RECORDER OF DEEDS

BETTIE JOHNSON

BOONE COUNTY, MISSOURI

The Recorder of Deeds is responsible for making record of documents in three main areas ‑‑ I) Real estate II) Uniform Commercial Code III) Marriage Licenses. In addition, servicemen's records, tax liens and miscellaneous documents not in these areas may be recorded in request and compliance with statutes.

Records in this office provide data about real estate transactions and historical perspective. Deeds, deeds of trust, releases, easements, surveys, plats, restrictions, cemetery deeds, wills, road right‑of‑ways, articles of incorporation, patents, affidavits and marriage license information make up an example of the documents.

The office functions break down into primarily the following:

General Index: This is an abstract of deeds, deeds of trust and miscellaneous documents that are entered by all parties under both a grantor‑grantee system. It is maintained for reference back to 1821. Date, kind of instrument, book and page and description are listed. Access to computerized real estate records start in 1990.

General Index to Release deeds and Assignments: This is a separate index for release of a lien either in part of full by both parties in alphabetical sequence. It has the same information as the general index. Access to computerized real estate records start in 1990.

Uniform Commercial Code (UCC): UCC’s are filed by the name of debtor. The index provides debtor's name, address, secured party, filing number and date. The fixture filing system in the real estate records allows for continuation, termination, amendment, and assignment or collateral release. The UCC system allows for terminations and searches. UCC follows the guidelines set by the Secretary of State. The UCC gives the type of property, but no amount. UCC replaced Chattel Mortgage filings in July 1965. The statements destroyed after 5 years.

Marriage License: Applications are indexed in each volume by both applicants. Both the application and the license are stored giving the names, residence, age, and other information of the parties. A monthly report is sent to the Bureau of Vital Records containing information from the marriage application. Access to computerized marriage records start in 1985.

Taxlien (State & Federal Liens): These are indexed by taxpayer name. The index provides the taxpayer name, address, type of tax lien, and amount of the tax lien. Access to computerized taxlien records start in 1985.

Servicemen's Records: This is an index to military discharges in Boone County giving the name, address, service branch, discharge date and recorded book and page numbers. It also lists some biographical information.

Affidavits and Patents: This index is arranged alphabetically giving the names, date, description, and location. It correlates to the original patent entry book in the early 1800's.

Boone County Surveyor's Records: These records provide preservation by law in the Recorder's Office.

Microfilming: This is a separate process from assigning and entering the information in the indexes. This assures a complete and accurate copy of each document on record. Security film is kept in a separate vault.

Fees: All fees are set by law and are turned over to the County Treasurer with the exception of special fee collected and forwarded directly to the state monthly.

Reports: A monthly report of all fees collected is given to the Auditor. A copy is also furnished to the Treasurer with the fees. A yearly settlement is made with the County Commission.

Retrieval: The Recorder’s Office aides in the searching and instructing of the public in the handling and retrieval of records, both old and new.

Copies to Assessor: Copies of all deeds and deeds of trust are furnished to the Assessor each month as a basis of the tax assessment system.