Flagstaff, Az. – Coconino County Recorder Candace Owens wants to inform citizens about a letter that is being sent to property owners throughout the County offering certified copies of their deeds for a fee.  The letter has resulted in a number of calls from concerned property owners to the Recorder’s Office.

The letter from National Deed Services, Inc. is addressed to the property owner and lists the document number and date of recording of their deed.  The letter informs the property owner that the U.S. Government Federal Citizen Information Center website highly recommends that a property owner obtain a certified copy of their deed to show that the property was transferred to them.

It goes on to instruct the property owner on how to obtain a certified copy for a fee of $49.50.

With the current national economic situation, and all the media attention regarding subprime rates and the high number of mortgage foreclosures, this type of letter has caused concern for many property owners who, in turn, are contacting the Recorder’s Office. 

For these reasons, Owens feels the need to clarify to all citizens what is outlined in the letter.  First, as is noted at the bottom of the letter, “National Deed Service Inc. is NOT affiliated with any governmental agency.”  In addition, as written in large type, “Many government records are available FREE or at a nominal cost from government agencies.” 

If a property owner does not have the original or a copy of their deed, and would like to purchase one for their records, this can be done easily through the Recorder’s Office.  The cost for a certified copy of a deed is $3.00 per document and the copy cost is $1.00 per page.  These fees are set by Arizona State Statute.  Depending on the number of pages, the average cost to obtain a certified copy of your deed is $5.00.  

This type of service and fee, while not illegal, includes in the $49.50 fee “location, retrieval, postage and handling costs”.  The Recorder’s Office is a governmental agency and will gladly help any property owner obtain a certified copy of their deed at a nominal cost.

For more information, call the Recorder’s Office at (928) 779-6585; toll-free (800) 793-6181.

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