---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1021"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1021"
heading: "Title records"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1021"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 47 — Fraud and False Statements"
---

# §1021. Title records


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), being an [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c) or other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) authorized by any law of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) to record a conveyance of real property or any other instrument which by such law may be recorded, knowingly certifies falsely that such conveyance or instrument has or has not been recorded, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 754; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 194 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 105, 35 Stat. 1107).

Words “five years” were substituted for “seven years” as more in conformity with comparable sections of this chapter.

Minor change was made in phraseology.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000”.