Union County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Union County in 2026
UnionOHRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Union County, Ohio. Members of the public may find ownership history, assessed values, recorded deeds, mortgage documents, tax information, and lien filings. Record categories available through official channels include deeds and conveyances, property tax assessments, recorded mortgages, judgment and mechanic's liens, plat maps, and GIS data. Information presented through third-party directories reflects what is available in official public databases and may not capture the most recent filings.
Records may be searched through the following official Union County resources:
- Property Search Tools — Union County Auditor's Beacon application for parcel searches, comparable sales, and tax levy estimates
- Property Information — Real estate appraisal data, GIS mapping, building sketches, and general land information
- Search Official Records — Union County Recorder's Office index of recorded instruments including deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Treasurer — Real estate tax payment status, outstanding balances, and payment options
- Real Estate Assessments — Auditor's Office assessment data covering approximately 32,800 parcels
Online Search Methods
1. Property Appraiser / Auditor Website
The Union County Auditor maintains the primary online resource for property information. The Beacon Property Search application provides free public access with no registration required. Members of the public may search by property address, owner name, parcel ID, subdivision, or GIS map location. Information available through this portal includes current owner name and mailing address, legal description, parcel number, land use and zoning classification, square footage, year built, lot size, assessed value, taxable value, exemptions applied, and sales history.
To conduct a search:
- Navigate to the Beacon property search portal
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel ID)
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select the desired parcel to view the full property card
- Access maps, sales history, building sketches, and tax levy data from the property detail page
- Print or save the information as needed
2. County Recorder's Official Records Search
The Union County Recorder's Office maintains the index of all recorded instruments affecting real property. As noted on the official records search page, "property information is continually changing, therefore Union County Recorder's Office makes no expressed or implied warranty concerning the accuracy of this" information, and users are advised to verify critical details directly with the office. Basic search access is available at no charge. Documents searchable through this system include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages and deeds of trust, satisfactions and releases, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, easements, declarations of restrictions, plat maps, and lis pendens filings.
To search recorded documents:
- Access the Recorder's official records index
- Select the search type (grantor name, grantee name, document type, or recording date range)
- Enter the applicable search criteria
- Review the results and note the instrument number or book and page reference
- Click to view document images where available online
- Request certified copies from the Recorder's Office for documents not available digitally
3. Tax Collector / Treasurer Website
The Union County Treasurer's Office provides online access to real estate tax information. Members of the public may search by property address, owner name, parcel number, or tax account number. Information available includes current tax bill amounts, payment history, outstanding balances, exemptions applied, millage rates, and payment options. The Treasurer's office accepts payments and provides delinquency information for parcels with unpaid taxes.
4. GIS / Mapping System
The county's GIS mapping system, accessible through the property information portal, provides interactive aerial photography, property boundary overlays, zoning layers, and flood zone designations. Users may navigate the map to a specific location, click on a parcel to retrieve property data, and access linked records from the Auditor and Recorder databases.
In-Person Searches
Property Appraiser / Auditor Office:
Union County Auditor's Office
233 W. Sixth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3003
Union County Auditor
Public access computers are available for on-site searches. Staff members are available to assist with parcel lookups, property cards, plat maps, and exemption application inquiries. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Recorder's Office:
Union County Recorder's Office
233 W. Sixth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3006
Union County Recorder
Members of the public may inspect official records, request certified copies, and search grantor/grantee indexes. Staff can assist with locating documents by book and page number or instrument number. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Treasurer's Office:
Union County Treasurer's Office
233 W. Sixth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3035
Union County Treasurer
Services include tax payment processing, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
By Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests to the Recorder's Office for copies of recorded documents. Requests should specify the document by instrument number, book and page reference, or property address with an approximate date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee. Mail requests to:
Union County Recorder's Office
233 W. Sixth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Through Professionals
Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and produce abstracts of title identifying all recorded interests in a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership disputes. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and compile comparable sales data as part of their representation services.
