WV HB5512

Requires all county recorders to establish free property alert notification systems by January 1, 2027, allowing property owners to receive notifications via mail, text, call, or email when documents affecting their property are recorded.

Authorizes recorders to refuse recording of "suspicious documents," including those with non-matching notary information, documents claiming exemption from U.S. or state laws, or materially false documents not submitted by trusted parties such as title companies, attorneys, or financial institutions.

Creates the crime of "deed theft" for intentionally forging, falsifying, or fraudulently transferring property documents, with grand larceny charges for stealing occupied homes, properties owned by elderly or disabled persons, or multiple properties.

Establishes enhanced civil damages for deed fraud victims, including compensatory damages, punitive damages of at least two times compensatory damages, and attorney's fees against those who forge signatures or knowingly submit forged documents.

Requires notary public applicants to complete a 4-hour training course including at least 1 hour on real estate fraud and elder financial exploitation, with 2-hour renewal courses for successive commissions.