Don't Fall for the 'Certified Copy of Your Deed' Swindle

June 12, 2009

Would you pay $60 for something you could get for as little as $1 and probably don't need at all? A company is hoping to scare homeowners enough that they will part with the extra cash to purchase a "certified copy" of the deed to their home. Officials in many states are warning homeowners not to fall for this deceptive, but apparently legal, pitch.

For the last three years, a deed service company has been sending direct-mail solicitations to homeowners in different parts of the country alleging that the U.S. Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) recommends that property owners have an official or certified copy of their deed and offering to deliver such a copy within 30 days for $59.50, or higher depending on where the homeowner lives. The company's web site further warns that it is not an easy process to obtain public records from a governmental agency.

In fact, obtaining their deed is usually quite simple, inexpensive, and probably unnecessary for most people. In Michigan, a deed is a public record and is available from the county Register of Deeds for $1 per page for a simple photocopy.  For a certified copy, there is an additional $1 charge. Some counties also allow homeowners to view and print their deeds from their Web site. Most homeowners receive their original deed at closing, but even if they don't have one, there is little necessity to pay a hefty sum for a "certified copy" when a copy is always available when and if a homeowner needs it. We as taxpayers, pay a lot of money to maintain an office of the Register of Deeds in each of Michigan 83 counties and a major duty of the Register of Deeds is to record, index, and provide access to land transactions in the county.

It is a good idea to keep your original deed or a photocopy with your living trust, will, or power of attorney so that your family, personal representative, or agent can easily find this important document if you become incapacitated or pass away.  However, you do not have to pay a deed company $60 or more for a certified copy.