FAQs

Will I be charged the non-conforming fee if I release a mortgage or a lien by using the originally recorded document?: Yes. If you are releasing a mortgage, lien (home owner, condo owner, mechanics, etc), a land contract, etc. By using the originally filed document, you will be charged the $20.00 fee if the document does not conform to the new standards. For instance, if you filed a mortgage in 2008, and you write, type, or sign a release statement directly on the original recorded mortgage and submit it for recording as a release today, we use the release date to determine whether it falls under the new law. The same applies to liens. Remember, you always have the option of releasing by a separate instrument.

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Recorder - Document Format Requirements

1. Can I print my return address or my prepared by in the margin?: No. You must print your address in another area of the document that does not interfere with the marginal requirements. The margins must remain free of printing.

2. Can I print my page numbers in the margin?: No. You must print your page numbers in an area that does not interfere with the marginal requirements. The margins must remain free of any type of print.

3. Can I print bar codes in the margin?: No. You must print your barcodes in an area that does not interfere with the marginal requirements. The margins must remain free of any type of printing.

4. Will I be charged the extra $20 if exhibits and attachments do not meet the new requirements? What is the policy for attaching a previously recorded document as an exhibit?: Yes. Under the new law, exhibits and attachments—previously recorded and newly created—must comply with the new formatting requirements. For example, if you attach a copy of a previously recorded mortgage to a newly prepared mortgage subordination, you will need to reformat the attachment to comply with the new law.

Certified death certificates are exempt from the documents standards law. You will not be charged a non-conforming fee if you attach a certified death certificate as an exhibit.

5. If my document does not meet the formatting requirements, will you still record it?: That depends. There is a $20.00 fee—in addition to recording fees—for every document that does not conform to the new format requirements. We will record your non-conforming document only if you include the $20.00 per document and specifically request the recording. If you do not include the fee, we will not record the document.

6. Can I highlight signature areas on the document to make it clearer where parties need to sign?: No. Highlighting is not permitted under the new document standards.

7. Will I be charged the $20.00 non-conforming fee if I record a certified copy from another county?: That depends. The new law does not apply to documents executed prior to July 1, 2009. If the document was executed by the parties prior to July 1, 2009, you will not be charged the fee. On the other hand, if a non-conforming document is executed and filed after July 1, 2009 and you want to record a certified copy of that document in another county, you will be charged the $20.00 fee.

8. Will I be charged the $20.00 non-conforming fee if I re-record a document?: Again, that depends. The new law does not apply to documents executed prior to July 1, 2009. If the document was executed by the parties prior to July 1, 2009, you will not be charged the fee. On the other hand, if a non-conforming document is executed and filed after July 1, 2009 and you want to re-record a document, you will be charged the $20.00 fee.

9. Do documents that are prepared and executed out of state still have to comply with the document standards law?: Yes. Documents recorded in Ohio must comply with Ohio law. The place of preparation and/or execution of a document is not a factor.

10. Will I be charged the non-conforming fee if I release a mortgage or a lien by using the originally recorded document?: Yes. If you are releasing a mortgage, lien (home owner, condo owner, mechanics, etc), a land contract, etc. By using the originally filed document, you will be charged the $20.00 fee if the document does not conform to the new standards. For instance, if you filed a mortgage in 2008, and you write, type, or sign a release statement directly on the original recorded mortgage and submit it for recording as a release today, we use the release date to determine whether it falls under the new law. The same applies to liens. Remember, you always have the option of releasing by a separate instrument.