Top 10 Common Mistakes on WOOD County Property Records and How to Fix Them

Property records must be correct they affect ownership, taxes, mortgages and future sales. Below are the ten most common mistakes Wood County property owners encounter, and simple, official steps to fix each one. When in doubt contact the Wood County Recorder or Auditor

1. Wrong owner name (typos, old married name, LLC vs. individual)

Why it matters: The legal owner name on the deed must match the name used for taxes, mortgages and title searches.

How to fix steps:

Have the corrective document signed and notarized, then record it with the Wood County Recorder. If unsure which form to use, contact the Recorder’s office for instructions.

Compare the recorded deed copy to the true legal name on your driver’s license or articles of organization.

If it’s a simple typo or style error, prepare a Corrective Deed or Affidavit referencing the recorded instrument (use the instrument number).

2. Incorrect legal description (lot lines, parcel boundaries)

Why it matters: Wrong legal descriptions cause title issues and problems with taxes or subdivision compliance.
How to fix — steps:

1. Retrieve the recorded legal description from the Recorder or Auditor (parcel record).
2. If the recorded description is incorrect, obtain a corrected legal description from the surveyor who prepared the original plat or deed.
3. File a Corrective Document (corrective deed or scrivener’s affidavit) referencing the original instrument and attach the corrected legal description. Record with the Recorder. For conveyance standards see the county land transfer policy.

3. Wrong parcel ID or parcel assigned to the wrong lot

Why it matters: Parcel ID errors lead to tax bill confusion or misapplied exemptions (e.g., homestead).
How to fix — steps:

1. Check the Auditor’s online parcel lookup and your tax bill to confirm the mismatch.
2. If the homestead exemption or parcel assignment is wrong, contact the Auditor’s office and provide deeds, surveys or maps showing correct lot assignment.
3. The Auditor will coordinate corrections; if valuation is affected you may need to file a Board of Revision complaint (DTE Form 1).

4. Missing or unrecorded deed (transfer not recorded)

Why it matters: Ownership isn’t clear until the deed is recorded — unrecorded transfers cause title risk.
How to fix — steps:

1. Confirm whether the deed was ever recorded by searching the Recorder’s index or online records.
2. If not recorded, have the deed or conveyance instrument signed, notarized and submit it to the Recorder with the required recording fee.
3. Keep a certified copy of the recorded instrument and update tax records with the Auditor if ownership changed.

5. Mortgage or lien still showing after payoff

Why it matters: A paid mortgage or lien left on the record reduces marketability and may affect refinancing.
How to fix — steps:

1. Get the lender’s satisfaction/partial release document showing the loan is paid.
2. Record the satisfaction/release with the Recorder to clear the county index.
3. Verify the entry is removed from the Auditor’s assessment and notify the Auditor if changes to tax records are needed.

6. Clerical errors on tax lists or duplicate names on tax duplicates

Why it matters: Clerical errors can misdirect tax notices or lead to incorrect tax charges.
How to fix steps:

1. Provide documentation (deed, ID, corrected instrument) to the Auditor showing the correct name or charge.
2. Ohio law allows the Auditor to correct clerical errors in tax lists and duplicates request a clerical correction from the Auditor’s office. Keep copies of submitted documents.

7. Wrong or missing homestead exemption

Why it matters: Homestead exemptions reduce taxes; if applied to the wrong parcel you overpay or someone else gets your benefit.
How to fix steps:

1. Confirm current exemption status via the Auditor’s parcel search.
2. If wrong, file the required affidavit or correction paperwork with the Auditor’s office and provide proof of residency (driver’s license, voter registration).
3. The Auditor updates records and issues corrected statements as needed.

8. Missing signatures, notarisation, or improper execution on recorded documents

Why it matters: Documents recorded without proper signatures/notary can be invalid or challenged.
How to fix steps:

1. Review the recorded instrument for missing signatures or notary acknowledgment.
2. If defective, prepare a Corrective Document or Affidavit of Execution describing the issue and attaching evidence (e.g., original signed deed). Ohio law authorizes certain affidavits to clarify recorded matters.
3. Record the corrective instrument and consult an attorney if the error involves contested signatures.

9. Transfer tax, conveyance fee or county forms not completed

Why it matters: Missing county or state conveyance forms can delay recording or lead to incomplete records.
How to fix steps:

1. Check Recorder and Auditor filing requirements before recording (some conveyances require specific county forms).
2. If a required form was missed, file the missing conveyance form or contact the Recorder/Auditor to learn the remedy you may need to file a corrected recording or supplemental forms. Wood County

10. Discrepancies between title company records and county records

Why it matters: Lenders and title companies rely on county records; discrepancies delay closings.
How to fix steps:

1. Give the title company or lender the recorded documents and ask them to identify the specific discrepancy.
2. Correct the county record using one of the remedies above (corrective deed, affidavit, release) and record the corrected instrument.
3. After recording, request the title company re-run the search and confirm clearing of title issues. If necessary, obtain title insurance endorsements.

Quick checklist before you record anything

Verify owner name, legal description, parcel ID and deed instrument number.

Make sure signatures and notary blocks are correct.

Attach required county/state forms and pay recording fees.

Keep certified copies and notify the Auditor for tax updates.

When to file a formal appeal (Board of Revision)

If your issue affects property valuation (tax value) rather than a clerical name or deed problem, file a complaint with the Wood County Board of Revision using DTE Form 1 within the required timetable. The Auditor’s site explains the Board of Revision rules and the complaint form.

Official resources

Wood County Recorder services & recording rules (hours, fees, document requirements).

Wood County Auditor parcel search, appeals, contact and forms (DTE 1).

Conclusion

Most property record problems are clerical and fixable if you act quickly with the correct documents. Start at the Wood County Recorder for recording fixes and the Wood County Auditor for tax/parcel or valuation corrections both will guide you to the correct form or next step. Save copies of everything you record.