(A) All deeds, land contracts referred to in division (A) (21) of section 317.08 of the Revised Code, and instruments of writing properly executed for the conveyance or encumbrance of lands, tenements, or hereditaments, other than as provided in division (C) of this section and section 5301.23 of the Revised Code, shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the premises are situated. Until so recorded or filed for record, they are fraudulent insofar as they relate to a subsequent bona fide purchaser having, at the time of purchase, no knowledge of the existence of that former deed, land contract, or instrument.

Need help reviewing a real estate contract?
Have it reviewed by a lawyer, get answers to your questions and move forward with confidence.
Connect with a lawyer now

Terms Used In Ohio Code 5301.25

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
  • Property: means real and personal property. See Ohio Code 1.59
  • state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.

(B) Whenever a survey is made of lands that are being conveyed, the county auditor shall require that the name of the person who made the survey appear in the deed. The name shall either be printed, typewritten, stamped, or signed in a legible manner. An instrument is in compliance with this division if it contains a statement in the following form:

“A survey of this property was made by _______________”

(Name)

This division does not apply to any court decree, order, judgment, or writ, to any instrument executed or acknowledged outside of this state, or to any instrument executed within this state prior to September 20, 1965.

(C) All tax certificates sold pursuant to section 5721.32 or 5721.33 of the Revised Code, or memoranda thereof, may be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the premises are situated, as provided in division (B) of section 5721.35 of the Revised Code; provided, however, that the first and superior lien of the state and its taxing districts conveyed to the holder of the tax certificate, as provided in division (A) of section 5721.35 of the Revised Code, shall in no way be diminished or adversely affected if the tax certificate evidencing the conveyance of such first and superior lien, or memorandum thereof, is not recorded as provided in this section.