Posted by Carole Breckbill on 7/6/09 2:54pm
Msg #294762

Ohio Mortgage Filing Laws starting July 1st, 2009

Just received this message from Reliaclose. Would appreciate your comments . . .



Attn: All Ohio Mobile Notaries

Re: Ohio Mortgage Filing Laws starting July 1st, 2009

As of July 1st, 2009, Ohio Courthouses will begin penalizing title companies $20 per page for any mortgage deed that is not printed on letter-sized paper and within certain margins. Also, any signatures or initials must be within this margin area. The slightest error will incur a fee, as we are finding courthouses to be very strict on this.

The following margins MUST be used:

First page of mortgage: 3 inches from top, 1 inch on sides, 1-1/2 inches from bottom
Sequential pages: 1-1/2 inches from top and bottom, 1 inch on sides.

Please note that any signatures, initials or improper printing outside of these margins, or improper paper size will result in a fee incurred from the county seat. Our clients are informing us that if they are imposed a fee from any county seat due to an error that the fee will be reduced from any payment.

Anyone that would like a template of these margins for their records, please email us at [e-mail address] and in the subject line, put the word Margins.

Reply by notaryinmo on 7/6/09 3:25pm
Msg #294767

Doesn't that make the title companies responsible for the proper margins on letter sized paper rather than legal sized?

Reply by Joan_OH on 7/6/09 4:04pm
Msg #294775

The ruling in it's entirety was not posted here. It can be legal OR letter sized paper with the margins mentioned in the previous post. We are also restricted to blue or black ink and no highlighter is to be used on recorded documents.

This was just a way for all the recorders in the state to Stadardize their recording requirements and I am glad for it. Too many times I've gotten Scanned, shrunken Mortgages that were barely legible. The new ruling will all but eliminate that issue.

Joan

Reply by Joan_OH on 7/6/09 4:01pm
Msg #294773

Not sure what comment you are looking for. The law is in effect, lenders and title companies are just trying to get on board. Your responsibility is to print it properly and to keep your borrower's initials and your stamp within the 1" margin guidelines. If you notice discrepancies, you might want to make a call, but your responsibility ends there.

As for paying for the lenders/title companies error in having a smaller than 3" margin, or less than 10 pt font - not my problem. I've had 3 of those since July 1st and they were all deeds that were created prior to July 1st. However, they will record after July 1st. I absolutely will not pay for an error made by the lender/title. This law was passed a long time ago. Their underwriters notified them and they knew, or should have known this was coming. I figure some title companies are going to pay the $20 many times over before they get on board.

Lastly, I don't know that I would have posted an email sent to you in it's entirety to a public board. I would imagine reliaclose expects some degree of confidentiality in their email to their vendors.

Joan