Common Document Hang-ups, Hiccups and Hurdles

All Documents

  • Document does not pertain to Stearns County property
  • Document is neither an original or a certified copy
  • Document is illegible
  • Document title is not indicated
  • Document date is not indicated
  • Marital status of grantor(s) is not indicated
  • Social security numbers cannot be stated on documents
  • Referenced name(s), document number(s) or document title is incorrect

Attachments

  • Exhibit or schedule is not included; (note: title of exhibit and reference to exhibit within the document should match - Exhibit A, Schedule A, etc.)

Signature & Notary Block

  • Required signatures are missing
  • Venue is either incomplete or not indicated
  • Acknowledgement is either incomplete or not indicated
  • Notary signature is missing
  • Notary stamp or seal has not been affixed
  • Notary stamp is too light for document scanning purposes

Legal Description

  • Legal description is either incomplete or not indicated
  • Legal description is incomplete due to use of abbreviated tax statement description (complete legal description is required) 
  • Legal description has an incomplete or misspelled plat name
  • Legal description has an alpha/numeric discrepancy - i.e. One (2) or Northwest Quarter (NE¼)

Fees

  • Checks unsigned, stale dated, or issued for incorrect amount
  • Recording Fee (payable to Stearns County Recorder)
  • Mortgage Registration Tax (payable to Stearns County Treasurer)
  • State Deed Tax (payable to Stearns County Treasurer)

Deeds

  • Consideration phrase is not indicated for applicable documents
  • Name and address for property tax statement is omitted or incomplete
  • Certificate of Real Estate Value not included or incomplete
  • Septic Certification not included or incomplete

Well Disclosure

  • Well disclosure statement or certificate is either incomplete or not included for applicable transfers
  • Well disclosure statement or certificate does not include required signature

General

  • Real estate box is not checked on UCC Financing Statement documents
  • Drafted By Statement: include name and address of document drafter
  • If amending, modifying or correcting a document:
    1. Clearly state what information is being amended, modified or corrected
    2. Include reference to recording information from the original document such as document title, document number and recording date
    3. New signature(s) and acknowledgement required