"Recorder" means (i) the Recorder of the county in which the mortgaged real estate is located or (ii) if the mortgaged real estate is registered under the Torrens Act, the Registrar of Titles of the county in which the mortgaged real estate is located. "Recorder" includes any authorized assistant or employee of the Recorder.
15-1216.Recorder.
Article XV. Mortgage Foreclosure · Part 12. Definitions · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceThis section defines “recorder” as the county recorder where the mortgaged real estate is located, or the county registrar of titles if the real estate is registered under the Torrens Act, including their authorized assistants or employees.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/15-1216
Plain-English Summary
Section 15-1216 defines recorder in two alternative ways, depending on how the mortgaged real estate is titled. Ordinarily, recorder means the Recorder of the county in which the mortgaged real estate is located. If, instead, the real estate is registered under the Torrens Act, defined separately in Section 15-1222, recorder means the Registrar of Titles of that county.
The definition also reaches beyond the officeholder personally, including any authorized assistant or employee of the Recorder. That matters because Article XV's provisions on recording of instruments, defined in Section 15-1217, and on recorded notice, defined in Section 15-1218, depend on filings made with whichever office qualifies as the recorder for the property involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the recorder under Article XV?
The Recorder of the county in which the mortgaged real estate is located.
What if the property is registered under the Torrens Act?
Then recorder means the Registrar of Titles of the county in which the mortgaged real estate is located.
Does the definition include deputy staff?
Yes, it expressly includes any authorized assistant or employee of the Recorder.
Why does the Article need this definition?
Because the correct recording office differs depending on whether the real estate is registered under the Torrens Act, and several other sections depend on filings with that office.
Where must foreclosure-related documents be recorded?
With whichever office qualifies as the recorder for the county where the mortgaged real estate is located, as defined here.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 84-1462.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: illinois recorder definition foreclosuretorrens act registrar of titles illinois foreclosurecounty recorder mortgaged real estate