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Real Estate Recording Information
- Document Formatting Standards
- Iowa Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculator
- Land Records & Records Management
- Recording Information & Fees
Documents signed on or after July 1, 2005, must meet the Document Formatting Standards pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 331.606B. A $10 non-standard fee will be charged for all documents that do not conform to the requirements. Requirements are as follows:
- All other text must be at least ten-point and no more than sixteen characters per inch
- The document must be legible and reproducible
- The document must be a letter or legal size paper, no larger
- The document must be on white paper not less than twenty-pound weight with no visible watermarks
- The document shall not have any attachment stapled, taped, or otherwise affixed to any page
- Each document shall have the following information on the first page below the 3-inch margin:
- The legal description and parcel identification number, if required
- The name and address of the taxpayer for any document of transfer
- The names of all grantors and grantees
- A return name and complete address
- The title of the document
- The name, address, and phone number of the business and individual who prepared the document
- Embossed or inked stamps shall not cover or interfere with any part of the document
- The first page must have a top margin of three inches of vertical space from left to right reserved for the recorder's use
- Margins shall be a minimum of ¾ of one inch
- Pages must be printed on one side only and cannot be permanently bound or in a continuous form
- The preprinted text must be at least eight-point and no more than 20 characters per inch
- Signatures must be in dark black or dark blue ink and corresponding names shall be typed, printed, or stamped below signatures
If insufficient space exists on the first page for all of the information previously described, please reference on the first page, the page number where the information is located. Example: Legal Description - see page 5.
Book & Page
View the Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculator provided by Iowa Land Records.
Calculating Fees
You may calculate real estate transfer tax by entering the total amount paid for the property. This calculation is based on $1.60 per thousand and the first $500 is exempt.
Forms
The Mills County Recorder's office maintains and records official records of documents affecting title to the property and miscellaneous documents. These records date back to 1838. Most recorded documents such as the following are public records and can be viewed in-office:
- 28E and Drainage Agreements
- Affidavits
- Articles of Incorporation
- Assignments, Releases
- Bills of Sale
- Condemnations
- Contracts
- Deeds
- Easements
- Federal and State Tax Liens
- Financing Statements
- Leases
- Military Service Records
- Mortgages
- Plats and Surveys
- Section Corner Certificates
- Trade Names
- Other Numerous Documents
The Iowa County Association of Recorders
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.
Capabilities of the Website
The statewide Iowa 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.
Mills County Recorder/Registrar charges the following amounts for services listed. Separate checks are needed for recording fees and real estate transfer tax. Send a self-addressed stamped return envelope with all filings. Most documents are returned in 1 to 2 days. Mail to and make checks payable to:
Mills County Recorder
418 Sharp Street
Glenwood, IA 51534
Copy Fees
- Certified Copies: $5 certification fee, plus $1 per page copy fee
- Copies: $1 per page
Recording Fees (Effective from July 1, 2011)
- $7 for 1st page, plus $5 for each additional page, except for the following:
- Documents that convey property: $7 for 1st page, plus $5 for each additional page, plus Auditor transfer fee of $5 for each township section or city block
- Plats of the survey: $7 for 1st page, plus $5 for each additional page