Iowa · Document Recording
Recording a Deed or Document in Polk County, IA
Polk County (population 492,401) records real-property documents through the Polk County Recorder. Below is what it costs, how to submit, and how Jurably can prepare, notarize, and record your document for you — without a trip to the courthouse.
Polk County recording — the essentials
- Recording office
- Polk County Recorder
- Recording fee
- $12 first page (deeds/contracts/changes of title); $7 first page (mortgages/releases); plus $5 auditor's transfer fee per parcel on deeds first / $5 per additional page (all document types) add'l (+$5 auditor's transfer fee per separate parcel conveyed; standard IA $1 records management + $1 e-commerce fee per transaction typically included)
- Mailing address
- Polk County Recorder, 111 Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Phone
- 515-286-3160
- Checks payable to
- Polk County Recorder
- Electronic recording
- Available via Simplifile
Formatting note: No separate cover sheet form mandated, but first page must reserve a 3-inch top margin for recorder use and contain preparer/return-address/grantor-grantee info per Iowa Code 331.606A/558.55 statutory formatting
Can you e-record in Polk County?
Yes. Polk County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, so a properly formatted document can be recorded the same or next business day without mailing paper.
How to record a document in Polk County, Iowa
- Prepare the document so it meets Polk County formatting rules (legal description, grantee address, signature block, and the blank margin the recorder reserves for its stamp).
- Notarize it if the instrument requires acknowledgment — most deeds and affidavits do.
- Submit electronically through Simplifile, or by mail to Polk County Recorder at Polk County Recorder, 111 Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309.
- Pay the recording fee ($12 first page (deeds/contracts/changes of title); $7 first page (mortgages/releases); plus $5 auditor's transfer fee per parcel on deeds first / $5 per additional page (all document types) add'l (+$5 auditor's transfer fee per separate parcel conveyed; standard IA $1 records management + $1 e-commerce fee per transaction typically included)).
- Receive the recorded instrument back with its book/page or instrument number as proof of record.
How Jurably helps in Polk County
Jurably isn’t a deed-filing desk — it’s how real-estate investors get the important paperwork done. If you’re under contract on a Polk County property, we file a memorandum of contract to secure your equitable interest so the seller can’t sell out from under you. Need it notarized first? We handle online notarization or send a mobile notary to your signer. Then we record it — electronically through the county’s approved network — and return the recorded instrument. It’s a self-help filing service, not legal advice.
Polk County recording — FAQ
How much does it cost to record a document in Polk County?
The Polk County Recorder charges $12 first page (deeds/contracts/changes of title); $7 first page (mortgages/releases); plus $5 auditor's transfer fee per parcel on deeds first / $5 per additional page (all document types) add'l (+$5 auditor's transfer fee per separate parcel conveyed; standard IA $1 records management + $1 e-commerce fee per transaction typically included), with checks payable to Polk County Recorder. Additional fees may apply for extra pages, indexing, or specific document types.
Can you record documents electronically in Polk County?
Yes. Polk County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, so a properly formatted document can be recorded the same or next business day without mailing paper.
Where do I send documents for recording in Polk County?
Mail recordings to Polk County Recorder: Polk County Recorder, 111 Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309 (515-286-3160).
How can Jurably help with recording in Polk County?
If you’re securing a real-estate contract, Jurably files a memorandum of contract in Polk County to protect your equitable interest; we also notarize documents online or in person and record them for you. Upload your document and we prepare, notarize, and file it — so you never have to visit the Polk County recorder in person.
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Under contract in Polk County? Secure it.
Jurably files a memorandum to protect your deal, notarizes what you need, and records it — no courthouse trip.