Search Tips
- When searching by address, attempt variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
- When searching by owner name, try last name first and check spelling variations, including maiden names and business entity names
- For historical records not available online, contact the Recorder's Office directly, as older documents may be stored on microfilm or in bound record books
- Very recent transactions may not yet appear in online indexes due to recording processing delays
- Verify results by cross-referencing the parcel ID number across the Auditor, Recorder, and Treasurer databases
What Is Union County Property Records
Property records are official documents related to real property — land and the structures affixed to it — maintained by county government as part of the public record. Under Ohio Revised Code § 317.08, the County Recorder is required to record all instruments conveying or encumbering real estate, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plat maps. These records establish legal ownership, provide the chain of title, document encumbrances, and support property tax assessment.
As stated by the Union County Auditor's Office, "Union County maintains approximately 32,800 property records. It is the duty of the Auditor's Office to see that every parcel of land and the buildings thereon are appraised and assessed for tax purposes." This assessment function is distinct from the recording function of the Recorder's Office but relies on the same underlying parcel data.
Types of Property Records:
- Ownership Records: Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, life estate deeds, and trust documents affecting title
- Encumbrance Records: Mortgages, deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, tax liens, easements, restrictive covenants, HOA documents, and lis pendens filings
- Tax and Assessment Records: Property tax assessments, tax bills, payment history, exemption applications, millage rates, and special assessments
- Legal Descriptions: Plat maps, subdivision plats, surveys, lot and block information, and metes and bounds descriptions
- Building and Permit Records: Building permits, certificates of occupancy, code violations, and zoning designations
Who Maintains Property Records:
- Union County Recorder's Office — Records and indexes all instruments affecting title, including deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Union County Auditor's Office — Maintains property valuations, assessment records, property characteristics, ownership information, and exemption data
- Union County Treasurer's Office — Maintains tax bills, payment records, delinquent tax records, and tax certificate information
- Union County Building and Zoning Department — Maintains permits, inspection records, zoning designations, and code enforcement files
The legal framework governing property records in Ohio is established primarily under Ohio Revised Code § 5301, which governs the conveyance of real property, recording requirements, and the constructive notice principles that make the recording system effective. Recorded instruments provide constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers, meaning that any person acquiring an interest in real property is presumed to have knowledge of all previously recorded documents.
Are Property Records Public Information in Union County?
Property records in Union County are public records accessible to any member of the public. Ohio's public records law, codified at Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, establishes that public records must be made available for inspection and copying upon request. No special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement is necessary to access property records. This principle reflects centuries of American common law tradition establishing that land ownership records must be open to public inspection to support the integrity of the real estate marketplace.
Why Property Records Are Public:
- Transparency: Public access to ownership information prevents fraudulent transfers and supports accountability in property taxation
- Commercial Function: Title searches, title insurance, property appraisals, mortgage lending, and real estate transactions all depend on open access to recorded instruments
- Legal Protections: The recording system provides constructive notice, establishes chain of title, and enables enforcement of property rights
- Public Interest: Tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, and genealogical research all rely on publicly accessible property data
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Sale prices and transfer dates
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Liens and encumbrances of record
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property characteristics (size, age, construction type)
- Deeds and all recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations:
Under current Ohio law, Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from recorded documents before public release. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence or stalking — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under Ohio's Address Confidentiality Program. Homestead exemption applications may contain personal financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; the Auditor's Office maintains policies governing access to such materials.
Who May Access Property Records:
Any person may access property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property investors, genealogists, historians, and members of the media. Commercial entities may aggregate public property records for subscription-based services, which is a lawful use of publicly available data, subject to applicable anti-harassment and fair housing laws.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Union County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. Under Ohio Revised Code § 317.32, the Recorder's Office is authorized to charge fees for recording and copying services. Current standard fees are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of recorded document (per page) | $2.00 |
| Certified copy of recorded document (per page) | $2.00 + $1.00 certification fee |
| Recording a deed or mortgage (first two pages) | $34.00 |
| Each additional page | $8.00 |
| Online document viewing (Recorder's index) | Free |
| Auditor property search (Beacon portal) | Free |
| Treasurer tax information search | Free |
- Online access to the Auditor's Beacon portal, the Recorder's document index, and the Treasurer's tax search is provided at no charge
- In-person inspection of records at any county office is free of charge
- Copies of documents are subject to per-page fees as listed above
- Certified copies carry an additional certification fee and are required for legal proceedings
- Payment is accepted in person by cash, check, or money order; the Treasurer's Office also accepts credit card payments for tax obligations
- Fee waivers are not broadly available for standard copy requests; members of the public with financial hardship concerns should contact the applicable office directly
What's Included in a Union County Property Record?
