Nebraska
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: Survey is required for a purchase. Prior surveys will work. Refinance we can use a Survey Affidavit.
Recording Requirements:
Top margin must be 2 ½” X 6”and the return address must be on the bottom of the document.
If document is non-conforming, there is a $5.00 charge.
Nevada
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Meridian National Title must Fund: Yes, We must perform the sub-escrow services on the file.
Marital State:Community Property State. Both husband and wife must execute the Deed of Trust of their community property, consisting of that acquired by either party during their marriage. However, real property owned by or claimed by either person before marriage or thereafter acquired by gift, devise or descent is the separate property of the husband or wife, as the case may be.
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- HUD signed at closing
- Executed Deed of Trust
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
Mortgage Tax: Not applicable
Survey: Survey is only required for high liability purchases. The survey affidavit is needed for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
As of 1/1/2007 every document must have an affirmation statement in the upper left hand corner unless you attach a coversheet with the affirmation statement: “The undersigned hereby affirms that this document submitted for recording does not contain a social security number.” This statement must be signed!
COVERPAGE If first page does not meet requirements.
Any page within the document that is non standard makes the document non standard.
No highlighter can be used on any documents or non standard fee applies.
Minimum Font size is 10-point Times New Roman and must be submitted on 8.5 X 11 inch paper
Must include a 3 X 3 space in the upper right of the first page and have a margin of 1” on all sides of succeeding pages. Print may only be on one side of paper. If the space is not available for the endorsement stamp you must add a cover page. If signature or initials are in 1” margin non standard fees apply.
Non Standard Fees apply in following counties if tape or stickers are used:
Lyons
All documents that contain a metes and bound description must have where that Legal Description was obtained from i.e., Derivation Clause.
Names must be printed under all signatures and all print must be in black ink except for signatures.(acknowledgment must be in black print).
New Hampshire
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not applicable
Survey: Survey is required for purchase deal. Survey affidavit will work for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
The top margin on the right half of the 1st page shall be at least 3” and the left half should be reserved for “Return To” information.
All succeeding pages shall have at least 1” margins on all sides and bottom.
Font must be no smaller than 10 point.
All documents must be submitted on one sided paper.
A/K/A’s, F/K/A’s, HTTA, ETC. must be typed on the document. Will not accept handwritten info.
Above requirements must be met or the document will be rejected and they will not accept a cover letter.
All names must be typed under all signatures, and all changes to documents must be typed not handwritten.
The writing, print or type shall be in dark blue or black ink.
All documents must be on one-sided paper only.
Must contain the Town/City in the 1 st sentence of the legal description.
New Jersey
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: Survey is required for purchases. Survey affidavit is acceptable for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
All docs need a prepared by and return to statement with a Printed name and Signature .
Does not allow any driver license or security numbers on recordable documents.
Names/Title must be typed, printed or stamped beneath signatures except for the witnesses on mortgages.
Any persons signing the document must be stated on the face of the document.
Must use Block & Lot numbers of property. Parcel number is not acceptable.
Grantee Address must appear on the first page.
State will not record Non-Identity Affidavits.
New Mexico
Title Turn Time: 3-5 Days depending on area
Attorney State: NO
Meridian National Title must Fund: Yes, We must perform the sub-escrow services on the file.
Marital State: Community Property State. Both the husband and wife must execute the Deed of Trust of their community property, consisting of that acquired by either party during their marriage. However, real property owned by or claimed by either person before marriage or thereafter acquired by gift, devise or descent is the separate property of the husband or wife, as the case may be.
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- HUD signed at closing
- Executed Deed of Trust
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
Mortgage Tax: Not applicable
Survey: Survey is required for refinances and purchases.
Recording Requirements:
Nothing Specific
New York
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: No, spouse isn’t required to sign the docs.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Mortgage tax applies in the state of New York, please contact out office for the amounts.
Survey: No survey required just the survey affidavit.
Recording Requirements:
All documents must be at least 9 point font and legible enough to be reproduced. If there are any lines throughout the document it will be rejected. Preferably no faxed copies if they are not legible.
Documents may not have a social security, bank card# or driver’s license, etc.
Section, Block, and Lot (parcel #) is required on the front page of all documents.
