Saint Louis County Recorder of Deeds: Search Land Records, Order Copies & Visit the Clayton Office
The St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds is the official recording office for deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, plats and other qualifying documents affecting property in St. Louis County, Missouri.
The office is located in Clayton, not at St. Louis City Hall. This difference matters because St. Louis County and the independent City of St. Louis maintain separate recording systems.
This guide explains how to locate the correct deed, search the county’s recording resources, handle deeds recorded before 1974, prepare a Missouri recording, order a certified copy and calculate current fees after the August 2026 statewide recording-fee change.
Is Your Property in St. Louis County or the City of St. Louis?
This is the most important distinction in a St. Louis-area deed search. The City of St. Louis is an independent city and does not belong to St. Louis County. The two jurisdictions have different Recorder offices, document indexes and assessment systems.
St. Louis County, Missouri
Use the Recorder of Deeds in Clayton for property legally located inside St. Louis County.
Examples of county communities include:
- Clayton
- Chesterfield
- Florissant
- Kirkwood
- Ballwin
- Creve Coeur
- Ferguson
- University City
- Unincorporated St. Louis County
Independent City of St. Louis
For property legally located in the independent City of St. Louis, use the City Recorder of Deeds, which operates its own document search.
City office:
1200 Market Street
City Hall
St. Louis, MO 63103
City land-records telephone:
314-622-3260
City recording fees, historical record coverage and copy charges are not interchangeable with St. Louis County’s.
City Land Records Office ↗Recorder, Assessor, Collector or Court: Who Has the Record?
Recorder of Deeds
Recorded deeds, deeds of trust, satisfactions, releases, easements, liens, subdivision plats and copies of recorded instruments.
County Assessor
Property locator numbers, assessment records, parcel characteristics, current ownership-display information and real-estate valuation.
County Revenue / Collector
Real-estate property-tax payments, bills, receipts, balances and delinquent-tax questions.
Missouri Courts
Probate cases, civil lawsuits, judgments, foreclosure litigation and other judicial filings not fully represented by the deed index.
GIS / Parcel Mapping
Property location, county boundaries, map layers, parcel dimensions and related geographic clues.
Title Company / Attorney
A professional chain-of-title examination, lien-priority interpretation, drafting advice and legal ownership analysis.
How to Search St. Louis County Deeds and Land Records Online
Start on the County Recorder’s official Deed Search page. The county has used third-party remote-record tools for different types of searches, including options designed for occasional researchers and professional subscribers.
Open the County’s Official Deed Search Directory
Use the County’s published search page to find its current supported record-search options. Avoid confusing it with the independent City’s Fidlar search or unrelated pay-per-report people-search sites.
Open St. Louis County Deed Search ↗The county may route users to a separate vendor system for document images or professional research subscriptions. Check the displayed search and purchase terms before paying.
Identify the Correct County Property
Begin with the address or a known parcel locator number. Confirm that the land belongs to St. Louis County rather than the independent City of St. Louis.
Record the Current Owner and Prior Owner Names
Note the owner name as shown in the county property record. If a trust, estate or LLC owns the property, preserve the complete entity name. Also note any prior owner listed in the deed index or sale history.
Start With the Grantee for an Acquisition Deed
The grantee generally receives the property interest, while the grantor generally transfers it. To find the present owner’s acquisition deed, search that person or entity as grantee when the search tool supports it.
Use Dates and Name Variations to Narrow Results
Try the approximate closing date, prior owner name, names without punctuation, maiden names and company-name variations. An overly exact search can hide documents recorded with a different name format.
Check Book/Page or Document Number
If you have a recorded deed, title commitment or deed of trust, use the book/page or document number to narrow the search. Be careful not to substitute an Assessor’s book/page reference for the Recorder’s actual reference.
Read the Document and Related Records
Confirm the grantor, grantee, legal description, recording information and rights conveyed. Then search for related deeds of trust, releases, assignments or easements when relevant.
Save the Reference Before Ordering Copies
Write down the complete Recorder book/page or instrument number, document type, parties and recording date. These details are useful for the county’s deed-copy order form.
