St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds: Search Land Records, Deeds, Copies, Fees & Office Help
The St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds maintains public records and documents for St. Charles County, Missouri, including land ownership records, deeds, federal and state tax liens, marriage records and military discharge documents.
Use this guide to search St. Charles County land records, understand Tapestry and Laredo access, visit the Recorder office in St. Charles, request deed copies, prepare documents for recording, avoid common rejection problems, estimate filing fees, sign up for fraud alerts and know when to contact the Assessor, Collector or Circuit Court instead.
Where Do You Search or Record Deeds in St. Charles County?
For St. Charles County, Missouri deed and land-record questions, start with the Recorder of Deeds Office. The office is located at 201 N. Second St., Suite 338, St. Charles, MO 63301. For land records, call 636-949-7507. For deed copies, call the Copy Center at 636-949-7509.
Recorder of Deeds
Use this office for deeds, mortgages, releases, federal and state tax liens, land-record copies, plats, surveys, marriage records, military discharge filings, eRecording and property fraud alert questions.
Best for: recorded documents and filing requirements.
Assessor
Use the Assessor for fair market value, assessment records, account number lookup, parcel information, tax waivers and property database context before searching recorded land documents.
Best for: assessed value and parcel context.
Collector of Revenue
Use the Collector for property-tax bills, payments, receipts, tax history and collection questions. The Recorder records deeds; the Collector handles tax collection.
Best for: tax bills and paid receipts.
How to Search St. Charles County Deeds and Land Records
St. Charles County offers several land-record research paths. Occasional users can use Tapestry, frequent users can use Laredo, and the public can search for free in the Recorder research area on the third floor of the Administration Building.
Start With the Official Land Records Page
Begin on the St. Charles County Land Records page under the Recorder of Deeds. This avoids third-party people-search pages and gives you the official links for Tapestry, Laredo, assessment lookup, copy requests, recording requirements and filing fees.
Use Tapestry for Occasional Online Searching
The county describes Tapestry as an option for occasional users. It is a pay-per-search style service for people who need occasional access to St. Charles County land records without a long-term subscription.
Use Laredo for Frequent or Professional Searching
The county describes Laredo as a subscription-based search site for users who consistently search St. Charles County documents. The Laredo agreement states index records are available beginning January 1, 1972, and document images are available beginning November 16, 1804, through the verified date in Laredo.
Use the Free Public Research Area for In-Person Searching
The Recorder offers free searching on the third floor of the Administration Building from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Prints in the research room are listed at $1 per page.
Search by Name or Legal Description
Recorder FAQs state land records can be searched by name or legal description in the online records site. If you only know a street address, use the Assessor property database first to find parcel and owner context.
Save the Exact Document Details
Save the grantor, grantee, document type, recording date, book/page or instrument details before calling the Copy Center. These details help staff locate the correct record and reduce copy-request delays.
Use Professional Help for Legal Title Work
The Recorder can record and preserve documents, but it cannot decide whether a deed is legally valid, whether a lien is enforceable, whether title is clear, or how to draft a transfer. Use a title company or Missouri attorney for those questions.
What St. Charles County Recorder Records Can Show
Recorder records can answer many property-history questions, but each document type has limits. Use this decoder before assuming one record proves the entire ownership story.
| Record Type | What It May Show | Best Use | Do Not Assume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warranty Deed / General Warranty Deed | Grantor, grantee, legal description, marital status language, recording date and transfer reference. | Tracing a sale or ownership transfer in land records. | That title is free from every lien, defect, estate issue or boundary problem. |
| Quit Claim Deed | Transfer of whatever interest the grantor may have, often used in family, divorce, correction or trust situations. | Finding non-sale transfers or ownership changes that may not look like ordinary purchases. | That the grantor had valid title or that the transfer solved every legal issue. |
| Deed of Trust / Release | Borrower, lender, trustee, secured property and later release tied to the paid-off deed of trust. | Checking whether a mortgage-type lien has a matching release. | That a release proves ownership; a release only relates to the paid debt instrument. |
| Federal or State Tax Lien | Taxing authority, debtor name, lien record, release or expungement record. | Identifying possible tax encumbrances that may affect title or closing. | That the lien is enforceable, expired or paid without reviewing the latest release and legal status. |
| Plat or Survey | Lot, subdivision, dimensions, property lines and survey/plat references. | Understanding subdivision and legal-description context. | That a lot copy shows structures; the county notes a lot copy shows lot number, lines and dimensions, not structures. |
| Marriage License | Marriage license application, issuance and recorded license information after ceremony return. | Name-change, family-history or certified marriage-record purposes. | That the Recorder performs ceremonies; the Recorder issues and records marriage licenses but does not perform ceremonies. |
| Military Discharge | Military discharge document recorded for safekeeping and copy access under applicable privacy rules. | Veteran document preservation and certified copy access. | That it is treated exactly like ordinary open land records; privacy restrictions can apply. |
Recording a Deed or Land Document in St. Charles County
The Recorder accepts walk-ins, mail and electronic recordings. Documents must be complete, properly signed and notarized when required, and must meet Missouri recording standards. The Recorder does not provide blank deed forms, notary services or legal advice.
