You've probably spent twenty minutes Googling "ccrd cook county recorder" trying to find a website that doesn't look like it was built in 1997. Honestly, the first thing you need to know is that the Cook County Recorder of Deeds (CCRD) technically doesn't exist anymore.
It's a ghost office.
In December 2020, the whole department was swallowed up by the Cook County Clerk’s Office. Voters decided to merge them to save a few million bucks and supposedly make things more "efficient." If you’re looking for a deed, a mortgage release, or trying to figure out why there’s a random lien on your bungalow in Berwyn, you aren't going to a standalone Recorder's office. You're dealing with the Clerk.
The 2020 Merger: Why Everything Changed
For over a century, the Recorder of Deeds was its own fiefdom. It was a massive operation—the second largest in the United States, actually. Then, a 2016 referendum passed, and by late 2020, the office was officially abolished. This wasn't just a name change; it was a massive logistical headache.
They had to migrate millions of records.
Think about the sheer volume of paper and digital bits involved in tracking every single square inch of property in Chicago and the suburbs. We are talking about records going back to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The goal was to streamline. Instead of going to one building for birth certificates (the Clerk) and another for property deeds (the Recorder), you now go to one place. In theory, this saves taxpayers about $1 million a year. In practice, it means you have to learn a new way to navigate the bureaucracy.
Where the CCRD Records Live Now
Basically, if you need anything that used to be handled by the CCRD Cook County Recorder, you head to the Cook County Clerk's Recordings Division.
They handle:
- Deeds and Titles: Proving you actually own that triple-decker.
- Mortgages: The paperwork showing who you owe money to.
- Liens: The "red flags" that can stop a house sale dead in its tracks.
- Military Discharge Papers (DD-214): A lot of veterans don't realize the Recorder's office is the official spot for these.
If you’re doing this online, the portal is called the 20/20 Search System. It’s a bit clunky. You’ll need a PIN (Property Index Number). If you don't have your 14-digit PIN, you’re basically flying blind. You can find it on your property tax bill or by searching your address on the Cook County Assessor’s website.
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The Fraud Problem (And How to Stop It)
One of the coolest—and most necessary—things the old CCRD started was the Property Fraud Alert system.
It’s scary how easy it is for a scammer to file a fake deed. They find a vacant house, forge a signature, file it with the county, and suddenly "own" the place. Because the county is a "notice" jurisdiction, they generally record what is handed to them. They aren't private investigators; they're bookkeepers.
Sign up for the alert. It’s free. If anyone files any document against your PIN, the Clerk’s office sends you an email or a text. If you see a "Quitclaim Deed" filed and you haven't signed anything, you can call the cops before the scammer tries to take out a loan against your house.
How to Actually Get a Copy of Your Deed
Don't pay those "Deed Retrieval" companies that mail you letters saying you owe $90 for a "certified copy" of your deed. Those are borderline scams.
You can get them yourself way cheaper.
- Online: You can search for free, but downloading a copy usually costs a small fee (around $2.50 per page usually).
- In-Person: You can go down to 118 N. Clark Street in the Loop. It’s Room 120.
- Wait Times: If you go in person, it's usually faster than waiting for a mail-in request, which can take weeks if the staff is backlogged.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The "Cloud on Title" Nightmare
Sometimes you go to sell your house and the title company says there's a "cloud." This usually happens because a mortgage you paid off ten years ago was never "released" at the CCRD.
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The bank was supposed to file a Release of Mortgage, but they forgot. Or they went out of business.
This is the most common reason people search these records. You have to hunt down the "Successor in Interest" of the old bank (like if your old bank was bought by Chase) and beg them to file the release. The Clerk's office won't do this for you. They just record what the banks give them.
Important Contacts for Cook County Property
Don't call the wrong office. It's a waste of your afternoon.
- Cook County Clerk (Recordings): (312) 603-5050. This is for deeds, mortgages, and liens.
- Cook County Assessor: (312) 443-7550. This is for property values and exemptions (like the Homeowner Exemption).
- Cook County Treasurer: (312) 443-5100. This is for paying your taxes.
Actionable Steps to Take Today
If you own property in Cook County, don't wait until you're at a closing table to check your records.
First, find your PIN. Put it in a note on your phone. You’ll need it for everything from appealing taxes to checking your deed.
Second, search the 20/20 system. Look up your own name and PIN. Make sure the last document recorded is actually your mortgage or a release. If you see names you don't recognize, that’s a red flag.
Third, register for the Free Property Fraud Alert. It takes two minutes and could literally save your house from a title thief.
Finally, if you’re buying a home "by owner," hire a title company. The CCRD/Clerk’s records are public, but interpreting them is a specialized skill. A mistake in a legal description—like one wrong digit in a lot number—can stay hidden for decades until it costs you a fortune to fix in court.