Register of Deeds FAQs
The register of deeds office make no warranty of guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content of these pages or at other sites to which we link.
Does the document need to be an original?
The document being recorded must have original signatures except in the case of certified copies form certain courts and the Bureau of Vital Statistics death certificates.
Must signatures be notarized? Do you have a notary in the office?
Yes, most all documents need to be notarized. Leases, financing statements and tax liens are an exception to this rule. Yes, there is a notary in the building but we suggest getting it notarized before coming to the Register of Deeds office.
What happens when a document is brought in for recording?
We look over the document to be sure that it meets state statutes, to see if it’s recordable, and the correct fees are enclosed. The document is reviewed, if okay, it will be given an instrument number and put into the online database. We then change ownership cards, if needed, proof the document, sign, and scan the document for public viewing. We return the document to the person that submitted them. This process takes 24-48 hours or longer depending on the work load.
Who keeps the documents?
Once a document is recorded it is returned to the filer, a scanned copy and a hard copy are kept at the county and microfilmed at the state archives in Lincoln, Nebraska.
How much does it cost to record a document?
Fees are set by Nebraska State Statute (Effective January 1, 2013 LB14, Rev. Stat. 33-109)
First page $10.00 each additional page $6.00.
The above fees are required for all document filed in the Register of Deed office, except the following NO-FEE documents:
Federal Tax Lien Termination
State Tax Lien Termination
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Termination
UCC Financing Statements (Original, Amendment, Continuation)
Document (no page limitation) $14.00 terminations are free
Federal and State Tax liens can only be recorded from the Secretary of States Filing office. They will send them directly to us for recording.
We accept cash, check and credit cards for payment. There is a fee charged by the processor on credit card payments. No charges will be allowed (without prior authorization), no under payment or over payment will be allowed.
What If I make an error?
If an error has occurred, please place a line through the error and correct it with ink or type writer and initial your changes. PLEASE DO NOT USE WHITEOUT.
Can I get someone to do research for me?
You can search online at Nebraska Deeds Online. The indexes are available from the late 1800’s to present but we only have copies online from June 24, 2009 to present. All older copies are available in the office or we do offer a USB Drive for purchase. If you do not want to come into the office we suggest contacting a real estate attorney or local title company to search for you.
For more on Genealogy please visit: Genealogy Research Instructions. If you want more on the history of the county we do have several books in the vault and the Saline County Museum in Dorchester has information as well.
Can I find out who owns a parcel of property?
Yes, the Assessors GIS website list current owners. Please note due to limited spacing not all names may be listed.
Saline County gWorks
You may have to look at the deed(s)/documents to piece together interest, life estates, etc…
Can you tell me if I have any liens on my property?
The records in the Register of Deeds office will list liens against property such as mortgages, fixture filings, Deeds of Trust and Construction Liens. State and Federal tax liens are filed against an individual. Not all liens are filed in this office, we suggest you check with the courts and treasurer as well. They are listed on the online database. We suggest you search by legal description and by name on the website nebraskadeedsonline.us
Can you tell me if I have a good and clear title?
No, you must hire a title company or abstractor to search the records. Not all liens are filed in this office.
How do I find information about easement on my property?
Look at the online index for any easements of record, however some may be recorded on a deed or not filed with us at all. You may require help from an attorney or title company.
What was the sale price on a property?
The deed will indicate a documentary stamp tax based on the approximate sale price of the property. See the Documentary Stamp Tax History for exact amounts in the appropriate time line. If your property was transferred between family members it may have been exempt and we cannot tell you an amount. If it was recent (past five years) the Assessor’s office may be able to help as well.
Can I get a copy of a birth or death certificate?
No, we generally only file death certificate on specific property. We suggest you contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics .
I want to change/add/delete a name on my property. Can I do that over the phone or by walking in and telling you?
