US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 17085

Jo Daviess County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Jo Daviess County, Illinois. Serving a population of 21.756 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Galena • Land Area: 600,924 sq mi • State: Illinois (IL)
Call: (217) 845-5535 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Jo Daviess County Courthouse / Recording Office, Galena, IL 61036

Seat of government for Jo Daviess County in Galena, IL.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(217) 845-5535

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

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 17085 • Coordinates: 42.3624° N, -90.2115° W
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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Jo Daviess 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

Jo Daviess County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by 55 ILCS 5/3-5018
First Page Base Fee
$60.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$2.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$1.00 per $1,000 state tax + $0.50 per $1,000 county tax (plus municipal stamps where applicable)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Illinois:

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 Jo Daviess County

License Fee $35 - $60
Waiting Period 24 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Jo Daviess County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Mandatory 1-day waiting period. License valid only in the county where issued.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $15.00
Death Cert $19.00
Marriage Cert $15.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) & County Clerk Vital Records and the local Jo Daviess 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 Jo Daviess County

Filing Fee: $15.00
1. Filing Authority

In Jo Daviess County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the County Clerk.

2. Statutory Requirement

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

3. State Rules & Notice

Assumed Business Name Certificate filed with County Clerk and published in local newspaper for 3 consecutive weeks.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Jo Daviess County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Jo Daviess County County Clerk. 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 Illinois.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Illinois Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Illinois Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

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

Nearby County Clerks in Illinois

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

Carroll County Seat: Mount Carroll
~24.9 mi →
Stephenson County Seat: Freeport
~27.9 mi →
Whiteside County Seat: Morrison
~45 mi →
Ogle County Seat: Oregon
~50.7 mi →
Winnebago County Seat: Rockford
~53.7 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Jo Daviess County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Jo Daviess County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Jo Daviess County office is located at Jo Daviess County Courthouse / Recording Office, Galena, IL 61036. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (217) 845-5535.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Jo Daviess County?
Under Illinois statute (55 ILCS 5/3-5018), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Jo Daviess County costs $60.00 for the first page, plus $2.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.00 per $1,000 state tax + $0.50 per $1,000 county tax (plus municipal stamps where applicable).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Jo Daviess County, IL?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Jo Daviess County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $35 - $60. Illinois requires a waiting period of 24 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 Jo Daviess County?
In Jo Daviess County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the County Clerk with a standard statutory filing fee of $15.00. Assumed Business Name Certificate filed with County Clerk and published in local newspaper for 3 consecutive weeks.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Jo Daviess County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $15.00 and death certificates starting at $19.00) can be requested through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) & County Clerk Vital Records or directly at the Jo Daviess County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.