Find St. Francois County Deed Records
St. Francois County deed records date back to 1821 when the county was organized in southeastern Missouri. The Recorder of Deeds office in Farmington maintains all land documents for the county, covering warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, and related filings. You can search St. Francois County deed records at the courthouse in person, or check with the office about online tools that may cover recent and historical property documents from this part of the state.
St. Francois County Deed Records Quick Facts
Where to Search St. Francois County Deed Records
The St. Francois County Recorder of Deeds is in the courthouse in Farmington. This office is the main source for all real estate records in the county. You can visit during business hours and search by name, book and page, or legal description. Staff can help pull records and make copies. The office holds warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, plats, and surveys from 1821 to the present.
St. Francois County has a long connection to lead mining. The region was one of the first places in Missouri to see European settlement because of its mineral wealth. That means property records here cover everything from mining claims and mineral rights to residential lots and farm ground. Per RSMo Chapter 59, the recorder keeps a Direct Index by grantor and an Indirect Index by grantee. This dual system lets you trace the chain of title from either side of any transaction in the county.
The Recorders' Association of Missouri lists contact info for the St. Francois County Recorder along with all other county offices in the state. RAM publishes document formatting standards and recording guidelines that apply statewide. If you need hours or a phone number, check their directory first.
St. Francois County Records Online
Online access to St. Francois County deed records varies. Some Missouri counties provide web portals through vendors like iCounty Technologies or Fidlar. Call the recorder's office in Farmington to find out what digital tools are available and how far back the online records go. Coverage dates differ from one county to the next.
The Missouri State Archives holds St. Francois County land records from 1821 through 1969. These include early land patents and mineral claim documents from the lead mining era. The Missouri Land Survey Database is a free state tool that covers surveys filed with county recorders. You can search by county to find survey records for St. Francois County parcels.
Per RSMo 59.003, requests for deed records after December 31, 1969 must go to the county recorder in Farmington. The State Archives only covers records through that year.
St. Francois County Deed Filing Fees
Recording fees follow the statewide schedule set by Missouri law. The base cost is $24 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. This applies to warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, and most other real estate documents. Documents that do not meet the formatting rules in RSMo 59.310 can be charged an extra $25 non-standard penalty.
Plat recordings cost $44 for the first 18" x 24" page and $25 for each additional page. Surveys start at $24 for the first page at the same size. Copy fees are about $1 per page. Certified copies cost a bit more. Part of every recording fee goes to state funds including the Local Records Preservation Fund, Missouri Land Survey Fund, and Missouri Housing Trust Fund. Checks go to the St. Francois County Recorder of Deeds.
Document Standards in St. Francois County
Missouri law requires specific formatting for recorded documents. Under RSMo 59.310, effective January 1, 2002, documents must be on 8.5" x 11" white or light paper with at least 20 pound weight. Black or dark ink. Minimum 8-point type. One side only. The first page must have a 3-inch blank top margin for the recording stamp.
First page content must include the document title, date, all grantor and grantee names, statutory addresses, full legal description, and any reference book and page numbers. A notary acknowledgment with valid seal is required per RSMo Chapter 486. Exempt documents include those signed before 2002 and military separation papers. Non-exempt documents that fail formatting standards still get recorded but cost an extra $25.
Types of St. Francois County Deed Records
The recorder handles warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, assignments, plats, and surveys. Warranty deeds are most common in sales. They guarantee clear title. Quit claim deeds pass along whatever interest the seller holds. No guarantees come with those.
Missouri uses deeds of trust as the standard security instrument. Three parties are involved: borrower, lender, and trustee. When the loan is paid, the trustee files a release. Transfer on Death deeds under RSMo 461.025 let owners name a beneficiary who gets the property at death without probate. These must be recorded with the St. Francois County recorder before the owner dies. The owner can revoke or change the deed at any time while alive. Lady bird deeds are not valid in Missouri.
Public Access to St. Francois County Deed Records
Deed records in St. Francois County are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law under RSMo Chapter 610 gives everyone the right to inspect and copy government records. No reason required. Walk in during business hours and ask to search.
The State Historical Society of Missouri holds collections that include St. Francois County land documents. Missouri Digital Heritage offers free online access to historical records from 1777 through 1969. Both can help with genealogy research or tracing old property transfers in the lead mining region.
Nearby Counties
Properties near a county line may have records in a neighboring county. Here are the counties that border St. Francois County.