Real Estate > Transfer & Conveyance > Transfer & 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, however the Franklin County Law Library offers document templates online at no charge to you. Please note that 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 should I do to update my name on my deed and the Auditor's website?
If you are changing your name due to marriage, divorce, legal name change, etc., you can complete a change of name form and affidavit of name change found in our online form center. After completing these forms, you must ensure a parcel number and full legal description of the property are attached to both.
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 Franklin County, Ohio:
1. Parcel number
2. Full legal description of the property
3. Property address
4. Prior instrument reference
5. Tax-mailing address
I want to transfer my property into my LLC – what do I need to do? What information is needed in the affidavit?
You must create a deed to transfer ownership from an individual into a business entity or vice versa. You must also have an affidavit of facts in support of the tax-exempt status of the transfer. The affidavit of facts must answer the following questions:
1. How are the individual(s) and entity affiliated?
2. Is money or other valuable and tangible consideration readily convertible into money being paid or to be paid for the real estate?
3. What is the reason for the transfer of real estate?
4. Does the real estate transfer represent a gift?
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 Franklin County Probate Court at 614-525-3894. 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 to create the document on your own, the Franklin County Law Library offers document templates online at no charge to you. Please understand that 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 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 on the Franklin County Recorder's office website. The Recorder's office can also be reached at 614-525-3930.
How much are recording fees?
You can inquire about recording fees on the Franklin County Recorder's office website. The Recorder's office can also be reached at 614-525-3930.
How much are conveyance fees, and what types of payment do you accept?
Please visit our conveyance fee calculator found here. The Auditor's office accepts cash, business check, or cashier's check made payable to the Franklin 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.
I submitted a file electronically through Simplifile and need to retrieve it. Can I recall my documents by contacting the Auditor's office?
No, you must contact Simplifile customer support at 800-460-5657.
Do transfer on death designations/land contracts/easements/covenants need to be presented to the Auditor's office? Do they need to be stamped?
Transfer on death designations are taken directly to the Franklin County Recorder's office. Land contracts, easements, and covenants must first be presented to, and stamped by, the Auditor's office before recording.
Where can I get a copy of an old conveyance or exemption form?
Please call 614-525-3253 for copies of previously filed DTE100 (conveyance) or DTE100EX (exemption) forms.
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?
If you submit your documents via U.S. Mail or leave them in one of the Office's designated drop boxes, our team members will take the documents to the Recorder's Office for you.
How do I combine parcels?
Information on combining parcels can be found by clicking here. Please carefully read the instructions on page one before submitting the form found on page two.
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 tax 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 Franklin County Auditor's website until that same future tax year.
How do I split a parcel?
The process to split parcels is as follows:
1. Contact the municipality's building & zoning services department (sometimes called planning commission). It is important that you do this first. It is the city in which the parcel is located that determines if you can or cannot split the parcel. If the parcel is in a township, then you must contact the Franklin County Economic Development office at 614-525-4684.
2. Contact a surveyor to have a new land survey taken.
3. Contact a real estate attorney or title company to have a new deed prepared.
The title company then completes the following:
4. Take the deed and new parcel legal descriptions to the Franklin County Engineer's Office for legal description approval.
5. Take the deed and new parcel legal descriptions to the Franklin County Auditor's Office to be assigned a new parcel number.
6. Take the deed and new parcel legal descriptions to the Franklin County Recorder's Office to be recorded.
Why am I 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 a sale.
What is the Homestead Exemption? Do I qualify? How do I apply?
The standard Homestead Exemption is a property tax credit designed for lower income older adults and those who are permanently and totally disabled.
To qualify, an individual must be age 65 or older as of December 31 of the year for which they apply or be totally and permanently disabled as of January 1 of the year for which they apply. The individual must also reside in their home as their primary residence as of January 1 of the year for which they apply and earn below a specified income limit.
You may apply for the standard Homestead Exemption by submitting an online application or completing the Homestead Exemption Application for Senior Citizens, Disabled Persons and Surviving Spouses (DTE 105A) and mailing it to Franklin County Auditor, Homestead, 373 S High St, 21st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 or emailing it to homestead@franklincountyohio.gov.
An enhanced Homestead Exemption is also available for military veterans who are 100% disabled by, or are receiving 100% compensation for, service-connected injuries as well as surviving spouses of public service officers killed in the line of duty. There are no income requirements with the enhanced Homestead Exemption and approved applicants will receive a property tax reduction equal to the taxes owed toward $50,000 of their property's appraised value.
You may apply for the enhanced Homestead Exemption for disabled veterans by completing the Homestead Exemption Application for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses (DTE 105I) and mailing to Franklin County Auditor, Homestead, 373 S High St, 21st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 or emailing it to homestead@franklincountyohio.gov.
Can I get a map made through your office? What is the cost?
Yes, size A (8 ½" x 11"): $0.10/each; size E (30" x 36"): $1.70/each. Call the map room at 614-525-3253 for more information.