How do I search recorder of deeds records in Lake County, IL?
Answered by Eshu Chikoti · Licensed Illinois real estate broker, RE/MAX Top Performers
Answered October 10, 2026 · Lake County
In Lake County, IL, deeds, mortgages and releases are kept by the Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk's Office, the office most people still search for as the Recorder of Deeds. Its records date back to 1844 and also include plats of subdivision, liens and releases, annexation ordinances and Uniform Commercial Code filings. You can view deeds, mortgages and releases free at the office on the 6th floor of 18 N. County Street in Waukegan, open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, or sign up for an online subscription to search around the clock. Copies can be ordered in person, by mail, by phone at 847-377-2575, or by email to recorder@lakecountyil.gov. Staff can help you trace ownership on a public terminal, but they cannot perform a title search; only a title company can.
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About the author
Licensed Illinois real estate broker, RE/MAX Top Performers
I help people buy, sell and rent homes across Lake County. Each answer here is researched from the sources listed above.