Order Grant Deed and Property Assessment Profile by Mail? Do NOT Pay for This!
Have you recently received the form below or something similar in your mailbox? If so, please read this article before taking any action.
Contrary to what the mailing states, you do NOT have to have the "Current Grant Deed" and "Property Assessment Profile" as evidence that your property has been transferred.
The company sending out this absurd mailing is charging $83.00 to obtain these documents. Although the mailing makes it sound like you need to pay for these documents through their company, it isn't true.
If you read through the document thoroughly, you will see that it contains a phrase, "This service to obtain a copy of your property assessment profile and grant deed or other record of title is not associated with any government agency..." I don't know about you, but when it comes to legal documents, I only trust the legality and authenticity of the document when it comes directly from a government agency.
It also reads, "You can obtain a copy of your grant deed or other record of title from the county recorder in the county where your property is located." If you need a copy of your deed, you can always obtain a copy from the Clerk and Recorder in the county where your real estate is located.
Why go through a 3rd party company who may not have knowledge of local laws, or even have a true copy of your deed? The best option if you are in need of a copy of your deed is to go directly to the county offices in the county where the property is located.
If the prospect of receiving assessed value, total tax amount, or tax delinquency information entices you, contact the County Tax Assessor in the county where the property is located. They have all of this information available, many times for free.
It is also not always true that you have to "go to the county recorder's office in person" to obtain these documents from the government. Check with your local county office where the property is located to get pricing and the procedures for copies of your documents. It will most likely save you money and help you avoid a potential scam.