US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 19041

Clay County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Clay County, Iowa. Serving a population of 16.511 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Spencer • Land Area: 567,238 sq mi • State: Iowa (IA)
Call: (515) 497-3871 Get Courthouse Directions Iowa State Association of Counties ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Clay County Courthouse / Recording Office, Spencer, IA 51301

Seat of government for Clay County in Spencer, IA.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(515) 497-3871

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 19041 • Coordinates: 43.0812° N, -95.1499° W
Visit Iowa State Association of Counties ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Clay County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Clay County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Iowa Code § 331.604
First Page Base Fee
$12.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$5.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$1.60 for the first $1,000 + $0.80 per each additional $500 (Iowa Real Estate Transfer Tax)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Iowa:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Clay County

License Fee $35.00
Waiting Period 72 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 365 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Clay County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: 3-day waiting period from application to ceremony.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $20.00
Death Cert $20.00
Marriage Cert $20.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Statistics and the local Clay County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Clay County

Filing Fee: $10.00
1. Filing Authority

In Clay County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the County Recorder.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Iowa.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade name filed with the County Recorder in every county where business is carried on.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Clay County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Clay County County Recorder. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Iowa.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
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State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Iowa Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Iowa county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Iowa Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Iowa

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Iowa recording offices:

Dickinson County Seat: Spirit Lake
~21.4 mi →
Buena Vista County Seat: Storm Lake
~23.5 mi →
O'Brien County Seat: Primghar
~24 mi →
Palo Alto County Seat: Emmetsburg
~24.3 mi →
Emmet County Seat: Estherville
~31.7 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Clay County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Clay County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Clay County office is located at Clay County Courthouse / Recording Office, Spencer, IA 51301. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (515) 497-3871.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Clay County?
Under Iowa statute (Iowa Code § 331.604), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Clay County costs $12.00 for the first page, plus $5.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.60 for the first $1,000 + $0.80 per each additional $500 (Iowa Real Estate Transfer Tax).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Clay County, IA?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Clay County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $35.00. Iowa requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Clay County?
In Clay County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the County Recorder with a standard statutory filing fee of $10.00. Trade name filed with the County Recorder in every county where business is carried on.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Clay County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $20.00 and death certificates starting at $20.00) can be requested through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Statistics or directly at the Clay County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.