Why 1974 Matters When Researching St. Louis County Deeds
St. Louis County’s deed-copy and online-search guidance distinguishes more recent records from older research. This is particularly important for inherited property, long-held family homes, original subdivision records and historical ownership chains.
Deeds From 1974 Forward
Begin with current Recorder search resources and available electronic indexes.
- Search current or prior owners.
- Use approximate purchase dates.
- Save the instrument number or Recorder book/page.
- Request a copy when the correct document is identified.
Deeds Before 1974
Contact the Recorder before relying on online search coverage or visiting for a historical document.
- Collect prior owner names.
- Find approximate transfer years.
- Preserve references from newer deeds.
- Ask about current historical-record access and appointment requirements.
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds Office in Clayton
The county recording office is located at the government complex on South Central Avenue in Clayton. Public-counter hours and special service appointments can differ from general government-building hours, so verify the current schedule before visiting.
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds
Recorder: Gerald E. Smith
Office address:
41 South Central Avenue
4th Floor
Clayton, MO 63105
Main telephone:
314-615-7100
Fax:
314-615-4964
General email:
Recorder@stlouiscountymo.gov
Current visitor guidance:
Check the county’s official page for public-counter days, deed-copy hours, appointment requirements and holiday closures.
How to Order a St. Louis County Deed Copy
St. Louis County provides a deed-copy order form for requesting recorded instruments by mail. The form asks for the property address, owner names, approximate purchase date, document type and the Recorder’s book/page or document number.
Official Deed Copy Order Form
Use the county’s published form instead of paying a private deed-copy solicitation.
Open County Deed Copy Form ↗If the PDF address changes, open the Recorder’s main county page and locate the current deed-copy instructions.
Identify the Exact Instrument
Search the recorded-document index or use an existing deed reference. Write down the Recorder book/page or document number.
Describe the Document on the Order Form
Enter the property address, owner names, approximate purchase date and document type—for example, warranty deed, deed of trust or lien release.
Choose Certified or Noncertified Copies
A plain photocopy is useful for general research. If a court, financial institution or other agency requires an official certified copy, choose the certified option.
Calculate the Document and Postage Charges
The published form lists $2 for the first page and $1 for each additional page of an individual document. Certification costs an additional $1 per document. Follow the form’s postage instructions.
Mail the Completed Request
The form instructs requesters to make checks or money orders payable to “Recorder of Deeds.” Out-of-state payments are specified as money order only. Include a return envelope or the postage indicated by the form.
How Much Does a St. Louis County Deed Copy Cost?
| Copy Service | Published Amount | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| First page of one recorded document | $2 | County deed-copy form base fee. |
| Each additional page of the same document | $1 | Added for pages after the first. |
| Certification and official seal | Additional $1 | Per document being certified. |
| Postage, up to three documents | $1.50 | Published mail-order form amount. |
| Postage, four to six documents | $2.50 | Confirm current postage tier before payment. |
| Postage, seven to nine documents | $3.50 | Confirm current postage tier before payment. |
| Online vendor retrieval | Vendor-specific | Remote search and image charges are separate from the county mail-order copy price. |
St. Louis County Certified Deed Copy Cost Estimator
Use this tool to plan a mail-order copy based on the county’s published form. The estimate assumes the same number of pages in each requested document.
Estimate excludes vendor charges and card-processing costs.
How to Record a Deed in St. Louis County, Missouri
Missouri recording law establishes rules for document formatting, first-page identification, signatures and legibility. The Recorder accepts documents presented for recording but does not choose the correct deed for your legal situation.
Confirm the Property’s Jurisdiction
Check that the land is in St. Louis County. Do not submit a deed for property inside the independent City of St. Louis to the County Recorder in Clayton.
Prepare the Correct Legal Instrument
A warranty deed, quitclaim deed, beneficiary deed, trustee’s deed, deed of trust or release can have a different legal effect. Use appropriate professional guidance when transferring ownership.
Check the First-Page Information
Missouri Revised Statutes section 59.310 identifies first-page information such as document title and date, grantor names and marital status, grantee names, statutory addresses, legal description and required prior recording references.
