Putnam Register Of Deeds Office Implements New $2 E-Filing Fee

The Putnam County Register of Deeds office will implement a new $2 electronic filing fee designed to defray some of the overhead costs of the Register of Deeds office.

Putnam County Commissioners approved a $2 electronic filing fee Monday night. Register John Sanders said the fee applies to documents such as land deeds or real estate transfers.

“You can still of course bring in your documents,” Sanders said. “Most of the time the people who file online are from out of county or out of state. So it’s really not much of a burden to the local taxpayer. It’s just a $2 fee so it’s really not that much, but it adds up.”

Sanders said it would have impacted some 4100 documents last year, and some 3800 the previous year. He said his department has noticed an increase in e-filing and projects that to continue.

Sanders said as electronic filing has grown, the Register of Deeds office has made some minor software upgrades to accommodate the work. He said other surrounding counties have implemented a similar fee over the last few years and it has worked well for them.

“Of course, it’s up to them, if they want to use the convenience of not having to come in the office that’s up to them,” Sanders said. “But mostly it’s been out of state or out of county.”