The Gem State of Idaho was named after a steamship that traveled the Columbia River. It is 83,557 square miles of mountains, rivers, and flatlands. Boise is Idaho's largest city, with a population of 205,707 residents. Idaho is number one for the production of potatoes, trout, Austrian winter peas, and lentils. The most prominent industries in the state are manufacturing, health care, agriculture, and tourism. Idaho has a population of 1.939 million people and 735,672 housing units, which means millions of interesting property records.

Property records are created by government offices, attorneys, title companies, realtors, and private companies that use them every day in their daily operations. They also impact homeowners and transfer and verify home ownership.

Idaho property records are official reports, forms, and documents that contain information about real property and its owners. Realtors, attorneys, title companies, government offices, and individuals create these records. Some records perform functions, and others are purely informational.

Sources of Property Records in Idaho

Different agencies, courts, and private companies create, store, and maintain property records. For example, if you need to file a new deed in Idaho, you must visit the local county recorder's office where the property resides. Ada County has some helpful FAQs regarding filing deeds.

The Idaho State Tax Commission oversees all property tax administration and details, but the local county tax assessor sets tax rates and issues bills to homeowners. They can also impose a tax lien if you fail to pay your annual property taxes.

If you need a building permit to build new construction, demolish a building, or renovate, you can contact the Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses. They offer them to both contractors and homeowners.

The local county recorder's office plays a vital role in property records. They are the stewards of property records. They file, record, and maintain them. They also provide them to the public upon request.

How Property Records are Maintained in Idaho

Each county has its own system for maintaining records. However, they all receive new documents and stamp them with the date, time, and a unique identifier to make them easily accessible later. As soon as the document has been recorded, it becomes a public record.

Accessing Records at the Recorder's Office in Idaho

Idaho property records are public records, and anyone can get copies by visiting the recorder's office or using online portals or county office websites. To help you get started, here are a few local county recorder's office websites.

Recorder's Office Locations in Idaho

The Idaho Association of Counties provides this handy website, which can help you easily find the county recorder's office or county official you need.

During a property records history search, you will encounter many different types of property records. Some perform functions, and others are informational. Many will contain some of the same details. The most common property record types in Idaho include:

County Assessors estimate how much buyers would pay for the property as of January 1st. They assess the values at 100% of the market value, less any exemptions. Each assessor has their own process for conducting the assessment. However, the general process is as follows:

Easements and Covenants

Easements and covenants are also part of property records in Idaho. Easements are rights of way that allow someone other than the owner to access the property whenever they like. An example would be a wireless company with towers installed on private land. The company can enter and maintain the towers whenever it needs to.

Covenants are restrictions on how the property can be used. You see these in gated communities and condos. For example, you might not be able to have a dog or cat in the development.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are both types of maps. The difference is that plats show the boundaries of neighboring properties, and surveys show only the boundaries of a single property. Plats and surveys often accompany deeds.

Types of property surveys in Idaho include:

Historical Property Records

When property records become too massive, states often move them to an archive area and keep current ones local. The Idaho Historical Society is responsible for all historical property records. They have a physical location where visitors can review and access many types of old property records.

Building Permits and Regulations in Idaho

Building permits are handled at the state level because the government is a unified system (rare in the U.S.). You can obtain building permits directly through the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses. This works for both contractors and homeowners alike.

Property records are handy for many reasons. Thankfully, when searching for them, you have many options. Try the methods outlined below to see what works best for you.

Online Property Record Search

First, start with a generic online property records search. Type the full property address into a Google search bar and see what comes up. You may find what you need, or you may have to go further.

In-Person Property Record Search

Visit any of the local county recorder's offices to search for and get copies of property records in person. By law, they must provide you with access to the records. The office may charge you a small fee for copies.

Using Property Record Indexes

Property records indexes are everywhere. You can try them, but be careful; they are not always updated regularly or even contain correct or accurate records. Verify any information you find there.

