Defiance County Recorder Mechanics Lien Filing

You can file your mechanic liens in person at the Defiance County Recorder’s Office located at:

500 Second Street, Suite 201
Defiance, Ohio 43512

P: (419) 782-4741
F: (419) 782-3421
recorder@defiance-county.com

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

The Defiance County Recorder’s Office does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog. However, note that the county’s document turnaround time is 3 days.

If your construction project is located in Defiance County, then yes, you should file your lien here.

The Defiance County Recorder’s recording requirements are as follows:

1. Anywhere there is a signature on the document there needs to be a corresponding printed or typed name (ORC 317.11).
2. There must be a “Prepared by” statement on the document (ORC 317.11).
3. Be certain that the appropriate notary seals are included.
4. Documents must be legible and allow for reproduction or scanning that provides a legible copy (ORC 317.12).
5. Entire document must be in English, or be a certified English translation (ORC 317.113).
6. All conveyances must have the Auditor’s stamp prior to recording (ORC 317.22). The conveyance requirements are in ORC 319.202, on the Engineer’s website under the Maps, Plat Books & Survey section, or you may call the Auditor at 419-782-1926 prior to recording.
7. Documents must have an appropriate legal description. Some documents require legal descriptions to be approved the Engineer’s office prior to recording. (Phone #419-782-4751 and Fax #419-782-3031).
8. Properly reference previously recorded documents when necessary for marginal notations. There is an additional fee for marginal notations.
9. Page Format Requirements (ORC 317.114).

* Black or blue ink only.
* Documents must be legible print size, font no smaller than 10 point.
* First page must have a three inch (3”) blank top margin.
* Each additional page must have a one and a half inch (1 ½”) blank top margin.
* Every page must have bottom and side margins of one inch (1”).
* Maximum paper size is eight and one half inches by fourteen inches (8 ½” x 14”).
* Minimum paper size is eight and one half inches by 11 inches (8 ½” x 11”).
* No highlighting anywhere in the document.
* Make certain that you have included the appropriate fee. Any page with writing is charged as a separate page.
* Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of the document.

10. Make certain that you have included the appropriate fee. Any page with writing is charged as a separate page.
11. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of the document.

The Defiance County Recorder’s document standardization guidelines are as follows:

* Black or blue ink only.
* Documents must be legible print size, font no smaller than 10 point.
* First page must have a three inch (3”) blank top margin.
* Each additional page must have a one and a half inch (1 ½”) blank top margin.
* Every page must have bottom and side margins of one inch (1”).
* Maximum paper size is eight and one half inches by fourteen inches (8 ½” x 14”).
* Minimum paper size is eight and one half inches by 11 inches (8 ½” x 11”).
* No highlighting anywhere in the document.
* Make certain that you have included the appropriate fee. Any page with writing is charged as a separate page.
* Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of the document.

The Defiance County Recorder’s recording fees are as follows:

Recording Fee

Basic Recording Fee: $28.00 for the first two pages and $8.00 for each additional page

Marginal Reference: $4.00 each marginal reference

Copy Fees

Copies made by the public: $0.25 per copy

Copies made by the Recorder’s Staff: $2.00 per copy per ORC 317.32(I)

You can obtain a recorded copy of your lien in person at the Defiance County Recorder’s Office located at:

500 Second Street, Suite 201
Defiance, Ohio 43512

P: (419) 782-4741
F: (419) 782-3421
recorder@defiance-county.com

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Copy fees are as follows:

Copies made by the public: $0.25 per copy
Copies made by the Recorder’s Staff: $2.00 per copy per ORC 317.32(I)

You can also search for Defiance County’s recorded documents online free of charge at: https://ohintlaredo.fidlar.com/OHDefiance/AvaWeb/#!/search

You can get the property’s legal description from the Defiance County Recorder’s Office in person.

You can search for Defiance County’s recorded documents online free of charge at: https://ohintlaredo.fidlar.com/OHDefiance/AvaWeb/#!/search

You can also search for property legal descriptions online with the Defiance County Auditor at: http://defiance.ddti.net/