Cedar City Deed Records
Cedar City is the largest city in southern Utah, with a population near 35,000, and it serves as the cultural and commercial hub of the region. Home to Southern Utah University, Cedar City draws students, faculty, researchers, and a steady stream of visitors to its nationally recognized Shakespeare Festival. All property deed records for Cedar City are maintained by the Iron County Recorder in Parowan, not by any office within Cedar City itself. The Iron County Recorder holds deeds, trust deeds, mortgages, liens, mining claims, and other recorded instruments affecting real property throughout Iron County, including all parcels within Cedar City's boundaries.
Cedar City Quick Facts
Where Cedar City Deed Records Are Kept
Cedar City is located entirely within Iron County, and under Utah Code Title 57, all instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the county recorder in the county where the land is located. This means that every deed, trust deed, lien, or easement tied to a Cedar City property is filed with the Iron County Recorder, whose office is in Parowan at 68 South 100 East, Parowan, UT 84761.
Parowan is the county seat of Iron County, located about 20 miles northeast of Cedar City. The recorder's office can be reached by phone at (435) 477-8350. The office maintains all property records for Cedar City properties, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and mining claims. Certified copies of recorded documents are available through the office.
Iron County is more rural than the Wasatch Front counties, and its recorder's office may have different hours and access options than larger county systems. Contacting the office by phone before visiting in person is a practical step. The staff can confirm hours, current copy fees, and the best way to submit records requests.
| Office | Iron County Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 68 South 100 East, Parowan, UT 84761 |
| Phone | (435) 477-8350 |
| Documents Held | Deeds, mortgages, liens, mining claims |
| Certified Copies | Available upon request |
| Coverage | All Cedar City parcels and Iron County properties |
Note: The Iron County Recorder is located in Parowan, not Cedar City; plan for a drive of approximately 20 miles if you intend to visit the office in person.
Cedar City Deed Records and Utah GIS Resources
Statewide parcel data tools can help Cedar City property researchers confirm parcel numbers and boundary information before contacting the Iron County Recorder. Knowing the exact parcel ID for the property you are researching streamlines the search and reduces the chance of pulling records for the wrong parcel.
The Utah Geospatial Resource Center at gis.utah.gov maintains statewide parcel data that includes Iron County parcels. Users can search by address, view parcel boundaries on an interactive map, and retrieve the parcel identification number. That number is the most reliable search key when querying the county recorder's document index. This approach is especially useful for Cedar City properties on the city's edge, where lot lines and address ranges can sometimes cross zoning or planning boundaries.
The GIS parcel layer is updated regularly and is provided as a public resource at no charge. It is a reference tool, not a legal document. For legal boundary information and the authoritative record of any easements, restrictions, or encumbrances on a Cedar City parcel, the Iron County Recorder's recorded plat maps and deed documents are the correct source.
Utah State Archives and Historical Cedar City Deed Records
Cedar City has a long history as one of the earliest settled communities in southwestern Utah. Properties with deep ownership histories may have deed records that predate Iron County's modern recording system. For historical research, the Utah State Archives is a valuable resource.
The Utah State Archives in Salt Lake City holds historical government records from across Utah, including land records and plat books that may cover early Iron County property transfers. For Cedar City properties tied to homestead entries, mining claims, or land grants from the territorial period, the Archives may hold documents that are not part of the county recorder's modern digital index.
Access to Archives records is available online through their catalog and in person at the Archives facility. Staff can help researchers identify which record series are most relevant to Iron County land history. For very old Cedar City properties, combining a search at the Archives with a search at the Iron County Recorder's office gives the most complete picture of the ownership history.
Iron County also has a history of mining activity, and mining claim records are maintained by the county recorder alongside standard property deed records. If a Cedar City parcel was ever subject to a mining claim, that record will appear in the Iron County index.
Note: Utah State Archives records are for historical and research purposes; the Iron County Recorder's index is the current legal authority for all active deed records affecting Cedar City properties.
Cedar City Recorder vs. Iron County Recorder for Deed Records
The Cedar City Recorder is located at 10 North Main Street, Cedar City, UT 84720. The office can be reached at (435) 586-2950. This is Cedar City's main municipal building, and the City Recorder plays an important role in local government operations. However, that role does not include recording or maintaining property deed records.
Under Utah law, the City Recorder is responsible for preserving the official record of city government actions. Cedar City's city ordinances, resolutions of the city council, minutes of public meetings, and official municipal agreements are all part of the City Recorder's files. These are public records under GRAMA, Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act, and any person may request access to them.
Property deed records are a separate system governed by Utah Code Title 57. County recorders hold exclusive authority over that record set. The Cedar City Recorder cannot provide copies of property deeds, cannot confirm ownership of a parcel, and cannot tell you whether a lien is recorded against a property. All of those questions require a call or visit to the Iron County Recorder in Parowan.
| Office | Cedar City Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 10 North Main Street, Cedar City, UT 84720 |
| Phone | (435) 586-2950 |
| Records Kept | City ordinances, resolutions, council minutes |
| Property Deeds | Not maintained here |
Types of Deed Records Held by Iron County for Cedar City
The Iron County Recorder maintains a broad range of recorded instruments for Cedar City properties. Warranty deeds document the transfer of ownership in a standard sale, naming the grantor and grantee, providing a legal description of the property, and including the grantor's notarized signature. Trust deeds secure most mortgage loans originated in Cedar City, recording the lender's interest in the property as collateral for the loan. When the loan is paid off, a reconveyance or release of trust deed is filed to clear the lien from the record.
Beyond these common instruments, Iron County also records mechanic's liens filed by contractors for unpaid work, judgment liens from court proceedings, notices of default when a borrower falls behind on a mortgage, and tax liens from state or federal taxing authorities. Easements, which may cover utility lines, road access, or drainage, are also part of the permanent record. A thorough title search for any Cedar City parcel should include all of these document categories.
Mining claims are a document type unique to counties like Iron County with historic mining activity. If a Cedar City parcel was ever subject to a mineral claim, that record appears in the county recorder's index alongside standard property deeds. This can affect title for certain properties and should be checked during any formal title search. The Utah State Archives may hold supplemental records for early mining claims and land grants in the Iron County area.