How to Search Property Records by Address

The easiest way to find records is by using the property address. Type in the full address, including city, state, and zip, into a search bar and see what comes up. You should get pretty close.

How to Search Property Records by Name

You might also have the option of searching by the owner's name. Although this is not always the best or most efficient method, you could get lucky.

Property ownership is a wonderful thing. However, when you own a home, you must also pay your taxes, interest, insurance, and mortgage on time and maintain the house to preserve its value. Understand that your name and address will show up in public property records.

Every piece of real property has its own legal property description. The legal description includes map coordinates and a written description that includes natural landmarks so anyone can find them easily. These descriptions appear in property records like deeds, mortgages, appraisals, surveys, and building permits.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys measure the land to determine the proper boundaries. They are used before new construction and utility installation and sometimes during boundary disputes.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

Boundary disputes are pretty common. They occur when a neighbor thinks another is trespassing on their land. These often end up in court, where a judge must decide the outcome. The courts will enlist the help of a professional surveyor to measure the land and determine where the boundaries lie.

Liens are encumbrances that appear in property records. Some are less serious, but others can lead to foreclosure and the loss of the home. They also stain the owner's reputation and lower the home's value. There are two main types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those that you have control over, like mortgage or home equity loans, where you agree to a lien in return for a bank lending you money.

Involuntary Liens

Involuntary liens are beyond your control and result from a debt that you owe. These types almost always result in foreclosure and the loss of the home.

Property records really come into play during real estate sales. Before the deal, the attorney, realtor, appraiser, inspector, and title company will use property records to research things. New records will be created during the sale, and after closing, some will replace older records.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

Before buying any property in Idaho, you should always perform due diligence and find out as much as possible to make an informed decision. Use property records to fill in any blanks.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

Sellers must disclose any material defects, such as a damaged foundation, asbestos, and lead paint, to potential buyers in an effort to be transparent so they know what they are getting.

Title Searches and Insurance

Title insurance is a requirement when you borrow money to buy a house. The lender must protect itself and you from any legal claims on the property after the sale. Your attorney or title company will perform a property title search, looking for any issues beforehand.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Idaho

Foreclosures appear in Idaho property records. These homes are valued at less than fair market value because the lienholder wants to sell them quickly to get paid what they are owed. Most buyers want to avoid the hassles associated with foreclosure properties.

Pre-Foreclosures in Idaho

Pre-foreclosure homes also show up in property records. These are homes that are in foreclosure but have yet to be sold at auction. There is a window of opportunity for the owner to sell to an investor or a short sale to end the foreclosure and resolve the debt.

When was the House Built?

If you want to find out when a house was built, contact the local county recorder's office and ask to see the very first building permit. It will show who originally built it and when.

Property values are one of the most interesting pieces of information you will find regarding a piece of real property. They appear online on realty websites, assessments, mortgages, and appraisals. These values change over time depending on economic conditions, inflation, and the local real estate market.

Assessments and Appraisals

Assessments and appraisals are tools used to determine a property's value. County tax assessors use assessments to assign tax rates to every piece of property within their jurisdiction. These values do not always match fair market value (FMV).

Appraisers use various calculation methods to derive a property's value for estate planning and mortgages. Their goal is to arrive at the fair market value, which is the amount the house would sell for in the current market.

Idaho property records are public; therefore, anyone can access them anytime. These records do contain information about the owners. Some have more detail, and some have less. If you buy property, your name will show up in public property records.

Accessing Public Property Records

You can access public property records through the proper channel. If you seek deeds, that would be the county recorder's office. If you are looking for tax information, that's the tax assessor. You must determine the correct agency when accessing property records.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public to maintain a public chain of title (showing every owner going back to the first) and to prevent any government office from having too much power over its people. It's about transparency.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

You cannot remove all your information from public property records. However, you can contact all the agencies and offices that hold your records and ask them to remove anything but your name and address. That will help protect you against fraud and identity theft.

A quick property history search of your own records will help you determine if anything needs to be corrected or updated. It's a good idea to check records periodically and make changes as necessary.