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S.B. 222

             1     

COUNTY RECORDER AMENDMENTS

             2     
1999 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Robert M. Muhlestein

             5      AN ACT RELATING TO COUNTY RECORDER; RECODIFYING COUNTY RECORDER
             6      DUTIES TO REFLECT CURRENT CUSTOMS AND PROCEDURES; AND MAKING
             7      TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING CHANGES.
             8      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             9      AMENDS:
             10          17-21-1, as last amended by Chapters 32 and 227, Laws of Utah 1993
             11          17-21-3, as last amended by Chapter 20, Laws of Utah 1980
             12          17-21-4, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             13          17-21-5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             14          17-21-6, as last amended by Chapter 69, Laws of Utah 1983
             15          17-21-9, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             16          17-21-10, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             17          17-21-11, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             18          17-21-12, as last amended by Chapter 33, Laws of Utah 1967
             19          17-21-13, as last amended by Chapter 2, Laws of Utah 1982
             20          17-21-14, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             21          17-21-17, as repealed and reenacted by Chapter 50, Laws of Utah 1987
             22          17-21-18, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             23          17-21-19, as last amended by Chapter 50, Laws of Utah 1987
             24          17-21-20, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             25          17-21-21, as last amended by Chapter 92, Laws of Utah 1986
             26          17-21-22, as last amended by Chapter 3, Laws of Utah 1988
             27          17-21-25, as enacted by Chapter 25, Laws of Utah 1973


             28          40-1-4, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             29          40-1-6, as last amended by Chapter 79, Laws of Utah 1996
             30          40-1-8, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             31          40-1-9, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             32      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             33          Section 1. Section 17-21-1 is amended to read:
             34           17-21-1. Recorder -- Document custody responsibility.
             35          The recorder has custody of, and [must] shall keep, all books, records, maps, and papers
             36      required by law [to be kept or recorded in the office].
             37          Section 2. Section 17-21-3 is amended to read:
             38           17-21-3. Original documents or copies of original documents to be kept by the county.
             39          [The recorder must, on the payment of] After accepting a document for recording, receiving
             40      the fees for [the same, record in books provided for the purpose in a fair hand or by means of a
             41      typewriter, camera, microfilm, computer or other methods all papers, documents, records and other
             42      writings required or permitted by law to be recorded] recording it, and completing recording
             43      procedures, the recorder shall S , 0NLY IF REQUIRED BY STATUTE, s keep the original document or a
             43a      copy of the original document as
             44      a public record in a form sufficient to meet the requirements of this chapter.
             45          Section 3. Section 17-21-4 is amended to read:
             46           17-21-4. Certified copies.
             47          (1) The county recorder [is authorized to] may make and furnish [to interested persons]
             48      certified photographic copies of any of the records in [his office upon payment of] the office to an
             49      interested person who pays the applicable fees and charges [provided therefor. Certified].
             50          (2) The county recorder shall supply certified copies of [such] any of the records [may be
             51      supplied to officers of] to the county officer for [their] the officer's official use without the
             52      payment of any fee.
             53          Section 4. Section 17-21-5 is amended to read:
             54           17-21-5. Receipts for documents received for record.
             55          [On the filing of any] Upon recording an instrument [in writing for record in the recorder's
             56      office], the recorder shall [when], if requested, give [to the person leaving the same to be recorded
             57      a receipt therefor] a receipt to a person presenting an instrument for recording.
             58          Section 5. Section 17-21-6 is amended to read:


