What Is A Deed Notice?

You will probably get a letter addressed to you with the subject line “Recorded Deed Notice” after you buy a new house, retitle your existing one into a trust, or have to register a new deed for any other reason.

Is It A Legit Notice?

The letters, which appear official, request a payment from the customer in order for the Georgia-based business to provide them a copy of the deed (which it can obtain online) and a “report” containing additional information that is also accessible online.

There is no need for this. Our law firm can obtain additional copies of your deed for you if you ever need them, and we can also assist you in getting a “certified” copy of your deed, which is never required.

However, in most cases, the company that drafted your deed will give you a copy of the recorded deed. After we prepare your deed at Hurban Law, we will email you a free copy of the recorded deed. While having a copy of your deed on hand for reference is usually a good idea, it is not legally necessary, and there is no valid basis to request a copy of your recorded deed.

What To Do With The Notice

If you ever do need a copy of a deed to property you own, this can and should be requested with the County Recorder’s Office or call us and we can get a copy for you. It’s a reminder that when you receive a bill or notice you have never received before, be diligent and ask questions.

Most scams get people on very small or nominal amounts that people will pay without question. The telling evidence that this is a scam is that on the envelope and at the top of the notice it states: “This service is to obtain a copy of your deed or title is not affiliated with any governmental agency.”

Even though throughout the notice it states that you are under no obligation, the way the advertisement reads, it feels like a bill or official business. We believe that the intention of this service is to fool consumers into paying this fee without much thought or consideration when it’s truly not an item anyone needs and they’re doing this by simply pulling mail lists of homeowners, which is why some of these notices are going to our clients in the name of their Living Trust.

For further assistance you can call us and get a consultation with our estate planning attorney Tim Hurban.