Requirements for Recording Real Estate Documents
The Following Documents Do Not Require A Legal Description For Recording.
Death Certificates, Power of Attorneys, Wills, DD214, Certificates, and
Miscellaneous Documents.
The following is a list of specific documents and their requirements for recording.
Deeds
Deeds Are Documents Showing A Transfer Of Property From One Party To Another. The deed
must contain the title and date of the document on the first page. (RSMo 59.310) The document
must have the grantor(s) and grantee(s) listed and designated on the first page. (RSMo 59.310)
For suggestions on grantor/grantee designations, visit the Missouri Bar Association’s website at
http://www.mobar.org/member/grantor.htm. A deed transferring property to another party must
have the grantee’s mailing address designated on the first page, as required by law (RSMo
59.330 & 59.310). A deed must have the legal description on the first page, as required by law
(RSMo 59.330 & 59.310). A deed must contain the grantor’s signature. If a corporation is signing
as the grantor, the corporate seal must be on the document if required by the corporate bylaws.
If the notary clause states that the corporate seal is affixed to the document, it must also be
included on the deed. The parties signing must have a notary acknowledgement clause on the
deed, as required by law (RSMo 486.330 and RSMo 59.330). A notary must sign acknowledging
the signatures, as required by law (RSMo 486.275). A notary seal, either a stamped or an
impressed seal must be on the deed. If the notary is commissioned in the State of Missouri, the
seal must be in black ink, must be at least 8 point type, and must contain the words notary public,
notary seal, State of Missouri, and the notary’s name, as required by law (RSMo 486.275). The
notary expiration date must be a valid date at the time the deed is signed, as required by law
(RSMo 486.285). Any signature on the deed must be typed or printed below the signature, as
required by law (RSMo 59.310). Any signature on the deed must be original, or a certified copy
is required. At this time, a recorded page size in the State of Missouri is defined as 8 ½ x 11
(RSMo 59.005). A deed must be legible for recording and reproduction and must contain at least
8-point type, as required by law (RSMo 59.310). When the document is recorded, a recording
certificate is placed in the top three inches of the first page. If there is not a three inch top margin
for the recording certificate on the first page, or the document does not meet all of the
standardization requirements as outlined in this website, the Recorder will add a certificate page.
When a document does not meet standardization requirements it will become non-standard and a
$25.00 non-standard penalty will be charged, in addition to the normal recording fees. (RSMo
59.310)
Deeds of Trust
Deeds of trust are documents showing an owner of property borrowing money using their real
estate as collateral. The deed of trust must contain the title and date of the document on the first
page. (RSMo 59.310) The document must have the grantor(s) and grantee(s) listed and
designated on the first page. (RSMo 59.310) For suggestions on grantor/grantee designations,
visit the Missouri Bar Association’s website at http://www.mobar.org/member/grantor.htm. The
deed of trust must have the grantee’s mailing address designated on the first page, as required
by law (RSMo 59.330 & 59.310). The amount borrowed is normally listed on the deed of trust as
well. A deed of trust must have the legal description on the first page, as required by law (RSMo
59.330 & 59.310). A deed of trust must contain the grantor’s signature. If a corporation is signing
as the grantor, the corporate seal must be on the document if required by the corporate bylaws.
If the notary clause states that the corporate seal is affixed to the document, it must also be
included on the deed of trust. The parties signing must have a notary acknowledgement clause
on the deed of trust, as required by law (RSMo 486.330 and RSMo 59.330). A notary must sign
acknowledging the signatures, as required by law (RSMo 486.275). A notary seal, either a
stamped or an impressed seal must be on the deed of trust. If the notary is commissioned in the
State of Missouri, the seal must be in black ink, must be at least 8 point type, and must contain
the words notary public, notary seal, State of Missouri, and the notary’s name, as required by law
(RSMo 486.275).). The notary expiration date must be a valid date at the time the deed of trust is
signed, as required by law (RSMo 486.285). Any signature on the deed of trust must be typed or
printed below the signature, as required by law (RSMo 59.310). Any signature on the deed of
trust must be original, or a certified copy is required. At this time, a recorded page size in the
State of Missouri is defined as 8 ½ x 11 (RSMo 59.005). A deed of trust must be legible for
recording and reproduction and must contain at least 8-point type, as required by law (RSMo
59.310). When the document is recorded, a recording certificate is placed in the top three inches
of the first page. If there is not a three inch top margin for the recording certificate on the first
page, or the document does not meet all of the standardization requirements as outlined in this
website, the Recorder will add a certificate page. When a document does not meet
standardization requirements it will become non-standard and a $25.00 non-standard penalty will
be charged, in addition to the normal recording fees. (RSMo 59.310)
Release Deeds
Release Deeds are documents showing a partial or a full payment of a deed of trust. If the
original deed of trust was recorded prior to January 1, 1986, the original identified note must be
