When a property changes hands in Franklin County, the transaction is not complete the moment the seller hands over the keys. It is not complete when the check clears. It is not even complete when everyone signs at the closing table.
It is complete the moment the deed is recorded at the Franklin County Recorder’s Office. Until that happens, the ownership change does not legally exist in the public record and every day it goes unrecorded is a day the buyer is exposed to risk.
Here is exactly how the process works, step by step, with every fee and every form you need to know.
What Is a Deed Transfer and Why It Matters
A deed transfer is the legal process of moving ownership of real property from one person or entity to another. In Franklin County, this requires action at two separate government offices the Auditor’s Office and the Recorder’s Office in a specific order.
Without completing an official deed transfer, buyers may face future disputes or challenges to the property title. A property that has not been properly recorded is a property with a clouded title and a clouded title creates problems when you try to sell, refinance, or pass the property to your heirs.
Property transfers are required whenever legal ownership changes including transfers via survivorship, divorce, or court order. It is not just cash sales. Inheritance, divorce settlements, gifts, and trust transfers all require the same process.
Step 1 — Prepare the Deed
Before anything goes to any government office, someone has to prepare the actual deed document. In most Franklin County real estate transactions, this is handled by a title company or real estate attorney.
At a minimum, you will need a properly prepared deed such as a warranty or quitclaim deed a DTE 100 Conveyance Form, and valid photo identification for notarization. Additional documents may be necessary depending on the situation such as a death certificate for inherited property or a trust agreement.
The two most common deed types in Franklin County:
Warranty Deed
Used in standard home sales. The seller guarantees clear title and will defend the buyer against any future claims on the property.
Quitclaim Deed
Used for transfers between family members, divorce settlements, or situations where no money changes hands. Transfers whatever interest the grantor has, with no guarantees about the title’s cleanliness.
Step 2 — Visit the Franklin County Tax Map Department
Start your property transfer process by visiting the Franklin County Tax Map Department, located in the Franklin County Auditor’s Office at 373 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215. This office is responsible for verifying the legal description of the parcel and confirming it matches the county’s mapping and ownership records. This step ensures there are no boundary disputes or legal mismatches in the deed, which is crucial for a clean title transfer.
Processing usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on office traffic. Approval from the Tax Map Department is required before the deed can be taken to the Auditor’s Conveyance Division for stamping.
Do not skip this step. If your deed’s legal description does not exactly match county records, the entire transfer gets rejected and you start over.
Step 3 — Submit to the Franklin County Auditor’s Transfer and Conveyance Department
Next, go to the Franklin County Auditor’s Transfer and Conveyance Department, located at 373 S. High Street, 21st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.
Here you will submit:
DTE 100 form — Required for all standard sales. This is the Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement of Value.
DTE 100EX form — Required for exempt transfers such as survivorship deeds, divorce transfers, or transactions with no monetary consideration.
This is also where you pay the conveyance fee.
The Conveyance Fee What You Will Pay
In Franklin County, the conveyance fee is $3 per every $1,000 of the real property sale price. Additionally, there is a $3 minimum conveyance fee and $0.50 transfer tax associated with all property transfers that are non-exempt from the conveyance fee. If a property is exempt from the conveyance fee, then only the $0.50 transfer tax is owed.
The $3 per $1,000 conveyance fee is made up of a $1 per $1,000 fee set by the State of Ohio and a $2 per $1,000 fee set by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
Real examples:
| Sale Price | Conveyance Fee |
|---|---|
| $150,000 | $450 |
| $300,000 | $900 |
| $500,000 | $1,500 |
| $750,000 | $2,250 |
Use the official calculator at auditor.franklincountyohio.gov to get the exact figure for your transaction before you go.
One exemption worth knowing:
If the seller currently receives the Homestead Exemption on the property being sold, a reduced conveyance fee may apply. Ask the Auditor’s Office about this before your closing.
Step 4 — Record the Deed at the Franklin County Recorder’s Office
Once the Auditor’s Office stamps the deed, you take it to the final stop.
After the Auditor stamps the deed, proceed to the Franklin County Recorder’s Office, located at 373 S. High Street, 18th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215, to record the transaction. At this stage, the deed officially becomes a part of the public record.
Recording fees:
The standard recording fee is $34.00 for the first two pages and $8.00 for each additional page. These rates apply to most documents, including deeds and mortgages.
A Non-Standard Document Fee of $20 applies if the deed does not follow Ohio’s formatting standards.
The moment the Recorder processes your deed, the ownership transfer is official and permanent in the public record.
How Long Does the Entire Process Take?
Documents are typically recorded within days of submission. The deed should be submitted to the Recorder’s Office within 30 days of the transaction.
In practice, if you arrive at the Auditor’s Office early with all documents prepared correctly, the full process Tax Map, Conveyance, and Recording can be completed in a single day.
Most title companies in Franklin County handle all of this on behalf of the buyer and seller at closing, coordinating directly with both offices so neither party has to make the trip themselves.
What Title Companies Do in a Franklin County Deed Transfer
Title companies in Franklin County assist with title searches, escrow services, deed preparation, and ensuring the property transfer meets all legal standards. They also coordinate with the Recorder’s Office to file necessary documents.
For most buyers and sellers, a title company handles everything after closing preparing the deed, filing the DTE 100 form, paying the conveyance fee, and recording the deed. You pay for this service as part of your closing costs.
If you are handling a transfer yourself for example, a quitclaim deed between family members with no title company involved you are responsible for every step above.
Transfers That Do Not Involve a Sale
Not every deed transfer involves money changing hands. Franklin County processes several types of non-sale transfers regularly:
Inheritance —
When a property owner dies, the deed must be transferred to heirs through probate court or via a transfer-on-death deed if one was previously filed. A death certificate and proof of inheritance rights are required.
Divorce —
Property awarded to one spouse in a divorce settlement requires a quitclaim deed transfer. The DTE 100EX form is used since no monetary consideration is involved.
Gift or family transfer —
A parent transferring property to a child, for example, uses a quitclaim deed and DTE 100EX. Only the $0.50 transfer tax applies no conveyance fee.
Trust transfers —
Property moved into or out of a living trust requires a deed transfer. Bring the trust agreement to the Auditor’s Office.
Key Locations and Contacts
Franklin County Auditor’s Office Tax Map Department 373 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 Website: auditor.franklincountyohio.gov
Franklin County Auditor’s Office Transfer and Conveyance Department 373 S. High Street, 21st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 Conveyance fee calculator: audr-apps.franklincountyohio.gov/calc/conveyancefee
Franklin County Recorder’s Office 373 S. High Street, 18th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 Website: recorder.franklincountyohio.gov
FAQs
Who pays the conveyance fee in Franklin County buyer or seller?
In Ohio, the conveyance fee is typically paid by the seller, though it is negotiable and can be addressed in the purchase contract.
What happens if I do not record the deed right away?
The transfer is not legally recognized in the public record until it is recorded. An unrecorded deed leaves the buyer vulnerable the seller could theoretically transfer the same property to someone else, and liens or judgments against the seller could attach to the property before your deed is recorded.
Can I do the deed transfer myself without a title company or attorney?
Yes. Nothing in Ohio law requires you to use a title company or attorney for a deed transfer. However, any error in the deed’s legal description, formatting, or required forms will result in rejection and delay. For transactions involving significant money, using a professional is strongly recommended.
How do I verify the deed transfer went through?
Search for your property at the Franklin County Recorder’s website or the Auditor’s property search tool at auditor.franklincountyohio.gov. Once recorded, your name will appear as the owner of record.
Is a deed transfer required for a refinance?
No. A refinance does not change ownership, so no deed transfer is required. The lender will record a new mortgage or lien, but the deed stays in your name.
