The Ottawa County Auditor maintains the most comprehensive set of real estate records available in Ottawa County. The Real Estate Division oversees the appraisal of more than 35,000 parcels and compiles information for all residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and tax exempt properties in Ottawa County. This division offers a wide array of information, including maps and ownership records, with four PC’s for public access – two in the auditor’s office, one in the treasurer’s office and one in the recorder’s office.
Transfer and identification documents track the transfer of parcels and maintain the Auditor’s parcel numbering system for tax purposes. Under Ohio Law, all real estate transfer-related documents must be presented to the County Auditor before recording. Transfers are done in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code Section 319.203.
Transfer Fees: Real Estate transfers are subject to two types of fees at the Auditor’s Office: the conveyance fee and the transfer fee.
Conveyance Fee: The conveyance fee for Ottawa County is $4.00 per thousand dollars conveyed (rounded to the nearest $ .10). For example, if the sale amount is $100,000, the conveyance fee would be determined by multiplying $100,000 by $ .004 ($100,000 x .004 = $400.) Taxable transfers under $1000 are subject to a $4.00 minimum conveyance fee. Make checks payable to the Ottawa County Auditor. Certain property transfers are exempt from conveyance fees.
Transfer Fee: The transfer fee is $ .50 per lot or parcel transferred. For example, if 3 parcels are transferred in a deed, $1.50 will be charged as a transfer fee. If one parcel with three lots transfers, $1.50 will be charged. Make checks payable to the Ottawa County Auditor.
Deeds: Must have accurate legal description. Legal description must include township or city/village, county and state where the parcel is situated.
Prior Deeds and New Surveys: Necessary only if the legal description involves more than a lot number. (NOTE: New land surveys must be reviewed and approved by the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office prior to any transfer of surveyed property.) Legal descriptions on the instrument for transfer should exactly match the legal description on the prior deed or new survey.
Splits: Land surveys are generally required in order to accurately describe and transfer a newly spilt parcel. The Ottawa County Regional Planning Commission or City Planning must approve the transfer before presenting to the Auditor’s Office, if the split creates a parcel containing 5.001 acres of land or less or leaves a remainder of 5.001 acres or less.