Make certain your document contains the legal description of the property involved in the transaction. If it is not contained within the document, you may attach it on an extra page as "Exhibit A." Make sure your document has original signatures and a complete notary acknowledgement. If the instrument does not contain sufficient space for the affixing of documentary stamps and recording information without covering language contained in the instrument, the county clerk may attach an additional page to the document (which you will be charged for) to provide the necessary space. *The top margin of all documents shall be at least one (1) inch from the top of the page to the first word appearing on the form, and all other margins shall be at least 1/2 inch.* When filing a mortgage, you must have a separate check made payable to the County Treasurer for mortgage tax and mortgage tax certification fee, in addition to the recording fee costs. Please see the filing fee rates on the chart below. Make certain your deed has the buyer's return address for tax purposes printed on the face of the document. Make sure all of your documents have your return address printed on them. This ensures your document's safe return to you.

****EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2001**** A PRESERVATION FEE OF $5.00 PER DOCUMENT WILL BE CHARGED BY THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.   Filing Fees Rates:   Recording First Page of Deeds, Mortgages, Assignments, and any other instruments in the office of the County Clerk - $ 8.00 Each additional page - $ 2.00     EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2001New Laws Concerning Uniform Commercial Code Filings : CLICK HERE FOR UCC FILING RULES     Mortgage Tax Rates:   Rate of Mortgage Tax on each $100.00 or Major Fraction thereof: 5 Years or More - $ 10 per hundred 4 Years & Less than 5 Years - $ 08 per hundred 3 Years & Less than 4 Years - $ 06 per hundred 2 Years & Less than 3 Years - $ 04 per hundred Less than 2 Years - $ 02 per hundred

Note: Add $ 5.00 for Mortgage Certification Fee in addition to the charge of Mortgage Tax, both payable to the County Treasurer. (Example: If a mortgage has a loan amount of $ 4206.00, executed on 4/27/94 with a final maturity date of 4/27/97, mortgage tax would be based on .06 cents per hundred which equals $ 2.52, plus $5.00 certification fee.)