Daviess County Public Records /Daviess County Property Records

Daviess County Property Records

What Is Daviess County Property Records

Property records in Daviess County are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property — including land and buildings — within the county's jurisdiction. These records serve as the legal foundation for establishing a chain of title, providing public notice of property interests, protecting the rights of owners and lienholders, and facilitating real estate transactions. Under Indiana Code § 36-2-11-8, the County Recorder is responsible for recording all instruments affecting real property, ensuring that each document is indexed and made available for public inspection. Property records in Daviess County, Indiana, are maintained primarily by the County Recorder's Office and include deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and related instruments. The Daviess County Recorder's Office serves as the official custodian of these documents and maintains both historical and current records pertaining to real property located within county boundaries.

Daviess County Recorder's Office 200 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-8664 Daviess County Recorder's Office

Are Property Records Public Information In Daviess County?

Property records in Daviess County are public information under Indiana state law. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14-3-3, the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), all public agencies are required to make public records available for inspection and copying by any member of the public. Property ownership is inherently a matter of public record, and Indiana's recording statutes mandate that instruments affecting real property be publicly accessible to ensure transparency in land ownership and protect the interests of buyers, lenders, and the general public. Members of the public may inspect property records without being required to state a reason or demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought. This open-access framework applies to deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and all other instruments recorded with the Daviess County Recorder's Office. The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance also maintains county-specific assessment and property data, which is publicly accessible through the DLGF Daviess County information portal.

How To Search Property Records in Daviess County in 2026

Members of the public may search Daviess County property records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for accessing these records:

Identify the property. Gather the property address, parcel number, or owner name before initiating a search. The parcel number is the most precise identifier and can be found on tax bills or assessment notices.
Visit the Recorder's Office in person. Members of the public may appear at the Daviess County Recorder's Office during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) to search recorded instruments using the office's index books or computer terminals.
Submit a written request. Requests for certified copies or specific documents may be submitted in writing to the Recorder's Office. Fees for copies are established pursuant to Indiana Code and are posted at the public counter.
Use online search portals. The Daviess County Auditor's Office provides an online tax list tool where members of the public may look up property and parcel information by entering a property or parcel number through the Daviess County Auditor tax list.
Contact the Treasurer's Office. Property tax payment history and related financial records are accessible through the Daviess County Treasurer's property tax statistics directory.

Daviess County Auditor's Office 200 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-8658 Daviess County Auditor's Office

Daviess County Treasurer's Office 200 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-8660 Daviess County Treasurer's Office

How To Find Property Records in Daviess County Online?

Several official online platforms currently provide access to Daviess County property records without requiring an in-person visit. Members of the public may use the following resources:

Daviess County Auditor Online Tax List: The Auditor's Office maintains an online portal where users may search property records by parcel number, owner name, or address. This tool provides assessed values, ownership information, and tax data.
Indiana DLGF County Portal: The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance publishes county-specific property assessment data, including assessment ratios and tax rate information, through its official county information page for Daviess.
Daviess County Treasurer Portal: Property tax payment records and statistical data are available through the Treasurer's online directory.
Indiana GIS Mapping: The City of Washington, Indiana, provides links to Indiana GIS resources and permits and zoning information, which may assist in identifying parcel boundaries and land use designations.

All online searches are provided for informational purposes. Official certified copies of recorded instruments must be obtained directly from the Daviess County Recorder's Office.

How To Look Up Daviess County Property Records for Free?

Daviess County property records may be accessed at no cost through several publicly available resources. Members of the public are not charged a fee to inspect records at the Recorder's Office public counter during regular business hours. The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection at the Daviess County Recorder's Office, where index terminals are available to the public at no charge.
Daviess County Auditor's online tax list, which allows free searches of parcel and ownership data by property number.
Indiana DLGF online portal, which provides free access to county-level assessment ratios, tax rates, and property valuation data.
Daviess County Treasurer's online directory, which offers free access to property tax statistics and payment records.

Fees apply only when requesting printed or certified copies of recorded documents. Current copy fees are set in accordance with Indiana Code and are available at the Recorder's Office public counter.

