Choose from the topics below to get answers to your questions.
A: The most recent edition of every product is always posted on the website. You can see a list of our most recent editions for each county on our Most Recent Editions List.
A: Generally, a county is updated about every 2-3 years, but that being said–every county is different! If you would like to be notified via email when a county is updated please contact us and let us know which county you are interested in. You can also “LIKE” or “SUBSCRIBE” to any of our social media channels to receive notifications of new editions.
A: There are many factors that go into creating a new plat book. Production schedule, data availability, and demand–just to name a few! If there is a certain county you would like to see updated please let us know.
A: Rockford Map has spatial data for over 2,900 counties and plat books for over 700 counties. To check availability please visit the Buy Now page. You can also see a list of every plat book edition for each county on our Master Editions List.
A: A plat map is a detailed map that shows how land is divided and who owns it. It typically outlines property boundaries, parcel numbers, acreage, and landowner names. Plat maps are commonly used by farmers, landowners, real estate professionals, surveyors, and families researching land history.
A: A plat map shows land ownership and property boundaries for a specific area, such as a county or township. It focuses on individual parcels, landowner names, acreage, and boundary lines.
A plat book is a printed collection of plat maps organized into one book. It typically covers an entire county and includes multiple township maps, indexes, and reference information. Plat books make it easy to flip through maps, compare parcels, and reference land information in one place.
A: A custom map is any map that is not listed as a standard product on our website. If you do not see the map you need in our standard Product Suite, a custom map could be the ideal mapping solution for you. We can customize any plat book, wall map, or digital file for you as well as create a one-of-a-kind map from scratch. To see some examples of our past work you can visit the Custom Maps page.
A: Because no two custom maps are alike, there are no fixed prices for custom maps. Pricing depends on the map’s size, detail and overall complexity. If you fill out our Custom Map Quote Form a Custom Mapping Specialist will contact you to discuss your requested custom map.
The average custom mapping project typically takes 2-3 weeks to complete. The production time may vary depending on the type of map and our current volume of orders. We will always make every effort to meet your deadlines.
A: The majority of our custom maps are created entirely from scratch so we are unable to provide a preview of your specific map prior to your purchase. However, we can usually show you an example of something very similar to your request. Once payment is received, all custom maps go through a digital proof process with the option of a print proof upon request.
A: A land description is a description of a tract of land in legally acceptable terms; so as to show exactly where it is located and how many acres it contains.
A: Download our Facts About Land Descriptions (.pdf) for instructions on how to read land descriptions.
A: Download our eBook/MobilePlat™ Download Instructions (.pdf) to learn how to download these maps to your device.
A: Download our eBook User Guide to learn how to take full advantage of your eBook.
A: Check out the Avenza Maps app website for a list of features and FAQ’s on how to use our MobilePlat within the Avenza Maps app.
A: Both products are in digital .pdf form. eBook is the exact same content and lay out of the printed plat book where as MobilePlat™ is a seamless, georeferenced map. eBook is deisgned to be used in Adobe Reader® while MobilePlat™ is designed to be used in the free Avenza Maps app.
A: eBook and MobilePlat™ are the only products bundled with a Lifetime Site License. This means that you have the ability to share it on multiple devices within one physical site or location for as long as you own the file. If your company or organization has multiple offices and they would like a copy of the data, you have two options: 1) Each office can purchase their own copy. 2) You can purchase a data sharing license which is customized to your specific need. For more information visit our Copyright & Licensing page.
A: A license (written consent) must be obtained from Rockford Map prior to displaying data on a website. Data used on the internet must be trimmed so that no more than 50% of a single township map is displayed at one time, along with appropriate credit line and link. For more information, please visit our Copyright & Licensing Page or contact our Licensing Manager at licensing@rockfordmap.com.
A: We accept Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express.
A: Yes, we accept Checks and Money Orders, however, payment must be received before the order is processed. Please call us at (800) 321-1627 to complete your order by phone.
A: To ensure that tax is not applied to your order, please email or fax your tax exempt form to (800) 446-3530. Then call us to complete your order at (800) 321-1627.
A: Some of our plat books are also distributed by local resellers. Please contact us to find out if there is a local reseller in your area.
A: Yes, please call us at (800) 321-1627 with your PO number and order details ready.
A: We do not provide bulk discounts; however, if you have a special request please contact us and we will see if we can accommodate you.
A: Please contact us right away with your order information so that we can address the problem.
A: Please contact us right away with your order information so that we can address the problem.
A: All sales are final. Please be sure to double check your order before completing the checkout process on our website.
A: Most plat books and wall maps are not in stock and may take up to 10 business days to be delivered. Most of our recent digital products are available for immediate download upon purchase. If not available for immediate download a separate email will be sent to you within 24 business hours.
A: Most orders are shipped via USPS. Plat books are shipped in padded envelopes which can take 2-3 days to arrive once shipped from our office. Wall maps are shipped in cardboard tubes and can take 4-5 days to arrive once shipped from our office.
A: Most of our recent digital products are available for immediate download upon purchase. If not available for immediate download a separate email will be sent to you within 24 business hours.
A: All land contract owners/tax bill recipients/owner of record and acreage data are derived from the Official Public Record per Rockford Map’s standard mapping protocol.
A: Currency of the data varies from county to county. Due to continual sales, transfers of property, land contracts and varied tax bill/owner records, it is impossible to guarantee that the data is complete or free from error. However, Rockford Map strives to accurately reflect what is in the Official Public Record at the time the data was gathered.
A: Plat maps are generally very accurate for showing land ownership, parcel boundaries, acreage, and landowner names as recorded at the county level. They are created using official public records such as deeds, surveys, and assessor data.
However, plat maps are not legal surveys. While they are excellent for reference, planning, and research, they should not be used to determine exact boundary locations for construction, fencing, or legal disputes. For those purposes, a licensed land survey is required. Due to continual sales, transfers of property, land contracts and varied tax bill/owner records, it is impossible to guarantee that the data is complete or free from error.
A: No, plat maps and GIS maps are not the same, though they often use similar data.
A plat map is a curated, published map designed for easy reading and reference. It focuses on land ownership, parcel boundaries, acreage, and landowner names, presented in a clear, consistent format.
A GIS map is a digital mapping system used by counties and agencies to store and analyze geographic data. GIS maps can include many layers of information and are frequently updated, but they are often more technical and less user-friendly for everyday use.