JENNIFER J. WIDMER
Ottawa County Auditor | Ottawa County, Ohio
The Ottawa County Auditor maintains the most comprehensive set of real estate records available in Ottawa County. The Real Estate Division oversees the appraisal of more than 35,000 parcels and compiles information for all residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and tax exempt properties in Ottawa County. This division offers a wide array of information, including maps and ownership records, with four PC’s for public access – two in the auditor’s office, one in the treasurer’s office and one in the recorder’s office.
Real Estate transfers are subject to two types of fees at the Auditor’s Office: the conveyance fee and the transfer fee.
The conveyance fee for Ottawa County is $4.00 per thousand dollars conveyed (rounded to the nearest $ .10). For example, if the sale amount is $100,000, the conveyance fee would be determined by multiplying $100,000 by $ .004 ($100,000 x .004 = $400.) Taxable transfers under $1000 are subject to a $4.00 minimum conveyance fee. Make checks payable to the Ottawa County Auditor. Certain property transfers are exempt from conveyance fees.
The transfer fee is $ .50 per lot or parcel transferred. For example, if 3 parcels are transferred in a deed, $1.50 will be charged as a transfer fee. If one parcel with three lots transfers, $1.50 will be charged. Make checks payable to the Ottawa County Auditor.
Transfer and identification documents track the transfer of parcels and maintain the Auditor’s parcel numbering system for tax purposes. Under Ohio Law, all real estate transfer-related documents must be presented to the County Auditor before recording. Transfers are done in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code Section 319.203.
Either a DTE 100: Conveyance Fee Statement of Value and Receipt Form or a DTE 100EX: Exemption from Real Property Conveyance Fee Form from the Ohio Department of Taxation must be completed and signed at the time of transfer. The DTE 100 form is to be used for transactions where money was exchanged such as sales whereas the DTE 100EX is to be used for transfers where no money was exchanged such as family transfers. One of the reasons for exemption must be selected to explain why no money was exchanged on the DTE 100EX.
These forms are available on our forms and below.
Deeds are required to transfer property. Copies of existing deeds cannot be used to further transfer property. If you need help preparing a deed seek legal services.
Legal descriptions on the instrument for transfer should exactly match the legal description on the prior deed or new survey. New land surveys must be reviewed and approved by the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office prior to any transfer of surveyed property.
For more information on legal descriptions visit the legal description review page here.
Property splits and combinations require a new legal description that has been approved by the County Engineer's Office. These transactions must be attached to a new deed in order to be filed. A copy of the corresponding survey must be presented at the time of filing with the new legal description.
Property under 10 acres must be approved by the Ottawa County Regional Planning Commission or the Village/ City if in a municipality.
The original legal description stamped by the surveyor and associated county/ municipal offices must be attached to the deed.