Montgomery County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Montgomery County in 2026
Members of the public seeking property records in Montgomery County, Illinois may access publicly available information through MontgomeryILRecords.us and official county offices. Records that may be available include deeds, mortgage documents, tax assessments, liens, plat maps, and ownership histories. Access to specific records depends on the type of document requested and the office maintaining it.
Official resources for searching Montgomery County property records include:
- Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder – recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Montgomery County Supervisor of Assessments – property assessment and valuation data
- Montgomery County Treasurer – real estate tax payment records and delinquency information
- Illinois Recorder's Document Search – statewide access to recorded instruments
Multiple Access Methods:
- Online searches – the most convenient option for recent records
- In-person visits – required for certified copies and older documents
- By mail – written requests submitted with applicable fees
- Through professionals – title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors
1. Property Assessment Website
The Montgomery County Supervisor of Assessments administers the property assessment cycle for all real estate within the county. Members of the public may access assessment data at no charge through the county's online portal.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel identification number
- By township or subdivision
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Legal description and parcel number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size)
- Assessed value of land and improvements
- Exemptions applied
- Sales history
How to Search:
- Navigate to the Supervisor of Assessments portal
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter the search criteria
- Review the results list
- Select a parcel to view the full property card
- Print or save the information as needed
2. County Clerk/Recorder Official Records Search
The Recording Department of the Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder maintains all recorded instruments affecting real property. As stated by the office, "The Recording Department is vital to every property owner in Montgomery County, IL. The primary responsibility of this department is to record all documents pertaining to real estate."
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Book and page number
- Instrument number
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements and declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Lis pendens notices
- Powers of attorney affecting property
How to Search:
- Contact the County Clerk/Recorder's office directly or visit in person
- Provide the grantor/grantee name, date range, or document type
- Review the index results
- Request document images or certified copies as needed
- Note the book and page or instrument number for future reference
3. Tax Collector / Treasurer Website
The Montgomery County Treasurer maintains real estate tax payment records and delinquency information. Members of the public may search tax records at no charge.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel number
- Tax account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill and payment status
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates
- Delinquent tax information
- Installment plan status
In-Person Searches:
Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder
1 Courthouse Square, Room 103
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: (217) 532-9530
Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder
Montgomery County Supervisor of Assessments
1 Courthouse Square, Room 102
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: (217) 532-9595
Supervisor of Assessments
Montgomery County Treasurer
1 Courthouse Square, Room 101
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: (217) 532-9530
Montgomery County Treasurer
By Mail Requests:
Requests for recorded document copies may be submitted by mail to the County Clerk/Recorder at 1 Courthouse Square, Room 103, Hillsboro, IL 62049. Requestors should specify the document by instrument number, book and page, or property address and approximate recording date. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request.
Through Professionals:
- Title companies – conduct comprehensive title searches, prepare abstracts of title, and issue title insurance commitments
- Real estate attorneys – provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership or encumbrance issues
- Licensed abstractors – perform full chain-of-title research using courthouse records
Search Tips:
- When searching by owner name, attempt both last-name-first and full-name formats
- Try spelling variations and both current and previous owner names
- When searching by address, attempt searches with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
- For historical records not available online, contact the Clerk/Recorder's office directly for assistance
What Is Montgomery County Property Records
Property records in Montgomery County, Illinois are official legal documents related to real property — including land and any structures affixed to it — maintained by county government offices. These records establish legal ownership, document the chain of title, record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens, and support the assessment and collection of real estate taxes. Under 735 ILCS 5/12-101 and the Illinois Conveyances Act (765 ILCS 5/), recorded instruments provide constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers.
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Transfer records and chain-of-title documents
- Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
- Easements, restrictions, and covenants
- Homeowner association documents
- Lis pendens notices
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Property tax assessments maintained by the Supervisor of Assessments
- Tax bills and payment history maintained by the Treasurer
- Exemption records (homestead, senior, veteran, disability)
- Special assessments and delinquency records
Legal Descriptions:
- Plat maps and subdivision plats
- Surveys and metes-and-bounds descriptions
- Lot and block information
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Zoning information and land use designations
- Code violation records
Who Maintains Property Records:
The Recording Department of the County Clerk/Recorder is responsible for recording and indexing all instruments affecting real property. The Supervisor of Assessments maintains valuation and assessment records. The Treasurer maintains tax payment and delinquency records. The Montgomery County Zoning and Building Department maintains permit and code enforcement records.
Are Property Records Public Information in Montgomery County?
Property records in Montgomery County are public information. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/) and the Illinois recording statutes at 765 ILCS 5/31, all recorded instruments are available for public inspection. No special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement is necessary to access property records.
Why Property Records Are Public:
- Transparency – Public access to ownership information prevents fraudulent transfers and supports accountability in property taxation
- Commercial necessity – Real estate transactions, title insurance, mortgage lending, and property appraisals all depend on open access to recorded instruments
- Legal protection – Recording provides constructive notice, establishes priority of interests, and protects against competing claims
- Public interest – Tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, and journalistic investigation all rely on open property records
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and parcel numbers
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts
- Liens and encumbrances
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property characteristics
- Deeds and other recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations:
Certain personal information is protected even within public property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents pursuant to state law. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence or stalking — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under the Illinois Address Confidentiality Program. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information not fully subject to public disclosure; the Supervisor of Assessments office can advise on applicable policies.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any member of the public — regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose — may inspect and obtain copies of property records. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, lenders, appraisers, attorneys, investors, genealogists, historians, and journalists.
