Cape Girardeau County Deed Records

Cape Girardeau County deed records date back to 1805, making them some of the oldest in the state of Missouri. The Recorder of Deeds office in Jackson maintains over 17,000 land records covering warranty deeds, deeds of trust, releases, plats, surveys, and judgments affecting real property. Whether you are searching for a recent property transfer or tracing land ownership from the early 1800s, Cape Girardeau County deed records are available through the recorder's office and through online search tools that cover documents from 1974 to the present.

Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds

The Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds is Andrew David Blattner. The office is located at #1 Barton Square, Suite 203, Jackson, MO 63755. You can find the office at the street level or on the second floor of the Administration building. The phone number is 573-243-8123 and the fax is 573-204-2477. Email the office at recorder@capecounty.us. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

The staff includes Chief Deputy Sherry Brock, Deputy Laura Schmitt, and Deputy Danielle Stoverink. The office records all documents pertaining to land transactions in Cape Girardeau County. Under RSMo Chapter 59, the recorder maintains a Direct Index (by grantor) and an Indirect Index (by grantee) that show the names of parties, date filed, book and page, document type, and property description. Cape Girardeau County has 17,166 land records on file.

The Recorders' Association of Missouri lists Cape Girardeau County in its statewide directory. RAM provides recording guidelines, document formatting standards, and contact details for all 114 Missouri recorder offices. This is a good starting point if you need to verify current hours or procedures for Cape Girardeau County deed records.

Search Cape Girardeau County Deed Records Online

Cape Girardeau County offers online access to several categories of deed records. Recorded deeds are searchable online from 1974 to the present. Marriage license records from 1974 forward are also available. A web-based application lets you search remotely without visiting the courthouse in Jackson. The online system supports searches by name, document type, and date range.

For documents older than 1974, you will need to visit the recorder's office in person or contact them by phone. The office keeps historical deed records going back to 1805. Index records from that period include deed indexes from 1805 to 1904. Cape Girardeau County also accepts e-recordings through approved vendors, as allowed by RSMo 59.563. Electronic recording cuts filing time to as little as five minutes for title companies and attorneys.

A credit card payment center is available online for Cape Girardeau County. This lets you pay for copies and services without sending a check or visiting the office. Uncertified copies typically cost $1 per page. Certified copies of marriage licenses and other documents must be requested through the office.

Cape Girardeau County Recording Fees

Recording fees for Cape Girardeau County deed records follow Missouri's statewide fee schedule. Standard documents cost $24 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. This covers warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, and assignments. Plat recordings are $44 for the first 18" x 24" page and $25 for additional pages. Surveys start at $24 for the first page.

If your document does not meet formatting standards under RSMo 59.310, an extra $25 non-standard penalty applies. Documents need to be on white 8.5" x 11" paper, in black ink, with at least 8-point type. The first page requires a 3-inch top margin, the document title, date, all grantor and grantee names, statutory addresses, and the full legal description. Part of each recording fee goes to the Local Records Preservation Fund, the Missouri Land Survey Fund, and the Missouri Housing Trust Fund.

Historical Cape Girardeau County Deed Records

Cape Girardeau County has some of the most extensive historical deed records in Missouri. The collection includes deed records from 1805 to 1910, deed indexes from 1805 to 1904, and marriage records from 1805 to 1950. These early records cover the territorial period before Missouri became a state in 1821. French and Spanish land grants from the late 1700s may also be connected to Cape Girardeau County land.

The Missouri State Archives holds additional historical records for the county. Their collection includes land patents, plat books, and surveyor records. The Land Patents Database has over 35,500 transcribed patents searchable by name, county, and date. Per RSMo 59.003, requests for Cape Girardeau County deed records after December 31, 1969 go to the county recorder. Older records may be at the State Archives.

The Cape Girardeau County Genealogical Society also provides research support for those looking into historical property records. The Cape Girardeau County recorder's office links to several additional resources including the Missouri Land Survey Database for plats and surveys, the Bureau of Land Management for federal land patents, and the State Historical Society of Missouri for land records from 1777 to 1969.

Types of Cape Girardeau County Deed Records

The recorder's office in Jackson handles many types of documents. Warranty deeds transfer property with a full title guarantee. Quit claim deeds transfer only the interest the seller has. Deeds of trust serve as mortgages, involving a borrower, lender, and trustee. Sheriff's deeds come from court sales. The office also records releases, assignments, judgments, tax liens, plats, and surveys.

Missouri allows Transfer on Death deeds under RSMo 461.025. These let an owner name a beneficiary who gets the property at death without probate. The deed must be recorded with the Cape Girardeau County Recorder before the owner dies. The owner keeps full control and can revoke or change the deed at any time. Under RSMo 442.380, every instrument that conveys or affects real estate must be recorded in the county where the land sits.

Public Access to Cape Girardeau Deed Records

Cape Girardeau County deed records are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law under RSMo Chapter 610 gives anyone the right to inspect and copy these records. You do not need to explain why you want them. Visit the recorder's office during business hours or use the online tools for remote access.

Some records have restrictions. Military service records from 1919 to 2023 are closed to the public. UCC financing statements, homeschooling records, and certified copies of marriage licenses require office contact. Cape Girardeau County offers a Property Fraud Alert service that notifies you by email if a document is filed using your name. This free service provides early warning against property fraud. The Missouri Department of Revenue can also show tax liens filed with the recorder.

Deed Records in Nearby Counties

Cape Girardeau County is in southeast Missouri. If you need deed records from a neighboring area, contact these county recorder offices.