FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon is advising Monmouth County property owners to be on the lookout for mail solicitations from private companies seeking to sell homeowners expensive certified copies of their property deeds.
Depending on the company, the prices charged range from $79.50 to $89.
“Instead, and for a very minimal fee, residential and commercial property owners can request and receive a copy of their deed, and other property documents, directly from the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office,” said Hanlon.
A homeowner can obtain a plain copy for .05 cents per page at the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office or at no charge electronically from the County Clerk’s land records website. If a homeowner would like the Clerk’s Office to provide a certified copy, it is $10 for the certification, and $1.50 per page.
Hanlon cautions property owners to be on the lookout for these solicitations because they appear as if they are coming from a government agency, but they are not.
“I wanted to make this information available to the public so that people understand how easy and convenient it is to obtain copies on their own,” said Hanlon. “It is unfortunate that companies would prey upon citizens who are sometimes already struggling financially, especially our senior citizens in Monmouth County who are living on fixed incomes.”
Homeowners like to have a copy of their property deed in the event of an emergency or if they want to have their affairs in order for their children or heirs. Certified and regular copies of property records are available from the County Clerk’s Office at low cost.
Homeowners who are interested in obtaining a certified copy of their deed in person should visit the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office located at 33 Mechanic St., Freehold, NJ, 07728. The Mortgage and Deed Room can be found on the first floor, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Property owners who are unable to come in person to the County Clerk’s Office can request a certified copy via letter request to the County Clerk at 33 Mechanic St., Freehold, NJ, 07728 or via email at CountyClerk@co.monmouth.nj.us. The request must include the property owner’s name, the address, lot and block numbers, book and page or instrument number.
For additional information, contact the County Clerk’s Office at 732-431-7324.
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