Boone County News Release


Press Archives Press Room

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Michele Hall, Boone County Commission Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (573) 886-4312
Email: mhall@boonecountymo.org


Recorder Warns to be Wary of Mail Offers for Copies of Deeds

August 24, 2011

Once again another company has cropped up trying taking advantage of Boone County citizens. Boone County Recorder of Deeds Bettie Johnson urges county residents to be wary of mail offers to provide copies of legal documents.

The Recorders' Association of Missouri notified Recorders about a private company's offer to obtain copies of property deeds that charge home owners an excessive fee. The Fulton, Missouri, based company, Record Retrieval, has mailed the offer to residents of Missouri's most populated counties.The Recorders' Association of Missouri has previously contacted the Missouri Attorney General's office regarding these type of offers from companies.

Property owners in these areas have received a letter offering an official certified copy of their deed for $87.00 or more. These companies simply contact our office to obtain the document and then turn around and mail it to the homeowner while charging them the higher fees.

Johnson said most property owners obtained their original property deed when their property was purchased.

In addition, this company's offer costs significantly more than obtaining certified property deeds directly from the Boone County Recorder's Office. Fees are $1 per page, plus $1 for the certification and most property deeds are no more than one or two pages long which usually will cost less than $5.00.

"I am concerned about companies trying to take advantage of our citizens by not being truthful. If anyone receives one of these letters, I would urge them to ignore it and contact our office."

For information or to obtain a copy of your property deed, you may visit the Boone County Recorder's Office in the Boone County Government Center at 801 E. Walnut Room 132, Columbia, MO, or call the office at (573) 886-4345.



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