Transfer and Conveyance FAQ
**What must I do to transfer or change ownership on my property?
-Depending on your situation, a new deed or other legal document must be prepared to add or remove an individual, trust, or entity on a property. If you are unsure how to do this on your own, we recommend contacting a title company or real estate attorney to prepare the appropriate documentation.
**Where can I find the documents to transfer my property?
-We recommend contacting a title company or real estate attorney for assistance preparing the appropriate legal documentation. If you wish to attempt the document on your own, you are assuming responsibility by creating your own documents, and the Auditor's office is unable to assist you in the creation of those documents.
**What information is required on my document?
-Our conveyance standards require the following information to be included within or attached to any legal document intended to transfer real estate in Morgan County, Ohio.
1. Parcel Number
2. Full legal description of the property
3. Property address
4. Prior instrument reference
5. Tax-mailing address
Please click HERE for a complete list of requirements for all instruments of conveyance in Morgan County, Ohio.
**What do I need to do if someone on the deed has died?
-First and most importantly, we are sorry to hear about your loss.
-This depends on the documents filed prior to their passing, if any. If the decedent had a last will and testament, you then need to contact the Morgan County Probate Court at 740-962-2861. If the decedent had a transfer on death designation affidavit or a survivorship deed previously recorded for the property, then we recommend contacting a title company or real estate attorney for assistance preparing the appropriate legal documentation. If you wish to attempt the document on your own, you are assuming responsibility by creating your own documents, and the Auditor's office is unable to assist you in the creation of those documents.
**If I am gifting my property, and no money exchanges hands, why do I have to pay conveyance tax on the appraised value?
-Only certain qualifying relationships found on the DTE100EX form allow for tax-exempt transfers of real estate. Please carefully read through the selections to determine if your transfer is tax-exempt or not.
**Is my transfer taxable?
-If money exchanges hands, then yes, your transfer is taxable. A transfer can also be taxable if no money exchanges hands, in which case it is considered a gift. Carefully review the lettered selections on the form DTE100EX found HERE to determine if your transfer is tax-exempt.
**Where can I find a copy of my previous deed?
-You can find a copy of your previous deed in the Morgan County Recorder's Office located on the first floor of the Riecker Building at 155 E. Main St. McConnelsville, OH 43756. You may also call the Recorder's office at 740-962-4051.
**How much are recording fees?
-You can inquire about recording fees in the Morgan County Recorder's Office located on the first floor of the Riecker Building at 155 E. Main St. McConnelsville, OH 43756. You may also call the Recorder's office at 740-962-4051.
**How much are conveyance fees, and what type of payments do you accept?
-Conveyance fees are $3.00 per $1000.00 and 50cents per parcel. We accept cash or checks payable to the Morgan County Auditor.
**How do I correct an error on a previously recorded document?
-This depends on several variables. It is important to first contact the individual or company that prepared the document.
**Do transfer on death designations/land contracts/easements/covenants need to be presented to the Auditor's Office? Do they need to be stamped?
-These will all need to do through the same process as all other deeds. You will need to start in the Engineer's Office, they will be passed to the Auditor's Office and they will end in the Recorder's Office.
**How long does it take your website to update after a deed is processed?
-Approximately 1-2 business days
**Will you take my documents to the Recorder's office?
-Yes, our office will make sure the documents are taken to the offices in the correct order.
**How do I combine parcels?
-There will need to be a new survey completed and approved by the Engineer's Office. You may call the Engineer's Office at 740-962-3171 for more information.
**Why am I still receiving multiple tax bills after combining my parcels?
-Parcel combinations take effect immediately; however, it is important to note the parcel owner will continue to receive separate tax bills until the next year, at which point the paper bills will be consolidated into one moving forward. Additionally, information for all affected parcels will be visible on the Morgan County's website until the future tax year.
**Why am I still receiving the tax bill for a portion of property that I split off and sold?
-It is important to note the owner of the original parent parcel number will receive the tax bill for the entirety of the original parcel until the next tax year, at which point the paper bills will be split moving forward. It is important to discuss these tax implications with your real estate attorney or title company before closing the sale.