US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 39039

Defiance County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Defiance County, Ohio. Serving a population of 38.315 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Defiance • Land Area: 411,439 sq mi • State: Ohio (OH)
Call: (614) 263-9709 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Defiance County Courthouse / Recording Office, Defiance, OH 43512

Seat of government for Defiance County in Defiance, OH.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(614) 263-9709

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

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 39039 • Coordinates: 41.3217° N, -84.4864° W
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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Defiance 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

Defiance County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Ohio Rev. Code § 317.32 & § 319.54
First Page Base Fee
$34.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$8.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$1.00 per $1,000 state base conveyance fee + up to $3.00 per $1,000 permissive county fee
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Ohio:

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 Defiance County

License Fee $40 - $70
Waiting Period 0 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Defiance County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by County Probate Court. Residents must apply in their county of residence.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $25.00
Death Cert $25.00
Marriage Cert $15.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics and the local Defiance 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 Defiance County

Filing Fee: $39.00
1. Filing Authority

In Defiance County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Ohio Secretary of State.

2. Statutory Requirement

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

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade name or fictitious name filed directly with the Ohio Secretary of State.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Defiance County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Defiance County Ohio Secretary of State. 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 Ohio.

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

Download Official Ohio Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Ohio 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 Ohio Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Ohio

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

Paulding County Seat: Paulding
~14.9 mi →
Williams County Seat: Bryan
~17.6 mi →
Henry County Seat: Napoleon
~21.7 mi →
Fulton County Seat: Wauseon
~26.7 mi →
Putnam County Seat: Ottawa
~27.7 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Defiance County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Defiance County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Defiance County office is located at Defiance County Courthouse / Recording Office, Defiance, OH 43512. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (614) 263-9709.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Defiance County?
Under Ohio statute (Ohio Rev. Code § 317.32 & § 319.54), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Defiance County costs $34.00 for the first page, plus $8.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.00 per $1,000 state base conveyance fee + up to $3.00 per $1,000 permissive county fee.
How do I obtain a marriage license in Defiance County, OH?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Defiance County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $40 - $70. Ohio requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Defiance County?
In Defiance County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Ohio Secretary of State with a standard statutory filing fee of $39.00. Trade name or fictitious name filed directly with the Ohio Secretary of State.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Defiance County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $25.00 and death certificates starting at $25.00) can be requested through the Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics or directly at the Defiance County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.