About Us

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Crawford County Recorder’s Office is to record, preserve, protect and retrieve real estate, personal property, and other records for the public so their property interests are safeguarded, and so those records can be efficiently retrieved.

What We Do

• According to the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), it is the duty of the County Recorder to record all deeds, mortgages, plats or other instruments of writing that are required or authorized by the ORC. Learn more on our Real Estate page.
• We carefully inspect documents to be recorded. If there is an error, we make every effort to have the document corrected or a letter is sent with the document explaining the problem.
• Our office has a one (1) working day turnaround time from the time a document is recorded to the time it is mailed back to the customer.
• The Recorder’s Office is committed to public service and giving excellent customer service to the residents of Crawford County.
• The staff in the Recorder’s Office is available to help you search public records. You my use this service by visiting the Recorder’s Office or by calling the main number at 419-562-6961.
• The Recorder’s Office Staff is NOT able to complete a title search for you, so you will need to contact your legal advisor or a title company for that service.
• The Recorder’s Office offers FREE of Charge to all Veterans, copies of their DD214’s.
• Upon request the Recorder’s Office provides a monthly mortgage report listing the lending institution, number of mortgages and dollar amounts.
• The Recorder does NOT furnish forms.

About the Recorder

Julie A. Smith, formally Wells, was elected into office as the Crawford County Recorder in November 2016.

Julie was born and raised here in Crawford County and has been a resident for over 60 years. She’s been employed with Crawford County for over 24 years. She worked 9 years under the Board of Commissioners and for 15 years in the Recorder’s Office.

Julie and her husband, Rick, have 7 children between them and 14 grandchildren. Julie and Rick reside in Dallas Township and enjoy all that Crawford County has to offer.

During Julie’s term in office, she has kept her campaign promises to bring the Crawford County Recorder’s Office into the 21st century.

These fulfilled promises include the ability to record documents on line via e-recording; the back scanning of all official records; as well as a new records search allowing residents to easily access recorded documents pertaining to their property, which can be accessed from home now through the official Recorder’s website. Julie also knows the importance of history, and has made sure that the older records are being preserved and kept in archival form for future generations.

Julie is committed to public service, justice for all, and good government. She sees her office as the people’s office.

It is our job to make sure the public have complete access and the necessary information needed to run a complete chain of title when buying or selling property in Crawford County. In return this will help promote the growth of Crawford County and our economy.

– Julie A. Smith

History of the County Recorder’s Office

The practice of recording real estate documents is based on law in England which traveled to the New World with the colonists.  Public land registrars were appointed in colonial America to keep accurate records. A system of registration was necessary to prove the rights of persons who first made claims to property.

In 1787 the Northwest Territory was formed, encompassing all lands north and west of the Ohio River.  A Recorder’s office was established in each County.  Ohio became a state in 1803 and although the state constitution did not provide for a Recorder’s office, the first state legislature mandated that a Recorder be appointed in each County by the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.  In 1829 the Recorder’s office became an elective position and in 1936 the term was established at four years.

Today the County Recorder keeps and maintains accurate land records that are current, legible and easily accessible.  An important aspect of the Recorder’s work is to index each document so it may be readily located.  Accurate indexing makes it possible for persons searching land records to find the documents necessary to establish a “chain of title” (history of ownership) and ensures that any debts or encumbrances against the property are evident.  These invaluable records are utilized by the general public, attorneys, historians, genealogists and land title examiners.

County Recorder Responsibilities

• Makes a complete, accurate and permanent record of every document pertaining to the conveyance and encumbrance of land within the county.
• Maintains permanent land records, retains them in archival form and makes them accessible to the public.
• Complies with more than 1000 sections of state law in the Ohio Revised Code pertaining to the duties of the Recorder’s Office.
• Takes great care to ensure that every document received is accurately filed, recorded and indexed.
• Serves as member of the Crawford County Data Processing Board which authorizes any purchase, lease or contract for data processing equipment for county offices.
• Maintains an accurate record of all monies appropriated to the Recorder’s Office for its operation.
• Performs all accounting functions necessary to the operation of the Recorder’s Office including preparation of annual budgets and reports, vouchers, purchase orders, etc., and maintains all payroll records, sick and vacation leave records and other records pertaining to the Recorder’s staff.
• Files annually an ethics report, inventory of office equipment, affirmative action report, depository agreements for funds and every other report as required by law.
• Notifies the Crawford County Board of Commissioners and boards of township trustees annually of their duty to file zoning resolutions, maps and amendments.

About the Team

The Recorder’s Office Started their year in 2017 with a New County Recorder elect and 3 Brand New Deputies.

Julie feels she has selected 3 goal oriented team players, who are both skillful and dedicated individuals. They all exceed at prioritizing, and completing multiple tasks simultaneously. Which has made the transition in the Recorder’s Office a smooth and productive one.

Crawford County Recorder Deputies:

Lynette Duvall

Lynette is the newest Deputy in the Recorder's office and comes with over 30 years of experience in Customer Service. Lynette shows great organizational skills and attention to detail.

Vicki Grogg

Vicki comes to the Recorder's Office with a hardworking and dedicated personality. Proudly serving Crawford County with over 40 years of Customer Service with an emphasis in Management.

E.J. Spiegel

E.J. is the Chief Deputy Recorder. He is a self-motivated and self-directed employee with 18 years in Customer Service.

Bonnie Cotton

Bonnie comes to the Recorder's Office with 15 years of experience as an independent Title Examiner, owning her own business. She is a well-organized worker and requires little supervision.