44-8-33.   Certificate of release prima facie evidence--Recording. For purposes of releasing a mortgage, a certificate of release containing the information and statements provided for in § 44-8-31 and executed as provided in §§ 44-8-30 to 44-8-35, inclusive, is prima facie evidence of the facts contained in it, shall be recorded with the county register of deeds, and operates as a release of the mortgage described in the certificate of release. The county register of deeds shall rely upon the certificate of release to release the mortgage. Recording of a wrongful or erroneous certificate of release by a title insurance company or its agent does not relieve the mortgagor, or the mortgagor's successors or assigns, from any personal liability on the loan or other obligations secured by the mortgage. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, a title insurance company wrongfully or erroneously recording a certificate of release under §§ 44-8-30 to 44-8-35, inclusive, is liable to the mortgagee for damages sustained due to the recordings of the certificate of release, including reasonable attorney fees.

Source: SL 1997, ch 251, § 5.

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