A complete Union County property record draws from multiple county databases and may include the following categories of information:
Ownership Information:
- Current owner name(s) and ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, trust, LLC, corporation, or life estate)
- Acquisition date and deed instrument reference
- Mailing address for tax billing purposes
- Chain of title with previous owner names and transfer dates
Property Identification:
- Site address and mailing address
- Parcel ID number and tax account number
- Legal description including lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, and metes and bounds description where applicable
Physical Characteristics:
- Lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, and frontage
- Total living area, year built, number of stories, and building type
- Construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, and foundation type
- Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and total rooms
- Additional features including garage, pool, porch, fireplace, HVAC type, water source, and sewer system
Valuation Information:
- Land value, building value, and total assessed value
- Market value estimate and assessment year
- Historical assessed values for prior years
Tax Information:
- Current year tax amount, taxable value after exemptions, and millage rate
- Breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, municipality, special districts)
- Tax payment history and delinquency status
- Exemptions applied, including homestead, senior, disability, and veteran exemptions
Sales History:
- Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document references for recent transfers
- Grantor and grantee names, sale type designation, and documentary stamp amounts
Encumbrances and Liens:
- Recorded mortgages with lender names, recording dates, and original amounts
- Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and HOA liens with amounts and recording dates
- Easements, restrictive covenants, and lis pendens filings
Legal and Regulatory Information:
- Zoning classification and land use designation
- Special district assignments (school, fire, water)
- Flood zone designation per FEMA mapping
- Deed restrictions and subdivision covenants
Maps and Images:
- Property photograph, aerial image, GIS boundary map, plat map, and building sketch
What Is Not Typically Included:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Interior photographs
- Confidential exemption application details
- Social Security numbers (redacted under current law)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Union County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Union County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting title — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are never destroyed. This permanent retention requirement reflects both the legal necessity of an unbroken chain of title and the statutory obligations imposed on county recorders under Ohio law. The Ohio Records Commission establishes retention schedules for county government records, and instruments recorded in the official records index are classified as permanent under those schedules.
Records Kept Permanently:
- All recorded deeds, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and trustee's deeds, dating back to the county's formation
- All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, and releases
- All recorded liens and lien releases
- All plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
- All easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
- All court documents and powers of attorney affecting title
Format and Storage:
Historical records from the early periods of Union County's existence are preserved in handwritten ledger books. Mid-twentieth century records are available on microfilm. Records from more recent decades have been scanned and are accessible through digital document management systems. The Recorder's Office maintains climate-controlled storage for paper and microfilm archives, with digital backups for electronically stored records.
Online Availability by Time Period:
| Time Period | Access Method |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20+ years) | Fully online via Recorder's index |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | May be online; microfilm available in-person |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person at courthouse; microfilm or bound books |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice may be required |
Property Appraiser / Auditor Records:
Assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls are maintained permanently. The Beacon portal currently displays historical assessment data for recent years; older assessment history is available at the Auditor's Office. Exemption applications are retained according to the applicable state records retention schedule, which varies by document type.
Tax Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquency records are maintained for several years following resolution. The Treasurer's online portal displays recent payment history; older records are available upon request at the office.
Accessing Historical Records:
Members of the public seeking records not available through online portals should contact the Recorder's Office directly. Staff can retrieve documents from microfilm or bound record books. For very old records, advance notice is recommended to allow for retrieval from archive storage. Standard copy fees apply regardless of the age of the document.
Union County Recorder's Office
233 W. Sixth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3006
Union County Recorder
How To Find Liens on Property in Union County?
