The Register of Deeds Office is responsible for the recordation of documents having to do with real estate, personal property and other miscellaneous documents. This office has Federal and State guidelines we must abide by for recording of documents.
Interesting Facts
The Register of Deeds earliest recorded documents date back to November 19, 1794. These first books carry both titles to land and mortgages along with other types of documents. Mortgage books actually began on January 8, 1872. Plats date back to January 13, 1785. The deeds and plats can be viewed on microfilm and in books, the older mortgages are in books. All of these records are in the vault in the Register of Deeds Office.
Common Terms
Conveyance:
Transfer of the ownership of real property from one person to another.
Deed:
An instrument by which a buyer obtains title to a particular piece of property being sold.
Grantor:
Person who conveys real estate by deed (seller).
Grantee:
Person to whom real estate is conveyed (buyer).
Mortgagor:
An owner who conveys his property as security for a loan (debtor)
Mortgage:
A person to whom property is conveyed as security for a loan (creditor).
Plat:
Map of a town, section, subdivision or parcel of land showing the metes and bounds and the surveyors notes for an individual piece of property.
*When looking up a plat you have to use the PB in the volume and page field
For example, you would need to enter plat "pb2009 pg 1" not "2009 pg1" *
Derivation Clause:
A statement reflecting from whom the title was acquired, the date of recording and in case of property acquired under a probated will or administered estate the probate court in which such estate was filed. However, quitclaim deeds or non-warranty deeds of real property do not require a derivation clause.
Mechanics Lien:
A document filed on behalf of a contractor's claim against property to secure payment of debt for labor and materials.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. May I prepare my own deed?
A. Yes you may, but our office always recommends that you hire an attorney. Our office is strictly for recording, we do not prepare documents and do not answer questions in the preparation of legal documents.
Q. How much does it cost to record a deed?
A. The first four pages are $10.00 and $1.00 for each page thereafter. There is a stamp tax fee of $3.70 per thousand if there is a consideration. If the document is exempt there are no stamp fees.
Q. Are all your records open to the public?
A. Yes, anyone can come in and research any record.
Downloadable Documents
Fee Chart |
