AGENCY TESTIMONY
Role and limitations of the Office of the City Register
0:13:30
·
85 sec
The City Register explains the role and limitations of her office in processing property documents, including deeds. She highlights the constraints imposed by state law on the office's ability to prevent deed fraud.
- The Office processes 300,000 to 500,000 documents annually
- State law requires the City Register to record deeds that meet certain formal requirements
- The office lacks discretion to refuse recording of deeds that meet these requirements
Colette McCain-Jacques
0:13:30
Before I jump into the root causes and the signs of potential deed fraud, I'd like to take a step back and explain the role that the Office of the City Register plays.
0:13:43
Each year, well between 300,500,000 documents are processed by the Office that includes all different actions against properties, including the recording of deeds, which are made available for the public inspection.
0:13:59
For example, if a property owner refinances their mortgage or transfers a deed, these actions require filing with the Office of the City Register, which means it needs to be processed by a member of my staff.
0:14:14
The Office of the City Register plays a ministerial role in recording of deeds.
0:14:21
The office is limited by state law.
0:14:24
State law requires the city register to perform the ministerial acts of recording a deed as long as it is in recordable form.
0:14:34
Meaning that it's certified by public notary.
0:14:39
It has sellers and buyer's signature under certain circumstances, and it includes all other required documents for recording.
0:14:48
The city register does not have discretion with respect to recording of these that meet these requirements.
