Bill > HB427

This bill amends Georgia's property recording laws to introduce new procedures for filing and recording property-related documents. Starting January 1, 2026, all instruments must be submitted electronically through the superior court's clerk's office. The bill requires that when a deed, mortgage, or lien is filed by someone other than the current property owner or deed holder, there will be a mandatory 45-day waiting period. During this period, the clerk must notify the current owner by mail or electronically within 15 business days of the filing, giving the owner an opportunity to contest the recordation. However, this waiting period is waived for several specific categories of filers, including attorneys, insurance agents, licensed professionals, government officials, bank representatives, and the property owners themselves. The bill also expands the clerk's electronic capabilities, allowing them to receive, index, store, archive, and transmit electronic documents, convert paper documents to electronic format, and accept electronic fees. Additionally, the legislation provides that the clerk will be held harmless for good faith actions related to document recordation. These changes aim to modernize property document filing processes and provide property owners with enhanced notification and protection mechanisms.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70276