What are Indiana Property Records?
Indiana property records are documents generated when property owners perform real estate transactions in Indiana. The documents include property deeds, property maps, property tax records, and mortgage records - all of which are available to interested members of the public under the Access to Public Records Act (APRA).
Different types of people may want Indiana property records for varying reasons. Some might need to perform pre-purchase research, while others may need to resolve boundary issues with their neighbors. Regardless, anyone searching for Indiana property records may query their county recorder or tax assessor's office.
Are Indiana Property Records Public?
Yes. The Access to Public Records Act (APRA) directs county administrators to store and disseminate public records generated by public officials and residents of the state. Generally, persons who wish to obtain property records must provide the necessary information to facilitate a search and pay administrative fees.
Property records are available for public viewing through government agencies or third-party aggregate websites. Accessing property records through third-party sites is typically straightforward, and the records are not geographically limited. However, because the sites are not government-affiliated and run independently, the information contained in the records may vary. Searching parties should include the following information to obtain complete property records:
- The property's exact location.
- The property owner's details.
What Information is Included in Indiana Property Records?
Property records typically contain the same basic information: the owner's name and a legal description of the property. Any additional information contained in a property record depends on the type of property.
Indiana Property Deeds
Indiana property deeds are official documents that ratify ownership status and transfer between a grantor and a grantee. These are the most popular type of property records and are most commonly used to establish who owns a particular property. There are different types of Indiana property deeds, including (but not limited to) the following:
General Warranty Deeds
A general warranty deed is a legal document that indemnifies the grantee of encumbrances arising from the previous owner's time. General warranty deeds are stable and most commonly used to buy or sell residential properties.
Special Warranty Deeds
Also known as grant deeds or limited warranty deeds, special warranty deeds verify that the grantor has the right to sell a property and that it has no outstanding encumbrances in the grantor's name. However, grant deeds do not mean the new grantee is safe from burdens that may have arisen before the most recent grantor obtained title to the property. Limited warranty deeds typically come into play when transferring titles for commercial properties.
Quitclaim Deeds
A quitclaim deed is a document that allows a grantor to transfer a property title to a grantee. However, it does not indemnify the grantee against encumbrances that could have arisen during the previous title owner's time. These deeds are most commonly used to transfer property between family members.
Bargain and Sale Deeds
Property sellers typically use bargain and sale deeds when they do not have a true relationship with a property and are only allowed to sell it. Such deeds do not indemnify buyers against previous problems and are most commonly used to transfer the title for foreclosed properties.
Indiana Tax Records
Indiana tax records are official documents that show a property owner's tax payment history in their county. Property taxes include real property tax, parcel tax, and document transfer tax.
Indiana Mortgage Records
Indiana mortgage records are official documents revealing details of a property owner's relationship with their mortgage lender. When a property has mortgage records, it means the owner took out a mortgage to purchase it. Mortgage records show how much the property cost and the mortgage company's contribution. They also show how long the owner has been repaying the loan and how many outstanding payments remain.
Indiana Property Maps
Indiana property maps and official documents that provide thorough visual descriptions of Indiana properties. These maps help interested parties know where property begins and ends. Examples include plats, assessment maps, plan line maps, and right-of-way maps.
Where to Search Public Property Records in Indiana
Individuals interested in getting Indiana property records may get them at their county recorder's office. Researchers may also visit their tax assessor's office to get Indiana property records. These record custodians also offer various means for requesters to obtain the records of interest. For instance, individuals in Marion County may visit the Marion County Recorder's Office in person, over the phone, online, or by email.
How to Do an Indiana Property Records Search
Before searching for Indiana property records, however, researchers must know the following:
- Where the property is situated - requesters must know the street name, the house number, and the county.
- Information about the property's owner, including their full name.
Indiana researchers that have the above information may take it to their county recorder's office. For example, Marion County residents may get property records by submitting requests to the Marion County Recorder's Office in person, over the phone, or online.
In-person requesters may visit the recorder's office any time between 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (Monday through Friday). Copy fees for standard-size documents are $1 per page. Copying documents larger than 11" by 17" costs $5 per page. Finally, certifying copied documents costs an additional $5.
Marion County Recorder's Office
City-County Building
200 East Washington Street
Suite T-741
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Individuals requesting copies of property records via telephone must have the document number and pay by credit card.
There are multiple options available to Marion County residents searching for property records. First, the Recorder's Office provides an online database for property information that the public can look through. The Marion County Treasurer's Office also provides a Property Report Card that the public can search by parcel number, owner's name, and address. Finally, the Recorder's Office also provides an online database that the public can visit to search for covenants and plats.
How to Find the Owner of an Indiana Property Using Public Records
Indiana residents who wish to find the property owner may do so if they have the property's street address. Researchers with a correct street address may take that information to their local court or recorder's office to inspect the property's records and find the owner's name. Researchers may submit their requests in person or by telephone. The records will provide the property owner's full name and contact details if available.
Remote requesters may also search the recorder's online database to find a property owner's name. Alternatively, they may look through the County Assessor's Property Report Card, an online database that the public can search by parcel number or address.
The Office of the Indiana Secretary of State is responsible for curating business records and property records for commercially owned businesses. Persons interested in finding out who owns a commercial property in Indiana may use the Secretary of State's Public Search Page or submit requests directly to the following address:
Indiana Secretary of State
200 West Washington Suite #201,
Indianapolis, IN 46204
What are Property Records Used for in Indiana?
Property owners in Indiana generate property records to log details about their lands and properties. Researchers request Indiana property records for numerous purposes, such as:
- For pre-purchase information: Purchasing a home is a high-value activity that requires forethought and knowledge. Future homeowners must conduct a thorough research about a property to avoid making hasty decisions. Indiana property records provide homebuyers with invaluable information about a property. Homebuyers can find out who has owned a particular property and how many times the home has changed owners. They can also compare the home's current state with its previous state and see what modifications it has gone through over time. Researchers can also find out if there are any outstanding liens or legal issues surrounding the property.
- To solve ownership disputes: Conflicts over who owns a property are commonplace and would be unsolvable if property records did not exist. When different parties have disagreements about the owner of a particular property, Indiana property records help solve such disagreements.
- To resolve boundary disagreements: Property owners may sometimes face conflicts over where their properties' boundaries begin and end. Indiana property records help property owners resolve such disagreements efficiently and amicably.
How to Find Indiana Property Tax Records
Indiana's counties collect a property tax from all property owners in the state. Individuals interested in finding Indiana property tax records may query their local treasurer's office. The treasurer's office may also provide a research website that the public can search by name, property address, tax ID number, and billing number.
What to Do When You Can't Find Indiana Property Records
Interested Indiana residents can obtain property records by submitting requests to their county recorder or treasurer's office. There, interested persons can inspect and obtain copies of property deeds, survey maps, and mortgage records for any property unless specifically sealed by a court order. When accessing Indiana property records proves difficult, interested persons may use the tools and resources available through third-party record search companies.
