Real Property Department

CHECK/CASH ONLY

Responsibilities

The Hamilton County Auditor’s Office is responsible for maintaining property tax maps and ownership records for the entire county. All deeds transferring property must be processed through the Real Property Department of the Auditor’s Office prior to being processed by the Hamilton County Recorder.

File Deductions Online

How to file online

Professional Assistance

If you are need to transfer a piece of property, it is recommended that you seek professional assistance from an Attorney or Title Company. The Auditor's Office Staff does not prepare legal documents. Your deed must be prepared and notarized PRIOR to bringing it to the Real Property Department for approval.

Sign up and be informed!

The Federal Bureau of Investigation counts property fraud, also known as deed fraud, as one of the fastest growing white-collar crimes in the United States.  Property fraud can happen when someone forges your identity and transfers your property into their name. Most often this is done when a house is mortgage free.  Doxpop Property Watch, offers a free service to monitor your property, this service won’t prevent fraud, however, it will alert users immediately when something has been recorded in the recorder’s office.  This allows for quick action rectify the situation.

Doxpop Property Watch

Approving a Deed

In order to have a deed approved by the Auditor, your deed must include the following information:
  1. All deeded owners must deed out exactly as they took title (i.e. if you used a middle initial or a different name, you must use the same identifying information in order to deed out ownership).
  2. The deed must contain a full legal description of the property being transferred. The most accurate place to find a full legal description is on the last deed of record not the tax bill.
  3. The deed must be notarized.
  4. The deed must include a tax mailing address (not the mortgage company).
  5. The deed must either be accompanied with an Indiana State Sales Disclosure form or  be stamped “exempt” by the Assessor’s Office (subject to additional fees).
  6. The Auditor charges a $10 fee per parcel; cash or check only; no credit cards. Prices subject to change.
  7. There is a strict 4 p.m. recording deadline.  Therefore, be here well before 4 p.m. to allow time for your deed to be processed by the Auditor’s Office.
  8. When you arrive at the Courthouse to process your deed, you will start on the 2nd Floor Assessor’s Office; then proceed to the 1st Floor Real Property Department. Once approved, you will go to the 3rd Floor Recorders Office to have the deed recorded (subject to Recorder’s Office fees).

Platted Subdivisions

Read through the Platted Subdivisions by tax year.