Quick Answer
Recording fees are collected at closing and passed through to the county recorder so your deed and mortgage are on file. They are a standard, relatively modest line item compared to bigger costs like lender fees or title insurance.
- Paid to
- The county recorder's office
- What it covers
- Recording the deed and mortgage
- Who typically pays
- Buyer, per the purchase agreement
- Where it appears
- Your Closing Disclosure and settlement statement
What Gets Recorded and Why
When you buy a home, the county recorder's office needs an official copy of your new deed and, if you financed the purchase, your mortgage document. Recording puts the transaction into the public record, which protects your ownership and establishes the lender's lien.
Each county sets its own per-page recording fee, which your title company collects at closing and forwards to the recorder.
How Recording Fees Fit Into Your Closing Costs
Recording fees are usually a small fraction of your overall closing costs compared to lender fees, title insurance, or prepaid escrow items. They are itemized separately on your Closing Disclosure so you can see exactly what is being charged.
Because they are set by the county rather than negotiable, there is little room to shop around on this particular fee.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Recording fees
Who pays recording fees, buyer or seller?
This is negotiable, but the buyer typically pays the fee to record the deed and mortgage.
Do recording fees vary by county?
Yes, each Indiana county recorder sets its own fee schedule.
Are recording fees the same as transfer tax?
No. Indiana does not charge a transfer tax; recording fees are a separate administrative charge for filing documents.
Can I negotiate recording fees?
No, they are set by the county recorder and are not negotiable, unlike some lender or title fees.