County documents more accessible
To the Editor:
As Cook County Recorder of Deeds I wish to inform the people of Cook County that we have slashed the cost of obtaining a copy of a recorded document by 95 percent, saving the taxpayer $9.50 on the purchase of a recorded document that once cost $10, reducing the cost to 50 cents per document. How were we able to cut cost by 95 percent? The Internet. The Cook County Recorder of Deeds office recently launched its Web site, www.ccrd.info. The Web site gives the public 24-hour access to its database of recorded documents from 1985 forward and I have plans to add an earlier year to the database annually. To take advantage of the cost cut, the document must be purchased via the Internet with a credit card. All Internet transactions require a processing fee for Internet purchases processed through various banks and credit card companies who charge a processing fee. We have effectively negotiated a fixed processing fee of $2.50 whether you purchase one or 100 documents.
The Internet is proving to be greater and more efficient than the fax machine in its heyday. In addition to the Internet being a major medium of communication, it’s paperless and has a world-wide reach and instantaneous response. CCRD’s database provides for several easy search methods. Property searches can be performed using a grantor or grantee’s name, permanent index number (PIN), legal description or trust number.
We recommend that Cook County citizens annually examine recording against their property to insure that there are no unusual or strange recordings against their property through error or otherwise. This examination can be performed from the convenience of your home or office with a few keyboard clicks.
State, Federal and Local governments have determined that on-line and Internet-based services provide greater opportunity for citizen access and interaction with their government. Access America and FirstGov for Seniors are federal initiatives that provide Internet access and services targeted for senior citizens to acclimate them to Internet use and to provide services to them via the Internet.
E-filings are the next internet wave. E-filings are electronic transactions initiated and completed via electronic media, computers and the Internet, and paperless. The Internet is here—get on the worldwide web, research your property, interact with government agencies, and travel the world from your home or office computer.
Eugene "Gene" Moore
Cook County Recorder of Deeds |
