What's recorded
When real estate in Cook County changes hands, the deed is recorded with the county so the transfer becomes part of the public record. Besides deeds, the land records include:
- Deeds — warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, executor's and others (see Illinois deed types)
- Mortgages and their releases once paid off
- Liens — mechanics liens, tax liens, HOA/condo liens
- Lis pendens — notice of a pending lawsuit such as a foreclosure
- Judgments, easements, plats and condo declarations
- Transfer on death instruments (TODIs)
The Recorder of Deeds is now part of the County Clerk
Cook County voters approved eliminating the separate Recorder of Deeds office, and in December 2020 its functions moved to the Cook County Clerk. Old references to the "Cook County Recorder" now mean the Clerk's Recordings division. Document numbers from before and after the merger remain valid.
How to search by address or PIN
Every parcel in Cook County has a 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN), written like 14-06-407-037-0000. County land records are indexed by PIN, not street address. So searching is a two-step job:
- Find the PIN for the address (from a tax bill, the Assessor, or our free search below).
- Search the Clerk's index by that PIN to see every recorded document.
Find the PIN and deed history for free
Our free history shows recorded sales from the Assessor's data. For mortgages, liens and other documents, search the Clerk's index yourself or order a Property Title Report. Want the document? See how to get a copy.