Official Website for Madison County, Iowa
The Office of the Iowa County Recorder was created by the First Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa in 1839.
Since the creation of the County Recorder's office, numerous additional responsibilities have been added over the years.
The County Recorder is responsible for land and records management, maintaining and recording a wide variety of official documents affecting real estate and numerous other valuable miscellaneous documents. The office collects real estate transfer tax for the Iowa Department of Revenue and collects and reports the County Auditor's fee on transfer of property.
The Recorder's office serves as a licensing agent for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources by issuing fishing and hunting licenses, and registering and titling boats, snowmobiles and ATV's.
As of July, 1997 the Recorder's office is the County Registrar of Vital Records and has the responsibility of issuing Marriage Licenses, registering Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates and issuing certified copies of Vital Records.
The Recorder's duties are defined by state statutes and established by state agencies through administrative actions. The County Recorder works with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Revenue, Iowa Department of Public Health and the U.S. Department of State Federal Passport Agency. Detailed reports are filed monthly and annually to the county and to the state agencies.
Madison County Recorder/Registrar charges the following amounts for services listed.
*** Send a self-addressed stamped return envelope with all filings.
*** Most documents are returned in 4-5 days.
Mail to and make checks payable to
Madison County Recorder
112 N John Wayne Dr.
PO Box 152
Winterset, IA 50273
Copy Fees
Copies: $ 0.50 per page
Certified Copies: $ 5.00 certification fee, plus $ 0.50 per page copy fee
Recording Fees
$7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 for each additional page
EXCEPT FOR THE FOLLOWING
Plats of survey: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 for each additional page
Documents that convey property: $7.00 for 1st page, plus $5.00 for each additional page, PLUS
Auditor transfer fee of $5.00 for each township section or city block
REAL ESTATE
DNR, LICENSE, & REGISTRATION
MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS
Military discharge papers (DD 214’s) may be filed in the Madison County Recorder’s office. An original or certified copy is needed for filing purposes.
If you wish to request a certified copy of a military discharge, please complete and return the application. This may be done in person or through the mail. Please send a photo copy of your driver’s license if mailing. Entitlement has to be proven before a certified copy can be issued. There is no charge to record or obtain a certified copy of a military record.
Additional resources:
Madison County Veterans Affairs
If enlisted from the state of Iowa:
Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs
7700 Northwest Beaver Dr., Building A6A
Camp Dodge
Johnston, IA 50131-1902
Phone: (515) 242-5331
DOCUMENTS AND FORMS
REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX CALCULATOR
To use the calculator, enter the amount paid in the top field. The rest of the fields will automatically calculate showing the process to calculate the amount.
Enter the amount paid in the top field, the rest will auto-calculate.
Total Amount Paid (Must be < $ 99,999,999)
Rounded Up to Nearest $ 500 Increment
Exemption
Taxable Amount
Tax Rate
Tax Amount Due
You may calculate real estate transfer tax by entering the total amount paid for the property.
This calculation is based on $1.60 per thousand and the first $500 is exempt.
GENEALOGY INFORMATION
Genealogy research is not performed by the Madison County Recorder’s office. However, this office has land and vital records that are open to the public.
Recorder's Office Contact Information
Madison County Annex
PO Box 152
201 W Court Ave
Winterset, Iowa 50273
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Phone number: (515) 462-3771
Fax number: (515) 462-5006
Recorder/Registrar: Lisa K. Smith
Term Expires: 12/31/2022
1st Deputy: Brandy Macumber
2nd Deputy: Lori Belgarde
View All Documents and Forms used in the Recorder's Office