             59           17-21-6. General duties -- Records and indexes.
             60          (1) Every recorder [must] shall:
             61          (a) keep[: (1) An] an entry record, in which the recorder shall [immediately], upon
             62      [receipt] acceptance of any instrument [to be recorded], enter the instrument in the order of its
             63      reception [or entry, as the case may be], the names of the parties [thereto] to the instrument, its
             64      date, the hour, the day of the month and the year of [filing any such statement] recording, and a
             65      brief description S [ of the premises ] s , [endorsing] and endorse upon each instrument a number
             66      corresponding with the number of [such] the entry[.];
             67          [(2) A] (b) keep a grantors' index, in which the recorder shall [be indexed all] index deeds
             68      and final judgments or decrees partitioning or affecting the title to or possession of real property,
             69      which shall show the entry number of the instrument, the name of each grantor in alphabetical
             70      order, the name of the grantee, the date of the instrument, the time of [filing,] recording, the kind
             71      of instrument, S [ consideration, ] s the book and page [and entry number in which it is recorded], and
             72      a brief description [of the premises.];
             73          [(3) A] (c) keep a grantees' index, in which the recorder shall [be indexed all] index deeds
             74      and final judgments or decrees partitioning or affecting the title to or possession of real property,
             75      which shall show the entry number of the instrument, the name of each grantee in alphabetical
             76      order, the name of the grantor, the date of the instrument, the time of [filing,] recording, the kind
             77      of instrument, [consideration,] the book and page [and entry number in which it is recorded], and
             78      a brief description [of the premises.];
             79          [(4) A] (d) keep a mortgagors' index, in which [shall be entered] the recorder shall enter
             80      all mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, and [all] other instruments in the nature of an encumbrance
             81      upon real estate, which shall show the entry number of the instrument, the name of each
             82      mortgagor, debtor, or person charged with the encumbrance in alphabetical order, the name of the
             83      mortgagee, lien holder, creditor, or claimant, the date of the instrument, the time of [filing, nature
             84      of] recording, the instrument, S [ [ ] s consideration, S [ ] ] s the book and page [and entry number in
             84a      which it is
             85      recorded], and a brief description [of the property charged.];
             86          [(5) A] (e) keep a mortgagees' index, in which the recorder shall [be entered] enter all
             87      mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, and [all] other instruments in the nature of an encumbrance upon
             88      real estate, which shall show the entry number of the instrument, the name of each mortgagee, lien
             89      holder, creditor, or claimant, in alphabetical order, the name of the mortgagor or person charged


             90      with the encumbrance, the date of the instrument, [time of filing, nature] the time of recording, the
             91      kind of instrument, the consideration, the book and page [and entry number in which it is
             92      recorded], and a brief description [of the property charged.];
             93          [(6) An] (f) keep S [ an abstract record ] A TRACT INDEX s , which shall show by [tracts or
             93a      parcels every
             94      conveyance or encumbrance, or other] description every instrument recorded, the date and
             95      [character of] the kind of instrument, the time of S [ filing ] RECORDING s [the same], and the book
             95a      and page and entry
             96      number [where the same is recorded, which record shall be so kept as to show a true chain of title
             97      to each tract or parcel and the encumbrances thereon as shown by the records of the office.];
             98          [(7) An index to] (g) keep an index of recorded maps, plats, and subdivisions[.];
             99          [(8) An] (h) keep an index of powers of attorney, labeled "powers of attorney," [each page
             100      divided into seven columns, namely] showing the: "date of [filing] recording," "the book," "page,"
             101      and "the entry number[,]";
             102          (i) keep a miscellaneous index, in which the recorder shall enter all instruments of a
             103      miscellaneous character not otherwise provided for in this section, showing: "the date of
             104      recording," "the book," "page," "the entry number," "the kind of instrument," "from," "to,"
             105      ["revoked."] and "parties";
             106          [(9) A miscellaneous index, in which shall be entered all instruments of a miscellaneous
             107      character not otherwise provided for in this section, each page divided into eight columns, namely:
             108      "date of filing," "book," "page," and "entry number," "instrument," "from," "to," "remarks."]
             109          [(10)] (j) [An] keep an index of [transcripts of] judgments, labeled "[transcripts of]
             110      judgments," each page divided into [seven] columns headed, respectively, "judgment debtors,"
             111      "judgment creditors," "amount of judgment," ["where recovered," "when recovered," "when
             112      transcript filed," "when judgment] "when recorded," and "when satisfied[.]"; and
             113          [(11) A] (k) keep a general [filing] recording index in which the recorder shall [be
             114      indexed] index all executions and writs of attachment, and any other instruments not required by
             115      law to be spread upon the records, and in separate columns [he must] the recorder shall enter the
             116      names of the plaintiffs in the execution[,] and the names of the defendants in the execution[, the
             117      purchaser at the sale and the date of the sale, and the filing number of the documents. The indexes
             118      provided for in Subdivisions (8) to (11) shall be alphabetically arranged, and in each case].
             119          (2) The recorder shall alphabetically arrange the indexes required by this section and keep
             120      a reverse index [shall be kept].


