County clerk rolls out free property‑recording alert service to help residents monitor recorded documents

Crook County Clerk Cheryl Sealy announced Dec. 31 the county has launched a free property‑recording alert service integrated with the county’s Helion records software.

Residents can create an account on the county website, enter up to 10 exact name variations to monitor and receive an email alert when a document with one of those names is recorded in the county’s index. Sealy emphasized the tool is an early‑warning system only: it “alerts you that something’s happened or potentially happened,” she said, and it does not prevent a document from being recorded. Sealy advised users who suspect fraud to seek legal advice; the clerk’s office cannot provide legal remedies.

The clerk said staff have tested the system, that the county will cover the service cost, and that residents without email may use the public terminal in the clerk’s office to search records in person. Sealy noted prior legislative efforts to give clerks authority to refuse recordings suspected to be fraudulent did not advance and described prevention as a difficult, unresolved issue.

Next steps: the service is live on the county website and staff will distribute brochures and guidance for sign‑up.