Check Signatures, Acknowledgment and Formatting
Use readable dark ink, signatures with printed names underneath, correct margins and appropriate notarial acknowledgment where required. The document must be legible enough to reproduce.
Calculate the Current Recording Fees
Use the updated 2026 fee basis for a standard document and add any applicable extra-page or nonstandard charges. Specialized records such as plats, surveys and multi-item releases may have separate statutory rules.
Choose an Accepted Filing Method
Check the Recorder’s latest instructions for walk-in, mail or electronic recording. Professional eRecording providers may have their own fees and technical requirements.
Verify the Recorded Instrument
Retain your recording reference and confirm that the document appears in the correct St. Louis County record system with the intended party names and recording information.
Missouri Deed Formatting Rules That Can Trigger a Rejection
Missouri Revised Statutes section 59.310 establishes requirements for many documents submitted to county recorders. Certain exempt categories have different rules.
Standard Formatting Checklist
- Individual pages printed on one side.
- Not permanently bound or in continuous form.
- Readable black or dark ink.
- Type size at least 8 points.
- White or light-colored paper of sufficient weight.
- Printed or typed signer names beneath signatures.
- Three-inch top margin reserved on the first page.
- At least three-quarter-inch margins on other sides.
- Required indexing information on the first page or a reference to its location.
Common Problems to Catch
- Missing or incomplete legal description.
- Grantor or grantee names inconsistent across the instrument.
- Missing acknowledgment or execution requirements.
- Incorrect first-page margin.
- Unreadable attachments or exhibits.
- Unnecessary sensitive identifying information.
- Missing prior-document references for a release or assignment.
- Recording a City of St. Louis instrument with the County Recorder.
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds Recording Fees
Missouri’s recorder user fee changed effective August 28, 2026. The current standard recording-fee planning amount for St. Louis County is $26 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Earlier $24-first-page examples may no longer reflect the updated statewide fee.
| Recording Item | Planning Amount | When It Applies | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard instrument — first page | $26 | Common deeds and other ordinary recorded instruments. | Confirm the current County fee before submission. |
| Each additional page | $3 | Additional pages of a common instrument. | Count all pages submitted as part of the recording. |
| Nonstandard formatting | Additional $25 | Documents subject to Missouri’s nonstandard-document fee. | Not every document category is subject to standard formatting rules. |
| Multi-item release or assignment | Potential additional per-item fee | Instruments referencing multiple items. | Confirm current statutory and county treatment. |
| Plats and surveys | Separate statutory schedule | Subdivision or survey document recording. | Do not use the ordinary deed page calculator. |
| eRecording | County fee plus possible vendor fee | Eligible electronically submitted instruments. | Vendor charges are separate from County fees. |
| Certified copy | $2 first page + $1 each additional page + $1 certification | Published deed-copy order form. | Postage and service-method costs are separate. |
Calculate a Standard St. Louis County Deed Recording Estimate
This calculator uses the current $26 first-page planning figure, $3 for each additional page and the statutory $25 nonstandard fee when selected. It is not an official payment quote.
The estimator assumes all submitted instruments have the same page count. It excludes plats, surveys, specialized statutory fees, vendor charges, transaction-related legal costs and any additional county-specific charges.
What Documents Does the St. Louis County Recorder Maintain?
Warranty and Quitclaim Deeds
These are recorded instruments transferring interests in property. Their warranties, legal effect and required execution details differ.
Deeds of Trust
Missouri commonly uses deeds of trust as real-estate security instruments. Review later releases and assignments when evaluating a loan’s recorded history.
Releases and Satisfactions
A release can show that a recorded deed of trust or other lien was released. The earlier document reference helps identify the obligation affected.
Subdivision Plats
Recorded plats may show subdivision lots, common areas and easements. Plat research can be particularly relevant for subdivision restrictions and property access.
Liens and Notices
Recorded lien documents may affect property. A Recorder-only search does not necessarily discover every court judgment, tax claim or other legal encumbrance.
Easements and Other Instruments
Easements, affidavits, restrictions and other recorded documents can affect use of real property without necessarily changing its owner.
