A register of deeds is a government official or office that provides an archive of legal documents, usually property records and other important documents, pertaining to real estate while also recording and registering many other types of documents. All state governments, and most counties and municipalities, have a register of deeds whose primary purpose is to protect the public’s right to access legal information. The register of deeds is a member of the public record, essentially, and a critical component of the legal system in the United States.
What Does the Register of Deeds Do?
At its core, the register of deeds serves to protect the public’s right to access legal information. As such, a register of deeds is responsible for the registering, certifying, indexing, and maintaining public records, and ensuring that all record-keeping is accurate and up-to-date. The register’s primary duties are to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of records, to make them accessible to the public in accordance with the law, and maintain a stable record archive.
For example, a register of deeds will keep records regarding anything pertaining to a property transfer, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, surveys, listing agreements, and more. In addition, the Register of Deeds typically also serves to record documents such as powers of attorney and court orders, military discharge papers, submitted liens against individuals, and any other type of legal information the governing body decides should be part of the records.
What Are the Benefits of a Register of Deeds?
In addition to protecting the public’s right to access legal information, a register of deeds also provides vital services to both individuals and businesses. The most common benefit of a register of deeds is that it allows individuals to quickly and easily verify ownership, liens, mortgages, and other aspects of real estate transactions. Additionally, it allows businesses to validate their claims by accessing important legal information related to their real estate transactions.
Lastly, having an active register of deeds provides a safeguard against fraudulent activities. By using the records kept by a register of deeds, potential buyers and lenders of a particular real estate are able to easily verify that the proposed transaction is legitimate and authentic, providing an extra layer of protection against deceptive activities.
Conclusion
Overall, a register of deeds is an invaluable resource both for the public and for businesses. By providing easy access to legal information, along with the ability to verify and authenticate real estate transactions, it offers significant benefits for those involved in real estate transactions. Ultimately, this guarantees a higher level of security, accuracy, authenticity, and protection against fraud.