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Commercial aggregation of public property records is legally permissible. Title insurance companies, data services such as CoreLogic and First American, and subscription-based research platforms compile and resell public property data. Anti-harassment laws, fair housing statutes, and other applicable regulations continue to govern how such information may be used, regardless of its public nature.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Montgomery County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at the County Clerk/Recorder's office at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. Current fees for the Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder are governed by the Illinois Compiled Statutes and are subject to periodic adjustment by the county board.
Standard Copy and Recording Fees:
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of recorded document | $5.00 for first page + $1.00 each additional page |
| Recording a new document (first page) | $15.00 |
| Recording (each additional page) | $5.00 |
| Document search (staff-assisted) | Fees may apply for extensive searches |
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash
- Check or money order payable to Montgomery County Clerk
- Credit or debit card (availability subject to office policy)
Online Access:
- Basic assessment and tax information is available at no charge through the Supervisor of Assessments and Treasurer portals
- Document images through the Clerk/Recorder may require in-person access or a copy fee
Fee Waivers:
- Governmental agencies and certain nonprofit organizations may qualify for fee waivers; requestors should inquire directly with the Clerk/Recorder's office
What's Included in a Montgomery County Property Record?
A complete Montgomery County property record may include information from multiple county offices. The following categories represent the full scope of data that may be available across the Supervisor of Assessments, County Clerk/Recorder, and Treasurer.
Ownership Information:
- Current owner name(s) and ownership type (individual, joint tenants, trust, LLC, corporation)
- Acquisition date and deed reference (book and page or instrument number)
- Mailing address for tax billing purposes
- Chain of title with previous owners, transfer dates, and historical deed references
Property Identification:
- Site address and mailing address
- Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, or metes-and-bounds)
- Parcel identification number and tax account number
Physical Characteristics:
- Lot size, dimensions, frontage, and depth
- Zoning classification and land use designation
- Total living area (square footage), year built, number of stories
- Building type and construction materials
- Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and total rooms
- Additional features: garage, pool, porch, fireplace, HVAC systems, water source, sewer system
Valuation Information:
- Assessed value of land and improvements
- Total assessed value and estimated market value
- Historical assessed values for prior years
- Agricultural classification data where applicable
Tax Information:
- Current year tax amount and taxable value after exemptions
- Millage rate breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, municipality, special districts)
- Payment status, due dates, and discount information
- Tax payment history and delinquency records
- Exemptions applied (homestead, senior, veteran, disability, agricultural)
Sales History:
- Sale dates, sale prices, and deed types for recent transfers
- Grantor and grantee names
- Qualified or unqualified sale designation
- Documentary stamp amounts
Encumbrances and Liens:
- Recorded mortgages (lender name, original amount, recording date)
- Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and HOA liens
- Easements, restrictions, covenants, and lis pendens notices
Maps and Visual Information:
- GIS map with property boundaries
- Aerial photograph
- Plat map and property sketch
What Is NOT Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
- Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Montgomery County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Montgomery County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are never destroyed. This permanent retention is required by Illinois law and is essential to maintaining an unbroken chain of title for every parcel in the county.
Legal Basis for Permanent Retention:
Under § 3 of the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/3), public records may not be disposed of without authorization from the Local Records Commission. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property are classified as permanent records and are exempt from any disposal schedule.
Records Kept Permanently:
- All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all other conveyance types)
- All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, and releases
- All recorded liens and lien releases
- All plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
- Easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
- Court documents and lis pendens notices affecting property
Format and Storage:
Historical records in Montgomery County exist in multiple formats depending on the period of recording:
- Pre-1900s to mid-1900s – Handwritten or typed entries in bound record books, stored in the courthouse vault
- Mid-to-late 1900s – Microfilm archives
- Recent decades – Scanned digital images maintained in electronic document management systems with off-site backup
Access to Historical Records:
Recent records are accessible through the Clerk/Recorder's office. Older records stored in books or on microfilm are available for in-person inspection at the courthouse. Members of the public requesting very old records should contact the office in advance to allow staff time to retrieve materials from storage.
Property Appraiser / Supervisor of Assessments Records:
Assessment rolls and property cards are maintained permanently. Exemption applications are retained for a minimum of five to seven years in accordance with the state records retention schedule. Recent assessment history is available through the online portal; historical assessments are available at the Supervisor of Assessments office.
Tax Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquency records are maintained until resolved. The Treasurer's office maintains online access to recent payment history; older records are available upon request.
Chain of Title:
Every transfer of real property in Montgomery County from the county's formation to the present is preserved in the permanent record. Title searches conducted by title companies and abstractors review the full chain of title — typically a minimum of 40 years for standard transactions — to identify all recorded interests and encumbrances.
