Bill > SB0253

This bill establishes a deed fraud task force to assess and propose solutions for deed fraud in Indiana, composed of legislative members, state officials, and representatives from various professional and consumer groups, and it will expire on July 1, 2027. It also empowers county recorders to refuse to record "suspicious instruments" – documents with issues like mismatched notary information, claims of exemption from state law, non-compliance with recording standards, or fraudulent submission by non-trusted parties – unless a court overturns their decision, and allows them to report such instruments to law enforcement and notify notaries involved. Furthermore, county recorders must create property alert notification systems by January 1, 2027, allowing property owners to receive alerts about any recorded documents affecting their property, and instrument alert notification systems to notify notaries public when instruments bearing their name or commission number are recorded, with no charge for enrollment in either system. The bill also enhances notary public procedures by allowing notarial officers to refuse to perform acts if identity proofing information is insufficient, requiring notaries to provide proof of their commission when obtaining stamping devices, mandating background checks for notary applicants, and requiring the secretary of state to implement security measures for the electronic database of active notaries. Finally, it creates a legal avenue for individuals who suffer damages from recorded forged deeds or mortgages to sue the responsible parties, including those who forged the documents, knowingly submitted them for recording, or sold or encumbered property with knowledge of a forged deed, and allows for recovery of attorney fees and damages.

Government Affairs

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/253/details