presented with the release, as required by law (RSMo 443.060). If the original identified note has
been lost or destroyed, an affidavit of lost note signed by the maker and beneficiary must be
presented with the release, as required by law (RSMo 443.060). The release must contain the
title and date of the document on the first page (RSMo 59.310). The document must have the
grantor(s) and grantee(s) listed and designated on the first page. (RSMo 59.310) For
suggestions on grantor/grantee designations, visit the Missouri Bar Association’s website at
http://www.mobar.org/member/grantor.htm. The original deed of trust book and page must be
listed on the first page (RSMo 59.310). The original date of the deed of trust must be listed on the
release. A release must have the legal description on the first page, as required by law (RSMo
59.330 & 59.310). A release must contain the grantor’s signature. If a corporation is signing as
the grantor, the corporate seal must be on the document if required by the corporate bylaws. If
the notary clause states that the corporate seal is affixed to the document, it must also be
included on the release. The parties signing must have a notary acknowledgement clause on the
release, as required by law (RSMo 486.330 and RSMo 59.330). A notary must sign
acknowledging the signatures, as required by law (RSMo 486.275). A notary seal, either a
stamped or an impressed seal must be on the release. If the notary is commissioned in the State
of Missouri, the seal must be in black ink, must be at least 8 point type, and must contain the
words notary public, notary seal, State of Missouri, and the notary’s name, as required by law
(RSMo 486.275).). The notary expiration date must be a valid date at the time the release is
signed, as required by law (RSMo 486.285). Any signature on the release must be typed or
printed below the signature, as required by law (RSMo 59.310). Any signature on the release
must be original, or a certified copy is required. At this time, a recorded page size in the State of
Missouri is defined as 8 ½ x 11 (RSMo 59.005). A release must be legible for recording and
reproduction and must contain at least 8-point type, as required by law (RSMo 59.310). When
the document is recorded, a recording certificate is placed in the top three inches of the first page.
If there is not a three inch top margin for the recording certificate on the first page, or the
document does not meet all of the standardization requirements as outlined in this website, the
Recorder will add a certificate page. When a document does not meet standardization
requirements it will become non-standard and a $25.00 non-standard penalty will be charged, in
addition to the normal recording fees. (RSMo 59.310)
Assignment of Deed Of Trust
This document shows a lender assigning or selling their interest in a deed of trust to another
party. The assignment must contain the title and date of the document on the first page (RSMo
59.310). The document must have the grantor(s) listed on the first page (RSMo 59.310). The
document must have the grantor(s) and grantee(s) listed and designated on the first page. (RSMo
59.310) For suggestions on grantor/grantee designations, visit the Missouri Bar Association’s
website at http://www.mobar.org/member/grantor.htm. The grantees must be designated on the
first page (RSMo 59.310). An assignment of deed of trust must have the grantee’s mailing
address designated on the first page, as required by law (RSMo 59.330 & 59.310). The book
and page of the deed of trust being assigned should also be listed on the assignment. The
assignment must have the legal description on the first page, as required by law (RSMo 59.330 &
59.310). If a corporation is signing as the grantor, the corporate seal must be on the document if
required by the corporate bylaws. If the notary clause states that the corporate seal is affixed to
the document, it must also be included on the assignment. The parties signing must have a
notary acknowledgement clause on the assignment, as required by law (RSMo 486.330 and
RSMo 59.330). A notary must sign acknowledging the signatures, as required by law (RSMo
486.275). A notary seal, either a stamped or an impressed seal must be on the assignment If the
notary is commissioned in the State of Missouri, the seal must be in black ink, must be at least 8
point type, and must contain the words notary public, notary seal, State of Missouri, and the
notary’s name, as required by law (RSMo 486.275).). The notary expiration date must be a valid
date at the time the assignment is signed, as required by law (RSMo 486.285). Any signature on
the assignment must be typed or printed below the signature, as required by law (RSMo 59.310).
Any signature on the assignment must be original, or a certified copy is required. At this time, a
recorded page size in the State of Missouri is defined as 8 ½ x 11 (RSMo 59.005). An
assignment must be legible for recording and reproduction and must contain at least 8-point type,
as required by law (RSMo 59.310). When the document is recorded, a recording certificate is
placed in the top three inches of the first page. If there is not a three inch top margin for the
recording certificate on the first page, or the document does not meet all of the standardization
requirements as outlined in this website, the Recorder will add a certificate page. When a
document does not meet standardization requirements it will become non-standard and a $25.00
non-standard penalty will be charged, in addition to the normal recording fees. (RSMo 59.310)
Trustee’s Deed Under Foreclosure
This document shows that the original deed of trust is being foreclosed on for default of payment.
