By T.S. EVANS
Staff Writer

County officials are warning that a direct mail appeal offering residents a certified copy of their deed is a scam.

Letters have been circulating from National Deed Service, Inc. of Northbrook, Ill. offering people an official certified copy of their deed from the Atlantic County clerk. The letter looks like a government document and makes it sound imperative that the person comply with the service.

“We get 50 to 60 of these letters at a time requesting copies of a deed that this company pays $2 a piece for plus the certification fee,” said Art Lucchesi, management information systems coordinator for the county clerk.  “What it comes down to is they are playing middle man for the cost of a stamp.” 

Lucchesi said people can go online to the county clerk website at http://www.atlanticcountyclerk.org/ and see the first page of their deed as a matter of public record.

According to Atlantic County Clerk Ed McGettigan, the letter tells recipients to send $69.50 to cover the cost of retrieval, postage and handling or to fill out credit card information and mail or fax the order form.

McGettigan is advising that this is a scam.  In reality the cost for such a service should be no more than about $15.

The clerk’s office will gladly provide anyone who requests a copy of their deed at a cost of $2 per page.  Most deeds are three to five pages and certification, which isn’t necessary, is an additional $5 for the entire document.  There is no postage charge.  If mailing is required, just include a self-addressed stamped envelope.  There are no additional fees; just supply the block and lot numbers.

At $2 per page the cost of a five-page deed would be $10, and with certification that would be a total of $15 compared to $69.50 the letter seeks.

The same easy access applies to other documents, McGettigan noted. Anyone who wants a copy of their birth certificate should go to the city clerk. If you were born in another state or area, the clerk will give you the correct form to fill out and send to get a copy of the document.

When asked if this is illegal McGettigan said, “It is currently borderline, but the New Jersey Senate has voted 39-0 approving the passage of S-882 that provides that certified copies of a deed or conveyance of real estate shall only be obtained from the county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages at a cost charged in accordance with the fees authorized by the New Jersey statutes.  If it is signed into law the bill will take effect immediately.  This will prohibit people from obtaining copies of mortgages, deeds and public records to make a profit.  Getting a copy of a deed is a service that people can obtain for themselves at little or no cost.”

Atlantic County Clerk’s Office is located at 5901 E. Main St. Mays Landing.  Office hours are Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is (609) 641-7867. 

McGettigan said he has notified the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and the state Department of Consumer Affairs of the solicitation.  He has also contacted the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs in Washington, D.C.

McGettigan wants you to know that any senior or veteran who receives this letter offering to get a copy of your certified deed for a fee should bring the letter to the County Clerk’s Office in Mays Landing and the county clerk will give you a free copy of your certified deed at no charge.