Safe At Home........Ohio Secretary of State 

Our company ran across this for the first time yesterday.  The client gave us the name of (made up for this) Sally Smith at 12345 Main St, Summit OH.  When we checked the Auditor nothing comes up under Sally Smith, nothing under address, nothing under just the house number and nothing on Main on Parkway St.  We went back to the client stating we needed more information, parcel number, maiden name, something.  They gave us the Parcel No. The parcel no. in the computer comes up to a completely different address number, name and road.  We went to the county and spoke to the Auditor. They sent us to the Recorder. Recorder took us to the Redaction Dept and there we were told this property is under the Safe At Home Program, and the address has been altered as well as the names on the taxes. There are "dummy" Instrument Nos listed in computer that only the county recorder and auditor can see limitedly.  We did find that older documents before the Safe At Home Program was started on the premises are on the computer with public access still available.  We were given a form (it is on the Ohio Secretary of State website on the bottom left in purple box) that needs to be filled out and sent into the State.  Then it's a waiting game (of at least 10 days or more) if they deem you worthy of the information.  We all know we will be at the mercy of the State in order to get access to search and get the copies. 

THIS IS WHAT   SAFE AT HOME   SAYS PER OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE:

Ohio’s Safe at Home laws protect survivors of domestic violence, sexual battery, human trafficking, rape, or menacing by stalking by keeping their personal information private.

Sadly, abusers can often locate their victims through public records or even a simple internet search. Because of this, Ohio took a stand to protect those who are most vulnerable. The Secretary of State’s office ensures that a Safe at Home program participant’s personal information stays hidden from public records so they can stay safe, participate in our democratic processes, and rebuild their lives.

When a person enrolls as a participant in Safe at Home, the Secretary of State’s office does all of the following:

1. Assigns them a substitute address to serve as their address in virtually all state and local public records. This substitute address is used in almost every type of government office – from law enforcement issuing a speeding ticket, to public school records, to court documents.
2. Provides them with mail forwarding to help keep their home address away from private companies. Participants choose if they would like to use the mail forwarding system, or if they would like to provide their true address for mail – the choice is entirely up to them. However, Safe at Home will provide this option for as long as the person remains in the program.
3. Provides a special confidential voter registration form. A person who is otherwise eligible to vote can participate in the democratic process without fear of their address becoming public. Their voter registration information will not appear on public voter registration lists, and they can vote by mail to avoid any disclosure.
4. Provides information about a legal pathway to protect real estate records for those who would like to buy a home. Ohio’s Safe at Home laws convert records held by a county recorder, auditor, engineer, and others to a confidential status.

To join the program, survivors must apply through a certified Application Assistant who works or volunteers at an agency or organization that helps survivors of domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, rape, or sexual battery. These assistants receive supplemental training and are certified by the Secretary of State to vet and help individuals complete their program applications.

Most of Ohio’s Safe at Home law is found in R.C. 111.41 et seq(opens in a new window).

MY CONCERNS:

1.   The computer does not tell you if there is 1, 2, or 10 deeds, mortgages, assignments, right of ways and such that are part of this Safe At Home Program......UNLESS there is a special access code you are given after approved. Or this might be back in book form only.

2.   Are they going to release mortgages and liens under original Pre Safe At Home or Under NEW Safe At Home Information............this will be a nightmare since we can't see anything under Safe At Home.

THE APPLICATION:

Applicant Info:   abstractors name, company, address, any relationship to Participant

Property Info:  Participants name, property address, legal description 

Purpose:  A. Performing a bona fide title exam  B. other

Credentials: Asking about professional licenses, issuing authority and exp date

Applicant Sign:   

 ***** I would think they would want a photo ID of abstractor and a copy of the title order.  The form is very basic. 

I've been reading up on this program BUT has anyone actually done searches?? 

And would you charge more for these searches since it's going to be a 2-3 week process?

 Sorry for the ramble.....the more I read into this the more questions and concerns I have.

 Thank you

Kim