St. Louis County MO Recorder: Deeds, Land Records, Copies, Recording Fees & Office Guide
The St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds is the county office for recorded real-estate documents in St. Louis County, Missouri, including deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, plats, subdivision documents and other recordable instruments.
If you searched for st. louis county recorder, first confirm that the property is actually in St. Louis County, not the independent City of St. Louis. The county Recorder is in Clayton. The City of St. Louis has a separate Recorder of Deeds and a different land-record system.
What Does the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds Handle?
Use the Recorder of Deeds when your task involves a recorded document. Use the Assessor when you need parcel, locator, ownership display or assessed-value information. Use the Collector of Revenue when you need tax bills, tax payments, receipts or delinquent tax questions.
Use the Recorder For
- Deed, deed of trust, release, lien and plat searches.
- Recording a prepared real-estate document.
- Ordering deed copies or certified copies.
- Property Fraud Alert registration.
- Marriage-license records handled by the Recorder division.
Use the Assessor For
- Locator number / parcel identification.
- Current ownership display and mailing address.
- Real-estate values and property characteristics.
- Assessment questions and valuation review.
- Property-record details before starting a deed search.
Use the Collector For
- Real-estate and personal-property tax bills.
- Tax payments and receipts.
- Delinquent taxes and tax sale issues.
- Refund or payment-status questions.
- Tax bill questions after assessment is complete.
St. Louis County or City of St. Louis? Choose Before You Search
The City of St. Louis is an independent city and is not part of St. Louis County. That means county properties and city properties use separate Recorder offices, separate property systems and separate tax offices.
Use St. Louis County Recorder
Use the county Recorder for properties in St. Louis County municipalities and unincorporated areas, including places such as Clayton, Florissant, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Kirkwood, Ferguson, University City, Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur and other county communities.
Office: 41 S Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105.
Use City of St. Louis Recorder
Use the City Recorder if the legal property is inside the independent City of St. Louis. The city Recorder is located at City Hall and maintains a separate land-record system from the county Recorder in Clayton.
Practical test: confirm jurisdiction through the official county Assessor or city property database, not just the mailing address.
How to Search St. Louis County Deeds and Recorded Documents
For most users, the best path is: confirm jurisdiction, find the locator number or owner display in the county property record, then use the Recorder’s deed search options for the recorded instrument and image.
Confirm the Property Is in St. Louis County
Before entering a name, confirm that the property is in St. Louis County and not the independent City of St. Louis. This prevents you from searching the wrong land-record database.
Use the County Assessor if You Only Know the Address
If all you have is a street address, start with the St. Louis County Assessor’s real-estate search. Save the locator number, owner name, legal description clue and any deed reference before moving to the Recorder.
Search the Recorder by Grantor or Grantee Name
For a deed chain, search both sides of the transaction. The seller is usually the grantor and the buyer is usually the grantee. For trusts, estates, LLCs and banks, search the exact legal name and then try shorter name variations.
Use Document Number or Book/Page When Available
A recording number, book/page reference or instrument number is usually more precise than a broad name search. Use it when it appears on an Assessor record, title report, prior deed, mortgage release or court document.
Match the Legal Description, Not Just the Address
Deeds rely on legal descriptions. Street addresses can change, be abbreviated or be missing from older documents. Match subdivision, lot, block, parcel/locator clues and parties before assuming a result belongs to your property.
Review Related Documents
A complete search may include the deed, deed of trust, assignment, release, easement, subdivision plat, lien, tax lien or affidavit. Do not stop at the first result if you are checking ownership history or mortgage-release status.
Order Copies Only After You Confirm the Correct Document
Before buying a copy, compare the document title, parties, recording date, legal description, locator references and book/page or document number. Certified copies are typically needed for legal or official submission purposes.
