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Madison County clerk warns homebuyers about mailings that charge for certified deeds
Summary
Madison County Clerk Mike Kelle warned that companies are sending official-looking mailings demanding costly fees to obtain certified deed copies; he said certified copies cost 65¢ per page with a $5 certification from the clerk’s office and urged residents to call the office if unsure.
Madison County Clerk Mike Kelle warned Monday that new property owners are receiving official-looking mailings that demand payment for certified copies of deeds and that the solicitations are a scam. "I wanna let everybody know that's a scam," Kelle said in his weekly message.
Kelle said property purchase information is public record and that some companies harvest that data to send mailings claiming the transaction is incomplete unless the recipient pays a fee. He urged homeowners to obtain copies directly from the Madison County Clerk's Office, which provides on-site copies for 65¢ per page and charges $5 for certification. "Don't get scammed paying 75, a 100, or a $150 to get a certified copy of your deed," he said.
The clerk advised anyone who receives an unfamiliar or official-looking document related to their deed to call the clerk's office for help. "If you're not sure what to do, call our office. Our friendly staff would be happy to explain to you whether or not it's something that you need to do or something where somebody's trying to get your money," Kelle said.
The announcement was delivered as part of Kelle's regular 'Mike's Monday' message; he closed the briefing with a valedictory remark. The clerk's information provides a local, low-cost alternative to third-party services that may charge substantially higher fees.
