Recorder Warns Citizens to be Wary of Mail Offers for Deed Copies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2013        

Press Contact: Colene McEntee, Public Affairs Coordinator
(636) 949-1864, cmcentee@sccmo.org                     

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO -  St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds Barbara J. Hall urges county residents to be wary of private offers to provide copies of public records.

Recently, several property owners in St. Charles County received letters from companies offering an official, certified copy of their deed for $83.00. These companies obtain the certified copies from the Recorder’s Office for a nominal fee and then charge the homeowner a fee that is significantly more than obtaining certified copies of deeds directly from the Recorder’s Office. Since most property deeds are only one or two pages long, the cost for directly obtaining certified copies from the Recorder’s Office will usually cost less than $5.00 - fees are $2 for the first page, $1 for each additional page, plus $1 for certification.

Hall said that most property owners received their original property deed when their property was purchased, but if they no longer have the original they may contact the Recorder of Deeds office to purchase a certified copy of it for their records. "I am concerned about companies deceitfully trying to take advantage of our citizens. If anyone receives one of these letters, I would urge them to ignore it and contact my office directly for this service," added Hall.

For information or to obtain a copy of your property deed, you may visit the St. Charles County Recorder’s Office in the St. Charles County Administration Building at 201 N. Second St, Suite 338, St. Charles, or call (636) 949-7509.

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