How to Approach Common St. Louis County Deed Questions
| Situation | Best Research Route | Important Check |
|---|---|---|
| Recently purchased home in Chesterfield | Confirm the locator and current owner, then search the acquisition deed. | Match grantee and legal description. |
| Paid-off mortgage in Florissant | Find the recorded deed of trust, then search later releases. | Match the original instrument reference. |
| Inherited property in Kirkwood | Review deed history and relevant probate or beneficiary-deed records. | Do not assume the Assessor’s owner display proves inheritance rights. |
| LLC-owned property in Clayton | Search the complete entity name and variations. | Distinguish LLC records from individuals with similar names. |
| Family home purchased before 1974 | Gather prior owners and approximate dates before contacting the Recorder. | Ask about historical index access. |
| Vacant lot near University City | Confirm the legal county boundary, locator and recorded legal description. | Mailing address alone is not enough. |
| Subdivision property in Ballwin | Review recorded deed, subdivision plat and related easement documents. | Check common-area and access-related records. |
| Possible foreclosure | Combine Recorder records with relevant court and tax records. | Do not treat one recorded filing as a complete foreclosure history. |
St. Louis County Property Fraud Alert and Deed Scams
The St. Louis County Recorder provides access to property fraud alert information. Monitoring newly recorded activity can help an owner discover an unfamiliar filing sooner, although notification cannot prevent or undo fraud.
Monitor the Correct Name
Use the county’s official Recorder page to locate its fraud alert service. When supported, monitor your individual name and any relevant ownership trust or business name.
Verify Suspicious Notifications
If a new filing is unfamiliar, obtain the recording details and compare the parties, document category and property. Seek legal assistance promptly if an unauthorized transfer is suspected.
St. Louis County eRecording for Attorneys and Title Professionals
St. Louis County supports electronic recording through approved providers. The process can be useful for lenders, title companies, law offices and professional submitters who regularly file eligible real-estate instruments.
Confirm Vendor Eligibility
Use the county’s eRecording page to identify the currently accepted submission services and account requirements.
Prepare an Acceptable Instrument
Electronic submission does not eliminate the legal-description, execution, acknowledgment or statutory recording requirements.
Track Acceptance
Review the vendor’s rejection or acceptance message, record the assigned reference and retain the processed document.
Official St. Louis County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
The most useful next step depends on whether you need a deed search, property locator, copy request, a new recording or historical research.
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds
Official office information, recording services and current public-service notices.
- Confirm current public hours and accepted payment methods.
- Choose the relevant deed search, copy, eRecording or fraud alert resource.
- Contact the office before submitting unusual or time-sensitive recordings.
Official County Deed Search
County directory for available recorded-document search options.
- Confirm you have a County parcel, not independent City property.
- Select the appropriate county-supported search service.
- Search using grantor, grantee or available document references.
- Review image fees or subscription terms before purchase.
Official St. Louis County Deed Copy Form
County-issued request form with copy and certification charges.
- Enter the property and owner information.
- Use the Recorder’s book/page or document number, not an Assessor book/page.
- Choose certified or noncertified copies.
- Calculate page costs, certification and return postage.
St. Louis County Assessor
County real-estate information and parcel locator resources.
- Search the physical property address.
- Identify the correct parcel or locator number.
- Note the owner and property description.
- Use those details to cross-check the Recorder’s deed index.
Missouri Recorder Document Requirements
Current state law for recording format, first-page information and fees.
- Review formatting and signature requirements.
- Compare the required first-page details with your document.
- Identify whether a nonstandard charge or exception could apply.
- Contact the County Recorder about current implementation.
Missouri 2026 Recorder User Fee
Current statutory authority for the $6 recorder user fee effective August 28, 2026.
- Confirm the effective date.
- Review the current fee amount.
- Compare the fee change with any older published recording examples.
- Verify the final fee with St. Louis County before payment.
St. Louis County Library
Historical ownership research and genealogy-related collections.
- Look for historical or genealogy research resources.
- Gather older property owners, dates and subdivision information.
- Use those clues when requesting pre-1974 records from the Recorder.
Independent City of St. Louis Recorder
Use only when the property is legally inside the independent City of St. Louis.
