Powers of attorney (POA) were recorded in regular deed and mortgage books until 1848. After 1848, separate books, POA Books 1 to 5, were used until 1881. However, powers of attorney recorded from 1794 to 1848 are also listed in index 1.

From 1881 to 1922, POA books 6 to 11 were used. Index 2 is for books 6 thru 11. See the “Document Images” drop-down menu from the Recorder’s web site main search page for deed books, mortgage books and POA books 1 thru 10.

Business powers of attorney are sometimes on the last page of the indexes for that surname letter. Books 1 to 9 and the indexes to books 1-11 are also online at the FamilySearch.org website.

From 1922 to 1979, powers of attorney were recorded in POA books 12-50, indexed at the rear of each book. Books 51 to 71 were used from 1979 to 1988 and are not indexed or online. These are only available on microfilm at the Recorder’s Office.

Note: In the indexes, if the book listed is A through W2, it is a Deed book. If the book listed is 1 through 11, it is Power of Attorney book.
The book is a Mortgage book if the number is in the following list:

1820’s: 20, 27, 31.
1830’s: 36, 37, 40, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 69, 74.
1840’s: 77, 80, 83, 86, 89, 95, 98,103, 106, 110, 113, 118, 121, 124, 126, 131, 132, 135, 140, 141, 144, 147, 149.
1850-1869: 152, 156, 157, 160, 161, 164, 167, 170, 172, 174, 177, 180, 183, 184, 188, 193, 194, 196, 198, 203, 204, 207, 210, 213, 215, 217, 221, 222, 225, 226, 229, 230, 234, 238

Otherwise, if the number is between 21 and 239, it is a Deed book.

Deed books A-W2 or 21-239, Mortgage books 20-238 and POA books 1 to 5, the following have a separate index 1 for business names, 1794-1881:

Deed books A-W2, 21-239, Mortgage books 20-238 and POA books 1 to 5,
FROM Surname index 1, 1794 -1881:

Deed books A-W2, 21-239, Mortgage books 20-238 and POA books 1 to 5,
TO Surname index 1, 1794 -1881:

Powers of Attorney Books 6 to 11,
FROM Surname index 2, 1881-1922:

Powers of Attorney Books 6 to 11,
TO Surname index 2, 1881-1922: