Welcome to Howard County, Iowa
Real Estate Information
The Howard County Recorder is responsible for land records management, maintaining and recording a wide variety of Official documents affecting real estate and numerous other valuable miscellaneous documents. 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.
Land Records Management
Land Records Management
The Howard County Recorder’s office maintains and records official records of documents affecting title to property and miscellaneous documents. These records date back to 1838. Most recorded documents are public record and can be viewed in-office:
Public record
Deeds
Contracts
Mortgages
Assignments, Releases
Federal and State Tax Liens
Affidavits
Plats & Surveys
Section Corner Certificates
Military Service Records
Easements
Condemnations
Trade Names
Leases
28E & Drainage Agreements
Bills of Sale
Articles of Incorporation
Financing Statements
Other Numerous Documents
The Iowa County Association of Recorders has a statewide website, titled Iowa County Land Record Information System or CLRIS. This website has indexing and images of recorded documents available for viewing. Businesses and individuals need to register as a public user before using the website.
The statewide Iowa County Land Record Information System (CLRIS) has the capability of accepting e-submission filings.
These real estate documents are submitted over the Internet for official recording in a county in Iowa. Attorneys, real estate agents, closing agents and Other authorized parties can submit documents to a website for recording. The Iowa Land Records website is available by clicking HERE.
Recording Information & Fees
Howard County Recorder/ Registrar charges the following amounts for services listed.
Copy Fees
Copies: $.50 per page
Certified Copies: $5.00 certification fee, plus $.50 per page copy fee
Recording Fees
$7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 for each additional page
Exept for the Following
Plats of survey: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 for each additional page
Documents that convey property: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 for each additional page, PLUS Auditor transfer fee of $5.00 for each township section or city block
Information
Mail to and make checks payable to: Howard County Recorder
Cherri L. Caffrey 137 North Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136
Send a self-addressed stamped return envelope with all filings
Documents usually mailed back the day after recording
When Referencing a Related Document: Please use a Book and Page (Example: Book 247 Page 34).
Document Formatting Standards
Document Formatting Standards
In order to comply with national standards, Iowa has adopted Document Formatting Standards. Effective July 1, 2009, all documents presented for recording (except those listed below) MUST meet the requirements outlined in chapters 331.606A and 331.606B, Code of Iowa.
All documents shall consist of one or more individual pages not permanently bound or in a continuous form. A page means a writing, printing, or drawing, other than a plat of survey or a drawing related to a plat or survey, occurring on 1 side only, and not larger than 8 1/2 x 14.
The document shall not have any attachment stapled or otherwise affixed to any page except as necessary to comply with statutory requirements. However, individual pages of a document may be stapled for presentation for recording. Labels that are firmly attached are acceptable.
The first page of each document shall have a top margin of at least 3 inches of vertical space from left to right which shall be reserved for the recorder’s use. All other margins on the document shall be a minimum of ¾ of one inch. Nonessential information such as page numbers or customer notations may be placed in a margin except the top margin.
All preprinted text shall be at least 8 point in size and no more than 20 characters and spaces per inch. All other text typed or computer generated, including but not limited to all names of parties to an agreement, shall be at least 10 point in size and no more than 16 characters and spaces per inch.
Each document shall be of sufficient legibility to produce a clear reproduction.
Each document shall be on white paper of not less than 20 pound weight without watermarks or other visible inclusions. All signatures on a document shall be in black or dark blue ink and of sufficient color and clarity to ensure that signatures are readable when the document is reproduced.
All names shall be typed, printed, or stamped beneath the original signature. Embossed or inked stamps shall not cover or otherwise materially interfere with any part of the document.
Each document that is presented for recording shall have the following information on the first page below the 3 inch margin:
Prepared By: The name of the business, name of the individual, address and phone number
Return To: The name and complete address
Taxpayer Info: The name and address of the taxpayer for any document of transfer
The title of the document
The names of all grantors and grantees
The legal description
*** If insufficient space exists on the first page for all of the information described in numbers 1-6 above, reference the page number where that information is located on the first page.
Documents dated on or after July 1, 2007, may not include any personally identifiable information.
Personally identifiable information is defined as an individual’s Social Security number, bank account numbers, credit account numbers, or debit account numb
The following documents are exempt from document formatting requirements:
A document that was signed before July 1, 2005.
A military separation document.
A document that was executed outside of the United States.
A certified copy of a document issued by a governmental agency, including a vital record.
A document where one of the original parties is deceased or otherwise incapacitated.
A document formatted to meet court requirements.
A federal tax lien.
A filing under the uniform commercial code, chapter 554.
A plat or survey or a drawing related to a plat or survey
Non-standard Fee: On or after July 1, 2005, a document that does not conform to the document formatting standards shall not be recorded except upon payment of an additional recording fee of $10.00 per document or instrument. However, the non-standard fee may not be applied to the following:
The legibility requirements
The requirement to include the taxpayer information on documents of conveyance
The requirement that all documents have original signatures in black or dark blue ink and the names of the parties typed below their signatures
Howard County Recorder's Contact
Howard County Courthouse
137 North Elm Street
Cresco IA 52136
County Recorder: Roxann Vokaty
Deputy Recorder: Heather O'Brien
PT Clerk: Lori Balik