I'm pretty sure Wisconsin law is similar to that, but you never see it because the fines are so high for not issuing a satisfaction.  If the lender doesn't issue the satisfaction within 30 days, they're subject to a fine of up to $25 a DAY until it's issued.  I used to work for a law firm that handled foreclosures, and we would get all over these banks when the mortgagors paid off the loan, and they would take their sweet time getting around to satisfying it.  This bank is still very much around.  In the two minutes it took to google them, I discovered that the Delaware branch where this was issued closed in 1997 and they now operate in Owings Mills, MD under the name K Bank.  If anyone's interested, you can email me and I can send you a pdf of the affidavit.