Find Franklin County Deed Records
Franklin County deed records are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds at the county seat of Union, Missouri. One of the oldest counties in the state, Franklin County was established in 1818 and sits on the western edge of the St. Louis metro area. The recorder's office holds warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, plat maps, and surveys for all real property in the county. With German heritage towns, growing suburban areas, and rural farmland, Franklin County sees a wide range of property transactions each year.
Franklin County Deed Records Quick Facts
Franklin County Recorder of Deeds
The Franklin County Recorder of Deeds office is in the courthouse in Union. This office records and stores all real estate documents for land in the county. Staff can help you search by name, legal description, or book and page number. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Franklin County is one of the larger counties in Missouri by population and sits in the St. Louis metro area. Because of this, the recorder's office handles a high volume of recordings each year. The office has public access terminals where you can search the grantor and grantee indexes. In-person searches are free, though copies cost about $1 per page. Certified copies are a bit more.
Under RSMo Chapter 59, the recorder must keep a Direct Index (by grantor) and an Indirect Index (by grantee). Each entry shows names, filing date, volume and page, document type, and property description. Franklin County's records go back to 1818, making it one of the deepest record sets in the state.
How to Search Franklin County Deed Records
Franklin County may offer online search tools through the recorder's website or a third-party vendor. Check the recorder's page for current online access options. Many St. Louis metro counties have set up web-based portals where you can look up recorded documents from a computer.
In-person visits are always an option. The recorder's office has search stations available during business hours. Staff can help you find what you need. For mail-in requests, call the office first to find out what info they need and what fees to include.
The Recorders' Association of Missouri lists contact info and resources for all 114 county recorders. The Missouri Land Survey Database covers surveys filed statewide. For historical records before 1970, the Missouri State Archives has records going back to the 1790s. Franklin County, formed in 1818, has some of the oldest deed records in the state.
To search effectively, you should have:
- Name of the grantor or grantee
- County where the property is located
- Legal description or approximate address
- Book and page number if available
Franklin County Recording Fees
Recording fees in Franklin County follow state law. The base cost is $24 for the first page and $3 for each added page. Non-standard documents per RSMo 59.310 get a $25 penalty on top of regular fees.
Plat recordings are $44 for the first 18" x 24" page. Larger plats start at $69. Survey recordings are $24 for the first page at the smaller size. Part of each recording fee goes to state funds for record preservation and land survey maintenance. The recorder's office accepts checks and may take credit cards with a convenience fee.
Electronic Recording in Franklin County
Franklin County is part of the St. Louis metro area, and metro counties often have e-recording set up. Under RSMo 59.563, recorders can accept documents in electronic format. E-recording lets title companies and attorneys submit documents online and get them recorded in minutes.
Vendors like Simplifile, CSC, and iCounty Technologies handle e-recording in Missouri. Most charge no sign-up or maintenance fees. You can submit warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, and other standard documents electronically. Call the Franklin County recorder to confirm which vendors they accept and what document types are eligible.
Types of Franklin County Deed Records
Warranty deeds are the standard for most home sales. They guarantee clear title. Quit claim deeds pass along whatever interest the seller has. Deeds of trust work as mortgages in Missouri, with a trustee holding title until the loan is paid off.
Transfer on Death deeds under RSMo 461.025 let owners name a beneficiary to receive property at death, skipping probate. Sheriff's deeds come from court-ordered sales. Administrators' deeds handle estate transfers. All of these, plus releases and assignments, are filed with the Franklin County Recorder of Deeds.
Are Franklin County Records Public
Yes. All deed records in Franklin County are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law under RSMo Chapter 610 guarantees the right to inspect and copy government records. Anyone can visit the recorder's office without needing to explain why.
For historical research, the State Historical Society of Missouri has research centers in Columbia, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Rolla. The Missouri Digital Heritage program gives free access to land records from 1777 through 1969. Franklin County's records dating to 1818 make it a rich source for genealogy and property history research.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County is west of St. Louis. Properties near county borders may need to be recorded in a neighboring county. Always verify the correct county before filing.