             121          (3) The S [ abstract record ] TRACT INDEX s required by Subsection (1)(f) shall be kept so
             121a      that it shows a true
             122      chain of title to each tract or parcel, together with their encumbrances, according to the records of
             123      the office.
             124          [(12)] (4) Nothing in this section [shall preclude the use of] prevents the recorder from
             125      using a single name index [by the recorder if such] if that index includes [and references] all of the
             126      [above] indexes required by this section.
             127          Section 6. Section 17-21-9 is amended to read:
             128           17-21-9. Indexing of deeds and other instruments.
             129          Deeds and other instruments affecting real estate made by a United States marshal, a
             130      sheriff, master in chancery, special commissioner, executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, or
             131      other person acting in behalf of another, shall be indexed in the name of the person whose land is
             132      sold or affected as grantor[, and a note shall be made in the index indicating in what capacity the
             133      deed was made].
             134          Section 7. Section 17-21-10 is amended to read:
             135           17-21-10. Judgments affecting real estate.
             136          The recorder [must, when filed with him for that purpose, record in the record of deeds]
             137      shall record a judgment affecting real estate or certified copies of final judgments or decrees
             138      partitioning or affecting the title or possession of real property any part of which is [situate] located
             139      in the county [of which he is recorder].
             140          Section 8. Section 17-21-11 is amended to read:
             141           17-21-11. Notice imparted by recording.
             142          [Every such] (1) Each certified copy from the time of [filing the same with the recorder
             143      for record imparts] recording gives notice to all persons of the contents [thereof, and subsequent]
             144      of the recorded document.
             145          (2) Subsequent purchasers, mortgagees, and lien holders purchase and [take] encumber
             146      with the same notice and effect as if [such copy were a duly recorded deed, grant or transfer] the
             147      certified copy was the original document.
             148          Section 9. Section 17-21-12 is amended to read:
             149           17-21-12. Recording procedures -- Endorsements of entry number required on
             150      documents.
             151          When any instrument[, paper or notice] authorized by law to be [filed or] recorded is


             152      [deposited in] accepted by the recorder's office for [record] recording, the recorder [must] shall:
             153          (1) endorse upon [the same] it its proper entry number, the time when it was received,
             154      noting the year, month, day, hour, and minute of its reception, and the amount of fees for
             155      recording[,]; and [must]
             156          (2) record the [same without delay] instrument during office hours in the order it was
             157      accepted, together with the acknowledgments, proofs, and certificates written upon or [annexed
             158      to the same] attached to it, with the plats, surveys, schedules and other papers [thereto annexed,
             159      in the order received, and must note on the instrument for record the exact time of its reception]
             160      annexed to it.
             161          Section 10. Section 17-21-13 is amended to read:
             162           17-21-13. Endorsement of book and page -- Return of instrument.
             163          (1) S (a) s The recorder [must] may also endorse upon each instrument, paper or notice the book
             164      and page S [ and ] s [entry number in which it is recorded, and must thereafter return it] reference.
             164a      S (b) IF THE ENTRY NUMBER IS ENDORSED ON EACH PAGE OF THE INSTRUMENT, THE RECORDER
             164b      MAY OMIT THE BOOK AND PAGE REFERENCE. s
             165          (2) The recorder shall return the instrument to the appropriate party.
             166          Section 11. Section 17-21-14 is amended to read:
             167           17-21-14. Military records -- Evidence.
             168          [The] (1) Upon presentation, the county recorder [upon presentation shall record in a book
             169      kept for that purpose,] shall:
             170          (a) record, free of charge, [honorable] discharges from the military, naval, or marine
             171      service of the United States, and any and all orders, citations, and decorations of honor relating to
             172      [any] a person while [he] the person was in the military, naval, or marine service of the United
             173      States[,]; and [shall]
             174          (b) furnish, free of charge, certified copies of any of [the same] those records to the person
             175      to whom [any of them] they relate and to the father, mother, brothers, sisters, or any lineal
             176      descendant of [such] that person. [Such]
             177          (2) Those certified copies may be read in evidence with the same effect as the original in
             178      any action or proceeding before any court, commission, or other tribunal in this state.
             179          Section 12. Section 17-21-17 is amended to read:
             180           17-21-17. Prohibited acts.
             181          [No recorder to whom any] Upon acceptance of an instrument[, paper, or notice] entitled
             182      to be recorded [is delivered for record], the recorder may not:


