Mitchell County Recorder's Office

06/22/2026

Let's Talk Document Filing Fees: Part 3 of 9
The $1 Records Management Fee
Every recorded document includes a $1 Records Management Fee. This fee helps counties preserve and manage official records through technology, storage, imaging, digitization, and records management initiatives.
While recording documents may seem simple today, preserving public records for future generations requires significant investment in technology and long-term record preservation.
This fee helps ensure that Iowa's public records remain secure, accessible, and protected for decades to come.
Check back for Part 4!

06/17/2026

Let's Talk Document Filing Fees: Part 2 of 9
The $5 Per Page Recording Fee
The largest portion of your recording fee is the $5 per page recording charge.
This fee supports the work required to permanently preserve Iowa's public records including deeds, mortgages, easements, surveys, liens, and many other legal documents.
County Recorders maintain these records forever. Recording fees help cover the costs associated with preserving, indexing, imaging, and making these records accessible to the public. A one-page document contains a $5 page fee. A four-page document contains $20 in page fees.
Don't forget to check back for Part 3 of our document filing fees series!

06/16/2026

Let's Talk Document Filing Fees: Part 1 of 9
Where Does Your Recording Fee Go?

When you record a document in Iowa, the fee isn't simply "kept by the Recorder's Office."
For most land records, the recording fee consists of:
$5 per page recording fee
$1 Records Management Fee
$1 Electronic Transaction Fund

This means a one-page document typically costs $7 to record.
These fees are established in Iowa Code Chapter 331.604, and help support local record preservation, public access to records, and Iowa's statewide land records system.

Over the next several posts, we'll break down each fee and explain where the money goes. Make sure to check back for Part 2!

06/16/2026

When transferring ownership of a building located on leased land, such as airport hangars, cabins, grain bins or other similar structures, proper documentation is still required in order to complete the transfer.
These transfers are typically completed using a BLL (Building on Leased Land) document or a Bill of Sale. We strongly recommend working with an attorney to ensure the document meets Iowa Document Formatting Standards and contains all required legal language.
Each BLL transfer must also include:
• A Declaration of Value (DOV) form
• A Groundwater Hazard Statement (or exemption statement)
The DOV form can be found on the Iowa Department of Revenue website and the Groundwater Hazard Statement can be found on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website. Please ensure you are using the most current versions of both forms before recording.
Recording costs will include standard recording fees as well as applicable transfer tax. The fact that the structure is located on leased land does not exempt the transfer from Iowa real estate transfer tax requirements.
If you have questions regarding BLL transfers or recording requirements, please contact the Recorder’s Office.

06/11/2026

Effective Immediately:
Pursuant to Iowa Code section 428A.7 as amended by 2026 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2472, the Iowa Department of Revenue has published a supplemental schedule to the Declaration of Value (Real Estate Transfer - Declaration of Value Sales Condition Reporting) to allow buyers, sellers or their agent to report sales conditions.
The information on this form helps identify sales conditions that may require adjustment for use in a sales ratio study or may render the sale unusable.
Form number 57-019a is available through the Iowa Department of Revenue at:
https://revenue.iowa.gov/media/4501/download?inline

06/05/2026

Please note that effective July 1, 2026, the fee for certified copies of vital records in Iowa will increase from $15 to $20 per copy. This includes certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records.

The process for obtaining certified copies will remain the same, and the marriage application fee will remain $35.

The additional revenue generated from this fee adjustment will help support increased workload and associated costs at the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

If you have questions regarding certified copies or applications, please contact the County Recorder’s Office.

06/03/2026

Sally is an amazing wealth of knowledge and an invaluable asset to not only Mitchell County Abstract, but Mitchell County in general.
Congratulations, Sally!

Last night Sally was recognized as the Iowa Land Title Association Title Person of the Year at the 2026 ILTA Convention. We could not think of a more deserving person for this award! If you’re from Mitchell County, when you think of abstracting, I’m sure the first thing that’s pops into your head is Sally! She is one of the most knowledgeable in her field, and we couldn’t be more proud to say she is serving the people of Mitchell County!

Congratulations Sally, you’ve definitely earned it! 🎉🥳

06/02/2026

Iowa's Free Fishing Weekend in 2026 is this weekend, June 5th through June 7th. During this weekend, Iowa residents can fish in public waters without a license or trout fee. All other fishing regulations including non-residents, hook limits and size restrictions still apply. This event is held annually on the first full weekend in June.

05/29/2026

Survey vs. Plat: What’s the difference?
A survey is a detailed, on-the-ground measurement of your specific property, showing exact boundaries and features.
A plat is a recorded map that shows how land is divided into lots, streets, and easements, often used in subdivisions.
In some counties, a land survey is required when selling off a portion of a larger parcel (like part of a section) to ensure accurate legal descriptions and proper division.
A property survey gives you peace of mind and helps protect your investment for the long run.

05/21/2026

Having an attorney prepare legal documents can ensure the document contains accurate & complete information that the general public can overlook. They also have most up-to-date forms.
However, if you choose to prepare your own documents, please make sure they follow Iowa Document Formatting Standards as required by Iowa Code. Documents that do not meet these standards cannot be accepted for recording.
You can review the Iowa Document Formatting Standards here:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/331.606B.pdf