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If you wish to record legal documents affecting real
estate such as deeds, land contracts, mortgages, satisfactions and assignments, you will
need to use a form which conforms to the Wisconsin standard document format. Most office
supply firms offer forms which do meet the requirements of Wisconsin Statute 59.43(2m).
Use of the standard document format helps to assure that
important pieces of information are not inadvertently omitted, that the document is
legible, and that it is properly indexed. Use of the standard document format also makes
processing and retrieval more efficient.
Most states in the Midwest require some type of standard
document format. If you are from a state outside of Wisconsin, you may add a cover-sheet
to your document to make it conform to the Wisconsin standard document format. You can
print or type the document title, return address, and parcel identification number in the
proper locations and attach the cover-sheet to the front of your document so that it
becomes the first page. This would add one page to your document and the cost to record
would increase by $2. Every Wisconsin County Register of Deeds will have cover sheets
available in their offices.
Form
Requirements of the standard document format are as
follows:
- The upper right hand corner of the document must be
completely blank (at least 3” by 3”) for our official recording stamp.
- The name and return address must be either (1) directly
under the recording area, or (2) on the left side of the page and within the top 3 inches.
- The parcel identifier number must be placed directly
under the return address.
- 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 our recording stamp.
- The entire document must be legible and reproducible.
- The paper is white, standard weight, and letter or
legal-sized.
- The ink is black so that the document will scan properly.
- The top margin is a minimum of 1/2 inch for every page.
Other margins are minimum of 1/4 inch.
- The pages are not hinged.
Remember, you still need:
-
Complete legal descriptions
if the document refers to specific parcels of land.
- Original signatures notarized or authenticated.
- Proper fees accompanying the document.
- Name of the document drafter.
- Wisconsin Real Estate Transfer Return (completed and with
proper fee or exemption #) for deeds and land contracts.
Form
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Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association