It is the duty of the Hancock County Recorder to record documents which comply with Indiana Code. The following list represents a few common reasons a document may be rejected.

Notary missing or incomplete/Seal Missing (IC 36-2-11-16)*,

Missing or Incorrect Recording Fee (IC 36-2-7-10),

Prepared by Statement Missing (IC 36-2-11-15),

Social Security Affirmation Statement Missing (IC 36-2-11-15),

Document not legible or does not meet margin space requirement [2 inch space at top and bottom of document] (IC 36-2-11-16 & IC 36-2-11-16.5).

A Deed might also be rejected based on the above captioned list, as well as, the following (IC 36-2-11); 

The Grantor or Grantee missing,

Auditor’s transfer stamp and Assessor’s sales disclosure stamp,

Legal description missing/incomplete,

Instrument number of the Power of Attorney.

Generally speaking, signatures are to be original with the typed or printed name beneath or beside the signature. Further, the name(s) in a document should be consistent throughout the document.

Please note: a self-addressed postage-paid envelope should be included for a document to be returned. In addition, for a document to be forwarded to a third-party, a self-addressed postage-paid envelope will be required.

Indiana Secretary of State Business Resources

*See Secretary of State’s Website Regarding Notary Requirements