How to Read a St. Louis County Recorder Search Result
A recorded-document index is only a starting point. The useful answer is inside the document image and the connected chain of records.
| Field / Clue | What It Means | How to Use It | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grantor | The party giving, releasing, assigning or encumbering an interest, depending on document type. | Search the grantor forward to find later transfers, releases or related filings. | Assuming grantor always means current owner. |
| Grantee | The party receiving the interest or benefit of the recorded document. | Use the grantee field to identify how the current owner may have acquired title. | Missing a trust, LLC, estate or marital-name variation. |
| Document type | Shows whether the record is a deed, deed of trust, release, lien, easement, plat or other instrument. | Separate ownership documents from mortgage/security documents and releases. | Thinking every “deed” result is the current ownership deed. |
| Recording date | The date the Recorder accepted the document into the public record. | Use it to build a timeline and identify the newest related document. | Confusing signing date, closing date and recording date. |
| Book/page or instrument number | The document’s public-record reference. | Save it for copy orders, certified copies, title reports and future searches. | Using the property locator number as if it were the recording reference. |
| Legal description | The formal property description used in the document. | Compare subdivision, lot, block, section, range or metes-and-bounds wording with the property record. | Relying only on a street address for legal identification. |
How to Record a Deed or Document in St. Louis County
The Recorder records documents that are ready for recording. Staff can check minimum recording requirements, but they cannot prepare your deed, select your legal form, correct ownership wording, provide title advice or guarantee that the document accomplishes your legal goal.
In Person / Drop-Off
Bring the original, signed and notarized document to the Recorder of Deeds office at 41 S Central Ave in Clayton. Check the current county page before visiting because service windows and payment rules can change.
By Mail
Mail the original document with the proper fee and a clear return address or self-addressed return envelope when required. Do not mail your only copy without keeping a scanned backup for your records.
Remote / Vendor Access
St. Louis County deed search and image access may route users to vendor systems such as Tapestry for occasional searches and Laredo-style access for high-volume professional users. Review vendor pricing before opening images or printing copies.
St. Louis County Recording Fees, Deed Copies and Document Requirements
Recording charges depend on the document type, page count and whether the document meets Missouri recording standards. Use these numbers for planning only and verify the county’s live price list before submitting payment.
| Item | Common Published / Statutory Rule | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Standard recording estimate | County recording examples commonly use $24 for the first page and $3 for each additional page for standard documents. | Confirm current totals on the Recorder price list, especially after any state user-fee changes. |
| Non-standard document fee | Documents that do not meet Missouri formatting standards may be subject to an additional non-standard fee. | Check margins, first-page information, paper size, print size, signatures and legal description before submitting. |
| Deed copy | Recent county guidance has listed a deed copy charge by page, commonly starting with the first page plus an additional per-page amount. | Check the current deed-copy instructions and whether walk-in copy service requires card payment. |
| Certified copy | Certification usually adds a separate certification charge to the copy price. | Ask whether your receiving agency requires a certified copy or a plain copy. |
| Missouri document format | Missouri recorders may refuse documents that do not meet statutory requirements for paper, legibility, signatures, margins, page format and first-page information. | Review RSMo § 59.310 before recording real-estate documents in a county recorder office. |
| Privacy-sensitive information | Do not include unnecessary Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit-card numbers or other sensitive identifiers in a public recorded document. | Ask a legal professional how to redact or avoid sensitive information while still satisfying the law. |
St. Louis County Recording Fee Estimator
This tool is only for planning. Use the official Recorder price list before writing a check, paying online or visiting the office.
Default estimate uses $24 for the first page, $3 for each additional page and a $25 planning add-on when non-standard format is selected. The official Recorder price list controls the actual amount.
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds Office Address, Phone & Map
The county Recorder is located in Clayton at the St. Louis County government complex. Confirm current counter hours, copy-service windows, payment rules and appointment guidance before traveling.
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds
Address:
41 S Central Ave
Clayton, MO 63105
Common office reference: Recorder of Deeds, 4th Floor, Lawrence K. Roos County Government Building.
Phone: 314-615-7100
Email: Recorder@stlouiscountymo.gov
Arrival tip: bring the locator number, owner name, document number, book/page, approximate recording date and payment method before visiting.
