Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 19165

Shelby County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Shelby County, Iowa. Serving a population of 11.806 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Harlan • Land Area: 590,776 sq mi • State: Iowa (IA)

Call: (515) 505-7715 Get Courthouse Directions Iowa State Association of Counties ↗

Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri

Physical Courthouse Address

Shelby County Courthouse / Recording Office, Harlan, IA 51537

Seat of government for Shelby County in Harlan, IA.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(515) 505-7715

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

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 19165 • Coordinates: 41.6790° N, -95.3089° W

Visit Iowa State Association of Counties ↗

Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Shelby 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

Check Records Online Instead →

Land Records & Real Property

Shelby 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.

Instant Public Records & Title Verification

Need Official Property Deeds or Title Records in Shelby County?

Search land records, deed history, mortgage transfers, tax liens, judgments, and parcel ownership across Shelby County, Iowa. Instantly access official document copies online without visiting the courthouse records vault.

Warranty & Quitclaim Deeds
Mortgage & Lien Records
Assessor Parcel History

Search Shelby County Records Online Encrypted search • Public records database

Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County

Filing Fee: $10.00

1. Filing Authority

In Shelby 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 Shelby County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Shelby 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

Iowa Compliant

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:

Audubon County Seat: Audubon

~20.9 mi →

Crawford County Seat: Denison

~25.5 mi →

Pottawattamie County Seat: Council Bluffs

~26.4 mi →

Harrison County Seat: Logan

~26.7 mi →

Cass County Seat: Atlantic

~30.8 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Shelby County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Shelby County Clerk & Recorder office located?

The official Shelby County office is located at Shelby County Courthouse / Recording Office, Harlan, IA 51537. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (515) 505-7715.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Shelby County?

Under Iowa statute (Iowa Code § 331.604), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Shelby 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 Shelby County, IA?

Both applicants must appear in person before the Shelby 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 Shelby County?

In Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.