Liens on property in Union County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the Recorder's Office. A lien search requires reviewing the grantor/grantee index for any recorded encumbrances against a specific parcel or property owner. Members of the public, title professionals, and attorneys may conduct lien searches through the following methods:
Step 1 — Search the Recorder's Official Records Index
Access the Recorder's official records search and search by the property owner's name as grantor. Review all recorded instruments for the relevant time period, including mortgages, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, tax liens, and lis pendens filings. Note the instrument number, recording date, and document type for each result.
Step 2 — Search the Auditor's Property Records
The Beacon property search portal displays encumbrance information linked to individual parcels, including recorded mortgages and certain lien types. This resource provides a useful starting point but should not be treated as a substitute for a full title search through the Recorder's index.
Step 3 — Search the Treasurer's Records for Tax Liens
Delinquent real estate taxes constitute a lien on the property by operation of law. The Treasurer's Office maintains records of outstanding tax obligations, delinquent accounts, and tax certificate issuances. Members of the public may search tax delinquency status online or by contacting the Treasurer's Office directly.
Step 4 — Search Federal Tax Lien Records
Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the County Recorder. These appear in the grantor/grantee index under the taxpayer's name. The IRS also maintains a federal tax lien search tool through the IRS website.
Step 5 — Search Court Records for Judgment Liens
Judgment liens arise from court judgments and are recorded with the Recorder's Office to attach to real property. Members of the public may also search the Union County Court of Common Pleas case index to identify judgments that may have been converted to recorded liens.
Types of Liens Searchable Through the Recorder's Index:
- Mortgage liens (voluntary encumbrances)
- Mechanic's liens (filed by contractors and materialmen)
- Judgment liens (arising from civil court judgments)
- Federal and state tax liens
- HOA assessment liens
- Code enforcement liens
- Child support liens
Union County Recorder's Office
233 W. Sixth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3006
Union County Recorder
For a comprehensive lien search in connection with a real estate transaction, engagement of a licensed title company or real estate attorney is the standard practice. Title professionals conduct full chain-of-title searches and issue title insurance commitments that identify all recorded encumbrances.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Union County?
The property owner rule in Ohio governs the manner in which ownership of real property is established, transferred, and protected. Under Ohio law, ownership of real property is conveyed by a written instrument — a deed — that must be executed, acknowledged, and recorded with the County Recorder to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers. This requirement is codified at Ohio Revised Code § 5301.25, which provides that all instruments conveying or encumbering real estate must be recorded to be effective against third parties without actual notice.
Forms of Property Ownership in Ohio:
- Sole Ownership: A single individual holds title in their name alone
- Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship: Two or more persons hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) automatically acquire the deceased owner's interest without probate
- Tenancy in Common: Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
- Tenancy by the Entirety: A form of joint ownership available only to legally married spouses in Ohio, providing certain protections against individual creditors
- Trust Ownership: Title is held by a trustee for the benefit of named beneficiaries
- Entity Ownership: LLCs, corporations, and partnerships may hold title to real property in Ohio
Recording Requirements:
A deed conveying real property in Union County must be presented to the County Auditor for transfer and then recorded with the County Recorder. The Auditor's Office verifies that the conveyance complies with applicable transfer requirements and endorses the deed before it is accepted for recording. The Recorder indexes the instrument in the grantor/grantee index, making it part of the permanent public record.
Adverse Possession:
Ohio recognizes the doctrine of adverse possession, under which a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely occupies another's land for a period of twenty-one years may acquire legal title. Claims of adverse possession are adjudicated through the courts, and a successful claimant must obtain a court judgment that is then recorded with the Recorder's Office to establish title of record.
Homestead Protections:
Ohio does not provide a constitutional homestead exemption protecting a primary residence from forced sale by general creditors in the same manner as some other states. However, Ohio does provide a homestead exemption for property tax purposes, reducing the taxable value of a qualifying owner-occupied residence. Applications are filed with the Union County Auditor's Office. As noted on the real estate assessments page, the Auditor's Office is responsible for administering exemption programs and ensuring that every parcel is properly appraised and assessed.
Union County Auditor's Office
233 W. Sixth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3003
Union County Auditor