Recorder of legal documents pertaining to real estate. Local registrar for all deaths, births, and marriage records. Election official - responsible for conducting all elections held in White County. Secretary to the White County Board.

BASIC INFORMATION
Local Organization: 102 counties; one recording office per county
Head Official Title: Recorder
Latest Amendments to Real Estate Code Effective: January 1, 1995
Place Names in City/County Cross Reference: N/A
Types of Real Estate Liens: Mortgage/Deed of Trust - Release

Click here for the statue of the duties of the White County Clerk

FORMAT OF DOCUMENTS

Format is specified by statute, except items with an asterisk (*). See fees for nonstandard formats. Paper:

Quality: White. 20 lb.
First Page:|
Size: 8 1/2" by 11"
Margins: 3" top margin; right hand 5" blank (reserved for recorder); name and address of preparer and return-to address in left hand 3 1/2"*;
other margins.
Other Pages:
Size: 8 1/2" by 11"
Margins: 1/2" all margins
Print: Typed or computer generated
Minimum Size: 10 point
Color: Black ink
Binding: No staples or continuous forms allowed
Title/Caption: Include a caption briefly stating the nature of the instrument*
Legibility Standard: Photographically reproducible*


STATUTORY CONTENT OF DOCUMENTS

Legal Description of Property: Legal description (parcel number) must be included in all documents to avoid penalty fee. Also include property street address. Include original names as well as book & page on subsequent recordings.
Signatures: Original signatures in dark blue ink are generally accepted. Type names under signatures. Addresses: Include grantee address and tax billing address on deeds.
Notarization/Acknowledgement: Notarial certificate required with all documents, including seal or scrawl. Witnesses: None required.
Preparer: Must include name and address.
Other: A Torrens land title system is being phased out through January 1, 1997. It is not included in this Guide.
Document Numbering System: Book & Page

Common Reason for Rejection
1. Document format does not meet statutory requirements
2. Real Estate Transfer Declaration or exemption stamp missing from deeds
3. Fees incorrect
4. Legal description missing or wrong
5. "Prepared by" statement missing
6. Notary signature or seal missing
7. Document not dated
8. Subsequent document missing reference to original document
9. Signatures missing

FEE STRUCTURE

A standard document on 8 ½” X 11” (letter size paper) with the 3” X 5” top margin in the upper right corner will be $48.00 to record for the first four pages.  A fee of $1.00 per page over the four pages will also be charged.  If there are more than 1 Grantor or Grantee a $1.00 fee will be charged for each additional after the first.  A husband and wife are considered one.  References:  the first reference by book and page will be free, however a $1.00 charge for each additional reference will be charged.

            Non Standard documents 8 ½” X 14” (legal size paper) with a 3” X 5” top margin in the upper right corner will be $60.00 to record for the first four pages. .  A fee of $1.00 per page over the four pages will also be charged.  If there are more than 1 Grantor or Grantee a $1.00 fee will be charged for each additional after the first.  A husband and wife are considered one.  References:  the first reference by book and page will be free, however a $1.00 charge for each additional reference will be charged.

            Also documents that are not charged with the Rental Housing Support fee will increase to $38.00 rather than $28.00. (Documents recorded for Governmental entities, births, deaths, marriages, power of attorney’s, articles of incorporation and probate records etc.)

            Plats will be $60.00 to record.  Please be prepared to furnish us with a copy of the original plat for this office to keep.  All plats must comply with the Illinois Compiled Statutes.

            Your documents will be returned if there is no legal description, preparer or notary or if the document is a copy.  If you insist upon recording a copy it must be stamped copy and attested to.

            A certified copy of all recordings will be $28.00 for the first four pages and a $1.00 per each additional page.

            If it is necessary for you to mail your documents for recording mail them to: 

White County Clerk, P O Box 339 , Carmi , IL 62821

            Vital Records:

            Marriage License/Civil Unions:  Will cost $30.00.  A person applying must have a State ID or Certified Birth Record.  The License once issued must be used in White County .  Individuals applying for a Civil Union license must be Illinois residents or residents from a State that recognizes same sex marriages or civil unions. A certified copy of a marriage license or civil union will be $10.00 for the first and $4.00 for each additional certified copy. There is a one day waiting period before you can use a marriage or civil union license.

            Birth and Death Records:  A certified copy will be $10.00 and each additional will be $4.00.  Birth and Death Records will only be issued to the individual or their immediate family (wife, husband, mother, father, or children) or to an agency that has an approved Memorandum of Understanding.    To receive this record you must be over 18 years of age.  You will be asked to furnish a State ID to prove your identification. (July 1 the State has imposed an additional $2.00 surcharge per Death Record so the first death Record will be $10.00 and the additional records will be $6.00. ( The county only receives $6.00 for the first certified and $2.00 for each additional the rest is sent to the State of Illinois .

            Individual who can’t come to the office to pick up a certified copy should send a written request for those documents.   Along with the written request we will need the payment and a copy of your State ID. Written request must be mailed to White County Clerk, P O Box 339 , Carmi , IL .  62821

The mailing address for requesting birth and death certificates and/or other fees is:

White County Clerk
301 E Main Street
P.O. Box 339
Carmi, IL 62821
Ph: 618-382-7211 ext. 1
fax: 618-382-2322
Checks or money orders should be made payable to Paula Dozier, White County Clerk

You may register in person at the County Clerk's office (8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday 618-382-7211, ext. 1)

Bring with you some identification with a photograph (a driver's license) and an envelope or other piece of mail delivered by the postal service to you at the address where you intend to register (a utility or credit-card bill).

If you cannot visit this office during business hours, please call the County Clerk's office (618-382-7211, ext. 1). Don't forget to bring your identification.

You may also request the documents to register to vote by mail; write to the
White County Clerk
301 E Main Street
P.O. Box 339
Carmi, IL 62821

In order to register to vote you must: be a native-born or naturalized citizen of the United States be 18 years of age at the time of the next election have lived at the address where you register for at least 30 days before the next election