Recording Requirements, Fees & Resources
Recording Requirements, Fees & Resources
This office is where you will find documents affecting landowners and real estate within Benton County. Our Records & Licenses Division is responsible for all land records within the boundaries of Benton County. Recording hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you’d like to ensure your recording happens same-day, consider making an appointment.
General Recording Requirements
By Oregon law, general recording requirements state that documents must:
- Be an original, signed document or certified copy, in paper or electronic format to ensure authenticity.
- Use clear, legible text in a font size of at least 10 point, effective January 1, 2024.
- Be printed on either letter (8.5″x11″) or legal (8.5″x14″) size paper.
- Include the transaction title or type (e.g. Deed or Mortgage), along with the statutory authority supporting the recording.
- Provide a blank space in the upper right-hand corner of the first page, for the recording label, at least 3.25″ x 2.25″.
- Include the name and address of party for document return after recording.
- List all indexed parties, ensuring proper indexing.
- Contain a coversheet when necessary to meet first-page format requirements.
How do I record a document?
Original documents can be recorded through the mail, in-person or through an electronic recording service provider.
eRecording – Submit electronic original document to us through one of our eRecording Partners included in the list below.
In-person, over the counter – Bring your original document and form of payment to our office.
Mail – Send the original document along with payment by check. Please do not mail cash.
Documents recorded in-person or through the mail are held for up to ten business days so that we may proof and ensure the quality our records. Copies of our public records can be purchased.
Document Recording Fees
We accept cash, check/money orders and debit/credit card payment. Please Note: an additional 2.49% convenience fee is assessed on card transactions.
Need help determining what the fee for recording your document will be? Call or email us, we are happy to assist.
Common document types
| Document Type | First Page Fee | Per Page Added Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Deeds, Mortgage/Municipal, Court Orders, Misc. | $128 | $5 |
| Construction, Foreclosure, UCC Filings, Death Certificates | $78 | $5 |
| Notary Services (per signature) | $10 | NA |
Notes about this information:
- Documents not represented in this table can be found in linked PDF.
- Recordings deficient in certain recording requirements may be accepted with the assessment of a $20 non-standard fee.
- Multi-title documents will be assessed an additional $5 per document title.
- Document(s) submitted with insufficient payment are returned and NOT recorded.
Common recording cost estimator
Notary Services
We have on staff notarial services available 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. by appointment only. Documents must be regarding County-related business. There is a fee of $10 assessed per signature or notarial act. For your appointment you will need to bring:
- Document to be notarized in its entirety.
- Party that needs to sign present with valid government issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID).
- Payment
We CANNOT do the following:
- Notarize certified copies of birth, death or marriage records OR documents from another country. Please contact the State of Oregon for more information on vital record and Apostille certifications.
- Notarize documents in languages other than English
- Notarize wills
- Provide witness(es)
- Notarize I-9 documents for employers
Need a deed or lien form or template?
Benton County Records & Licenses does NOT provide document templates or forms. Additionally, our office does NOT offer legal advice. For questions regarding legal forms or what needs to be recorded, please, consult with a real estate attorney.
Online forms are available at your discretion. Stevens-Ness is a trusted provider of legal forms.