Private companies are attempting to sell some Sonoma County residents copies of property documents that are already available free or at low cost, the county Recorder's Office said Wednesday.
According to Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor Bill Rousseau, these companies are charging fees up to $80 for a certified copy of some property related documents, including Grant Deeds for $83-$89.
"Typically the original Grant Deed is mailed to the new homeowner by the Sonoma County Recorder's Office after the purchase is finalized and the deed has been recorded," Rousseau said.
"We've gotten calls to our office mostly from senior citizens who are confused why we're selling them documents," Rousseau said. "That's how we find out about it."
One such company he identified as Land Records Office, with a Los Angeles address.
"We just want the public to know about this," he said. "As a public official, I don't want people to be confused and pay more than the have to for something they can get here for the price of a photocopy."
The public may request a certified copy of any recorded document for a nominal fee at the Recorder's Office or by mailing a request with the proper fees included, Rousseau said.
The Recorder's Office is at 585 Fiscal Drive in Santa Rosa.
From Bay City News Service and other sources