             183          (1) neglect [or refuse] to record the instrument[, paper, or notice] within a reasonable time
             184      after [receiving] accepting it;
             185          (2) [willfully or negligently] record any instrument[, paper, or notice falsely or] in any
             186      manner other than the manner required by this chapter; or
             187          [(3) neglect or refuse to keep the indices required by this chapter in the recorder's office;]
             188          [(4) neglect or refuse to make the proper entries in the indices required by this chapter; or]
             189          [(5)] (3) alter, change, obliterate, or insert any new matter in any instrument[, paper, or
             190      notice deposited in the recorder's office] of record.
             191          Section 13. Section 17-21-18 is amended to read:
             192           17-21-18. Fees must be paid in advance.
             193          The recorder [shall] may not record any instrument, [or file any paper or notice, or] furnish
             194      any copies, or [render] provide any service connected with [his] the office, until the fees [for the
             195      same as] prescribed by law [are] have been paid [or tendered].
             196          Section 14. Section 17-21-19 is amended to read:
             197           17-21-19. Records open to inspection -- Copies.
             198          (1) All [books] instruments of record[, maps, charts, surveys, and other papers on file in
             199      the recorder's office must be] and all indexes required by this chapter are open to public inspection
             200      free of charge during office hours.
             201          (2) Any person copying or taking notes from [information on file] the public record in the
             202      recorder's office may do so only by pencil, typewriter, photocopy, microfilm, or electronic printout.
             203          Section 15. Section 17-21-20 is amended to read:
             204           17-21-20. Filing means recordation.
             205          [All papers, notices and instruments of writing] Each paper, notice, and instrument required
             206      by law to be filed in the office of the county recorder shall be recorded unless otherwise provided.
             207          Section 16. Section 17-21-21 is amended to read:
             208           17-21-21. Ownership plats.
             209          [In all counties the] (1) The county recorder shall prepare and keep [present-]ownership
             210      [maps and] plats drawn to a convenient scale, which [shall at all times] show the record owners
             211      of each tract of land in the county, together with [a description] the dimensions of the tract.
             212          (2) The county recorder may not be required to:
             213          (a) trace any title back of apparent ownership as of February 6, 1899, at 12 o'clock noon[.


             214      The county recorder may not be required to];
             215          (b) show ownership of [condominium units,] timeshare units[,] or timeshare estates on
             216      ownership plats; or
             217          (c) show lot or unit ownership on subdivisions or condominium plats S OR OTHER
             217a      OWNERSHIP PLATS s if that information
             218      is available through computer systems or other indexes.
             219          (3) Nothing in this chapter precludes the use of geographic information systems or
             220      computer systems by the recorder if the systems include all of the information required by this
             221      section.
             222          Section 17. Section 17-21-22 is amended to read:
             223           17-21-22. Annual revision -- Reporting changes in ownership to county assessors --
             224      Costs, how borne.
             225          (1) The county recorder shall[,]:
             226          (a) each year, prepare copies of ownership [maps and] plats and descriptions, showing
             227      record owners at noon on January 1[, and shall,];
             228          (b) on or before January 15 of each year, transmit the copies to the county assessor[, but];
             229          (c) report all changes in recorded ownership of real property made during the first seven
             230      months of each calendar year [shall be reported by the county recorder] to the county assessor not
             231      later than August 15 of that year [and];
             232          (d) for the remainder of the calendar year, report the changes in the ownership of real
             233      property [which] that are [filed] recorded in the county recorder's office [shall be reported] each
             234      month [by the county recorder to the county assessor] on or before the 15th day of the month
             235      following the month in which the changes were recorded [in the office of the county recorder.
             236      These];
             237          (e) transmit the changes of ownership [shall be transmitted by the recorder's office to the
             238      assessor's office] on appropriate forms [furnished by the recorder's office showing] that show the
             239      current owner's name and a full legal description of the property conveyed[. In those cases]; and
             240          (f) where only a part of the grantor's property is [currently] conveyed [the recorder shall],
             241      transmit an additional form showing a full legal description of the portion retained. [The cost of
             242      making copies of maps and plats and descriptions for use of the assessor as provided in this section
             243      shall be paid one-half by the state and one-half by the county; but in any county having a taxable
             244      value for the current tax year of less than $50,000,000, plats for the year may not exceed 1% of the


