Property Records

Portage County property records—including deeds, transfers, appraisals, liens, and tax information—are maintained by the Portage County Auditor’s Office and Recorder’s Office. Deed transfers cost $4.00 per $1,000 of purchase price plus $0.50 per parcel, while recording fees run $34.00 for the first two pages and $8.00 for each additional page.

How Deed Transfers and Recording Work

The Portage County Auditor’s Real Estate Department transfers deeds and other property documents before they are recorded, and this process establishes the official record of ownership for every parcel in the county. A Warranty Deed, Quit Claim Deed, or similar instrument conveys title from one party to another and must pass through the Auditor’s office prior to being recorded with the Portage County Recorder. Transferring a deed costs $4.00 per $1,000.00 of the purchase price plus $0.50 per parcel, and the required DTE100 Conveyance of Real Property form must accompany the transaction.

Once transferred, deeds can be searched directly through the Auditor’s upgraded Real Estate Web portal, which now offers a more modern and accessible experience across devices. Recording the deed itself carries a separate fee set by the State of Ohio: $34.00 for the first two pages and $8.00 for each additional page, with a $4.00 charge for each required marginal notation.

Appraisals, Liens, and Tax Details

Property appraisals, liens, and tax details round out the remaining components of a Portage County property record. The Auditor’s appraisal staff determine property valuations used for tax assessment, and property owners who disagree with their valuation can contact the appraisal department at (330) 297-3568 or contest the value formally through the Portage County Board of Revision.

Liens on Public Property Records

Liens filed against a property—whether from unpaid taxes, mechanic’s claims, or other judgments—also appear within the public property record and can affect a title’s marketability until resolved or released.
Researching Records Online
Through the Auditor’s portal, residents can review parcel ownership histories, property valuations, sales information, and real estate tax and special assessment details, and they can use the Tax Estimator tool to project property tax based on taxing district and assessed value.

Researching Records in Person

For residents who prefer to research records in person, the Portage County Auditor’s Office is located at 449 S. Meridian St., 5th Floor, Ravenna, Ohio 44266, and can be reached at (330) 297-3560. Public display terminals offering access to computerized records are also available at the Kent Municipal Court, the Portage County Recorder’s Office, and the Portage County Auditor’s Office.