The trustee’s deed under foreclosure must contain the title and date of the document on the first
page (RSMo 59.310). If the original deed of trust was recorded prior to January 1, 1986, the
original identified note must be presented along with the trustee’s deed under foreclosure, as
required by law (RSMo 443.390). The document must have the grantor(s) and grantee(s) listed
and designated on the first page. (RSMo 59.310) For suggestions on grantor/grantee
designations, visit the Missouri Bar Association’s website at
http://www.mobar.org/member/grantor.htm A trustee’s deed under foreclosure must have the
grantee’s mailing address designated on the first page, as required by law (RSMo 59.330 &
59.310). The trustee’s deed under foreclosure must contain the original deed of trust book and
page being foreclosed on the first page (RSMo 59.310) A trustee’s deed under foreclosure must
have the legal description on the first page, as required by law (RSMo 59.330 & 59.310). The
trustee must sign the document. The trustee’s signature must have a notary acknowledgement
clause on the trustee’s deed under foreclosure, as required by law (RSMo 486.330 and RSMo
59.330). A notary must sign acknowledging the signatures, as required by law (RSMo 486.275).
A notary seal, either a stamped or an impressed seal must be on the trustee’s deed under
foreclosure. If the notary is commissioned in the State of Missouri, the seal must be in black ink,
must be at least 8 point type, and must contain the words notary public, notary seal, State of
Missouri, and the notary’s name, as required by law (RSMo 486.275). The notary expiration date
must be a valid date at the time the trustee’s deed under foreclosure is signed, as required by law
(RSMo 486.285). Any signature on the trustee’s deed under foreclosure must be typed or printed
below the signature, as required by law (RSMo 59.310). Any signature on the trustee’s deed
under foreclosure must be original, or a certified copy is required. At this time, a recorded page
size in the State of Missouri is defined as 8 ½ x 11 (RSMo 59.005). A trustee’s deed under
foreclosure must be legible for recording and reproduction and must contain at least 8-point type,
as required by law (RSMo 59.310). When the document is recorded, a recording certificate is
placed in the top three inches of the first page. If there is not a three inch top margin for the
recording certificate on the first page, or the document does not meet all of the standardization
requirements as outlined in this website, the Recorder will add a certificate page. When a
document does not meet standardization requirements it will become non-standard and a $25.00
non-standard penalty will be charged, in addition to the normal recording fees. (RSMo 59.310).
Miscellaneous Documents
Any document that does not fit into the above listed categories of documents is considered a
miscellaneous document. The document must contain the title and date of the document on the
first page (RSMo 59.310). The document must have the grantor(s) and grantee(s) listed and
designated on the first page. (RSMo 59.310) For suggestions on grantor/grantee designations,
visit the Missouri Bar Association’s website at http://www.mobar.org/member/grantor.htm A legal
description may be included on a miscellaneous document. There must be parties signing the
document. If a corporation is signing the document, the corporate seal must be on the document
if required by the corporate bylaws. If the notary clause states that the corporate seal is affixed to
the document, it must also be included on the document. The parties signing must have a notary
acknowledgement clause on the document, as required by law (RSMo 486.330 and RSMo
59.330). A notary must sign acknowledging the signatures, as required by law (RSMo 486.275).
A notary seal, either a stamped or an impressed seal must be on the document. If the notary is
commissioned in the State of Missouri, the seal must be in black ink, must be at least 8 point
type, and must contain the words notary public, notary seal, State of Missouri, and the notary’s
name, as required by law (RSMo 486.275). The notary expiration date must be a valid date at the
time the document is signed, as required by law (RSMo 486.285). Any signature on the
document must be typed or printed below the signature, as required by law (RSMo 59.310). Any
signature on the document must be original, or a certified copy is required. At this time, a
recorded page size in the State of Missouri is defined as 8 ½ x 11 (RSMo 59.005). A document
must be legible for recording and reproduction and must contain at least 8-point type, as required
by law (RSMo 59.310). When the document is recorded, a recording certificate is placed in the
top three inches of the first page. If there is not a three inch top margin for the recording
certificate on the first page, or the document does not meet all of the standardization
requirements as outlined in this website, the Recorder will add a certificate page. When a
document does not meet standardization requirements it will become non-standard and a $25.00
non-standard penalty will be charged, in addition to the normal recording fees. (RSMo 59.310).
UCC Filings in the Real Estate Records
There will be no dual filing of a UCC and real estate filing in the Recorder of Deeds office after
July 1, 2001. To file any fixture filing or one that covers as-extracted collateral or timber in the
real estate records under provisions of Revised Article 9 after July 1, 2001, no signature is
required on a new approved standard form with required addendum attached. To terminate any
filing in the real estate records filed under Former Article 9 or Revised Article 9, under provisions
of Revised Article 9 after July 1, 2001, no signature is required on a new approved standard
form with required addendum attached. If any form is prepared and presented other than the
state approved form, all statutory recording requirements of law will apply. Statutory recordings
fee will apply to all real estate related filings. Overpayment of UCC filings in the Real Estate
records will not be refunded. Forms and instructions may be found at the Secretary of State’s
website: http://mosl.sos.state.mo.us