Search Shelby County Property Records
Shelby County property records are maintained by the County Recorder in Shelbyville, where deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other instruments become part of the permanent public record. The recorder's office has digitized documents going back to May 1998, and older deed index books cover records as far back as 1822. This page explains how to search Shelby County land records online, what documents the office handles, and how the recording process works.
Shelby County Property Records
Shelby County Recorder's Office
The Shelby County Recorder is Jessica Pile, and the office is located at 25 W. Polk St., Room 101, Shelbyville, IN 46176. You can reach the office by phone at (317) 392-6370. Office hours run Monday through Thursday, 7 AM to 5 PM. More information is available on the recorder's official website.
The recorder's office describes itself as a constitutional office whose primary function is to maintain permanent public records submitted for recording. These records are the legal basis for determining ownership of real property in Shelby County. Each instrument must be scanned and indexed into the county's computer system and then microfilmed for archival purposes. This dual approach ensures that records remain accessible even if digital systems fail over time.
Documents recorded at the Shelby County Recorder's office include mortgages, deeds, liens, military discharges, subdivision plats, surveys, leases, public and private bonds, personal property records, and powers of attorney. The office operates under Indiana Code 36-2-11, which defines the recorder's duties and authority across all Indiana counties.
The Shelby County Recorder's Doxpop and Property Watch portal is shown below, where online searches of recorded documents can be conducted going back to May 1998.
From this page you can access Doxpop and Property Watch to search Shelby County recorded documents by name, document type, or date range.
Online Search for Shelby County Land Records
The Shelby County Recorder provides online access to recorded documents through Doxpop and Property Watch. Recorded documents are available online for instruments recorded from May 1998 through the current date, with new records appearing the day after they are filed. This makes it possible to search recent Shelby County deed records, mortgages, and releases without visiting the office in Shelbyville.
For older records, the Recorder's office maintains Deed Recorder Index Books covering 1822 through June 1998. These historical indexes are not available online but can be searched in person at the office. Researchers looking for property history going back into the 1800s will likely need to visit in person or contact the office for assistance.
Doxpop also offers broader statewide searching for those who work across multiple Indiana counties. The Beacon GIS platform provides parcel map data and ownership information for Shelby County with an interactive map interface. Both tools are widely used by real estate professionals and title researchers.
Note: The Indiana State Archives at in.gov/iara may hold additional early Shelby County land records not found in the recorder's index.Recording Requirements for Shelby County Deeds
Indiana sets uniform recording standards that apply to the Shelby County Recorder. All documents must be printed on white paper no larger than 8.5 by 14 inches. Paper must weigh at least 20 pounds. Text must be at least 10-point font in black ink. Handwritten instruments are not accepted for real property transactions. The first page needs a 2-inch top margin, and the last page needs a 2-inch bottom margin. Side margins throughout must be at least half an inch.
Every document submitted to the Shelby County Recorder must include a "Prepared by" statement giving the name and address of the person who drafted it. Signatures must have printed or typed names beneath them that match the signed version exactly. Deeds must include the grantee's mailing address. Social Security numbers must be fully redacted before submission under Indiana Code 32-21-2. A legal description of the property is required on every instrument affecting real estate in Shelby County.
The deed recording process in Shelby County involves three steps. The County Assessor reviews and stamps the deed first. Then the County Auditor transfers the property on the tax rolls, endorses the document, and collects the transfer fee. Last, the Recorder records the document and collects the recording fee. A completed Sales Disclosure form must go with every deed at the Auditor's window. Documents that do not meet format standards incur an extra $1 per non-conforming page on top of the base recording fee.
Shelby County Property Tax and Assessment Records
Property taxes in Shelby County are the responsibility of the County Assessor and County Auditor. The Assessor sets assessed values under Indiana Code 6-1.1, and the Auditor applies the local levy rates to produce the annual tax bill. Taxes are paid in two installments each year. If taxes go unpaid, a lien attaches to the property and must be cleared before the property can be conveyed with clear title.
The DLGF Assessed Value Search lets you look up the current assessed value for any Shelby County parcel by owner name or parcel number. Deductions such as the homestead credit or mortgage deduction also appear in this tool. If you believe a Shelby County property's assessed value does not reflect market conditions, a formal appeal can be filed with the County Assessor.
The Indiana Gateway Taxpayer Portal shows current and past tax bills for Shelby County parcels. This free state tool lets you check tax amounts, deductions, and payment status without visiting any county office. The DLGF Tax Bill Search is another option for pulling up Shelby County tax history by parcel number.
The Indiana Gateway portal gives access to Shelby County tax and property data maintained at the state level, including the taxpayer lookup and assessed value tools.
Recording Fees and Copy Costs in Shelby County
Shelby County recording fees follow the statewide schedule set by IC 36-2-7-10.5. Deeds cost $25 to record. Mortgages cost $55. Releases, assignments, affidavits, and other standard instruments cost $25 each. Pages larger than 9 by 15 inches add $5 per oversized page. Non-conforming documents are accepted but cost an extra $1 per non-conforming page above the base fee.
Copies of recorded documents cost $1 per page for standard sizes up to 11 by 17 inches. Larger copies run $5 per page. Certified copies add a flat $5 fee on top of the copy cost. Mail-in requests require a written request, the correct payment, and a stamped self-addressed return envelope. The office does not refund fees once a document has been submitted.
E-recording is available for title companies and lenders who submit documents in volume. Shelby County accepts electronic submissions through vendors including Simplifile (800-460-5657), CSC eRecording (866-652-0111), and eRecording Partners Network (888-325-3365). E-recording eliminates the need to visit the courthouse and speeds up turnaround time on recorded documents.
Note: Office hours run Monday through Thursday, 7 AM to 5 PM. The office is closed on Fridays.Nearby Indiana Counties
Shelby County is in central Indiana and borders several counties with active real estate markets. Property records for parcels near county lines may need to be searched at a neighboring recorder's office.