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HAMILTON — Butler County Recorder Danny Crank advises residents to ignore letters hitting mailboxes from the National Deed Service that offers to obtain certified copies of property deeds for $69.50.

Contrary to the letter, Crank said homeowners are not required to have a copy of their deed. If they want one, his office can get them a certified copy for $3.

Crank knows people are falling for it, he said, because he gets the requests from the company.

"Those people are just being scammed," Crank said.

"We are the only place that can give you an original certified copy by law, there is no one else," Crank said, though it is not illegal for a third party to request the deed.

"You don't need a copy of your deed even to transfer your house because when you sell your house, they create a new deed," he said.

Residents may request copies in the office or by mail and have them processed the same day, Crank said.

Calls to National Deed Service were not returned.

The company's charge has gone up $10 since the same letter went out previously in July.

"Many government records are available free or at a nominal cost from government agencies," says the company's Web site, adding that the company saves clients "time and administrative costs."

Contact this reporter at jsweigart@coxohio.com.