Portage County Auditor, OH: Property Search, Records (2026)

Independent guide • Portage County, Ohio

Portage County Auditor: Property Search & Records (2026)

The Portage County Auditor maintains property ownership, valuation, sales, tax and special-assessment information. Use the official tools below to research a parcel in Ravenna, Kent, Streetsboro, Aurora or elsewhere in the county.

Reviewed October 26, 2026. OhioAuditors.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with Portage County government.

County Auditor
Matt Kelly
330-297-3561
Visit the office
449 S. Meridian Street, 5th Floor
Ravenna, OH 44266
Published hours
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

What the property record tells you

Record item How to use it
Owner and address Confirm the name associated with the tax parcel. Separate the mailing address from the physical property address.
Market or appraised value The county’s value for assessment purposes. It is a different figure from a current listing price or a lender’s appraisal.
Assessed value Ohio generally assesses real property at 35% of market value. A $200,000 market value therefore corresponds to $70,000 assessed value before applicable adjustments.
Tax district and taxes Check the district and tax year. Credits, effective rates and special assessments affect the amount due.
Ownership and sales history Use these entries to identify transfers worth investigating. Family transfers or other unusual transactions may be poor comparable sales.
Map and acreage Use for orientation, then check recorded documents or a survey when a boundary or acreage is material.

The official site also provides a tax estimator. Treat its result as an estimate and confirm the current bill with the Treasurer.

For a deed, mortgage or recorded lien, obtain the underlying instrument through the Recorder. Parcel summaries and online maps do not establish a complete title history or replace a boundary survey.

Auditor, Treasurer or Recorder: who handles your request?

  • Auditor: parcel ownership data, assessed values, property transfers and tax-reduction applications. Main office: 330-297-3561.
  • Treasurer: payments, receipts, current balances and payment arrangements. Call 330-297-3586.
  • Recorder: recorded deeds and other land instruments. The county’s subdivision instructions list 330-297-3553.
  • Board of Revision: formal property-valuation complaints. Call 330-297-3568.

Portage County property taxes and 2026 payments

The county publishes tax year 2025 rates for collection in 2026. Check both labels when comparing a bill with a parcel record: the collection year and the tax year are different.

Confirm the exact deadline: The Treasurer’s general FAQ describes real-estate installments in February and July, but that recurring schedule does not establish a specific 2026 due date. Use the current bill and the Treasurer’s latest instructions, or call 330-297-3586 for confirmation.

The official payment-options page explains online payments through the county’s linked processor, mailed payments, in-person service, drop boxes and telephone payments. Begin there to reach the authorized payment service. Review the displayed processing fee and keep your confirmation.

If you owe an overdue balance, ask for a current amount instead of copying an old installment. The Delinquent Tax Division lists 330-297-2243 for assistance. Ask which arrangement applies to your account; the prepayment program and delinquency plans serve different needs.

Homestead Exemption and owner-occupancy reduction

Portage County’s 2026 Homestead brochure lists an income threshold of $41,000 or less. Age, disability or qualifying surviving-spouse requirements also apply, together with ownership and principal-residence requirements. The current application says real-property applications must be filed by December 31.

The county’s published materials contain inconsistent income-year references. Before submitting, ask the Homestead desk which return and income definition apply to your tax year, particularly for a late application. Do not rely on an older brochure’s exemption amount or assume that every disability payment receives the same treatment.

Call 330-297-3570 and use the county’s 2026 application. Qualifying disabled veterans have a separate application route and should confirm the required VA documentation.

Check owner occupancy separately

The Auditor says the owner-occupancy reduction requires ownership and use as the principal residence on January 1 of the filing year. A homeowner and spouse may claim it on only one Ohio home. Review the Auditor’s reduction-program page if the credit is missing.

CAUV for farmland and agricultural transfers

Current Agricultural Use Valuation values eligible agricultural land according to agricultural use. The county describes qualification through at least 10 acres of commercial agriculture or the applicable $2,500 average annual agricultural-income test. Supporting income records and land-use information may be required.

The county identifies the first Monday in March as the application and annual-renewal deadline. Report changes in farmed acreage and ask about woodland requirements before assuming that all land on a farm qualifies.

Buying or splitting CAUV property? County instructions require a new owner’s DTE 109 initial application with transfer documents to continue enrollment, or a notarized withdrawal form when leaving the program. Withdrawal can trigger recoupment equal to the prior three years of savings.

Discuss the parcel with the CAUV desk at 330-297-3579 before closing. Review the county’s CAUV instructions and clarify who will pay any recoupment.

How to question a Portage County property value

Start by checking the property facts with the Auditor. A clerical correction may resolve an error without a formal complaint. If you dispute the value itself, ask the Board of Revision for the current DTE 1 form, tax year and filing instructions.

  1. Identify the issue: incorrect property data, a disputed value or another determination within the Board’s authority.
  2. Support your requested value: organize an appraisal, relevant sales, closing documents or dated condition evidence.
  3. Complete and sign the form correctly: the county’s posted filing instructions require notarization.
  4. Confirm receipt: keep a copy and proof of timely delivery.

The posted DTE 1 instructions state March 31 of the following tax year, or the last penalty-free first-half payment date, whichever is later. Confirm the applicable deadline with 330-297-3568; an old 2025 notice on the search homepage is not a current filing calendar.

Review the local complaint guidance. A complaint needs valuation evidence; dissatisfaction with the tax bill alone does not establish a lower value.

Portage County conveyance and transfer fees

The Auditor processes real-property transfer documents before recording. Its published transfer page lists $4 per $1,000 of purchase price, plus $0.50 per parcel.

Example: For an ordinary taxable $250,000 transfer involving one parcel, $250,000 ÷ $1,000 × $4 = $1,000. Add $0.50 for the parcel: $1,000.50 in these Auditor charges. Recorder fees and other closing costs are separate.

Ask which conveyance form applies and whether the transaction qualifies for an exemption. Use the current Auditor forms, and flag CAUV, parcel splits or other special circumstances before submitting the deed.

Portage County Auditor contact and directions

Portage County Auditor — Matt Kelly
Portage County Administration Building
449 S. Meridian Street, 5th Floor
Ravenna, OH 44266

Mail: P.O. Box 1217, Ravenna, OH 44266
Office: 330-297-3561
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Official Auditor department page

Call before traveling for a deadline-sensitive filing or transfer. Bring the parcel number and relevant documents.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the official Portage County property search?

Start at portagecountyauditor.org and follow Search or QuickSearch to the county-linked Beacon system.

Can I search using an owner’s name or address?

Use the owner, address or parcel fields available in the search system. Begin with a short entry, then confirm the parcel number and physical location.

Who is the Portage County Auditor?

Matt Kelly is the Auditor. The county department lists 330-297-3561 for the office.

Does the Auditor take property-tax payments?

The Treasurer handles collection. Use the official payment-options page or call 330-297-3586.

What is the 2026 Homestead income threshold?

The county’s 2026 brochure lists $41,000 or less. Confirm the applicable income year and eligibility with the Homestead desk at 330-297-3570.

How much is the conveyance fee?

The Auditor lists $4 per $1,000 of purchase price plus $0.50 per parcel. Exemptions and separate recording charges may apply.

Does CAUV automatically continue after a sale?

The county requires transfer paperwork: a new owner’s initial application to continue CAUV or a notarized withdrawal form. Contact the CAUV desk before closing.

Can I use an online parcel map as a survey?

Use the map for research and orientation. Obtain recorded documents and a professional survey when you need reliable boundary evidence.

Official sources and next steps

Confirm the current form, deadline, amount and eligibility with the responsible office before filing or paying.

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