Estate Planning for DuPage County, Illinois Property Owners
For most DuPage County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a DuPage County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a DuPage County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in DuPage County
A transfer on death instrument lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives DuPage County property automatically at death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorderduring the owner’s lifetime and can be revoked any time.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for DuPage County are recorded with the County Recorder (County Recorder) at 421 N. County Farm Road, First Floor, Wheaton, IL 60187. Phone: 630-407-5400. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
Recording costs $50 base recording fee; TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt. Page count, cover sheets, and any local transfer-tax add-ons under Illinois law can change the final amount, so confirm the total with the County Recorder before submitting.
DuPage County accepts e-recording through DuPage County eRecord.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
DuPage County · County Recorder · Elizabeth Chaplin
Address
421 N. County Farm Road, First FloorWheaton, IL 60187Mailing: P.O. Box 936, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone
Fax
630-407-5300
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
E-recording
Available via DuPage County eRecordE-recording info →
Recording fees
| Base recording fee | $50 |
Illinois recording fees are NOT uniform statewide. Total fees for a standard document range from approximately $50 to $99 depending on the county. Fees include a base recording fee plus county-specific surcharges for GIS, automation, document storage, and the Rental Housing Support Program (RHSP, $18 per real estate document). Contact the specific county recorder for the current total fee. Documents must meet "standard document" formatting requirements per 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.1 or may incur a non-standard surcharge.
55 ILCS 5/3-5018; 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.1 through 5/3-5018.10
Transfer tax
$0.50 per $500 of value or fraction thereof (35 ILCS 200/31-10) State; Some counties and municipalities impose additional transfer taxes (e.g., Cook County $0.25 per $500; City of Chicago $3.75 per $500 for seller, $7.50 per $500 for buyer). local. Transfer-on-death deeds are generally exempt (No consideration exchanged at recording. TOD instruments are revocable instruments recorded during the owner's lifetime with no transfer of interest until death (755 ILCS 27/).). Illinois real estate transfer tax applies only to transfers for consideration. Exemptions listed in 35 ILCS 200/31-45.
Standard document: $79; non-standard: $99 (effective 1/1/2025). Fee components include DSS $10, GIS $31, Real Property $1, RHSP $18.
Verified June 3, 2026 · Source
A Living Trust Covers More Than One Deed
A transfer-on-death deed moves a single property. A revocable living trust holds the home, bank and investment accounts, and other assets together, so the whole estate skips the Circuit Court — not just the house. For a DuPage County family with more than one major asset, the trust is usually the cleaner plan.
Create a Revocable Trust in 15 minutes
Legal Sources
- 55 ILCS 5/3-5018; 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.1 through 5/3-5018.10
Data sourced from Illinois statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deeds and other real property documents for DuPage County are recorded with the County Recorder at 421 N. County Farm Road, First Floor, Wheaton, IL 60187. Call 630-407-5400 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in DuPage County costs $50 base recording fee; TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt. Page count, required cover sheets, and any local transfer tax can change the final total.
DuPage County accepts electronic recording through DuPage County eRecord. Paper recording by mail or in person is also accepted.
The County Recorder is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Reach the office at 630-407-5400. Confirm whether walk-in or mail-in recording is preferred before you go.
Yes. Deeds recorded in Illinois must be signed in front of a notary and 2 witnesses before the County Recorder will accept them. A transfer-on-death deed follows the same execution rules — see the DuPage County signing requirements.
A transfer-on-death (TOD) deed names a beneficiary who receives the property automatically when the owner dies, without probate. The deed is recorded with the County Recorderduring the owner’s lifetime. Start one with the Illinois TOD deed form.
Illinois Estate Planning Attorneys
Find estate planning attorneys serving DuPage County by practice area.
Illinois Estate Planning Articles
Estate planning articles for Illinois.
