Under what circumstances can the Register of Deeds reject an RETR receipt?
Under state law (sec. 77.22(1), Wis. Stats.), the Register of Deeds can only accept a properly completed real estate transfer return, with fee (if due), for a conveyance recording. Registers must verify that the receipt and the document being recorded are in agreement and reflect the proper county.
Registers should make sure all items required for a recording are present. These items, which are listed on the receipt, include:
- Document to be recorded
- RETR receipt
- Transfer fee payment (if due)
Transfer fee amount - if a fee is due, it must be the same as the amount on the check or other method of payment. Note: For some transfers, there may be both a fee and an exemption, if the transfer is partially exempt.
Date of conveyance - date listed on the conveyance must be
on
or before the date of recording. Postdated conveyances should not be accepted.
Grantors and grantees - all grantors and grantees listed on the document must be listed on the receipt. An exception is made for spouses with the same last name. In this case, the return may have both first names in the first name box; only one Social Security Number is required.
Parcels - all parcels listed on the document are listed on the receipt.
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Five or fewer parcels - each must be listed in a separate parcel section (Add Parcel)
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More than five - the first five must be listed separately under "Parcels" and the remainder may be listed separately on the "Legal description" page of the RETR
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Parcel numbers - are required on the return. If a county does not require parcel numbers on the document, property verification is accomplished by using the legal description.
Note: If any information on the receipt is changed, it must be rejected. Changing information on the receipt creates an inconsistency with the information on the RETR.
Review criteria for an Electronic Real Estate Transfer Return (RETR) at:
revenue.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/slf-pe100e.aspx