Adams County Property Records

Adams County property records are managed by the County Auditor and County Recorder in West Union. You can search for deeds, tax data, and parcel maps through the Auditor's Beacon system or visit the courthouse in person. The Auditor handles all property valuations and tax calculations for roughly 11,000 parcels across the county. The Recorder keeps deeds, mortgages, and liens on file for public access. Both offices sit at 110 West Main Street and are open on weekdays. Ohio law makes these records public, so you can look them up at no cost for basic searches.

Adams County Auditor Office

The Adams County Auditor serves as the chief fiscal officer, chief assessor, and chief payroll officer for the county. This office sets fair market values on all land and buildings in Adams County, then calculates each owner's tax bill based on local levy rates. The Adams County Auditor's website gives free access to property data through the Beacon search system. You can pull up any parcel by owner name, address, or parcel ID. The results show ownership details, assessed value, market value, tax history, building info, and sales records. Training videos are on the site for first-time users who need help with the search tools.

The office is at 110 West Main Street, West Union, OH 45693. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call (937) 544-2364 with questions. A downloadable database option lets you grab the full Adams County property database for offline use, which is handy for bulk research.

The Auditor also runs the county GIS map system. You can view parcel lines over aerial photos and click on any lot to see the full record. Maps can be printed or exported for your own use.

The Adams County Auditor website provides the main portal for property searches and tax info in Adams County.

The Beacon system on this site lets you search by owner name, address, or parcel number and view full property details.

Search Adams County Property Records Online

Start at the Auditor's website. Use the QuickSearch bar at the top right of the page for fast lookups. Type in a name, address, or parcel number and the system pulls up matching records. Each result shows the owner, property address, legal description, and current values. You can also view building details like square footage, room count, year built, and construction type. Sales history data shows past sale dates, prices, and buyer and seller names going back several years.

The GIS mapping tool is another way to find parcels. Click on the map to zoom in to a specific area, then tap any lot to see its record card. The map shows property lines laid over aerial photos so you can see lot shapes and boundaries. These maps are for tax purposes only. They show approximate boundaries. If you need exact lines, hire a licensed surveyor.

For recorded documents like deeds and mortgages, use the Recorder's search system. You can look up records by grantor or grantee name, document number, or book and page. Under ORC Section 149.43, all property records held by county offices are public and free to inspect during business hours.

Adams County Recorder and Deeds

The Adams County Recorder's Office stores all official land records. Chris Moore serves as the Recorder and handles all recording inquiries. The office files deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other documents that affect real property title. When land changes hands, the new deed must be recorded here to give public notice of the transfer.

The Recorder's Office is at 110 West Main Street, Room 133, West Union, OH 45693. You can call at 937-544-5051 or 937-544-2513. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Copy fees run $2 per page with a $1 certification fee per document, as set by the Ohio Revised Code. Before any deed can be recorded, the buyer must present it to the County Auditor along with a Conveyance Fee Statement (DTE Form 100) under ORC Section 319.202.

The Adams County Recorder maintains all deeds, mortgages, and liens for public access.

Documents are indexed so you can search by name, parcel number, or book and page reference.

Adams County Property Tax Records

Property taxes in Adams County fund local schools, roads, and public safety. The Auditor sets the assessed value at 35% of market value under ORC Section 319.54. Tax rates are expressed in mills, with one mill equal to $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. The Ohio Property Tax Rate Database shows current rates for all taxing districts in Adams County, including townships, school districts, and special levies.

Ohio law requires a full reappraisal every six years with a statistical update at the three-year mark. The Ohio Department of Taxation certifies value changes based on sales ratio studies. Conveyance fees in Adams County follow the state cap of $4.00 per $1,000 of sale price plus $0.50 per parcel under ORC Section 319.20.

Homestead Exemption in Adams County

The Homestead Exemption shields up to $25,000 of market value from taxation. It is open to homeowners age 65 and older or those with a permanent disability. Your Ohio Modified Adjusted Gross Income must be under $40,000. You must own and live in the home as your main residence. Apply by December 31st of the year you want the exemption. The Adams County Homestead Exemption page has the application form and details.

The form must be signed under penalty of perjury. Making a false statement is a fourth-degree misdemeanor. If convicted, you must repay the exempted taxes plus interest. You also lose eligibility for three years. Call the Auditor at 937-544-2364 with questions about eligibility or the application process.

Details about the Adams County Homestead Exemption program are posted on the Auditor's site.

Applications must be filed by December 31st and cannot be accepted late under Ohio law.

Adams County Property Records Resources

The GeoOhio Statewide Parcel Viewer lets you search parcels across county lines and links back to the local Auditor site for full details. This is useful when you need to compare properties in Adams County with those in neighboring areas. The Ohio State Owned Real Property Database shows state-controlled land in Adams County, including parks and wildlife areas.

The Ohio Secretary of State business search helps when the property owner is a corporate entity or LLC. You can look up the registered agent and contact info for any business holding real estate in Adams County. For historical property photos, the Ohio Digital Network has auditor assessment images from the early to mid-20th century.

Nearby Counties

Adams County sits in southern Ohio along the Ohio River. If you need property records from a neighboring county, these pages may help.