Find Deed Records in Putnam County
Putnam County deed records are managed by the Recorder of Deeds office in Unionville, Missouri. Organized in 1845, the county is located in north Missouri near the Iowa border. Putnam County is rural and largely agricultural, with a small population and a land record system that stretches back to the mid-1800s. The recorder's office at the courthouse in Unionville handles all warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, plats, surveys, and related filings for property in the county. Whether you need a copy of a recorded deed or want to file a new document, this office is where it happens.
Putnam County Deed Records Quick Facts
Putnam County Recorder of Deeds
The Putnam County Recorder of Deeds is in the courthouse in Unionville. The office records all real estate documents for land in the county. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, book and page number, or legal description. The recorder keeps a Direct Index and an Indirect Index as required by RSMo Chapter 59. Each index entry includes the names of the parties, date filed, volume and page, type of instrument, and property description.
Putnam County is one of Missouri's smallest counties by population. The recorder's office is a small operation, but it handles the same types of documents as any other county. You can visit in person during business hours to look through records. Staff can pull documents and make copies. The office also files marriage licenses, military discharge records, and tax liens.
The Recorders' Association of Missouri lists contact information for every county recorder in the state, including Putnam County. Their site also has recording guidelines and document formatting standards.
Putnam County Agricultural Deed Records
Most of Putnam County is agricultural land. Farms, pastures, and timberland make up the bulk of the property records in the county. Agricultural deed records often involve larger parcels with detailed legal descriptions that reference sections, townships, and ranges from the original government surveys. These descriptions tie back to the Public Land Survey System that was used when Missouri was first settled.
Farm sales in Putnam County sometimes involve multiple parcels across different sections. Each parcel needs its own legal description in the deed. The recorder's office has experience handling these kinds of filings. If you are buying or selling farm ground in the county, make sure the legal description matches the survey. The Missouri Land Survey Database can help verify survey information for parcels in Putnam County.
Under RSMo 59.310, the full legal description must appear on the first page of any deed. Tax bill descriptions are not enough. You need the complete section, township, and range, or the lot and block numbers if the property is in a platted subdivision. Documents that skip this get flagged as non-standard and face a $25 penalty fee.
Filing Deed Records in Putnam County
You can file deed records in Putnam County by visiting the recorder's office in person or mailing documents to the courthouse. As a smaller county, Putnam County may not accept electronic recordings. Check with the office to confirm. Under RSMo 59.563, e-recording is optional at the county level.
All documents need to meet state formatting standards. That means 8.5" x 11" white or light paper, black ink, at least 8-point type, and one-sided printing. The first page needs a 3-inch top margin. Signatures must be in dark ink with typed names below. A notary acknowledgment with a valid seal is required per RSMo Chapter 486.
The fee is $24 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Non-standard documents pay an extra $25. Plat recordings are $44 for the first page. Part of every recording fee goes to state funds including the Local Records Preservation Fund, the Missouri Land Survey Fund, and the Missouri Housing Trust Fund.
Historical Putnam County Deed Records
The Missouri State Archives has Putnam County land records from 1845 through 1969. These cover the early settlement of north Missouri and include federal land patents, deeds, plat books, and surveyor records. For records after 1969, contact the Putnam County Recorder per RSMo 59.003.
The State Historical Society of Missouri holds additional collections useful for tracing old property ownership. The Missouri Digital Heritage program provides online access to historical land records from 1777 through 1969. Both are free for research.
Are Putnam County Deed Records Public
Yes. All deed records in Putnam County 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 let you look at records during normal business hours. Copy fees apply for documents you want to take with you.
Transfer on Death Deeds in Putnam County
Missouri allows Transfer on Death deeds under RSMo 461.025. A TOD deed lets you name a beneficiary who gets your property when you die, without going through probate. The deed must include a legal description, name at least one beneficiary, and be recorded with the Putnam County Recorder before the owner's death. You can revoke the deed at any time by recording a revocation. The owner keeps full control of the property during their lifetime.
TOD deeds are popular in rural areas like Putnam County because they offer a simple way to pass farm ground or a family home to the next generation. Beneficiaries have no legal interest in the property until the owner dies. If the named beneficiary dies first and no alternate is listed, the deed lapses. Lady bird deeds are not valid in Missouri, so a TOD deed is the main option for avoiding probate on real property.
Counties Near Putnam County
If your property is near a county line, records may be filed in an adjacent county.