Register of Deeds reports revenue decline, highlights records holdings and free fraud-alert service

Stacy Huffman, Jefferson County Register of Deeds, told the board May 21 that while the office remains a net revenue source for the county, 2023 produced lower revenues compared with prior years.

Huffman detailed the office’s responsibilities and holdings, noting approximately 1.5 million land records (about 5.9 million images) and more than 240,000 vital records. She attributed the revenue decline to a drop in mortgage refinancing activity — from roughly 41% of transactions in 2021 to about 6% in 2023 — which reduces recording volumes and associated fees. Huffman described data-backup measures (offsite backups in two U.S. locations), staff training, and outreach work. She promoted a free property-fraud alert service that notifies subscribers the same day a document is recorded for a named property owner and urged residents, especially those with elderly relatives, to sign up. Huffman also told the board she used an AI tool to draft her annual report, which she read aloud in part during her presentation.

Board members had no questions on the report and the item concluded without formal board action.