Open Recorder Map ↗St. Louis County Property Fraud Alert
St. Louis County property owners can use the Recorder’s property-fraud alert service as an early-warning tool. It can notify a subscriber when a document is recorded under a registered name, but it does not block a recording or remove a fraudulent document.
What It Helps With
It helps owners notice suspicious recorded documents sooner by monitoring names connected with recorded filings.
What Names to Register
Register your legal name, spouse name, trust name, LLC name and common name variations connected with your property.
What It Cannot Do
It cannot determine fraud, undo a deed, correct ownership or replace police, title-company or legal help.
Official St. Louis County Recorder, Assessor, Collector and Missouri Links
Use these official resources to search records, confirm fees, order copies, record documents, verify jurisdiction and avoid the county/city mix-up. Each action link includes what to do after opening it.
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds
Official county Recorder page for deeds, recording, copy requests, marriage-related Recorder services and related public-record guidance.
- After opening this link: confirm current office hours, service windows and contact instructions.
- Choose the deed search, copy, price list, eRecording or property-fraud alert option that matches your task.
- Check whether the county page lists appointment guidance or walk-in restrictions.
- Save the phone number and email before mailing documents or visiting Clayton.
St. Louis County Recorder — Deed Search
Official starting point for St. Louis County recorded-deed and land-record search options.
- After opening this link: confirm you are searching St. Louis County, not the City of St. Louis.
- Choose the search option that fits your use: occasional search, professional subscription or copy request.
- Search by owner, grantor/grantee, document number, book/page or other available fields.
- Verify the document title, recording date and legal description before purchasing any image or copy.
St. Louis County Recorder — Deed Copy Order Form
Use this when you need a plain or certified copy of a recorded deed or related instrument.
- After opening this link: enter the property address, owner name and recording details if known.
- Mark whether you need a plain copy or certified copy.
- Calculate the copy fee using the current county instructions.
- Use the Recorder’s mailing or delivery instructions exactly as stated on the form/page.
St. Louis County Recorder — Price List
Official county fee page for recording, copies and related Recorder services.
- After opening this link: identify whether you are recording a standard document, plat, release, lien, copy or certified copy.
- Count every page, including cover sheets and attachments.
- Check whether the non-standard-document fee applies.
- Confirm payment method before mailing or visiting.
St. Louis County Property Fraud Alert
Recorder-supported alert service for names appearing in new recorded documents.
- After opening this link: register the owner name exactly as it appears on the deed or property record.
- Add name variations, trust names and business names tied to the property.
- Confirm your email or phone alert settings.
- If you receive a suspicious alert, save the recording number and contact law enforcement or legal/title professionals.
St. Louis County Assessor — Real Estate Search
Use the Assessor to find locator number, owner display, assessed value, property address and property characteristics.
- After opening this link: search by address, owner name or locator number.
- Open the correct property and save the locator number.
- Review the owner display and property address.
- Use the owner/deed clues in the Recorder search if you need the recorded document.
St. Louis County Collector — Tax Inquiry
Use this when the question is tax bill, payment, receipt or delinquency, not recorded documents.
- After opening this link: search for the real-estate or personal-property tax account.
- Review current balance, payment history or printable receipt options.
- Do not use the Collector site to determine legal ownership from a deed chain.
City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds
Use this only when the property is inside the independent City of St. Louis rather than St. Louis County.
- After opening this link: confirm the property is inside the City of St. Louis boundaries.
- Use the City Recorder’s land-record search and copy services for city property.
- Do not mix city document numbers with county Recorder searches.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 59.310
State recording statute for county recorder document standards and statutory recording requirements.
- After opening this link: review the document formatting requirements before recording.
- Check first-page information, margins, legibility, print size, signatures and attachment rules.
- Compare the statute with St. Louis County’s current price list and recording instructions.
Common St. Louis County Recorder Mistakes
Mistakes That Waste Time
- Searching the county Recorder when the property is inside the City of St. Louis.
- Choosing by mailing address instead of legal jurisdiction.
- Using the Recorder when you really need the Assessor’s locator number.
- Assuming a tax bill proves current legal title.
- Buying a copy before confirming document type and legal description.