Missouri Document Standards
Standard documents use 8.5 × 11 inch white or light-color paper, one-sided pages, legible dark ink and required margins. The first page must leave a 3-inch top space for Recorder use.
First Page Information
The first page should identify the document title, document date, grantor and grantee names, required addresses, legal description and reference book/page numbers when applicable.
Certificate of Value
Any deed or instrument transferring title to real estate must be accompanied by a Certificate of Value. The certificate is transmitted and retained by the Assessor for reference, and a copy is returned to the grantee.
St. Charles County Recorder Fee Estimator
This calculator estimates common Recorder fees from the county fee schedule. It is educational only and does not include every unusual document, vendor fee, card convenience fee, legal fee, title-company charge, postage issue or statutory exception.
The fee sheet also notes that MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted with an additional convenience fee, and that personal checks are not accepted. Verify the current fee schedule before mailing or recording.
St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds Office Address, Phone, Hours & Map
The Recorder of Deeds is located in the St. Charles County Administration Building. Use the lobby check-in kiosk or online queue during business hours before heading to the service window.
St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds
Recorder: Mary Dempsey
Address:
201 N. Second St., Suite 338
St. Charles, MO 63301
Main phone: 636-949-7505
Fax: 636-949-7512
Land Records: 636-949-7507
Copy Center: 636-949-7509
Email: recorder@sccmo.org
Published hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm.
Cutoff notes: Public Research Area closes at 4:30pm; service window closes at 4:50pm; marriage licenses are not issued after 4:30pm.
Open Recorder Map ↗Recorder of Deeds vs Assessor vs Collector vs Circuit Court
St. Charles County property research often starts with the wrong office. Use this table to choose the correct agency.
| Your Task | Correct Office / Tool | Why | What to Have Ready |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find a deed, deed of trust, release, tax lien, plat or survey. | Recorder of Deeds | The Recorder records and preserves land records and related public documents. | Grantor/grantee name, legal description, document type, date, book/page or instrument details. |
| Record a deed or instrument transferring real estate. | Recorder of Deeds | The Recorder accepts recordable documents that meet Missouri requirements and county fee rules. | Original signed/notarized document, Certificate of Value, legal description, return envelope and payment. |
| Search by address or parcel/account number. | Assessor Property Database | The Assessor’s database is better for address and parcel context before deeper Recorder research. | Street address, owner name, account number, parcel information or subdivision name. |
| Check assessed value, reassessment or property-tax value questions. | Assessor | The Assessor establishes fair market value for property-tax purposes and reassesses real estate in odd-numbered years. | Assessment notice, parcel/account number, property address or evidence of value. |
| Pay taxes or obtain tax receipts. | Collector of Revenue | The Collector consolidates tax information and collects the amount due for each property. | Tax bill, account number, owner name, receipt number or payment confirmation. |
| Search lawsuits, divorce decrees, probate or court judgments. | 11th Judicial Circuit / Circuit Clerk | Court records are separate from Recorder land records, even when a judgment may affect property. | Case number, party name, court division, filing date or judgment details. |
Copies, Certified Records and Special Recorder Services
The Recorder’s office provides recorded document support, but the fastest copy request includes the exact document details. For copy questions, use the Copy Center at 636-949-7509.
Recorded Document Copies
Call the Copy Center when you need a deed or recorded-document copy. Have the party names, recording date, document type, book/page or instrument details ready.
Fee note: copy work is listed as $2 first page and $1 each additional page, plus $1 certification when needed.
RECA Documentation
St. Charles County provides marriage records, deeds and voter registration records for Radiation Exposure Compensation Act documentation requests. The county advises that requests may take up to 10 business days.
Important: a deed alone does not qualify as proof of residency without supporting documentation.
Marriage Licenses
The Recorder issues and records marriage licenses, but does not perform ceremonies. Applicants are encouraged to complete the online application before visiting, and licenses are not issued after 4:30pm.
Timing: the ceremony must be performed within 30 days in Missouri after issuance.
Property Fraud Alert and Notary Fraud Alert in St. Charles County
St. Charles County offers free alert tools connected to recorded documents. These services can help owners and notaries notice suspicious activity earlier, but they do not block recording, prove fraud, guarantee title or replace legal advice.
Property Fraud Alert
The Property Fraud Alert service can notify you when a document matching your personal name or business name is recorded in St. Charles County.
