and 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 real estate market is a vital part of our economy.  Buying a home is usually the largest purchase that a person will ever make in their lifetime.  Having current, accurate, simple to search information readily available for the public plays an important role in the process. 

1. To Create and maintain a complete, accurate and permanent record of every document   pertaining to the conveyance and encumbrance of land within the county.
2. Maintains permanent land records in archival form and makes them easily accessible to the public.
3. Enforces more than 1000 sections of state law in the Ohio Revised Code pertaining to the duties of the Recorder’s Office.
4. Takes great care to ensure that every document received is accurately filed, recorded and indexed.
5. Serves on the County’s Record Commission which authorizes the retention of county records and determines when and how these government records may be disposed of.
6. Serves on the County’s Automatic Data Processing Board to authorize any purchase, lease or contract for data processing equipment for county offices.
7. Collects fees for documents filed in the Recorder’s office and various other fees set by Ohio Revised Code.  All monies collected are paid directly into the County General Fund.
8. Maintains an accurate record of all monies appropriated to the Recorder’s office for its operation.
9. Performs all accounting functions necessary for the operation of the Recorder’s office.  This includes preparation of annual budgets, reports, vouchers, purchase orders etc., and maintains all payroll records, sick and vacation leave records and other records pertaining to the Recorder’s staff.
10. Files an annual ethics report, inventory of office equipment and supplies, affirmative action reports and every other report as required by law.
11. Notifies Boards of County Commissioners as well as Township Trustees annually of their duty to file Zoning Resolutions, Maps and Amendments.

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 Please.  In 1829, the Recorder's office became an elective position and in 1936 the term was established at four years.

TITLE VIII FAIR HOUSING ACT OF 1968 SYNOPSIS
Provisions contained in any Deed, Lease, Subdivision Regulations, Plats or any other Instrument of Conveyance WHICH RESTRICTS the sale, rental or use of property because of RACE, COLOR, SEX, ORIGIN or RELIGION is UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION, INVALID and UNENFORCEABLE under Federal Law.

WARNING
“Documents recorded in the recorder’s office generally are considered to be public records. Other persons have access to the information contained in recorded documents.” ORC 317.42(A)

All Conveyance Instruments are to be reviewed by Recorder’s Office prior to submitting them for Transfer to make sure that the document can be recorded once transferred.                                                                        All conveyances must also be pre-approved by the Engineer's Map Office preferably via email.  Please check the County Engineer's site for more information at https://www.rosscountyohio.gov/engineer