• FREE SERVICE
• Based on NAME, not on property or address
• NOTIFIED OF ANY DOCUMENTS RECORDED WITH YOUR NAME IN WHITESIDE COUNTY
• If you share the same name or close to the same name as someone else within the County you will receive an alert.
• Does not stop anything from being recorded.
• Purpose is to let someone know when something has been recorded.
• If you receive an alert, contact the Recorders Office at 815.772.5192.

The Recorder’s Office is responsible for recording, archiving and retrieving documents submitted to be recorded. The Recorder’s primary responsibility is the managing of land records within Whiteside County. The Recorder's Office is a keeper of records with a main focus of accurately and timely recording and indexing various documents submitted for recording. 

• Name(s), 
• Address, 
• P.I.N. (Permanent Index Number),
• Brief legal description (i.e.: name of the Subdivision or Section, Township, Range). 
• Approximate date of transaction

  • Deeds are recorded when a piece of property is transferred.

  • Copies can be obtained at any time. 

  • Deeds are not mailed out when a mortgage is paid off.

  • The Recorder's Office does not keep originals.

  • A copy from the Recorder's Office is as good as an original.

3 ways:

1) Copies can be obtained by picking them up at the Recorder's Office for $1.00 per page.  

2) Mailed to you by mailing us $1.00 per page along with a S.A.S.E. (self addressed stamped envelope). Emailed copies are $1.25 per page and will be emailed when payment is received. 

• Checks made payable to: Whiteside County Recorder
                                                200 E Knox St.

                                                Morrison, IL 61270
• Please write Document Number in the MEMO or on a note.

3) Obtained through landrecords.com.  

• You may also go to Online Access on the Recorder page for more searching information.

• BEWARE: YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY $120+ FOR A COPY OF A DEED!

• Deeds are not mailed out when a mortgage is paid off. 
• A copy of the deed can be obtained from the Recorder's Office for $1.00 per page at any time. 
• A copy of the deed does not indicate that the property is free and clear of liens.
• A Release is the type of document that signifies something has been paid.

To ensure that an individual or property is free of liens, a title company must be contacted. If someone wants to see what has been recorded, then searching the records at the Recorder's Office or online is a great place to start.

A new deed will need to be prepared. Therefore, we always advise to contact an attorney. 

• The Recorder of Deeds Office does not have, nor provide blank forms. 
• There are many types of deeds and forms; therefore, an attorney will help determine what type of document best fits your needs. 
• Forms can be found through various websites online but will need to be fully prepared and notarized before reaching the Recorder's Office to be recorded.
• The Recorder of Deeds Office cannot assist you in completing documents. We can only tell you if a document is recordable according to State of Illinois Compiled Statutes. 

• We strongly advise contacting a title company and/or a real estate attorney to have real estate centered documents prepared. 
• You may obtain blank forms through various websites online. 
• Documents must be fully prepared and notarized before reaching the recorders office. 
• All deeds must have an exemption statement or transfer declaration accompanying it. 
• The Recorder of Deeds office cannot assist you in completing documents. We can only tell you if a document is recordable according to State of Illinois Compiled Statutes. 

1. Cash 
2. Check: made payable to the "Whiteside County Recorder"
3. Credit Card: in person only (will not take payments over the phone)
4. Money Order

No. Deeds contain a legal description, not what is on the land. 

• The legal description(s) on a deed describes the boundaries of a particular parcel/property.
  • Lot and Block legal descriptions are based on a subdivision plat. (plats that have been recorded)
  • Metes and Bounds legal descriptions are within a particular Section, Township, and Range
  • If property pins (generally made of iron or steel and long enough to extend below the frost line) were set, your property lines may be found utilizing a metal detector to locate the pins of your property. If you can locate one pin, you may utilize the recorded plat or deed to help with dimensions to establish the general locations of the remaining pins or the general location of the boundaries of your property.
  • The only guaranteed way to determine the exact location of your property lines is to hire an Illinois Licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS).
• You may wish to visit the county's Parcel Viewer
  • enter PIN number or address
  • this will give an idea of where the property lines are
  • this is NOT a survey
  • You may wish to contact an Illinois Licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) or an attorney if lines are in question.
• Civil disputes over the location of property lines with adjoining private properties is not within the enforcement authority of Whiteside County.

1. A title company or an independent searcher can perform a search for easements. 
2. Independently, you can review your deed; some easements are described in the legal description, but not always. 
3. Easements may have been recorded previously and still regarded as part of the chain of title.
4. Easements may be on a subdivision plat.
5. This is not an all-inclusive list of possibilities and why it may be in your best interest to contact a title company or independent searcher.

Our records go back to approximately 1836.

• Yes, our records may be searched by legal description from 1900 forward within the office. 
• On the computer, the tract can be searched from 1988 to present.