- Register personal, business, trust or family-name variations.
- Review any alert against the actual Recorder document.
- Call the Recorder at 636-949-7505 if the alert appears suspicious.
Notary Fraud Alert
St. Charles County also provides a notary fraud alert tool for notaries. Alerts may include document number, document type and grantor/grantee names when a matching name appears.
- Choose daily, weekly or monthly reports.
- Watch for forged or misused notary credentials.
- Contact law enforcement and legal counsel when fraud is suspected.
eRecording for St. Charles County Land Records
St. Charles County offers eRecording for title companies, law firms, banks and other businesses. eRecording allows approved users to submit documents through a vendor, receive electronic payment processing, track the document and receive it back electronically after recording.
Benefits Listed by County
- Document tracking and security.
- Fewer rejections.
- Documents recorded and returned same day.
- Electronic payment.
Not Eligible for eRecording
- Plats.
- Surveys.
Plats and surveys must follow the county’s paper/mylar handling process.
Listed Vendors
The county lists vendors including CSC eRecording Solutions, ePN, Hopdox, iCounty and Simplifile. Confirm current setup, account and payment rules with the vendor before submission.
Official St. Charles County Recorder and Property Record Links
Use these official resources for live office details, land-record access, copy requests, recording fees, eRecording, fraud alerts, assessment records and tax-payment routing. Each link includes what to do after opening it.
St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds
Official Recorder page for office overview, contact details, hours, queue notes, RECA documentation and quick links.
- Confirm the page heading says Recorder of Deeds on the St. Charles County website.
- Check the office address, phone, fax and current hours before visiting.
- Read the service-window and public-research-area cutoff notes.
- Use the quick links for Online Public Research, Property Fraud Alert, marriage licenses and military discharge forms.
St. Charles County Land Records
Official land-record page for Tapestry, Laredo, in-office research, recording requirements, Certificate of Value and copy-center guidance.
- Read the Research Land Records section.
- Choose Tapestry for occasional searching or Laredo for subscription-based frequent searching.
- Use the third-floor public research area for free in-office searching during posted hours.
- Review recording requirements and Certificate of Value rules before submitting a deed.
Tapestry Online Public Research
County-linked option for occasional online searching of St. Charles County land records.
- Select Missouri and St. Charles County if prompted.
- Search by name, date, document type or legal-description clues where available.
- Review cost before purchasing search results or images.
- Save document details before requesting a certified copy from the Recorder.
St. Charles County Filing Fees
Official Recorder fee schedule PDF for land-record recordings, plats, surveys, tax liens, copy work, certifications and payment notes.
- Open the current fee PDF from the county site.
- Find your document type: land records, plats, surveys, tax liens, UCC or copy work.
- Check page count and whether a non-standard fee may apply.
- Confirm payment method before mailing or visiting; personal checks are not accepted on the listed fee schedule.
St. Charles County Recording Requirements
Official Missouri recording-requirements PDF linked by the county Recorder for paper, margins, print, signatures and first-page information.
- Check paper size, color, print and one-sided page rules.
- Confirm the 3-inch top margin on the first page for Recorder use.
- Review first-page requirements such as document title, date, grantor, grantee and legal description.
- Fix formatting before recording to avoid the non-standard fee or delay.
St. Charles County eRecording
Official page explaining electronic recording for title companies, law firms, banks and other businesses.
- Review whether your organization should use eRecording.
- Confirm that your document type is eligible; plats and surveys are not eligible.
- Choose a listed vendor such as CSC, ePN, Hopdox, iCounty or Simplifile.
- Keep the recording confirmation and returned document from the vendor.
Property Fraud Alert
Free county-linked service for alerts when documents matching your personal or business name are recorded.
- Read the county’s fraud-alert explanation.
- Register your name, business name, trust name or other likely recorded-name variations.
- Watch for email alerts from the alert service.
- Call the Recorder if a document appears suspicious, and contact law enforcement or an attorney if fraud is suspected.
Notary Fraud Alert
Official county page for notaries who want alerts when documents matching their notary name are recorded.
- Use this only if you are a notary or need to understand notary-fraud monitoring.
- Choose daily, weekly or monthly alert frequency.
- Review alert details such as document number, type and grantor/grantee names.
- Contact the Recorder, law enforcement and legal counsel if you suspect misuse.
St. Charles County Assessor
Official office for fair market value, assessment records, real estate reassessment and property database context.
- Use the Assessor when you only have a property address or assessment account number.
- Find parcel, owner and value context before searching Recorder land records.
- Do not use assessment maps as legal surveys or deed substitutes.
- Return to the Recorder for the actual recorded document.
St. Charles County Collector of Revenue
Official office for property-tax collection, tax bills, payments, receipts and tax-payment history.
