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1. Who will prepare my documents for recording?

The recorders office does not prepare real estate documents. It is the submitter’s responsibility to prepare your document correctly. Recorders do not change or alter documents. Direction from a title company or real estate attorney is advisable for all legal documents.

2. How is property ownership conveyed from one party to another?

In order to change ownership, a new deed will need to be prepared. Please consult with your title company or attorney regarding changes to your property deed, beneficiary deeds, estate planning, etc.

3. I made a change to the document and need to record it over. Can documents be re-recorded?

You must have a new cover page with correct margins, first page requirements and new signatures that have been re-acknowledged. State on the first page the reason for re-recording, recorded date and book/page number of the document being corrected. It is always best to do a corrected recording if possible.

4. What is your document turn around time?

Our office has same day to 24-hour turn around of real estate recordings excluding holidays and weekends.

5. Where is my release deed? The loan company said they sent it for recording.

Usually we are directed by the submitter to return the documents to them or their servicing company. We can provide you with the “return to address” if requested. Alternatively, we can provide you with a copy of any recorded instrument for just $1.00 per page. Usually, when you pay off a loan, a "Deed of Release" is all that is filed with the county. These generally are 1 to 2 pages long.

6. Why was my document rejected?

Recorders duties include recording real estate documents that meet the statutory requirements of the law. If your document was not properly prepared, it may have been rejected back to the submitter which in turn might delay the recording of your document however, we make every effort to record as we are aware that timeliness is extremely important.

Usually documents are rejected due to:

• Incorrect fee (refer to the fee schedule),
• First page designations (see document requirements) (click here for a cover page if needed))
• Incorrect margins (3” at the top of the first page, ¾” all other pages) essential information cannot be in any of the margins
• All signatures on a document must have the names typed or printed underneath and be acknowledged
• Documents affecting real property must contain a proper legal description
• Any transfer of interest in real property must contain the grantees mailing address
• All documents must be legible for reproduction and certification
• Multiple book / page references require an additional $5 fee beyond the first reference

7. What did that property sell for?

Real estate recordings do not contain the selling price of the property.

8. Can I get the closing information (book / page, date / time, etc.) from the Recorder's Office?

Our office does not make calls with closing information or verify closing information over the phone. You will need to contact your title insurance company, lender or real estate agent.

9. Will you to do a lien search for me?

Pursuant to state law, our office does not conduct lien searches. You can visit our office and we will be glad to provide you with assistance using the computers. Please be aware that liens can also be on file in other offices such as the court, collector, etc.

10. When will I receive the deed to my property?

Usually you will receive the deed to your property at closing.

11. Are there easements on my property?

Easements are difficult to locate sometimes. Check your title commitment if you have one. Visit our office and we can show you the original plat or provide you with assistance on the public view computers.

12. I want to prepare my own document. Do you have the forms?

Missouri real estate forms can usually be purchased at your local book store, stationary store or office supply.

13. How do I get a tax lien off my credit report?

When the state or IRS files a lien with the local recorder's office, independent credit bureau searchers input the lien into your credit report. They do not, however, always remove the lien if you have reconciled. To remove the lien, you can purchase 3 copies of your recorded release from our office and forward those documents on to the 3 credit bureaus. The Recorder of Deeds has nothing to do with the actual liens, and only acts as a public repository for these records. Please contact the State of Missouri at 1-(573)-751-7200 for information regarding state tax liens, or the IRS at 1-(800)-913-6050 for information regarding federal tax liens.