- Confirm the property is inside city limits.
- Use the City’s separate land-record search.
- Review City-specific copy and recording fees.
- Do not apply County instructions to City recordings.
Choose the Correct Action for Your St. Louis County Property
| Your Situation | Recommended First Action | Responsible Office |
|---|---|---|
| Find the newest recorded deed | Confirm the property locator and search the current owner as grantee. | Assessor → Recorder |
| Need a deed from before 1974 | Gather owner names and approximate dates, then ask about historical research access. | Recorder in Clayton |
| Need a certified deed copy | Locate the Recorder reference and complete the county’s copy order form. | Recorder |
| Record a new deed | Have the instrument properly prepared, check statutory format, calculate fees and submit. | Attorney / title professional → Recorder |
| Paid-off mortgage still appears | Search later deed-of-trust releases or satisfactions. | Recorder, lender and title company |
| Question about assessed value | Review the County Assessor’s real-estate record. | Assessor |
| Question about property tax due | Search the current tax bill and payment record. | Collector of Revenue |
| Inherited property ownership | Review recorded deeds plus applicable estate documents. | Recorder, probate court and attorney |
| Suspected forged deed | Save the recorded document and contact appropriate legal or law-enforcement resources. | Recorder and legal authorities |
Saint Louis County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Where is the Saint Louis County Recorder of Deeds located?
The St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds is located at 41 South Central Avenue, 4th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105.
Who is the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds?
The Missouri Recorders’ Association lists Gerald E. Smith as the Recorder of Deeds for St. Louis County, Missouri.
What is the St. Louis County Recorder phone number?
The Recorder’s main telephone number is 314-615-7100. The office also lists fax 314-615-4964.
Are St. Louis County and St. Louis City deed records the same?
No. St. Louis County maintains its recording office in Clayton. The independent City of St. Louis has a separate Recorder of Deeds office at City Hall and a separate recorded-document search.
Can I search St. Louis County deeds online?
Yes. The County Recorder publishes a Deed Search page linking its supported record-search services. Access to images and advanced searches may require third-party search or subscription charges.
How do I find a St. Louis County deed recorded before 1974?
Older deeds may require historical research through the Recorder in Clayton. Collect prior owner names, approximate transfer years and any available recording references before contacting the office.
How much does a certified St. Louis County deed copy cost?
The county’s published deed-copy order form lists $2 for the first page and $1 for each additional page of an individual document, plus $1 for certification. Postage and transaction-specific charges may also apply.
What is the standard St. Louis County deed recording fee in October 2026?
The current standard recording-fee planning basis is $26 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Missouri increased its recorder user fee effective August 28, 2026. Confirm the final County amount before recording.
Why is a deed of trust still visible after the loan was paid?
A deed of trust remains part of the historical recording record. Look for a later release or satisfaction referring to the original recorded instrument. A title professional can help determine whether the recorded lien has been properly released.
Can the Recorder tell me whether a property has clear title?
No. The Recorder provides access to recorded instruments, not a comprehensive legal title opinion or title-insurance guarantee. Use a qualified Missouri real-estate attorney or title company for ownership, lien-priority or marketable-title questions.
Independent Guide and Verification Notes
This page is an independent educational guide for St. Louis County, Missouri. It uses information from the County Recorder of Deeds, the County’s deed-copy order form, the Missouri Recorders’ Association and the Missouri Revised Statutes.
Current fee verification: The August 28, 2026 amendment to Missouri Revised Statutes section 59.319 is reflected in the standard recording-fee planning figure used here. County-specific fee notices, specialized instruments and vendor charges may produce different totals.
Service-hour verification: Public-counter availability and appointment rules can change. The office address and main contact are provided, but visitors should confirm the current schedule directly rather than relying on an older directory listing.
Independent publisher: CountyCADPropertySearch.org is not owned by St. Louis County, the City of St. Louis, the Missouri Recorder of Deeds offices or any government agency.
This article is not a title search, legal opinion, tax opinion or deed-preparation service. Public-record information should not be used as a consumer report for employment, tenant screening, credit, insurance or other regulated eligibility purposes.