We charge one fee for recording the documents for an "order."  So if they have a deed, mortgage, and assignment we only charge on fee.  We are updating the same information and extra work for reporting the recording information is minimal.  It does take considerably longer to get a deed through all the appropriate office and we have considered charging more if there is a transfer involved, but right now we don't.

We check the documents when they come in and we can usually tell if they can be filed.  If they have incorrect filing fees, or if they are missing some component we call the client before we send them to the courthouse.  Even if we get to the courthouse and they are reject, we rarely make a trip solely to record - we usually have other work there anyway.  So we do not charge a fee if we do not record.

We do have a small fee if we have to prepare a return envelope and provide postage, or if we have to type a conveyance form (one of our counties will not accept it if it is handwritten).

We also charge extra for commercial recordings because they often take longer to update and they sometimes have many documents in addition to the deed and mortgage; such as agreements, assignments of leases and rents, etc.

Looking at what we charge for our recordings and the time involved, we are actually making more on the filings that we are the search (per hour).  I would much rather be able to charge more our searches than the filings. 

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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