St. Louis Deed Records

St. Louis deed records are handled by the city's own Recorder of Deeds, not a county office. St. Louis is an independent city in Missouri, separate from St. Louis County since 1876. That makes it unique in the state. If your property sits inside St. Louis city limits, you file deed records with the St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds. If the property is outside the city in unincorporated St. Louis County or in a suburb like Florissant, you go to the St. Louis County Recorder instead. This is an important distinction that trips up a lot of people searching for St. Louis deed records. The city recorder's Land Records Department receives and maintains all real estate documents for land within the City of St. Louis. The office is fully automated and can pull up most records within minutes.

St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds

The St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds is the sole office for recording deed records in the City of St. Louis. The Land Records Department receives deeds, liens, affidavits, court orders, and other recordable documents for property within city limits. All document requests comply with Missouri State Statute 59.313.

The office is fully automated. Staff can pull up most St. Louis deed records within minutes. You can search in person during business hours. The city recorder maintains both a Direct Index (by grantor) and an Indirect Index (by grantee) as required by RSMo Chapter 59. Each index entry shows party names, the date filed, book and page, document type, and a legal description of the property.

One thing to keep in mind: the City Recorder is not responsible for the accuracy of legal descriptions in recorded documents. The office records what is submitted. If there is an error in the legal description on a deed, the parties need to fix it themselves by recording a corrective instrument. This applies to all St. Louis deed records.

St. Louis Deed Records Fees

St. Louis has its own fee schedule that differs slightly from other Missouri counties. A standard deed costs $23 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. Non-standard documents cost $48 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. The non-standard penalty is higher here than in most counties.

Other fee details for St. Louis deed records:

• Assignment (standard): $23 first item, $7.50 each additional
• Plat/Survey (24" x 18"): $18.25 for one sheet
• Subdivision plat: $57 per page, $10 each additional page

Part of every recording fee goes to state funds, just like in other Missouri counties. The Local Records Preservation Fund gets $1, the Missouri Land Survey Fund gets $1, and the Missouri Housing Trust Fund gets $3. Checks are payable to the St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds. Call ahead to ask about credit card acceptance and any convenience fees.

St. Louis Document Standards

St. Louis follows the same basic document formatting rules as the rest of Missouri, plus a few city-specific requirements. Documents must be on 8.5" x 11" white or light-colored paper, at least 20-pound weight. No watermarks or visible inclusions. Print in black or dark blue ink with at least 8-point type. One side only.

The first page needs a 3-inch blank top margin. Bottom and side margins must be 3/4 inch to 1 inch. Additional pages need margins of at least 3/4 inch on all sides. The first page must include the document title, origination date, all grantor and grantee legal names, mailing addresses, and a legal description with the city block number and lot number. That block-and-lot requirement is specific to St. Louis deed records.

When a document references a previously recorded document, it must state the book and page numbers or the date and daily numbers. All parties must have notarized signatures per Chapter 15.152.030 of the St. Louis City Revised Code. The notary block must be completed in person before recorder staff. Full legal names are required, and the typed name under the signature must match the signature exactly. Deeds of trust and easements are exempt from the grantee signature requirement.

Filing Deed Records in St. Louis

Notary seals on St. Louis deed records must be in black ink, imprinted under the notary's signature, and legible enough to reproduce. The seal must show the words "Notary Public" and "Notary Seal," the state of Missouri, and the notary's name. The commission expiration date must be clearly printed. These requirements come from RSMo Chapter 486.

St. Louis also requires a Certificate of Value from the City Assessor for all deed recordings. This is a city-specific rule under Chapter 5.70 of the St. Louis City Revised Code. You can contact the Assessor's office at (314) 622-3212 to get the certificate before filing your deed. Without it, the recorder will not accept your document. This is one of the things that makes filing St. Louis deed records different from filing in other Missouri counties.

E-recording is available in St. Louis for title companies and attorneys. Per RSMo 59.563, recorders may accept documents in electronic format. This lets professionals submit deed records online and get them recorded quickly. Most e-recording vendors charge no sign-up fees.

Public Access to St. Louis Deed Records

St. Louis deed records are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law under RSMo Chapter 610 gives you the right to inspect and copy these records. You do not need to give a reason. Walk into the recorder's office during business hours and you can look up any deed record on file. The office has search stations for public use.

For historical property research, the St. Louis Public Library has resources in its History and Genealogy department. The Missouri History Museum maintains archives with historical property and land use records for the St. Louis region. The Missouri State Archives holds land records from the 1790s through 1969, including French colonial era documents that are especially relevant to St. Louis. Per RSMo 59.003, all requests for records dated after December 31, 1969 go to the recorder where the document was filed.

The Missouri Land Survey Database is another resource. It gives access to land surveys filed with recorders across Missouri. Transfer on Death deeds are an option for St. Louis property owners. Under RSMo 461.025, you can name a beneficiary to receive your property when you die without probate. The deed must be recorded with the St. Louis City Recorder before the owner's death.

Nearby Cities

If you need deed records from the broader St. Louis metro area, check these nearby cities. Properties outside the city limits file through their respective county recorder offices.