What's Included in a Daviess County Property Record?

A Daviess County property record encompasses a broad range of official documents and data elements maintained across multiple county offices. Property records are distinguished between real property (land and permanently affixed structures) and personal property (movable assets subject to separate assessment). Real property records maintained by the Recorder's Office and related county offices typically include the following information:

Legal description of the property, including lot, block, subdivision, or metes-and-bounds description
Grantor and grantee names (seller and buyer) for all recorded deeds
Date of recording and instrument number assigned by the Recorder
Deed type (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, sheriff's deed, etc.)
Mortgage and lien information, including lender names, loan amounts, and release dates
Assessed value and property classification as determined by the County Assessor
Parcel identification number (PIN) used for tax and assessment purposes
Tax payment history maintained by the Treasurer's Office
Easements, covenants, and restrictions affecting the property
Plat maps and survey documents for subdivided properties

Under Indiana Code § 36-2-11-8, the County Recorder is required to maintain a general index of all recorded instruments, organized by grantor and grantee name, to facilitate public searches.

How Long Does Daviess County Keep Property Records?

Daviess County retains property records in accordance with Indiana's public records retention schedules established by the Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA). Retention periods vary by document type, as follows:

Deeds, mortgages, and recorded instruments: Retained permanently, as these documents establish the chain of title and must remain accessible indefinitely.
Plat maps and subdivision records: Retained permanently by the Recorder's Office.
Property tax records: Retained for a minimum of ten (10) years by the Treasurer's and Auditor's offices, in accordance with IARA schedules.
Assessment records: Retained for a minimum of ten (10) years, with historical records often maintained for longer periods.
Lien and judgment records: Retained permanently or until formally released and the release is recorded.

The Indiana Archives and Records Administration publishes official retention schedules applicable to all county offices. Permanent records may not be destroyed without authorization pursuant to applicable Indiana law.

How To Find Liens on Property In Daviess County?

Liens on property in Daviess County are recorded instruments and are therefore accessible through the same channels as other property records. Members of the public may search for liens using the following methods:

Daviess County Recorder's Office: All statutory liens, mortgage liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens affecting real property must be recorded with the Recorder's Office to provide constructive notice. Members of the public may search the Recorder's general index by property owner name or parcel number.
Daviess County Clerk's Office: Judgment liens arising from court proceedings are filed with the Circuit or Superior Court and may be cross-referenced with the Recorder's index.
Daviess County Treasurer's Office: Tax liens resulting from delinquent property taxes are maintained by the Treasurer's Office. The Daviess County Treasurer's property tax statistics directory provides access to tax payment status, which may indicate outstanding tax obligations.
Kentucky Daviess County: Members of the public seeking lien information for properties located in Daviess County, Kentucky, may access tax collection records through the Daviess County Sheriff's Office, which administers property tax collection and related lien processes in that jurisdiction.

Daviess County Clerk's Office (Indiana) 200 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-8664 Daviess County Clerk's Office

What Is Property Owner Rule In Daviess County?

The property owner rule in Daviess County refers to the legal framework governing who may own, transfer, and hold interests in real property within the county. Under Indiana law, any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, or governmental entity may hold title to real property in Daviess County. Indiana does not impose residency requirements on property ownership, and non-residents may own real property subject to the same recording and tax obligations as resident owners. Property ownership is established through the recording of a valid deed with the Daviess County Recorder's Office, and ownership is not legally effective against third parties until the instrument is properly recorded pursuant to Indiana Code. The assessment ratio for all properties in Indiana is currently set at 100% of market value, as administered by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance and detailed in the DLGF Daviess County assessment information. Property owners in Daviess County are subject to annual property tax assessments conducted by the County Assessor and are required to maintain accurate ownership information on file with the Auditor's Office. Zoning and land use regulations applicable to property owners within the City of Washington are administered through the city's planning and zoning division, with resources available through the City of Washington permits and zoning information page.

Daviess County Assessor's Office 200 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN 47501 (812) 254-8661 Daviess County Assessor's Office