Welcome to Howard County, Iowa
Recorder
Contact Information
Officeholder
Recorder
Address
Howard County Courthouse
137 North Elm Street
Cresco, Iowa 52136
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
Staff
Deputy Recorder
Part-time Clerk
About the County Recorder
The Office of the Iowa County Recorder was created by the First Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa in 1839. Since the creation of the County Recorder's office, numerous additional responsibilities have been added over the years.
Please Note: The Recorder's office does not provide legal services, does not prepare legal documents, and does not accept credit cards.
Birth Certificate Exchange
The Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Health Statistics is taking steps to exchange any newborn birth certificate issued from May 1993 to October 2009, where the birth certificate is a small wallet- size card. The newborn birth certificate wallet cards issued during this time period did not contain enough vital record information to be used for identification purposes, essentially making them less valuable for the purpose they are intended to be used for.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates
Iowa Vital Records are official registrations of births, deaths and marriages.
Certified copies of Vital Records can be obtained from the County Recorder’s office or the Iowa Department of Public Health.Statewide record searches are available from the Iowa Department of Public Health. County Recorders file and maintain births and deaths that have occurred in that county and file and maintain marriages of the licenses that were applied for in that county. The fee at the county level is $15.00 for each certified copy. Entitlement has to be proven before a certified copy can be issued. Use the chart below to determine whether to apply at the county or state level for a certified copy.
Vital Records: 1880 - 1920
Howard County Recorder's Office
Vital Records: 1921 - 1941
Iowa Department of Public Health
Vital Records: 1942 - Present
Howard County Recorder's Office
Single-Parent Births Before July 1, 1995
Iowa Department of Public Health
Single-Parent Births After July 1, 1995
Howard County Recorder's Office
Legal Name Changes
Iowa Department of Public Health
Adoptions
Iowa Department of Public Health
County Registrar of Vital Records
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.
Land and Records Management
The County Recorder is responsible for land and 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.
Document Formatting Standards
The County Recorder is responsible for land and 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
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.
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
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
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).
Licensing Agent for the Iowa DNR
The Recorder's office serves as a licensing agent for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources by issuing fishing and hunting licenses, & registering and titling boats, snowmobiles, ATV's and ORV's.
ATV, ORV, and Snowmobiles
The Howard County Recorder has the responsibility of registering and titling ATV’s, ORV's, and snowmobiles of Howard County residents. The registrations expire on December 31st of each year. Titles are required on all ATV’s registered since January 2000, and on all snowmobiles registered since January 1998.
As of July 1, 2009, ATV's, ORV's and snowmobiles are subject to the state sales tax of 6 percent plus local option taxes, if any. This applies to sales by individuals, as well as, dealers.
Items needed when transferring an ATV/snowmobile:
Bill of Sale
Title, if applicable (signature of seller required on backside of title)
Proof sales tax has been paid, if applicable
Application for Registration, Title and Security Interest
Boats
The Howard County Recorder has the responsibility of registering and titling vessels of Howard County residents and non-residents if the vessel is principally used in Howard County.Boat registrations expire on April 30th, every three years starting in 2007. Boat fees are based on the length of the boat. All boats 17 feet and longer require a title (except canoes and kayaks).
Items needed when transferring a boat:
Bill of Sale
Most recent registration (signature of seller required on backside of registration)
Title, if applicable (signature of seller required on backside of title)
Proof sales tax has been paid, if applicable
Application for Registration, Title and Security Interest
State Sales Tax Information:
Sales of boats and other watercraft in Iowa are subject to the state sales tax of 5 percent plus local option taxes, if any. This applies to sales by individuals and dealers. Anyone purchasing a boat from an individual should obtain a receipt that shows the cost of the boat. The buyer will then pay the sales tax on the cost of the boat to the County Recorder. If a trailer is purchased with the boat, the 5% motor vehicle use tax is paid to the County Treasurer.
Fishing and Hunting
The Recorder’s office sells fishing, hunting, fur harvestor, deer and wild turkey licenses. Habitat, migratory bird and trout fees may be purchased as well. Our office also has other special licenses available. For additional hunting information visit the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website.
Marriage Application
You may apply for a Marriage License at any County Recorder’s office in Iowa as long as the ceremony is performed in Iowa. Marriage Applications are accepted in Iowa County between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Click here for State of Iowa Marriage Instructions.
You must use the most current form of Application for Marriage prescribed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. In order to receive the application by mail or email, please call the Recorder's Office and request the Marriage Application. Otherwise, you must apply in person at the Recorder's Office. Please print the document front and back on one sheet of paper.
How to Apply for a Marriage License:
The couple intending to marry and one witness (someone that's acquainted with the couple and is 18 or older) must come into the office and fill out the application. The applicants and witness must have a photo I.D. The Fee is $35.00. The five day waiting period begins the day the application is submitted to the Recorder's Office.
Once the marriage has been performed and the Certificate of Marriage has been returned to the Recorder’s office and placed on record, a certified copy will be mailed to Party A and Party B. Either Party may use use this certified copy for a name change on social security and driver’s license, etc.
Military Records
Military discharge papers (DD 214’s) may be filed in the Howard County Recorder’s office. An original or certified copy is needed for filing purposes. If you wish to request a certified copy of a military discharge, please complete and return the application. This may be done in person or through the mail.
Notice:
Please send a photo copy of your driver’s license if mailing. entitlement has to be proven before a certified copy can be issued.
There is no charge to record or obtain a certified copy of a military record.
If you are enlisted from the State of Iowa, please contact:
Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs
7105 NW 70th Avenue
Camp Dodge Bldg. A6A
Johnston, IA 50131-1824
Passport Services
The Howard County Recorder's Office does take passport photos. The Auditor's Office is now the acceptance agent for passports.
Vital Records Certified Copy Request
The Vital Records Certified Records form can be obtained by clicking here.
Please print the document front and back on one sheet of paper. This document can also be submitted directly to the Howard County Recorder’s office via mail or in person.