What Documents can be Recorded

Real Estate documents such as deeds, land contracts, mortgages, satisfactions and assignments can be recorded with the Register of Deeds office.

Cost

• The fee for recording real estate records is $30 per document.
• Copies of recorded documents are $2 for the first page and $1 each additional page.
• Certification fee is $1.00 per filed document.
• The fee for emailing recorded documents is $2 for the first page, and $1 for each additional page.

Additional Fee information is available at legis.wisconsin.gov.

Requirements

To submit a document for recording in the Register of Deeds office, the following must be completed:

• Complete legal descriptions if the document refers to specific parcels of land
• Original signatures notarized or authenticated
• Proper fees accompanying the document
• Name of the document drafter
• The name and mailing address for the person it should be returned to
• If the document is a deed or other conveyance, a real estate transfer receipt is also required. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue provides information to complete a Real Estate Transfer Return
• If you wish to record legal documents affecting real estate such as deeds, land contracts, mortgages, satisfactions and assignments, you will need to use a form which conforms to the Wisconsin standard document format. Most office supply firms offer forms which do meet the requirements of Wisconsin Statute 59.43(2m).

Use of the standard document format helps to assure that important pieces of information are not inadvertently omitted, that the document is legible, and that it is properly indexed. Use of the standard document format also makes processing and retrieval more efficient.

Most states in the Midwest require some type of standard document format. If you are from a state outside of Wisconsin, you may add a cover-sheet to your document to make it conform to the Wisconsin standard document format. You can print or type the document title, return address, and parcel identification number in the proper locations and attach the cover-sheet to the front of your document so that it becomes the first page.

Document Standards:

• The upper right hand corner of the document must be completely blank (at least 3” by 3”) for our official recording stamp.
• The name and return address must be either (1) directly under the recording area, or (2) on the left side of the page and within the top 3 inches.
• The parcel identifier number must be placed directly under the return address.
• The title of the document must be within the top 3 inches of the page but not in the 3 by 3 inch corner left blank for our recording stamp.
• The entire document must be legible and reproducible.
• The paper is white, standard weight, and letter or legal-sized.
• The ink is black so that the document will scan properly.
• The top margin is a minimum of 1/2 inch for every page. Other margins are minimum of 1/4 inch.
• The pages are not hinged.

Forms

Commonly requested documents include:

• Correction Instrument
• Cover Sheet
• Designation of TOD Beneficiary
• Personal Representative Deed
• Quit Claim Deed Form
• Quit Claim Deed Instructions
• Real Estate Terminology
• Termination of Decedent's Interest Form
• Termination of Decedent's Interest Instructions
• Warrant Deed
• WI Real Estate Transfer Instructions
• WI Real Estate Transfer Tips

Some can also be found online at the Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association.

Transferring Property Process

We are unable to provide legal advice. If you need additional assistance, please contact an attorney or abstract company for further guidance. To complete a property transfer, the following must be completed:

1. Deed
2. Electronic Transfer Receipt
   1. Submit the return to the State
   2. Print the Receipt (print option located on the second screen after submitting the form)
3. Recording fee of $30 for the deed payable to: Register of Deeds
4. If there is a transfer fee, that will also need to be submitted at this time
5. Mail items to:

Register of Deeds
500 Forest Street
Wausau WI 54403

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