Cook County Deed Records

Cook County deed records are maintained by the Cook County Clerk's Recordings Division in Chicago, which took over all recording functions from the former Recorder of Deeds office in December 2020. If you need to search land records, look up a property transfer, or get a copy of a recorded document in Cook County, this guide explains exactly how to do it and where to go.

Cook County Clerk's Recordings Division

The Cook County Clerk's Recordings Division is the official office that handles all deed records and land documents in Cook County. Since December 7, 2020, this office has absorbed all functions that the former Cook County Recorder of Deeds once handled. That means one office now manages everything: recording new documents, storing old ones, and giving the public access to Cook County deed records going back many decades. The office is at 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, Chicago, IL 60602.

You can reach the Recordings Division at (312) 603-5050 during business hours. The general county line is (312) 443-5500. If you have questions about recording requirements, the office runs a Recordings Legal Help Desk where Cook County residents can get free legal help on questions about their home, chain of title, or other land records. You can also email the help desk at recording.helpdesk@cookcountyil.gov. Hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Note: the office accepts its last customer at 4:45 PM, so plan your visit accordingly.

The office records a wide range of documents beyond just deeds. Mortgages, liens, releases, and assignments all go through this same division. All of these become part of the permanent Cook County deed records system once they are filed and indexed.

The main website for Cook County recordings is cookcountyclerkil.gov/recordings. This page explains services, fees, and how to submit documents. It is the best starting point for anything related to Cook County deed records.

Search Cook County Deed Records Online

The Cook County Clerk offers a free online search portal for deed records and other land documents. You can find it at cookcountyclerkil.gov/recordings/search-recordings. The system lets you search by PIN (Property Index Number), grantor name, grantee name, and other indexed details. Most people start with a PIN search because it pulls up all documents tied to a specific parcel in Cook County.

The Illinois Conveyances Act, 765 ILCS 5/, sets the rules for how deeds must be prepared and recorded in this state. Cook County deed records that comply with this act are indexed and available through the online portal. If a document does not meet the act's requirements, the Recordings Division will return it unfiled. Understanding these rules helps you know what to expect when you search or submit records in Cook County.

The screenshot below shows the Cook County Clerk recordings homepage, the starting point for all land record services in the county.

The recordings homepage gives you direct access to the search tool, fee schedules, and recording requirements specific to Cook County deed records.

Below is a view of the Cook County search recordings portal where you can look up deed records by PIN, grantor, or grantee.

This online tool is free to use and covers all recorded land documents in Cook County, including deeds, mortgages, releases, and liens.

Recording Fees for Cook County Deed Records

Recording a deed or other land document in Cook County costs money. Standard documents run from $27.50 to $107. Non-standard documents have their own fee range, from $2 up to $142, depending on the type of document and number of pages. Certified copies cost more than non-certified copies, so know what you need before you order.

Illinois law sets the framework for recorder fees statewide under 55 ILCS 5/3-5018. Cook County follows this statute when setting its fee schedule. In addition to the recording fee, the state collects a Real Estate Transfer Tax under 35 ILCS 200/. The state rate is $0.50 per $500 of value, and the county adds $0.25 per $500. Both are due at the time of recording a deed in Cook County.

There is also a Rental Housing Support Program (RHSP) surcharge of $18 per document for most recorded instruments. As of January 1, 2026, one exception applies: documents that modify unlawful restrictive covenants carry no filing fee in Cook County. This change reflects a statewide effort to clear discriminatory language from old deed records.

Note: Fee schedules can change, so confirm current amounts with the Recordings Division before you submit any document for Cook County deed recording.

eRecording Cook County Deed Documents

Cook County accepts electronic recording for many types of land documents. eRecording lets you submit a deed or other instrument without going to the clerk's office in person. This is a faster and often more convenient option for attorneys, title companies, and others who file Cook County deed records regularly.

Illinois authorized electronic recording through 765 ILCS 33/, the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act. Cook County uses this framework to accept documents submitted through approved eRecording vendors. The Illinois Legal Aid guide at illinoislegalaid.org walks through the steps for filing with any county recorder's office in Illinois, including Cook County.

The screenshot below is from the Cook County Property Fraud Unit page, an important free service tied to the deed records system.

The Property Fraud Unit helps Cook County homeowners spot fraudulent filings against their property and works with law enforcement on their behalf.

Cook County Property Fraud Alert Service

Cook County runs a free Property Fraud Alert service for property owners in the county. This program monitors Cook County deed records and sends you a notification whenever a document is recorded against your property. If someone tries to forge a deed or file a fraudulent lien on your home, you find out right away. Enrollment is free and available at cookcountyclerkil.gov/recordings/property-fraud-unit.

The Property Fraud Unit goes further than just alerts. If you discover a suspicious or fraudulent filing in Cook County deed records, this unit helps you investigate and coordinates with law enforcement. This is especially useful for seniors or absentee property owners who may not check their deed records regularly. The free Legal Help Desk can also advise on chain of title questions if something looks wrong in your Cook County property records.

Transfer Tax Forms and MyDec for Cook County

Every deed recorded in Cook County that involves a sale must include a completed Real Estate Transfer Declaration. Illinois uses the PTAX-203 form for this purpose. Since 2015, Cook County and most other Illinois counties accept the MyDec online filing system for completing and submitting this form. MyDec is available at mytax.illinois.gov/MyDec.

Using MyDec speeds up the deed recording process in Cook County. Instead of filling out a paper PTAX-203 and handing it in at the counter, you complete it online and get a confirmation number. That number goes on your deed before you submit it to the Recordings Division. The Illinois Department of Revenue provides full instructions for the PTAX-203 at tax.illinois.gov.

The Illinois Department of Revenue screenshot below shows the PTAX-203 instructions page, a key resource when preparing to record a deed in Cook County.

This state page explains exactly what information goes on the transfer declaration form that must accompany every Cook County deed recording involving a sale.

Note: Deeds that are gifts or transfers between family members may qualify for an exemption from the transfer tax. Check the PTAX-203 instructions or the MyDec portal for the current list of exemptions that apply to Cook County deed records.

Obtaining Copies of Cook County Deed Records

You can get copies of deed records in Cook County by searching the online portal and downloading documents, or by visiting the Recordings Division in person at 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120. The online system allows you to view and print many documents directly. For certified copies, you typically need to request them in person or by mail.

E-certified documents are also available through the Cook County Clerk system. These carry an official electronic certification and are accepted by many agencies and courts in place of paper certified copies. This option is useful when you need Cook County deed records for legal or financial purposes and cannot come to the Chicago office in person.

If you are researching older Cook County deed records that may have been damaged, lost, or destroyed, the relevant state statute is 765 ILCS 45/, which addresses destroyed records and provides a process for re-recording or reconstructing them. The Recordings Division can advise on whether this process applies to any Cook County deed records you are trying to locate.

Cities in Cook County

Cook County contains Chicago and many suburban cities. All deed records for property in Cook County go through the same Recordings Division in Chicago, regardless of which city or suburb the property is in. The qualifying cities below all have their own pages with local information.

Nearby Counties

Cook County borders several other Illinois counties. If a property sits on or near a county line, confirm the correct county before you search for deed records. Each county has its own recorder or clerk handling its land documents.