Find Daviess County Deed Records
Daviess County deed records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds at the courthouse in Gallatin, Missouri. Established in 1836, Daviess County is in northwest Missouri and has a notable Amish community that adds to the area's rural land market. The recorder's office stores warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, plat maps, and surveys for all real property in the county. From farmland transactions to small-town lot sales, these records document every change in property ownership across Daviess County.
Daviess County Deed Records Quick Facts
Daviess County Recorder of Deeds
The Daviess County Recorder of Deeds works out of the courthouse in Gallatin. This office is where all real estate documents for the county get recorded and stored. The staff can help you find deeds by grantor or grantee name, legal description, or book and page number. Office hours are weekdays, though you should call ahead to confirm times.
In-person visits are the main way to search records here. The office keeps both a Direct Index (sorted by grantor) and an Indirect Index (sorted by grantee), as required by RSMo Chapter 59. Each index entry lists the names, date filed, volume and page, type of document, and property description. You can trace ownership back through the years using these indexes.
The Recorders' Association of Missouri maintains a list of all 114 county recorder offices with contact info and resources. If you can't visit in person, calling the Daviess County recorder's office to ask about mail-in searches is a good option. Some rural offices will do limited lookups over the phone.
How to Search Daviess County Land Records
Most deed record searches in Daviess County happen at the courthouse. Online access may be limited since this is a smaller rural county. Some records might be available through iCounty Technologies or other vendors if the county has signed up for e-recording or online search tools.
To search, you need at least one of these:
- Name of the grantor or grantee
- Legal description of the property
- Book and page number
- Date range of the transaction
The Missouri State Archives has historical records going back to the 1790s through 1969. For Daviess County, which was formed in 1836, the Archives may hold early land patents and deed records on microfilm. The Missouri Land Survey Database is another free tool for finding surveys filed with county recorders. It is run by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
Daviess County has an active Amish community, and land transactions in those areas can follow patterns different from typical sales. Cash purchases are common. The recorder's office treats these the same as any other deed, but the buyer should still make sure documents are properly recorded to protect their interest.
Recording Fees in Daviess County
State law sets recording fees. It costs $24 for the first page and $3 for each extra page. This is the same in every Missouri county. Non-standard documents get hit with a $25 penalty per RSMo 59.310.
Plat recordings have higher fees. An 18" x 24" plat costs $44 for the first page. Survey recordings are $24 for the first page at that size. Copy fees run about $1 per page for uncertified copies. Certified copies cost a bit more. Part of each fee goes to state funds for record preservation and land survey maintenance.
Types of Daviess County Deed Records
Warranty deeds are the most common document type. They guarantee clear title from seller to buyer. Quit claim deeds transfer whatever interest the seller has, with no title guarantee. Deeds of trust serve as mortgages in Missouri, with a trustee holding title until the loan is paid.
Transfer on Death deeds let property owners name a beneficiary under RSMo 461.025. The beneficiary gets the land when the owner dies, avoiding probate. The deed must be recorded before the owner passes. Sheriff's deeds come from foreclosures or tax sales. All these documents, plus releases and assignments, are recorded with the Daviess County Recorder of Deeds.
Public Access to Daviess County Records
All deed records in Daviess County are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law under RSMo Chapter 610 guarantees the right to inspect and copy government records. You do not need to explain why you want to see them. Just go to the recorder's office during business hours.
Historical research can also be done through the State Historical Society of Missouri, which has research centers in Columbia, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Rolla. The Missouri Digital Heritage program gives free online access to land records from 1777 through 1969. Both are good sources for old Daviess County property records.
Nearby Counties
Daviess County is in northwest Missouri. Property near the county line may be recorded in an adjacent county. Here are the neighbors: