Bill > SB1479

This bill makes several changes related to real property transactions and documentation in Arizona. It requires individuals recording documents in person at the recorder's office or a kiosk to provide photo identification, with exceptions for certain professionals like escrow officers, title agents, bankers, lawyers, and government entities; the recorder will note the type of ID, name, and ID number but will not keep a copy, and this information will not be public. The bill also mandates that by January 1, 2027, county assessors must establish a voluntary system to notify property owners via email, text, or similar means when there's a change in ownership or mailing address for their property. It updates the requirements for an "affidavit of legal value," which must accompany deeds and real estate contracts at the time of recording, by adding fields for mailing addresses and telephone numbers for buyers and sellers, allowing for additional contact information like email addresses, and clarifying details about financing and property value. Additionally, the bill repeals a section of law related to statutes of limitations and increases the minimum penalties for recording false or groundless documents affecting real property, making it a class 4 felony and increasing the minimum damages awarded to property owners. Finally, it requires notaries public to obtain a thumbprint of the person signing documents that affect real property, such as deeds or powers of attorney, and record it in their journal, with specific exceptions for certain types of deeds.

Government Affairs

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/85071