             245      state, state school, and state high school taxes levied in the county for the year; and in any county
             246      having a taxable value of $50,000,000 or more for the current tax year the state's portion of the cost
             247      of making and revising maps and plats may not exceed 1/2 of 1% of the total state, state school,
             248      and state high school taxes levied in the county for the year.]
             249          (2) Nothing in this chapter precludes the use of geographic information systems or
             250      computer systems by the recorder if the systems include all of the information required by this
             251      section.
             252          (3) Not later than the first Monday in October of each year, the assessor may return the plat
             253      books and descriptions to the recorder for extension, alterations, and carrying to date for the
             254      ensuing year.
             255          Section 18. Section 17-21-25 is amended to read:
             256           17-21-25. Names of persons signing to be typed or printed on instruments presented
             257      for recording.
             258          (1) All instruments presented to the county recorder for [filing] recording shall have typed
             259      or printed on them the names of all persons whose signatures appear on the instrument whose
             260      names are required to be indexed. [Nothing contained herein shall]
             261          (2) The requirements of Subsection (1) do not affect the legality of the instrument to be
             262      recorded.
             263          Section 19. Section 40-1-4 is amended to read:
             264           40-1-4. Copy of location notice to be recorded.
             265          Within [thirty] 30 days after the date of posting the location notice upon the claim, the
             266      locator [or locators, or his or their], or the locator's assigns, [must file for] shall record a substantial
             267      copy of the notice of location in the office of the county recorder of the county in which [such] the
             268      claim is situated [a substantial copy of such notice of location. Such notice of location shall not
             269      be abstracted unless a subsequent conveyance affecting the same property is filed for record,
             270      whereupon it shall be abstracted].
             271          Section 20. Section 40-1-6 is amended to read:
             272           40-1-6. Affidavit of performance of annual labor or payment of maintenance fee.
             273          (1) As used in this section, "assessment work" means the performance of labor or making
             274      of improvements on or for the benefit of a mining claim.
             275          (2) Within 30 days after the end of the annual period specified in 30 U.S.C. Sec. 28 the


             276      owner of an unpatented lode or placer mining claim, or a mill or tunnel site claim or someone on
             277      his behalf, shall [file] record an affidavit in the office of the county recorder of the county in which
             278      the claim is located setting forth:
             279          (a) the name and address of the owner of the claim;
             280          (b) the name of the claim and the serial number, if any, assigned to the claim by the United
             281      States Bureau of Land Management;
             282          (c) if assessment work was required to be performed under 30 U.S.C. Sec. 28 or other
             283      federal law to maintain the claim, a statement that the annual assessment work required to
             284      maintain the claim was performed; and
             285          (d) if the assessment work was not required to be performed under 30 U.S.C. Sec. 28 or
             286      other federal law, a statement that it is the intention of the owner to hold the claim, and if a claim
             287      maintenance fee was paid as required by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, Pub.
             288      L. 103-66 or other federal law, a statement that the fee was paid in a timely manner.
             289          (3) The affidavit, or a certified copy, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in
             290      the affidavit.
             291          (4) The amendments made in this section do not affect any act or right accruing or which
             292      has accrued or been established or any suit or proceeding commenced before May 1, 1995.
             293          Section 21. Section 40-1-8 is amended to read:
             294           40-1-8. Vacancy and removal -- County recorder to receive records.
             295          [Whenever] (1) If there is a vacancy in the office of recorder of any mining district, or [the
             296      person holding such office shall remove from the district leaving therein no qualified successor
             297      in office, or whenever from any cause] if there is no person in [such] the mining district authorized
             298      to retain the custody and give certified copies of the records, [it shall be the duty of] the person
             299      having custody of the records [to] shall deposit [the same] them in the office of the county recorder
             300      of the county in which [such] the mining district, or the greater part [thereof] of the mining district,
             301      is situated[, and the].
             302          (2) That county recorder shall take possession of [such] the records[,] and [is hereby
             303      authorized to] may make and certify copies [therefrom] from the records, including any other
             304      copies of records and papers in [his] the recorder's office pertaining to mining claims[, and such].
             305          (3) Those certified copies shall be receivable in evidence in all courts and before all
             306      officers and tribunals.


             307          (4) The production of a certified copy [so made] shall be, without further proof, evidence
             308      that [such] the records were properly in the custody of the county recorder.
             309          Section 22. Section 40-1-9 is amended to read:
             310           40-1-9. County recorder may certify district records.
             311          [Where] (1) When the books, records, and documents pertaining to the office of mining
             312      district recorder have been deposited in the office of [any] a county recorder [he is authorized to],
             313      the recorder may make and certify copies [therefrom, and such] from those records.
             314          (2) Those certified copies shall be receivable in all tribunals and before all officers of this
             315      state in the same manner and to the same effect as if [such] the records had been originally filed
             316      or made in the office of the county recorder.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-16-99 10:57 AM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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