Recorder - Land Records

The Recorder of Deeds Office always advises to contact an attorney to prepare the proper legal document(s).

Predictable Fee Schedule (as of 1/1/2025)     

  Predictable Fee Schedule as of 01/01/2025 (PDF)

**Present and Accept only ORIGINALS OR CERTIFIED COPIES for recording, accompanied with a S.A.S.E (self-addressed-stamped-envelope)**


Federal Tax Liens  - $21.00 (additional names $1 each)

Uniform Commercial Code - $ 60.00

  • Please provide PIN/Parcel number(s) & complete legal description(s)

STANDARD DOCUMENTS - $ 79.00                              RHSP Exempt-$ 60.00                   

  • Tax Parcel Identification Numbers (PIN) must be on all real-estate related documents.
  • Recorder BooksExamples of some specific documents are: (non-inclusive list)
    • Deeds with 5 or less parcels
    • Mortgages with 5 or less parcels
    • Releases with 5 or less parcels or referenced documents
    • Monument Records
    • Easements (other than public utility)
    • Leases 
  • Meets Illinois standard document requirements (see below a-e)
    • a)The document shall consist of one or more individual sheets measuring 8.5 inches by 11 inches, not permanently bound and not a continuous form. Graphic displays accompanying a document to be recorded that measure up to 11 inches by 18 inches shall be recorded without an additional fee.
    • b)The document shall be legibly printed in black ink, by hand, typed or computer (generated with a minimum of 10-pt font). Signatures and dates may be in contrasting colors if they will reproduce clearly.
    • c)The document shall be on white paper of not less than 20-pound weight and shall have a clean margin of at least one-half inch on the top, the bottom and each side. Margins may be used for non-essential notations that will not affect the validity of the document, including but not limited to form number, page numbers and customer notations.
    • d)The first page of the document shall contain a blank space, measuring at least 3 inches by 5 inches, from the upper right hand corner. 
    • e)The document shall not have an attachment stapled or otherwise affixed to any page. Pages may be stapled together.

RHSP EXEMPT:   

The Rental Housing Support Program Surcharge does not apply to any document solely related to an easement for a public utility or any documents from a state agency, unit of local government, federal government, or school district. Note that units of local government include counties, municipalities, townships, special districts, and units designated as a local government by law.


IRREGULAR (NONSTANDARD) DOCUMENTS - $99.00 

                                                     RHSP EXEMPT - $80.00

  • Documents referencing 6 or more Tax Parcel Identification Numbers
  • Documents referencing 6 or more recorded document numbers.
  • Documents not conforming as in paragraphs a through e (above).

Plats of Subdivision/Condo - $ 109.00 

                          RHSP EXEMPT - $90.00

  • Max 30x36, Submit ORIGINAL along with 10 signed copies
  • (Within City Limits, Submit ORIGINAL along with 5 signed copies)
  • Recording Requirements

(55ILCS 5/3-2018.2)

NOTARY (5 ILCS 312/ IL Notary Public Act) 

  1. Traditional in-person notarizations
  2. Remote notarizations  
    • signer and the notary public must be located in Illinois at the time of the signing
    • notarial certificate signed by the notary must specify the notarial act took place using communication technology
  3. Electronic notarizations 
    • only the notary public must be in Illinois at the time of the electronic notarization
    • notarial certificate must specify the notarial act took place using an electronic notary platform

DD-214'S

VETERANS DISCHARGE (includes 1 certified copy) - NO CHARGE                                                                       *Each additional certified copy of recorded Discharge - $ 1.25

  • Recording your DD-214 helps secure your discharge papers.
  • Convenient to obtain certified copies later.
    • must have ID & be authorized to obtain a copy (call the office for further info)
  • Certified copies are as good as an original.
  • The National Archives Link is provided for those who are trying to find a DD-214 and may be having difficulty: Request Military Service Records (This is not associated with Whiteside County).

Description Of Service

A brief list of services and documents available in the Recorder’s Office include:

  • Record prepared legal documents according to State of Illinois Compiled Statutes
  • Property ownership (1836 to current)
  • Tract Index
  • Legal descriptions that contain a beginning and ending point
  • Monument Records
  • Service Discharges (DD214's)
  • Liens
  • Uniform Commercial Code filings
  • Subdivisions and Covenants/Restrictions

Disclaimer: This web page and the other pages of the Whiteside County Recorder's Office web site are provided as a service to the public in order to provide access to the Recorder's Office policies, rules, and regulations. The information contained in the these pages was valid at the time of publication. The Whiteside County Recorder reserves the right to make changes to information contained herein at any time without notice, and assumes no liability for damages incurred as a result of errors, omissions, or discrepancies. If you believe any material contained in these or any other county web page is inaccurate, please report them via email to kkophamer@whiteside.org.