COVERLETTERS required by some counties. (If the Mortgage is a “ MERS ” Mortgage, the coversheet must include the Lender and MERS as the Mortgagee.)
North Carolina
Title Turn Time: 24-72 hours depending on area
Attorney State: YES, Search and Closing
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: Survey is required for purchases. Survey affidavit is acceptable for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
All documents must have a 3” blank margin at the top of the first page and a ½” blank margin on remaining sides of 1 st page and on all sides of subsequent pages. YOU MAY ADD COVERSHEET.
The state is very particular about the margin requirements of each page if there is anything in the margins you must pay a non standard fee of $25.
Documents must be submitted in black type, one-sided paper, and font no smaller than 10 point or the non standard fee will apply.
Also, no illegible faxed copies.
Cannot have hole punch in paper.
Will record two-sided paper but non standard fee apply.
Return to and Prepared by stamp must be placed on the first page of all documents and must include an individuals name or attorney.
North Dakota
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: No survey required just the survey affidavit.
Recording Requirements:
Must have a 4” X 4” area at the top right of the document.
All other pages must have 1” margins.
Ohio
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: Survey is required for purchases. Survey affidavit is acceptable for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
Will not record documents where the pages are drafted vertically. In most cases this will be the signature pages.
Names must be printed under all signatures, including the notary.
All documents must have a prepared by statement on the last page, this must be the Lender or person preparing the document with name and title.
No Social Security numbers are allowed on any document unless the Borrowers include an Affidavit signed and notarized stating that they want these included on the document.
Will not record Non-Identity Affidavits, as there is no provision.
Oklahoma
Option One- Title Turn Time: 30-45 days for the full ALTA Product
Option Two- Title Turn Time: 3-5 days for our most popular product which is a report produced from the county records so we can close a file within the 30 day window. When the file is closed the abstract is pulled and policy would be issued. The purpose of this product is to speed up the product delivery and minimal cancellation fee.
Attorney State: NO
Meridian National Title must Fund: Yes, We must perform the sub-escrow services on the file.
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign the documents.
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- HUD signed at closing
- Executed Deed of Trust
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
Mortgage Tax: Mortgage tax applies in the state of Oklahoma please contact our office for amounts.
Survey: Survey is only required for a purchase. The survey affidavit is needed for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
A clear 1” margin is required on every page of a document.
Oregon
Title Turn Time: 3-5 days depending on area
Attorney State: NO
Meridian National Title must Fund: Yes, We must perform the sub-escrow services on the file.
Marital State: No, spouse isn’t required to sign the documents.
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- HUD signed at closing
- Executed Deed of Trust
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
Mortgage Tax: Not applicable
Survey: Survey is only required for a purchase. The survey affidavit is needed for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
All documents must have a blank 4” X 4” at the top right of the 1 st page.
Text of the instrument should be typed, written or printed in 8-point type or larger and of sufficient quality for recording photographically.
You may use this Coversheet if the above margin is not met or if you need it to state the below information.
Absolutely no highlighters allowed on any recordable documents.
If clarity pages are attached you must state on each page for clarity purpose only.
All metes and bounds legal’s must include the Section, Township and Range of the property.
There cannot be anything typed or stamped on the top of the 1 st page of the document.
Document must be legible to reproduce and font no smaller than 9 point.
Pennsylvania
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: No, spouse isn’t required to sign the documents.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: No survey required just the survey affidavit.
Recording Requirements:
FORMAT FORM if requirements are not met for properties in BUCK County all documents will be rejected.
Each page must be legible and suitable for imaging.
Each page of an instrument must be 8.5” X 11” unfolded.
Pages must be printed on one side only, with a 1.5” margin at the top and 1” margins at the bottom and sides.
All pages, including the attachments, must be numbered sequentially.
All information required for recording purposes must be at least 10-point font in size and printed in black ink. Handwritten information is not acceptable.
Paper stock must be 20-pound opaque stock in white or off-white.
Some counties require back COVERSHEETS see special county requirements. Coversheet is counted as an additional page.
Rhode Island
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: No, spouse isn’t required to sign the documents.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only Allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not applicable
Survey: Survey is only required for a purchase. The survey affidavit is needed for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
Require a witness on all documents.
