If the party recording a document  (or a secured lender) wants to include page numbers, footers, file paths or similar items within the margin area, they should be prepared to pay an additional $20 per document.

Until out of state lenders are made aware of the new requirements, I anticipate many loan documents are going to incur an additional $20.00 per document recording fee.

Formatting tip if you are not comfortable changing the margin requirements on a page by page basis:

Set the top margin on the first page of the document at 3  inches. Insert a page break at the bottom of the page and print the first page.  Then change top margin to 1.5 inches and print the remaining pages. If you are sending documents for execution, it would be helpful to scan and send pdf documents to make sure that the margins are not changed.

In general and with a few exceptions, House Bill 525 allows the county recorder to charge an extra $20 if the document does not comply with the following requirements:

1. Blue or black ink only
2. A writing must be in at least 10 point computer font
3. Minimum Paper size – Letter – 8.5 by 11
4. Maximum paper size – Legal – 8.5 x 14
5. No highlighting
6. 1 inch margin on the bottom, right and left side of each page
7. 3 inch margin on the top of the first page
8. 1.5 margin on the top of each page other than the first page

The Ohio Real Estate Blog also outlines the new requirements of HB 525.