Union County Deed Records Lookup

Union County deed records are maintained by the County Clerk and Recorder in La Grande, Oregon. The clerk office is the place of origin for all property transfers in the county. You can search Union County deed records in person, by phone, or through e-recording services. Whether you need a copy of a past deed or plan to file a new one, the Union County Clerk has the records you need. La Grande serves as the county seat.

Union County Clerk and Recorder

County Clerk Lisa Feik leads the Union County recording office. Her term runs through 2027. The office is at 1001 Fourth Street, Suite D, in La Grande, OR 97850. You can call at 541-963-1006 or fax at 541-963-1013. This is the office where all deed records are filed and stored.

The Union County Clerk describes the role this way: "The County Recorder is the County Archivist and the office of origination for property transfers." All property transactions, including deeds, mortgages, and assignments, are recorded here. The clerk also keeps county commission minutes, resolutions, and orders. This makes the Union County Clerk a central hub for public records of all kinds.

Visit the Union County Clerk page for details on services and hours.

The clerk website has information about recording rules, fees, and how to submit documents. It is a good first stop before you visit the office or send a deed by mail.

Union County Recording Office Hours

The Union County Clerk office has specific hours for the public. Plan your visit around these times to avoid a wasted trip.

• Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Closed for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. each day
• Marriage and passport services by appointment only

The lunch closure is important to note. If you arrive at noon, you will need to wait until 1:00 p.m. to access deed records or file documents in Union County. Friday hours start later and end earlier than other days. Call ahead if you are not sure about a specific service.

E-Recording Deed Records in Union County

Union County accepts electronic recording of deeds and other property documents. E-recording lets you file documents without mailing them or driving to the office. This is a business to business process. You need to work with a title company or attorney that has e-recording set up.

When using e-recording in Union County, your document must still meet all Oregon format rules. It must be recorded in the county where the property sits. The Union County Clerk will reject any document that has the wrong fee amount, whether too high or too low. Double check your fees before you submit. This saves time and avoids delays in getting your deed on record.

The Union County website has more details about the e-recording process and which vendors are accepted.

Note: All e-recorded documents with incorrect fees will be returned by the Union County Clerk.

Union County Deed Recording Fees

Oregon sets the fee structure for recording deed records. These fees apply in Union County and across the state. A typical single page deed costs between $76 and $87 to record. The total is made up of several parts set by state law under ORS Chapter 205.

Each extra page on a deed adds $5 to the total. If your document does not meet format rules, a $20 non-standard fee applies. There is no state transfer tax in Oregon, which means the recording fees are the main cost when you file a deed in Union County. All fees must be paid at the time you present the document for recording. The clerk will not record a deed until the full amount is paid.

The Union County Assessor, Cody Vavra, handles property values and tax rolls. His office is at 541-963-1002. If you have questions about property taxes tied to a deed transfer, contact the assessor. The clerk and assessor work closely on property records in Union County.

Public Access to Union County Records

All deed records in Union County are public. Any person can ask to see them. Oregon's public records law under ORS 192 protects your right to view recorded documents. The clerk must respond to a written request within five business days.

Copies of deed records can be obtained from the Union County Clerk for a small fee. The cost covers the clerk's time to locate the document and make the copy. Oregon law caps what the clerk can charge for copies and official certificates. If you need certified copies of a deed for a legal matter, the clerk can provide those as well. Historical records for Union County may also be on file at the Oregon State Archives.

Union County sits in the Grande Ronde Valley in northeast Oregon. The area has a long history of farming, ranching, and timber. La Grande is the largest city and home to Eastern Oregon University. Property in Union County ranges from town lots to large ranch parcels. Each piece of land has its own chain of deed records on file with the clerk. Oregon uses a race-notice system under ORS 93.640, which means you should record your deed as soon as possible after a sale to protect your rights. An unrecorded deed can lose priority to a later buyer who records first without knowledge of your transfer. The Oregon DOJ has guidance on public records law if you need help getting access to any filed document in Union County.

Types of Property Documents in Union County

The Union County Clerk records many types of property documents beyond standard deeds. Warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, trust deeds, and bargain and sale deeds are all common filings. The clerk also records land sale contracts, assignments of interest, and powers of attorney that affect title to real property. Each document creates a link in the chain of title for a piece of land.

Mortgages and releases are also part of the deed records in Union County. When a lender files a trust deed, it shows up in the records as a lien on the property. When the loan is paid off, a release or reconveyance is recorded to clear the lien. These records are all public and can be searched at the clerk office in La Grande.

Nearby Counties

Union County borders Wallowa County to the northeast, Baker County to the south, and Umatilla County to the northwest. La Grande is the main city in the county. If your property is near a county line, confirm that the deed records are filed in Union County with the clerk before you submit your document.