All documents must be filed in the town of the property location.
Do not staple anything to the documents.
South Carolina
Title Turn Time: 24-72 hours depending on area
Attorney State: YES, Search and Closing
Marital State: No, spouse isn’t required to sign the documents.
Meridian National Title must Fund: Yes we must do sub-escrow. Must use attorney for the closing no Exceptions!
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: No survey required just the survey affidavit. Survey is required for New Construction.
Recording Requirements:
All documents must be legible for reproduction and at least 8 point font.
All names must be typed or printed under the signatures including the notary.
Any strikeouts or changes to a document must be initialed.
Two different witnesses are required on all documents.
(Including Manufactured Home Power of Attorneys and Affidavits.)
Derivation clause is required on all documents; when a deed is recorded concurrently the derivation must reference the new Deed. The recorded information within the derivation must read, “Recorded simultaneously herewith” . This clause must include the grantor and grantee names with the book and page number.
State will not record Non-Identity Affidavits.
Under Section 30-2-330 (C) A person preparing or filing a document for recordation may not include a social security, drivers license, passport numbers etc. unless expressly required by law.
South Dakota
Title Turn Time: 5-7 days depending on area
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: Survey is required for purchases. Survey affidavit is acceptable for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
Must be a 3” margin at the top of the first page and 1” on all other sides, subsequent pages must have 1” margin on all sides. Font should be no less than 10 point.
The top right half of the document shall be used by the Register of Deeds for recording information and the left half used to designate the preparer. The preparer statement must include phone# and address.
No fax copies unless there is no fax information in the margins. No information allowed in any of the margins or document will be rejected.
“Prepared By” must include a phone number.
All signatures must be in black ink or dark blue ink.
Certified copies of documents may not be altered to record.
Tennessee
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Mortgage tax applies in the state of Tennessee, please contact out office for the amounts.
Survey: No survey required just the survey affidavit.
Recording Requirements:
“Prepared by Statement” must be an individual’s name and address.
Parcel Id# must be on the top left of the 1 st page.
Legal Descriptions must have the derivation clause which should have book and page number not the instrument number. You must use the book and page number not the instrument number as a reference if the vesting deed is prior to 1999.
Texas
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours (in county) 5-7 days (out of county)
Attorney State: NO
Meridian National Title: Utilizes Vantage Point Title 222 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX 75039 For all Texas services.
Marital State: Yes, community property state.
Texas Home Equity: If the new loan is cash out or extension of a previous Texas Home Equity there are certain guidelines that have to be followed to insure the transaction. The HUD must be reviewed and signed one business day in advance by the borrower. The closing must take place in the office of a title company, attorney, or lender.
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- VantagePoint HUD signed at closing
- Executed Deed of Trust
- VantagePoint disclosure docs
Mortgage Tax: Not applicable
Survey: Survey is required if the property doesn’t sit on platted land, this is usually described as a meets and bounds legal description. If the land is platted or is in a subdivision just the T-47 Survey affidavit is required.
Recording Requirements:
1 1/2″ Top margin and 1/2″ other margins.
Font size must be 8 point or larger.
All documents must include the name and address of the Preparer and it must be on the first page. A return address must be on the document, with the words: “Return To”.
All signatures must have a printed name beneath, which includes witnesses and notary.
If recording a certified copy of a document you must attach a cover page, because the certified instrument cannot have any changes or additions made to it. Homestead Affidavits are recorded as separate documents.
Utah
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Marital State: No, spouse isn’t required to sign the documents.
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not applicable
Survey: Survey is only required for a purchase. The survey affidavit is needed for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
Utah Code Annotated 17-21-20 (3) (a) Format Requirements
Note: Most counties are putting these in effect 2008
Letter size 8 1/2″ x 11”
2 1/2″ X 4 1/2″ space top right cover of 1st page and 1″ on top of each succeeding page.
Only Single sided pages
Documents must be printed in black ink and printing not less than 7 lines per vertical inch and legible.
Each non complying page will be charge an additional $2.00
The “Tax Serial Number” must be formatted correctly with hyphens this may be found in the search.
