Many home owners are receiving official-looking letters as though they are from the County or a mortgage lender urging them to request an “official” copy of their Grant Deed in order to prevent foreclosure, prove that they own their home, and to be in compliance. The catch: you have to pay as much as $83 for the copies.
THE FACTS
• You can obtain a copy of your Grant Deed directly from your
County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. No third party assistance is
needed.
• The County Registrar-Recorder mails the original Grant Deed document
to the homeowner after it is recorded. Therefore, you should already
have your original Grant Deed.
• If you have the original Grant Deed in your possession there is no need
to purchase a copy. The original is a legally binding document that can
be used for your business transactions.
Dale Butts, the county's register of deeds, said property deeds can be obtained through his office, usually for less than $5. He says anyone who receives the notice in the mail should disregard it.
According to Butts "While they may appear somewhat 'official' in nature, if someone is offering to obtain a copy of your deed at that price, you can consider it junk mail."
The county learned about the mailings from residents who received them and contacted their attorneys. Similar mailings from an Illinois company charging $60 for the records showed up in local mailboxes about five years ago. Even Butts received one.
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