Simplifile, Milwaukee County Register of Deeds and Knight-Barry Title Announce First eRecorded Deed in WI

Milwaukee County, WI – February 05, 2008 - Working together to effectuate the electronic filing and recording of land record documents such as deeds and mortgages in the state of Wisconsin, Simplifile, Milwaukee County Register of Deeds and Knight-Barry Title announced that the inaugural electronic recording (eRecording) of a deed in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin occurred on Thursday January 10, 2008. The historic transaction marked the first time a deed has been electronically transmitted to and recorded by a register of deeds office within the state, and signals the start of a significant transition to digital document recording throughout the state.

eRecording is the process of submitting, receiving, and processing, via a secure Internet site, documents for recording that have traditionally been delivered to the county for recording by runner, express mail, or courier service. eRecording offers recorders the ability to simplify and accelerate all aspects of the recording process, dramatically shortening the Gap and improving auditability.

Register of Deeds John La Fave said, “The addition of electronic deeds will accelerate eRecording so that within two years the majority of our documents will be electronic. Paper recording will be viewed as old school. Recording electronically offers improved service to the public as well as creating greater efficiency in the Register of Deeds operation.”

“Electronically submitting real estate documents to the recorder’s office will immediately please homeowners and lenders who typically wait weeks to receive their closing documents after the closing. Now a homeowner and lender can leave the closing table with the recorded original documents,” said Craig Haskins, Executive Vice President of Knight-Barry Title.

More than a mere trend in land record document submission, eRecording is a government priority. Federal (ESIGN) and state legislation (UETA, URPERA) have established the legal basis for secure electronic recording, and dozens of states and counties are already eRecording today.

"Simplifile is honored to have partnered with both the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds Office and Knight-Barry Title to inaugurate the recording of deeds and many other property document types in Wisconsin. John La Fave and his staff and Knight-Barry are demonstrating pioneering leadership in the national effort to make the land record submission and recording process easier and more secure through the use of technology,” said Paul Clifford, President of Simplifile. “Based on our experience providing eRecording services in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and a number of other states, companies doing business with the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds Office will enjoy significant productivity gains and enhanced filing and recording services by eRecording with Simplifile.”

Individuals and organizations that do business with Simplifile, Milwaukee County or Knight-Barry Title can contact the county or companies directly for information on how they can benefit from Simplifile eRecording services.

Rob Moore, VP Marketing
Simplifile, LC
801.373.0151
pr@simplifile.com
www.simplifile.com

John La Fave, Register of Deeds
Milwaukee County
414.278.4021
regdeeds@milwcnty.com
www.milwaukeecounty.org

Craig Haskins, EVP
Knight-Barry Title, Inc.
414.727.4545
craig@knightbarry.com
www.knightbarry.com

About Simplifile

Simplifile provides innovative, simple, and secure electronic recording services via the Internet for a wide variety of customers, including title companies, banks, attorneys, lien filers, and county and state government jurisdictions. Our eRecording services accelerate document recording and simplify document workflow processes, significantly reducing costly overhead associated with traditional submission and recordation methods while improving client service levels dramatically.

Simplifile is focused on building the industry’s de facto eRecording network. As such, we provide a streamlined yet scalable approach to electronic recording tailored to counties and submitting customers of all shapes and sizes. For more information on how Simplifile can benefit you and your organization, visit www.simplifile.com or call 800.460.5657.

“Simplifile” is a registered service mark of Simplifile, LC.


About Milwaukee County

The mission of the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds Office is to provide timely, secure, accurate, archival accessible and cost-effective record systems and services that are delivered in a prompt and courteous manner. The Register of Deeds office generates net revenue of over $3 million per year; and all real estate-related instruments that affect title to approximately 300,000 parcels of land located in Milwaukee County are recorded here.

Documents and services available through the Register of Deeds Office include certified copies of birth, death and marriage records and request to file a military discharge for safekeeping. In addition, the Office of the Register of Deeds records, scans and compiles an index of real estate documents, corporation papers and military discharges; records informal probate instruments; files and keeps an index of financing statements; collects the real estate transfer tax; and performs such other functions as provided, pursuant to Sections 59.51, 69.23 and other pertinent sections of the Wisconsin Statutes. For more information on the Register of Deeds Office visit

www.milwaukeecounty.org/RegisterofDeeds7722.htm or call 414.278.4021.


About Knight-Barry

Knight-Barry Title has 10 offices located throughout Wisconsin and nearly 130 experienced title professionals. Knight-Barry is one of the largest title agencies in Wisconsin with branch offices located in Milwaukee, Racine, Madison, Sheboygan, Port Washington, West Bend, Lake Geneva, Kenosha, Pewaukee and Wauwatosa. For more information Knight-Barry, visit www.knightbarry.com or call 414.727.4545.

This release was published on openPR.