Vermont
Title Turn Time: 48 hours
Attorney State: YES, closing only
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: Copy of the survey with the survey affidavit is needed for purchases. Survey affidavit is acceptable for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
Prepared by statement must include the individual’s name preparing the document.
All recordings go to the township of the property.
Virginia
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Meridian National Title must Fund: Yes, We must perform the full disbursement on the file.
Marital State: No, spouse isn’t required to sign the documents.
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Meridian Title signed HUD
- Signed Deed of Trust
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- Signed CRESPA Letter by lender in order to disburse prior to recording
Mortgage Tax: Mortgage tax applies in the state of Virginia; please make sure to contact our office for amounts.
Survey: Survey is only required for a purchase. The survey affidavit is needed for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
All documents must have a 1” top, bottom and left margin on all pages and the right margin shall be at least ½”. Top upper right corner of 1 st page must be left blank for recording stamp.
Font shall be 12 characters per inch the equivalent to 10 point.
No faxed copies allowed and also the following counties will not accept clarity copies FAIRFAX, MECKLENBERG and PRINCE WILLIAM.
Any documents including the social security # are not recordable in the state.
The Sur-Name shall be in all capital letters or underscored.
Prepared by statement must be stated on the document.
RETURN TO STATEMENT must be stated on the face of the document or the document will be returned to the grantee.
Parcel Id#/Tax Map# must be on all Documents.
Several Counties Require a GPIN# on the document (see special county requirements below)
All documents must be numbered consecutively..All riders and attachments must be renumbered to correct total page count.
Washington
Title Turn Time: 3-5 days depending on area
Attorney State: NO
Meridian National Title: No, File must be funded by a Washington State Title or Escrow Company
Marital State: Yes, Community property state.
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- HUD signed at closing
- Executed Deed of Trust
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
Mortgage Tax: Not applicable
Survey: Survey is only required for a purchase. The survey affidavit is needed for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
All documents must have a 3” top margin on the 1 st page and 1” margin for all other sides.
In this 3″ margin there may only be one address stated.
1st page of Every Document requires:
Grantor, Grantee, MERS (if applicable), Trustee (if applicable), Parcel Id# and Legal description (this can be an abbreviated description but must include Lot, Block, Plat or Section, Township and you must state what page the complete description is located on. EXAMPLE)
Document must be legible for reproduction and font no smaller than 9 point.
Document Coversheets:
Coversheet1 Used when all pages only have a 1” margin and missing the three inch top margin and
you are only charged for an additional page.
Coversheet2 Used when the 3” top margin is missing and also the 1” margin requirements are not
you will be charged an additional $50.00 plus an additional page total $51.00
Note: If either of these coversheets are used for an assignment or subordination you must include the borrower’s name as the grantor if stated on the document.
West Virginia
Title Turn Time: 48 hours
Attorney State: YES, closing only
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: Survey is required for purchases. Survey affidavit is acceptable for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
The state will not allow any documents to be recorded concurrently.
All legal descriptions must include the district name or number.
Wisconsin
Title Turn Time: 24-48 hours
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not Applicable
Survey: Survey is required for purchases. Survey affidavit is acceptable for refinances.
Recording Requirements:
All documents must have a 3” x 3” blank space in the upper right hand corner and a ½” margin on all subsequent pages.
The title of the document must be within the top 3 inches of the page but not in the 3 by 3 inch corner left blank for county recording stamp.
Font must be no less than 9 point.
COVERSHEET if needed
Absolutely no highlight allowed on any documents to be recorded.
Must have a drafted by statement on each document and should have the individual preparer’s name and stated at the conclusion of the document .
Return to information should be in the top left or below county recording area on the right.
Typing and printing must be in black ink except for signature which may be in blue ink.
Wyoming
Title Turn Time: 3-5 days depending on area
Attorney State: NO
Marital State: Yes, Spouse must sign if the property is the marital residence.
Meridian National Title must Fund: No (Title Only allowed)
Document Requirements for policy:
- Closing instructions
- Payoffs of items on title
- Copy of signed HUD
- Executed Mortgage
- Meridian Title disclosure docs
- 1003 or SOI
- Proof of wire or cancelled check for payoff
- Ledger
Mortgage Tax: Not applicable
Survey: No survey required just the survey affidavit.
Recording Requirements:
Nothing specific.