MONROE - Green County Register of Deeds Cynthia Meudt announced that the solicitation of a fee by a business or individual for a public record, granting rule-making authority and providing a penalty, was recently passed and signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday, April 8 as ACT 247.
The legislation requires non-government agencies to specify there is no requirement to purchase a public record or deed from them, list what government agency does provide that record, and include the pricing of that government agency. The legislation puts specific perimeters on solicitations that companies can send consumers.
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in deed-processing schemes that target new and existing homeowners. Homeowners receive official-looking notices recommending they obtain a deed and property profile to their home in order to confirm their ownership in the property for a fee that is anywhere between $60 to $90. Although the practice is legal, it is unethical to use strong language and insinuations to lead customers to believe they must pay a large sum to get copies of their documents, when it costs just a few dollars.
Most homeowners should have received the original deed when they purchased their property. If not, they can obtain a copy through the Register of Deed's office for $2 or $3, depending on the number of pages. Fees are governed by Wisconsin State Statute 59.43(2)(b).
The same situation is also occurring from companies wanting to assist consumers in obtaining copies of their birth certificate. Companies have the consumer fill out the standard state vital records request form and then charge the standard state fees of $20 plus an additional $69 "service" fee.
The register of deeds office does not send out solicitations for real estate or vital records. Those who receive a letter offering assistance in obtaining copies of your real estate records can stop by or contact the register of deeds office for help.
For more information, contact Cynthia Meudt at 608-328-9439 or cmeudt@greencountywi.org.
The legislation requires non-government agencies to specify there is no requirement to purchase a public record or deed from them, list what government agency does provide that record, and include the pricing of that government agency. The legislation puts specific perimeters on solicitations that companies can send consumers.
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in deed-processing schemes that target new and existing homeowners. Homeowners receive official-looking notices recommending they obtain a deed and property profile to their home in order to confirm their ownership in the property for a fee that is anywhere between $60 to $90. Although the practice is legal, it is unethical to use strong language and insinuations to lead customers to believe they must pay a large sum to get copies of their documents, when it costs just a few dollars.
Most homeowners should have received the original deed when they purchased their property. If not, they can obtain a copy through the Register of Deed's office for $2 or $3, depending on the number of pages. Fees are governed by Wisconsin State Statute 59.43(2)(b).
The same situation is also occurring from companies wanting to assist consumers in obtaining copies of their birth certificate. Companies have the consumer fill out the standard state vital records request form and then charge the standard state fees of $20 plus an additional $69 "service" fee.
The register of deeds office does not send out solicitations for real estate or vital records. Those who receive a letter offering assistance in obtaining copies of your real estate records can stop by or contact the register of deeds office for help.
For more information, contact Cynthia Meudt at 608-328-9439 or cmeudt@greencountywi.org.