About the Scioto County Recorder's Office
The Scioto County Recorder's Office, located in the Scioto County Courthouse in Portsmouth, Ohio, is dedicated to serving the public by maintaining accurate and accessible records of property transactions and other legal documents. As an essential part of county government, our office ensures the integrity and preservation of records for the benefit of all.
Our primary responsibilities include recording and indexing deeds, mortgages, liens, leases, and other documents that affect property ownership. We also maintain records of military discharges, powers of attorney, and certain types of plats and surveys. The Recorder's Office provides public access to these records, enabling individuals to research property titles, verify ownership, and obtain copies of documents.
Led by Recorder Gary Jenkins, our team is committed to delivering excellent customer service, utilizing modern technology to streamline processes, and safeguarding historical records. We strive to make our services efficient and user-friendly, whether you visit our office in person, access records online, or request assistance with document filing.
Duties of a County Recorder in Ohio
In Ohio, it is the County Recorder who has the important and key task of safekeeping the documents pertaining to land ownership and encumbrances. Without the work of the County Recorder in maintaining these records, it would be nearly impossible to purchase land with assurance of a clear title and to lend money with land as security.
The duties of the Recorder include:
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Maintaining a complete and accurate record of every document pertaining to the conveyance and encumbrance of land within the county
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Retaining such records in archival form and makes them constantly accessible to the public
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Taking great care to ensure that every document is accurately filed, recorded, and indexed
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Enforcing more than 1,000 sections of the Ohio Revised Code pertaining to the duties of the Recorder's Office
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Performing all accounting functions necessary for the operation of the Recorder's Office, including preparation of annual budgets, purchase orders, payroll information, and personnel files
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Collecting recording fees pursuant to Ohio law, and deposits these monies into the County General Fund
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Maintaining an accurate record of all funds appropriated to the Recorder's Office for its operation
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Filing annually an ethics report, inventory of office equipment, and affirmative action report as required by law
