Howard County Deed Records Search

Howard County deed records are held by the Recorder of Deeds in Fayette, Missouri. This is one of the oldest counties in the state, organized in 1816 before Missouri even became a state. The recorder's office stores all land documents for Howard County, from warranty deeds and quit claim deeds to deeds of trust, plats, and surveys. Fayette is also home to Central Methodist University. If you need to trace property ownership or file a new deed, the Howard County Courthouse has records going back more than two centuries.

Howard County Recorder of Deeds

The Howard County Recorder of Deeds office is in the courthouse in Fayette. This office records all real property documents for land within the county. Warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, assignments, plats, and surveys all go through this office. The recorder also handles federal and state tax liens, military discharge records, and marriage licenses.

Office hours are Monday through Friday. Staff can search records by grantor or grantee name, book and page number, or legal description. Walk-ins are welcome. Bring your document in before mid-afternoon to make sure it gets recorded the same day.

Howard County is part of the central Missouri region along the Missouri River. The Recorders' Association of Missouri provides contact information for the Howard County Recorder and every other recorder office in the state. RAM was formed in 1984 to train county recorders on Missouri recording law.

How to Search Howard County Deed Records

To search Howard County deed records, go to the recorder's office in Fayette. The office keeps two main indexes required by RSMo Chapter 59. The Direct Index lists grantors (sellers) in alphabetical order. The Indirect Index lists grantees (buyers) the same way. Both show names, filing dates, volume and page numbers, instrument types, and property descriptions.

You need at least one piece of info to start. A name is the most common way in. Book and page number works if you have it. The legal description helps narrow things down. Staff can pull documents and make copies for you on the spot.

Howard County's long history means deep records. Land grants from the territorial period (before 1821) may be on file at the Missouri State Archives. The Archives holds records from French and Spanish land grants in the 1790s through 1969. Their Land Patents Database has over 35,500 transcribed patents. For anything after December 31, 1969, go to the county recorder per RSMo 59.003.

Howard County Recording Fees

Howard County uses the statewide recording fee schedule. A standard real estate document costs $24 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Documents that fail to meet the formatting rules in RSMo 59.310 are subject to a $25 non-standard penalty.

Plat recordings cost $44 for the first 18" x 24" page and $25 for each additional page. Larger plats start at $69. Surveys are $24 for the first page. Uncertified copies run about $1 per page. Certified copies cost slightly more. Part of each fee goes to the Local Records Preservation Fund, Missouri Land Survey Fund, and Missouri Housing Trust Fund.

Howard County Document Standards

Every document filed in Howard County must meet Missouri's formatting standards under RSMo 59.310. These rules took effect January 1, 2002. Documents must be on 8.5" x 11" white or light-colored paper (20-pound minimum). Print in black or dark ink, at least 8 point, on one side only. No watermarks or logos allowed.

The first page requires a 3-inch blank top margin. It must show the document title, date, all grantor names and marital status, all grantee names, mailing addresses, full legal description, and any reference book and page numbers. Signatures must be in black or dark ink with the name typed or printed below. A notary acknowledgment with a valid seal is required per RSMo Chapter 486. Exempt documents include those signed before 2002 and military separation papers.

Types of Deed Records in Howard County

The recorder files many types of real estate documents. Warranty deeds transfer property with a full guarantee of clear title. Quit claim deeds transfer whatever interest the seller has. Deeds of trust act as mortgages in Missouri. The trustee holds title until the loan is paid, then files a release with the recorder.

Sheriff's deeds come from court-ordered sales like foreclosures or tax sales. Administrators' and guardians' deeds handle transfers from estates or for those under guardianship. Missouri also allows Transfer on Death deeds under RSMo 461.025. A TOD deed lets you name a beneficiary for your property. It must be recorded before you die and can be revoked at any time by recording a revocation.

Howard County's early records include some of the oldest land documents in the state. Property ownership here can be traced back to territorial-era grants, which makes the full chain of title for some parcels exceptionally long. Title companies working in Howard County sometimes need to go back further than in most other Missouri counties.

Howard County Land Surveys

The Missouri Land Survey Database has survey records for Howard County. This free tool from the Missouri Department of Agriculture covers official surveys on file with county recorders. It is useful for verifying legal descriptions and checking property boundaries.

Plat books in the recorder's office show land by section, township, and range. Town lots show by lot and block number. Surveyor's records include field notes and plats. These records can be important for resolving boundary questions in a county with such old property lines.

Public Access to Howard County Deed Records

Howard County deed records are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law under RSMo Chapter 610 gives anyone the right to inspect and copy government records. You do not need a reason. The recorder must provide access during normal business hours.

Historical property records are also available through the State Historical Society of Missouri and Missouri Digital Heritage. Both offer free access to older land documents, including records from the French and Spanish colonial period.

Nearby County Deed Records

Howard County borders several central Missouri counties along the Missouri River. If a property is near a county line, check the legal description to confirm which county's recorder has the records.