- Recording a deed without proper notarization, signatures or legal advice.
- Including unnecessary sensitive personal or financial information in a public recorded document.
Better Workflow
- Confirm county vs city before searching.
- Start with the Assessor when only an address is known.
- Save the locator number and any deed reference.
- Search Recorder records by grantor, grantee, document number or book/page.
- Read the document image, not just the index line.
- Use the official price list before submitting payment.
- Register for property fraud alerts after verifying owner-name variations.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of a deed. | Search by owner/entity, recording number or book/page, confirm the document, then use the copy request option. | St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds |
| You only know the street address. | Find the locator number and owner display first, then move to the Recorder search. | St. Louis County Assessor |
| You want to record a deed, release or lien. | Prepare the original document, confirm Missouri formatting, calculate fees and submit through the Recorder. | Recorder of Deeds + RSMo § 59.310 |
| Your mortgage was paid off but the old deed of trust appears. | Search for a later release or satisfaction connected to the original deed of trust. | Recorder deed search |
| You think a fraudulent deed was recorded. | Save the recording number, download the document, contact local law enforcement and consider legal/title help. | Recorder + Police + Legal/Title Professional |
| You need property taxes or receipts. | Use the Collector’s tax inquiry and payment system instead of the Recorder. | St. Louis County Collector of Revenue |
| The property is inside City of St. Louis. | Use the City Recorder, not the County Recorder in Clayton. | City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds |
St. Louis County Recorder FAQs
What is the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds?
The St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds is the county office that records and preserves public documents affecting real estate and other recordable interests in St. Louis County, Missouri, including deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, plats and related instruments.
Where is the St. Louis County Recorder located?
The Recorder of Deeds is located at 41 S Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105. The office is commonly associated with the Lawrence K. Roos County Government Building, and the main Recorder phone number is 314-615-7100.
Is St. Louis City part of the St. Louis County Recorder system?
No. The City of St. Louis is an independent city and has its own Recorder of Deeds. If the property is inside the city limits, use the City Recorder. If the property is in St. Louis County, use the county Recorder in Clayton.
How do I search for a deed in St. Louis County?
Start by confirming the property is in St. Louis County. If you only know the address, use the county Assessor to find the locator number and owner display. Then search Recorder records by grantor, grantee, document number, book/page or other available deed-search fields.
Can I search St. Louis County deeds by address?
The better workflow is to use the Assessor’s real-estate search for address-based lookup first. After you confirm the locator number, owner name and deed reference, use the Recorder’s deed search to locate the recorded document image or index entry.
How much does it cost to record a deed in St. Louis County?
Standard recording examples commonly use $24 for the first page and $3 for each additional page, with possible extra charges for non-standard documents or special filings. Always verify the current St. Louis County Recorder price list before mailing or submitting payment.
What documents does the Recorder not prepare for me?
The Recorder does not choose your deed form, draft a deed, complete legal wording, provide legal advice, notarize documents or guarantee that a document accomplishes your intended transfer. Use a qualified attorney, title company or real-estate professional when legal rights are affected.
Why does an old deed of trust still appear after a loan was paid?
Recorded documents remain part of the public record. Paying off a loan does not remove the original deed of trust from history. Search for a later release or satisfaction document that references the original deed of trust or recording information.
Does St. Louis County offer property fraud alerts?
Yes. St. Louis County provides a property-fraud alert option connected with recorded documents. It can notify subscribers when a name appears in a new recording, but it does not prevent recording or cancel a fraudulent document.
Can I use Recorder records for tenant screening or background checks?
No. This guide is for property-record and recorded-document research. Public property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds, St. Louis County Department of Revenue, St. Louis County Assessor, St. Louis County Collector of Revenue, City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds, Missouri Revisor of Statutes, any court, title company, deed vendor or government agency.
Recording acceptance, document validity, title status, copy availability, fees, payment methods, search platforms, public-counter hours and legal effect are controlled by official agencies, Missouri law and the contents of the recorded documents. This page is not legal, tax, title, escrow or real-estate advice.
Public owner names and property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.