Arapahoe County Property Deed Records
Arapahoe County deed records help you learn about property history in Colorado. The Clerk and Recorder's office keeps these files. You can search online or visit in person. Records date back many years. They show who owned land and when. You can find deeds, mortgages, and liens. This guide shows you how to access Arapahoe County deed records quickly and easily.
Arapahoe County Quick Facts
Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Recording Division
The Recording Division handles all deed records in Arapahoe County. This office files and stores property documents. Staff process new recordings each day. They also help the public find old records. The office sits in Littleton, which is the county seat. Many people visit to record deeds or search for property history. Services are available by appointment only. This helps staff serve you better.
The Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder manages all land records for the area. Their job includes recording deeds, mortgages, and liens. They also file releases and easements. Each document gets a book and page number. This helps track every record. The office keeps both paper and digital files. Older records are on microfilm. Newer ones are in the online database. Active military and first responders get priority service with valid ID.
Office hours changed recently. They now open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This started on January 1, 2026. You must call ahead for an appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted at this time. The staff can help you by phone too. They answer questions about recording needs. They also explain how to search the online system. Arapahoe County is not part of the court system. The Recording Division works on its own.
The Arapahoe County Recording Division provides full details about their services online.
| Office Name | Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder - Recording Division |
|---|---|
| Address |
County Administration Building 5334 South Prince Street Littleton, CO 80120 |
| Phone | 303-795-4520 |
| recording@arapahoegov.com | |
| Website | arapahoegov.com/313/Recording |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Appointment Only) |
How to Search Arapahoe County Deed Records Online
You can search Arapahoe County deed records from home. The county offers two online tools. Both are free to use. You can search by name or address. Results show document details and images. This saves time and travel. Many people prefer this method for quick lookups.
The main search tool is at arapahoe.co.publicsearch.us. It covers records from 1996 to now. You can search by property address. You can also search by owner name. The system shows document type and date. You can view images of recorded documents. This includes deeds, mortgages, and liens. The site works on phones and computers. It is easy to use. No account is needed for basic searches.
The Arapahoe County Online Records Database lets you search property records from 1996 to present day.
Another option is the QuickLink Search at kofilequicklinks.com/arapahoe. This tool has the same records. Some users find it faster. It also covers 1996 to now. You can search by name or parcel number. The site shows document images too. Both tools are official Arapahoe County resources. They pull from the same database. Choose the one that works best for you.
The QuickLink Search offers an alternative way to access Arapahoe County deed records online.
To search Arapahoe County deed records online, you need:
- Property address or owner name
- Document type if known
- Date range for your search
- Parcel number for advanced searches
Older records before 1996 need a different approach. You can visit the office in Littleton. Staff can help you find microfilm records. You can also submit a CORA request. This stands for Colorado Open Records Act. The online portal is at arapahoecountyco.nextrequest.com. This works well for bulk requests or hard-to-find documents.
Submit record requests through the Arapahoe County CORA Request Portal for older or bulk documents.
Arapahoe County Deed Recording Fees
Arapahoe County charges fees to record property documents. These fees are set by state law. Recent changes came from House Bill 24-1269. The new rates took effect on a set date. Always check current fees before sending documents. Fees can change with new legislation.
The standard recording fee is $43.00 per document. This applies to deeds, mortgages, and most other records. The fee covers processing and indexing. It also covers the public record system upkeep. You pay this whether you file in person or by mail. Make checks payable to Arapahoe County Clerk. Credit cards may be accepted in the office. Call 303-795-4520 to confirm payment options.
Colorado also charges a documentary fee. This is $0.01 per $100 of consideration. Consideration means the property value or sale price. It appears on most deeds. The fee helps fund state programs. You must calculate this when recording. The total cost is the $43 base plus the documentary fee. For a $300,000 home sale, that adds $30. Your total would be $73.
Key fees for Arapahoe County deed records:
- Recording fee: $43.00 per document
- Documentary fee: $0.01 per $100 consideration
- Additional pages may cost extra
- Certified copies available for a fee
The fee structure follows House Bill 24-1269. This bill changed recording fees statewide. It affects all Colorado counties. The goal was to standardize costs. Arapahoe County adopted these rates. Always verify current fees on the county website. Staff can confirm the exact amount due. Proper payment prevents delays in recording your deed.
What Arapahoe County Deed Records Include
Arapahoe County deed records cover many document types. Deeds are the most common. They show property transfers. A warranty deed offers the most protection. A quitclaim deed offers less. Mortgages appear when owners borrow money. Releases show when loans are paid off. Each type serves a different purpose.
Liens also appear in Arapahoe County deed records. Tax liens come from unpaid property taxes. Mechanic's liens come from unpaid contractors. Judgment liens come from court cases. These can cloud a property title. Buyers should check for liens before purchasing. Sellers need to clear liens to transfer clean title. The Recording Division files all these documents.
Easements and covenants are also recorded. An easement lets someone use part of your land. Utility companies often hold these. Covenants set rules for a neighborhood. They may limit fence types or home colors. These run with the land. Future owners must follow them. Arapahoe County deed records show all these restrictions.
Common documents in Arapahoe County deed records:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Releases and satisfactions
- Liens and judgments
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Plats and surveys
Under C.R.S. § 38-35-109, Colorado uses a race-notice rule. This means the first person to record a deed wins. But they must also have no notice of other claims. Recording protects your interest. It gives public notice of ownership. Always record promptly after a property transfer. This protects your rights in Arapahoe County.
Visiting the Arapahoe County Recording Office
Sometimes you need to visit in person. The office is in Littleton. It is near the intersection of Prince Street and Arapahoe Road. The building is called the County Administration Building. Parking is available on site. The office is on the main floor. Signs guide you to the Recording Division.
You must have an appointment to visit. This policy helps manage traffic. It ensures staff can help each person fully. Call 303-795-4520 to schedule. You can also email recording@arapahoegov.com. Explain what you need. Staff will set a time that works. Arrive a few minutes early. Bring your ID and any documents you need.
In-person visits help with complex searches. Staff can guide you through old records. They can explain document types. They can help with microfilm readers. You can get certified copies on the spot. You can also record documents immediately. This is faster than mailing them in. Active military and first responders receive priority service when they show valid ID.
Researching Arapahoe County Property History
Researching property history takes time. Start with the current owner. Work backwards through the chain of title. Each deed shows the prior owner. This creates a history of ownership. Look for breaks in the chain. These may signal problems. A title company can help with this research. They have access to professional databases.
Check for liens and encumbrances. These affect property value. A tax lien means unpaid taxes. A mechanic's lien means unpaid work. These must be cleared before sale. Look at the mortgage history too. Releases should match each loan. Missing releases cause title problems. The Arapahoe County deed records show all filed documents.
Plat maps show property boundaries. Surveys confirm exact lines. These are in the deed records too. Old plats may show original lot sizes. Compare these to current surveys. Look for changes over time. This helps you understand the property fully. It also prevents boundary disputes with neighbors.
Nearby Colorado Counties
These counties border Arapahoe County. You may need to check their records too. Property near county lines may have records in multiple offices. Always verify which county handles your property.
Cities in Arapahoe County
Arapahoe County includes many cities and towns. Each falls under the same Recording Division. Property records for all these areas are in Littleton. The county seat serves the entire region.
Other communities in Arapahoe County include Aurora, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Deer Trail, Foxfield, and Bennett. All property records for these areas are filed at the Littleton office.