Iowa · Document Recording
Recording a Deed or Document in Shelby County, IA
Shelby County (population 11,746) records real-property documents through the Shelby 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.
Shelby County recording — the essentials
- Recording office
- Shelby County Recorder
- Recording fee
- $7 first page first / $5 per additional page add'l (+$5 auditor's transfer fee per block/section/addition/subdivision referenced (capped at $50 per instrument); certification fee $6 + $1/page copy fee)
- Mailing address
- Shelby County Recorder (Geralyn Greer), 612 Court St, Room 201, Harlan, IA 51537
- Phone
- 712-755-5640
- Checks payable to
- Shelby County Recorder
- Electronic recording
- Available via Simplifile
Formatting note: No separate cover sheet mandated; see county's published Document Formatting Standards page
Can you e-record in Shelby County?
Yes. Shelby 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 Shelby County, Iowa
- Prepare the document so it meets Shelby 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 Shelby County Recorder at Shelby County Recorder (Geralyn Greer), 612 Court St, Room 201, Harlan, IA 51537.
- Pay the recording fee ($7 first page first / $5 per additional page add'l (+$5 auditor's transfer fee per block/section/addition/subdivision referenced (capped at $50 per instrument); certification fee $6 + $1/page copy fee)).
- Receive the recorded instrument back with its book/page or instrument number as proof of record.
How Jurably helps in Shelby 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 Shelby 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.
Shelby County recording — FAQ
How much does it cost to record a document in Shelby County?
The Shelby County Recorder charges $7 first page first / $5 per additional page add'l (+$5 auditor's transfer fee per block/section/addition/subdivision referenced (capped at $50 per instrument); certification fee $6 + $1/page copy fee), with checks payable to Shelby County Recorder. Additional fees may apply for extra pages, indexing, or specific document types.
Can you record documents electronically in Shelby County?
Yes. Shelby 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 Shelby County?
Mail recordings to Shelby County Recorder: Shelby County Recorder (Geralyn Greer), 612 Court St, Room 201, Harlan, IA 51537 (712-755-5640).
How can Jurably help with recording in Shelby County?
If you’re securing a real-estate contract, Jurably files a memorandum of contract in Shelby 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 Shelby County recorder in person.
Other Iowa counties
Jurably in Iowa
Under contract in Shelby County? Secure it.
Jurably files a memorandum to protect your deal, notarizes what you need, and records it — no courthouse trip.