Most people don’t think about their property records until they have to. But county recording offices process documents every day—deeds, liens, mortgages, releases—and if something gets recorded under your name that shouldn’t be there, you want to know quickly.

That’s the basic idea behind the FAN System from the Montgomery County Recorder’s Office: a free notification service that alerts you whenever a document is recorded under a name you choose to monitor. It’s a simple tool, but it can be a big deal for peace of mind.

What the FAN System does (and what it doesn’t)
Once you’re enrolled, you’ll be notified every time a document is recorded in the Recorder’s Office in the name you requested be monitored. A notification doesn’t automatically mean fraud, and it doesn’t necessarily mean a mortgage—it means something was recorded and you should verify it.

How you enroll
You can enroll online through the Recorder or in person at the Montgomery County Recorder’s Office (5th floor of the County Administration Building) between 8 am and 5 pm. Paper forms can be downloaded from the website, and if you don’t have computer access you can request a form by calling the office.

How you’ll be notified
During enrollment you choose whether to receive notifications by email, by mail, or both. Fax registration is not available at this time.

Cost
This is a free service offered to Montgomery County property owners.

What to do when you get an alert
First, verify what was recorded. The notice includes basic information about the document, and you can look it up using the county’s online records search (mcrecorder.org) or call the Recorder’s Office to have it looked up.

What if you suspect fraud
If you believe the document is fraudulent, you must contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. The Recorder reviews complaints before referring them to the Prosecutor’s Office for investigation, and an Affidavit of Facts Relating to Title form must be completed to disclose the facts of the complaint.

How to opt out
If you no longer want notifications, use the opt-out link at the bottom of the email notification or visit the county website.

Why this matters
Property-related fraud often comes down to timing. The earlier you spot suspicious activity, the easier it is to respond. A free alert service that flags new recordings under your name is a straightforward layer of protection for one of your most valuable assets.