No, any change in ownership usually requires a new deed/documentation to be recorded. Exception to this rule may result from court cases (divorce, foreclosure, probate, etc.) or from death where certain legal verbiage exist in the document and a death certificate has been recorded in our office. In these cases, the deed itself will not change even though ownership does, Evidence of ownership exists in the combination of the related documents. We are a recording office only, we cannot give any legal advice. Please contact a real estate attorney or a title company for your individual situation.
Can I make my own deed? I want to change/add/delete a name on my property.
Yes, you may, but we always recommend consulting an attorney regarding property transfers and changes, because minor changes in the wording of the document can completely change the legal meaning of the document. The Register of Deeds office is a recording agency only, we cannot prepare deeds or answer questions regarding legal matters. The document also needs to meet state statutes, some of which can be found here:
Recording Requirements.
Every deed must be accompanied by a 521 Real Estate Transfer Statement.
Documentary Stamp Tax Exemption Listing
Certificate of Exemption-Documentary Stamp Tax 5b (Now Known As 5Aii)
Certificate of Exemption–Deeds to Trustees Exemption #19
Documentary Stamp Tax Computation Table
Do you have any forms available?
No, the register of deeds does not provide forms other that the 521 real estate transfer statement which must be accompanied by all deeds. We do not practice law and therefore do not prepare legal documents.
Where can I learn about previous owners of my house/property?
See the link to Genealogy Research Instructions. Our records do not indicate when a house or building was constructed only the chain of title/ownership.
How can I obtain copies of documents?
You can obtain copies of documents recorded in this office by coming into the vault and taking pictures, using a portable scanning wand, purchasing a USB Drive (please call in advance as we don’t always have them on hand) using the laptop at the front desk or by submitting a request with book and page numbers via email. Please note we are a recording office with multiple other duties. Copy requests will be looked at when all other duties are complete. We require payment in advance and will let you know the copy cost as soon as we can. If paying by credit card there is a small service fee usually around $2.00. We ask that after three documents requested you come into the office or purchase the archive drive.
Can I get a copy of my property survey or plat?
Yes, if a survey or plat was previously done on your property you can look at the State Surveyor’s Website here https://sso.nebraska.gov .
Go to County Survey Records file on the left. Choose Saline County and click on the blue link.
For a Survey: Use your legal description to look up the areas surveyed. You may also come into the vault and look through the 3-ring binders.
For plats: go to the cities or rural folder and look for the name of the plat.
I paid off my mortgage, now what?
Once the mortgage is paid in full a Deed of Reconveyance will be filed in our office. This only shows that you have paid off the lien. This is NOT the title/deed to your property. The deed or ownership record was filed when you bought the property. If you have misplaced your deed and would like a copy or need a copy of the Deed of Reconveyance you can search online by your legal description here: https://nebraskadeedsonline.us/search.aspx?county=22 or come into the office with your tax statement or paperwork showing your legal description.
What is a full legal description?
A full legal description of the real estate affected must be included as per Nebraska Stature 23-1514. This does not include Abbreviated legal descriptions such as from the assessor’s GIS website or tax statements! We will accept abbreviated directional information only i.e. NE, NW, SE, SW. Real Estate legal descriptions must be exact and complete so we can follow them around and they close. Any exceptions need to be typed out in full. The “exception” to this rule is property sold to the State, County or RR may be excepted by listing the book and page or instrument number.
The Section, Township North, Range, needs to include, east of the 6th PM, Saline County, Nebraska.
I.E. The North half (N ½) of the Northwest Quarter (NW ¼) of Section Thirty-Three (33) Township Eight (8) North Range Four (4) East of the 6th PM in Saline County, Nebraska.
Platted property should include lot, block, Subdivision/Addition, City/Village, County and State. If no subdivision is listed and just a city or town is named it is probably the “Original Town” plat. I.E. Lots Five (5) and Six (6), Block Twenty-Four (24) Original Town of Crete, Saline County, Nebraska.
Lot One (1), Block Three (3) Lothrop Heights Addition to Crete, Saline County, Nebraska.
Nebraska Secretary of State
Notary information: https://sos.nebraska.gov/business-services/notary-public
UCC Information https://sos.nebraska.gov/business-services/uniform-commercial-code