Scott County, Indiana

The office of the Recorder was the first Constitutional Office in the county government in Indiana. The county recorder's function is to maintain permanent public records involving a wide variety of instruments. These documents detail transactions involving real estate, mining, personal property, mortgages, liens, leases, subdivision plats, military discharges, personal bonds, etc. {IC 36-2-11-8} Generally, all of these instruments are recorded either for giving legal public notice of their existence or for safekeeping and future reference.

The recorder maintains and preserves all legal documents affecting title to real property. These records are the legal basis for determining ownership. The degree with which the recorder fulfills his or her responsibilities ultimately forms the legal foundation for the institution of private property. The recorder is a member of the county commission on public records, which has authority over the preservation or disposition of all public records maintained by the county. {IC 5-15-6}.