From time to time, a person will receive an official-looking notice in the mail, advising him that he needs a copy of the deed to his home to “prove ownership,” and offering to send him a copy in exchange for $80, $100, or more. Do not send money or otherwise respond to the letter.
It is a scam.
The deed by which you acquired title to your home was recorded in the county records at the time you completed the purchase transaction. If for some reason you need a copy of the recorded document, you can obtain the copy from the county in exchange for a nominal copying fee (usually $1 per page). In Maricopa County, Arizona, for example, the cost is $1.00 per page.
If you desire a certified copy, add $3.00. The certified copy of the recorded document is legally equivalent to the original. The typical Arizona deed runs from one to five pages.
