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Recorder of Deeds
The Recorder of Deeds is responsible for recording many types of documents including:
- Real Estate Deeds
- Subdivision Plats
- Surveys
- Powers of Attorney
- Tax Liens (State and Federal)
- Uniform Commercial Code Documents (real estate only)
- Military Discharges
- Marriage Licenses
This list is not exhaustive but shows the more commonly recorded items.
All documents recorded in our office are public record and are available to the public in office or online for searching and/or for copies.
In order to view and print document images online, you are required to be a registered user and you must login to the Recorder of Deeds' online application system. We will continue to provide a "guest" login for limited access, but this will NOT provide access to document images.
Our website also offers web notifications. The Notification Service allows you to be notified when a document is recorded matching your pre-defined search criteria. Use the form to add or modify the desired search criteria. You will be notified via the email address you registered with if a matching document is recorded.
Once registered for the online access you can set up automatic notifications specific to your pre-defined information.
Note: For online access registration/web notification instructions, please go to the Online Search Access/Notifications/Privacy policy.
Mission
Our mission at the Recorder's office is to maintain a comprehensive set of public records according to the statutes of the State of Missouri while providing ease of access to these records, which contain public information. In an effort to continually accomplish this mission, a state-of-the-art automated system has been implemented so that documents are scanned and preserved electronically upon their presentation to the office. This system makes most records readily available for viewing and speeds up the recording process.
Documents were hand recorded in books from 1822 until 1986 when an automated database was started. The Clay County Recorder's Office began digital imaging of daily records in August 1999. All documents from the inception of this office to the present will be digitized for preservation. We are also working on indexing all documents not currently accessible electronically so that these too can be searched online as soon as possible.
We hope to be of service to you. If you have any suggestions or complaints, please notify us at 816-407-3550.
- How do I change my name, add someone to my deed, or remove someone from my deed?
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Changes cannot be made to a recorded document as it is a permanent record. If you want to make changes to the title, a new legal document would need to be prepared and recorded at the current recording fee rate. We do not have blank forms as we cannot prepare legal documents. You may either prepare it yourself or contact a real estate attorney to prepare it on your behalf. If you choose to prepare the document yourself it will need to meet all Missouri statutory requirements. (Example document types: Quit Claim Deed or Warranty Deed). You may be able to get Missouri standardized forms on the internet or at a local office supply retailer.
- Are there any liens on my property?
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It is against state statutes for us to perform searches of the records and make determinations as to the existence of liens against your property. We provide a public access computer in our office for your use or internet access to our records from 1968 to date. You may wish to contact a title company to conduct a search on your behalf.
- How do I get a copy of my deed and/or legal description?
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Our records are indexed alphabetically by name, not geographical. location. Searches cannot be performed by address or location. It is best to contact the Clay County Assessor's office real estate division, to get a printout of your property. This should give you the book and page of the deed referenced which will enable us to expedite your copy request.
- I’ve paid off my house, when do I get my title?
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A house is not like an automobile in that when you pay it off you get the title. You should receive the "title" or proof of ownership to your house shortly after you purchase it. It will be a deed from the seller conveying the property to you. When you pay off a loan a Release is recorded specific to the Deed of Trust that was paid off, but the release is not a document that proves ownership.
- What are your recording fees?
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Our recording fees are based on page count; $24 for the first page and $3 for each additional page per document for standard documents. See the Fee Schedule Page for more information.
- Do I need to record this document?
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We do not determine which documents need to be recorded. We are here to make sure that the documents presented to us for recordation meet all state requirements, and then once recorded, are maintained permanently.
- Do you accept debit or credit cards?
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We accept credit cards, cash and checks (except for Marriage Licenses which are cash and credit cards only). There is a transaction fee charged by the processor for credit cards.
- Can you fax me a copy?
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We do charge for copies, but with credit card payment we can fax, email or even mail you a hard copy. If you don’t need something certified and a copy will do, you can obtain a “web” copy from our website, by going to the "online access" section (NOTE: you must register as a new user to view and print).
- Can you tell me how much a house sold for?
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The sales price is not of public record in Clay County. The Clay County Assessor's office may be able to tell you the market value for the area.
- Can you tell me when my house was built?
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Our records do not pertain to the structure on the property but to the land itself. You may research our records to see if there were any deeds involving a builder. Or, the Assessor's office may be able to give you a general idea of when the property went from being assessed as vacant to being assessed with improvements, which might give you some idea of when the house was built.
- Do you know what houses are being foreclosed or sold on the courthouse steps?
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For information regarding foreclosures, please check the Kearney Courier or The Excelsior Springs Daily Standard, then contact the trustee listed in the notice.