Contact for Historical Records:
Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder
1 Courthouse Square, Room 103
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: (217) 532-9530
Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder
Montgomery County Supervisor of Assessments
1 Courthouse Square, Room 102
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: (217) 532-9595
Supervisor of Assessments
How To Find Liens on Property in Montgomery County?
Liens on property in Montgomery County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the County Clerk/Recorder. Members of the public may search for liens through the Clerk/Recorder's office by conducting a grantor/grantee index search using the property owner's name or the parcel's legal description.
Types of Liens Recorded in Montgomery County:
- Federal tax liens – Filed by the Internal Revenue Service against a taxpayer's property; searchable through the Clerk/Recorder's index
- State tax liens – Filed by the Illinois Department of Revenue
- Judgment liens – Arising from court judgments entered against a property owner; recorded in the county where the property is located
- Mechanic's liens – Filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers who have not been paid for work performed on the property, pursuant to the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act (770 ILCS 60/)
- HOA liens – Filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments
- Child support liens – Filed pursuant to court order
- Code enforcement liens – Filed by local government for unresolved code violations
Steps to Search for Liens:
- Visit the Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder's office in person at 1 Courthouse Square, Room 103, Hillsboro, IL 62049, or contact the office by phone at (217) 532-9530
- Request a grantor index search using the current property owner's full legal name
- Review all recorded instruments indexed under that name, including any lien filings
- Note the instrument number, recording date, and lien amount for each result
- Request copies of any lien documents identified, paying applicable copy fees
- To search for federal tax liens specifically, members of the public may also contact the IRS Centralized Lien Operation at (800) 913-6050
Delinquent Property Tax Liens:
Delinquent real estate tax information is maintained by the Montgomery County Treasurer. Properties with unpaid taxes are subject to tax sale proceedings under Illinois law. Members of the public may search for delinquent tax status through the Treasurer's office or by contacting the office directly.
Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder
1 Courthouse Square, Room 103
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: (217) 532-9530
Recording Department
Montgomery County Treasurer
1 Courthouse Square, Room 101
Hillsboro, IL 62049
Phone: (217) 532-9530
Montgomery County Treasurer
What Is Property Owner Rule in Montgomery County?
The property owner rule in Montgomery County, Illinois refers to the body of state law and local practice governing who holds legal title to real property, what rights attach to that ownership, and how ownership is established, transferred, and protected. Under Illinois law, legal ownership of real property is established by a recorded deed. The Illinois Conveyances Act (765 ILCS 5/) governs the requirements for valid conveyances and the recording of instruments affecting title.
Establishing Legal Ownership:
A property owner in Montgomery County is the individual or entity whose name appears on the most recently recorded deed for a given parcel. Ownership is not established by possession, payment of taxes, or verbal agreement alone — a valid written deed, properly executed and recorded with the County Clerk/Recorder, is required to transfer legal title under Illinois law.
Forms of Ownership Recognized in Illinois:
- Sole ownership – A single individual holds title in their name alone
- Joint tenancy – Two or more persons hold equal shares with right of survivorship; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) take the deceased's interest automatically
- Tenancy in common – Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
- Tenancy by the entirety – Available to married couples in Illinois; provides protection from individual creditors of either spouse
- Trust ownership – Title held by a trustee on behalf of beneficiaries; common in estate planning
- Entity ownership – Title held by an LLC, corporation, or partnership
Rights of Property Owners:
Under Illinois law and the principles of property ownership, a recorded property owner holds the right to use, lease, sell, mortgage, and devise the property subject to applicable zoning regulations, deed restrictions, easements, and encumbrances of record. The Montgomery County Supervisor of Assessments administers the assessment cycle, and property owners have the right to appeal assessments they believe to be inaccurate through the Board of Review.
Property Tax Obligations:
Property ownership in Montgomery County carries the obligation to pay real estate taxes assessed annually. As noted by the County Clerk's office, it is "responsible for computing the property tax rates for all parcels of land within Montgomery County each year." Tax bills are issued by the Treasurer and are payable at 1 Courthouse Square, Room 101, Hillsboro, IL 62049. Failure to pay results in the accrual of penalties and, ultimately, tax sale proceedings under the Illinois Property Tax Code.
Homestead Exemptions Available to Property Owners:
Illinois law provides several exemptions that reduce the assessed value subject to taxation for qualifying owner-occupants:
- General Homestead Exemption – Reduces assessed value by up to $6,000 for owner-occupied residential property
- Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption – Additional reduction for qualifying owners age 65 or older
- Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze – Freezes the assessed value for qualifying seniors meeting income requirements
- Persons with Disabilities Exemption – Available to qualifying disabled owner-occupants
- Veterans with Disabilities Exemption – Available to qualifying disabled veterans
Applications for exemptions are filed with the Supervisor of Assessments office.
Ownership Disputes and Title Issues:
Disputes over property ownership in Montgomery County are resolved through the Circuit Court of Montgomery County. Title defects, competing claims, and boundary disputes may require a quiet title action or other legal proceeding. The permanent record maintained by the County Clerk/Recorder serves as the authoritative source for establishing the chain of title in any such proceeding.