[WSBAPT] Recording Death certificate without soc sec number costs $50

[Lisa Schuchman]

Hi, Josh,

For what it’s worth, I recorded an Affidavit of Lack of Probate in King County with the SSN blocked out on the death certificate.  I normally block out the mother’s maiden name as well, though in this case it was unknown.  I’m pretty sure I’d have gotten your same letter if I had not blocked them out.  In King it is required.

Lisa E. Schuchman
206-325-2801
www.lisaschuchman.com<http://www.lisaschuchman.com/>

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Josh Grant
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2015 4:19 PM
To: wsbar trust
Subject: [WSBAPT] REcording Death certificate without soc sec number costs $50

Usually Lincoln County is a pretty laid back county to work with. The sent me a “don’t do this again” letter, which was better than rejecting my recording.

and a form letter after I recorded an “Affidavit to clear title Re: Community Property Agreement” from the Auditor’s office. I had attached a certified  death certificate.  Goal was to  clear title without a probate.

They said that in the future they would charge a $50 non-standard document fee if we record a death certificate after having removed the Social Security number.  In this case, which I didn’t notice, the client had also removed the mother’s  name for reasons which I don’t have any idea why she did it.

“This alteration no longer makes this a certified copy of a government issued document, which no longer exempts the document from the formatting standards”.

Is this a common approach?  Is there contrary authority?

I suppose I could call it an exhibit “A” to the 2 page affidavit, which does conform to the formatting standards, but I don’t think that would help.

We could leave the social security number on the death certificate, and save $50, but I thought that was not what is being recommended nowadays.

Joshua F. Grant, PS
Attorney at Law
P. O. Box 619
Wilbur, WA 99185
tel 509 647 5578
fax 509 647 2734
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