- Use this office when the issue is a property-tax bill, payment or receipt.
- Have your account number, owner name, address or tax year ready.
- Do not contact the Collector for deed recording or land-record copies.
- Use the Recorder only when you need the underlying recorded document.
Why a St. Charles County Deed Search May Show No Results
A no-result search does not always mean there is no recorded document. It often means the search started with the wrong name, wrong office, wrong legal description or wrong search system.
Common Search Mistakes
- Searching by street address when the Recorder index works better by name or legal description.
- Using only the current owner and ignoring prior owners, spouses, trusts, estates, LLCs or lenders.
- Confusing Collector tax history with Recorder deed records.
- Assuming a deed of trust release proves ownership.
- Searching only Tapestry when Laredo or in-office research may be better for older or complex records.
- Expecting Recorder staff to provide legal advice or title-search conclusions.
Better Search Moves
- Search grantor and grantee names separately.
- Try last-name-only, business-name and trust-name variations.
- Use the Assessor database to find parcel and owner context first.
- Search legal description keywords such as subdivision, lot, block or survey reference.
- Use the public research area for free searching when online results are unclear.
- Call the Copy Center with exact document details after you find the record.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need to find a deed or recorded land document. | Start on the Land Records page, then choose Tapestry, Laredo or in-office public research. | Recorder of Deeds Land Records |
| You only know the street address. | Use the Assessor property database to find parcel and owner context, then search Recorder records by name or legal description. | Assessor + Recorder |
| You need a copy of a recorded document. | Find the document details first, then call the Copy Center at 636-949-7509. | Recorder Copy Center |
| You need to record a deed transferring title. | Review Missouri recording requirements, prepare the Certificate of Value, include payment and bring/send the complete document. | Recorder of Deeds |
| You are a title company, law firm, bank or frequent filer. | Review eRecording and vendor options. Do not eRecord plats or surveys. | Recorder eRecording |
| You need a property-tax bill or paid receipt. | Use the Collector of Revenue instead of the Recorder. | Collector of Revenue |
| You suspect property or notary fraud. | Review the recorded document, sign up for alerts and contact the Recorder, law enforcement and legal counsel as appropriate. | Property Fraud Alert / Notary Fraud Alert |
St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Where is the St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds office?
The Recorder of Deeds office is located at 201 N. Second St., Suite 338, St. Charles, MO 63301 in the St. Charles County Administration Building.
What is the phone number for the St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds?
The main Recorder phone number is 636-949-7505. Land Records can be reached at 636-949-7507, and the Recorder Copy Center can be reached at 636-949-7509.
What records does the Recorder of Deeds maintain?
The office maintains public records and documents including land ownership documents, federal and state tax liens, marriage records and military discharge documents.
How do I search St. Charles County land records online?
Use the Recorder’s Land Records page. The county offers Tapestry for occasional users and Laredo for subscription-based frequent users. The office also provides free searching on the third floor of the Administration Building from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.
Can I search Recorder records by address?
The Recorder FAQ states records can be searched by name or legal description. If you only have a street address, start with the Assessor property database to find parcel, owner and legal-description context, then return to Recorder land records.
How much does it cost to record a deed in St. Charles County?
The Recorder fee schedule lists land-record recording at $21 for the first page and $3 for each additional page for many deeds or instruments. Non-standard documents add $25. Verify the current fee schedule before submitting a document.
What is the Certificate of Value in St. Charles County?
Any deed or instrument transferring title to real estate must be accompanied by a Certificate of Value. The Certificate of Value is transmitted and retained by the Assessor for reference, and a copy of the filed certificate is returned to the grantee.
Does the Recorder provide deed forms or legal advice?
No. The county states that, due to legal liability, the Recorder of Deeds Office does not provide recording document forms, notary services or legal advice. Contact a Missouri attorney, title company or qualified professional for deed preparation and legal questions.
Does St. Charles County offer eRecording?
Yes. St. Charles County offers eRecording for title companies, law firms, banks and other businesses through listed vendors. The county states that plats and surveys are not eligible for eRecording.
Is County-Appraisal-District.org the official St. Charles County Recorder website?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational resource. It is not St. Charles County Government, the Recorder of Deeds, the Assessor, the Collector of Revenue, the Circuit Court, a title company, a law firm or a consumer reporting agency.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with St. Charles County Government, the St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds, the Assessor, the Collector of Revenue, the 11th Judicial Circuit, the Missouri Secretary of State, any title company or any law firm.
Recorded documents, land-record access, copy rules, recording fees, eRecording, Certificate of Value requirements, assessment records, tax bills, court records and legal title questions are controlled by official government offices, statutes, courts and qualified professionals. Always verify current requirements with the responsible office before filing, paying or relying on a record.
Property-owner records and recorded-document information 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.