Recorder

SEARCH OUR RECORDS ONLINE

HOW TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE

DUTIES OF THE RECORDER

ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT RECORDING

HOW TO RECORD A DOCUMENT

Michelle Barker, Recorder

Contact Information:
Hours: 8:00-4:00pm, Monday-Friday
Phone number: 417-223-7523, Fax number: 417-223-2881
Address: Recorder of Deeds, P.O. Box 606, 602 Main Street, Pineville, MO 64856
Employee: Robin O’Brien, Deputy Recorder

SEARCH OUR RECORDS ONLINE

Now Open 24/7 on the Web. The McDonald County Recorder of Deeds is making searching easier. By making records available online, you can now search wherever you have the Internet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from the convenience of your own home or office. As a subscriber, you get unlimited access or simply sign-in as a guest to view the index for FREE! Click on the link below:


HOW TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE

REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Both applicants must apply in person at the Recorder’s Office between the hours of 8-3pm Mon-Fri.
  2. Both must bring proof of Social Security Number (Social Security card) and a valid Photo ID (Driver’s License)
  3. Payment of $60 IN CASH (EXACT CHANGE REQUIRED) must be made at time of application. This fee includes the certified copy fee.
Click on the thumbnail to download a full-size “Application Information” form.  Print this page, fill in the information, and bring the completed form to our office.  We will then transfer the information to our official form, making application time shorter. Furthermore, you are welcome to fax or call to email the completed form to our office in advance. Fax#: 417-223-2881.

Under new Missouri which took effect August 28, 2018
1. No one under the age of 16 may obtain a marriage license.
2. No one under the age of 18 may marry anyone 21 years old or older.
Parental consent is still required for minors to marry someone under the age of 21. Custodial parent must be present at the same time to sign consent. Please Bring ID.

PLEASE NOTE: We do NOT have a “Justice of the Peace”. You will need to make arrangements for your service prior to coming to the courthouse. Effective August 28, 2007, Missouri no longer requires the three-day waiting period. Applicants will receive the license the same day they apply. Once the license is issued, it is good for thirty (30) days and can be used anywhere in the State of Missouri.

If you need a certified copy of your marriage license, mail $9 to our office payable to the McDonald County Recorder. With your request include a return address, name of the bride/groom, and a contact phone number. We cannot take payment over the phone. However, you are welcome to visit our office in person to obtain a certified copy. A non-certified copy, commonly used for genealogy research, is available for $2 each; you will need to send payment and request by mail.

FAVORITE LINKS

SIGN UP FOR DEED WATCH

In an effort to protect the citizens of McDonald County against identity theft, we offer a free service called Deed Watch. Sign up to receive e-mail notifications when a document has been recorded in your name in the McDonald County Recorder of Deed’s Office. Visit deedwatch.com for more information.

DUTIES OF THE RECORDER

  1. We record, preserve, and retrieve all records relating to real estate ownership in the county. Land records start in 1865.
  2. We issue and record marriage licenses. Marriage records start in 1865.
  3. We record and file copies of Armed Forces discharge papers for all veterans who reside in the county.
  4. We record and file state and federal tax liens.
  5. We DO NOT perform lien searches, title searches, or land research.

ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT RECORDING

Title Companies, Banks, Attorney Firms, and other commercial and government entities can now electronically record their documents at the McDonald County Recorder of Deeds office.  This implementation is part of our continued effort to provide excellent customer service and improve service delivery.  For information on how to electronically record documents (e-file) in McDonald County, please contact, iCounty Electronic Recording, at phone 816-295-1540. Click on the link below to be directed to the iCounty Electronic Recording website.

  • ###Benefits of Electronic Submission###
  • Same day recording. Can be as little as 5 minutes!
  • Quickly correct rejected documents and resubmit the same day
  • Convenient document submission
  • The paper original never leaves your office
  • Minimize recording errors
  • Recording fees are paid via ACH each night – ACH processing is handled by iCounty Electronic Recording
  • Reduced courier/overnight fees
  • Reduce gap risk
  • Faster policy generation

HOW TO RECORD A DOCUMENT

Click on the thumbnail to download a full-size “Rejection Notice” form. This page is a summary of reasons a document may be rejected if not submitted in the proper format according to the Missouri standards for recording. Print this page to keep as a reference.

RETURN INFORMATION: We require a self-addressed, postage paid envelope to insure a prompt return of the document. Deeds sent without this may be kept here to be picked up by the filing party.

FORMATTING STANDARDS – EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2002
PLEASE NOTE: our office does not prepare documents or have forms to assist in land transfers. We cannot offer legal advice; therefore, we ask that you seek advice from an attorney or a reputable title company.

PAGE SIZE AND INK: Original Document submitted on 8½” x 11″ paper- single sided paper– White, light-colored, 20# paper without watermarks or logos- Printed in black or dark ink on one side only- No continuous forms or permanent binding, but documents may be stapled for presentation- Minimum 8-point type. (Note: Nonessential information within any margin is exempt from this requirement.)- Signatures must be in black or dark ink to insure reproduction from record- All signatures must have the name typed, stamped or printed underneath.

MARGINS: Top 3″ vertical space of the first page only of each document is designated for the Recorder’s certification. All Recorders’ certificates will be place in this area. All other margins on the first and subsequent pages will be a minimum of ¾”. Nonessential information contained with the margins does not have to comply with the 8-point requirement, but it should be noted that the Recorder is not liable or responsible for insuring that nonessential information is archived. Examples: page numbers, form numbers, return addresses, etc.

ATTACHMENTS: Attachments to a page may not be stapled or taped other than a securely attached bar-coded label or than as requested by law. (Note: ‘Attachment’ does not refer to an Exhibit, but additions to a document page.)

FIRST PAGE DESIGNATIONS: Every document (except plats and surveys) containing any of the following items shall have such information on the first page of the document below the 3″ margin- If there is not sufficient room on the first page, the page reference within the document where the information is set out shall be stated on the first page. If one of the required fields begins on the first page and continues uninterrupted to subsequent pages, that meets the first page requirement.-

  1. Title of the document
  2. Date of the document
  3. All grantors’ names and marital status
  4. All grantees’ names
  5. Any statutory addresses
  6. Legal Description of the property with Section- Township- Range
  7. Reference book and pages for statutory requirements, if applicable

DESIGNATIONS: Grantors and grantees must be designated in order to be indexed. There is no limit as to combinations or exclusions, but must include the words ‘grantor’ or ‘grantee’. Note: It is the filer’s or preparer’s responsibility to make the designations- Statutory addresses must be designated, i.e. ‘Grantee’s Mailing Address’ – The address of the property shall not be accepted as a legal description- Book and page references required on certain documents, i.e. release deeds, assignments, etc. must be designated.

COVER PAGES: A cover page for the document is not required, but a filer may choose to present a cover page and it will recorded as the first page of the document. The cover page must have the top 3″ margin and include first page designations. If a document is presented for re-recording, in addition to all other requirements, there must be a new first page or cover sheet with the top 3″ and the required first page designations.

FEES: Standard: $24 first page and $3 per page thereafter- Documents that meet both the statutory requirements and formatting standards will have only the per page recording fee schedule applied. Non-Standard: additional $25.00 per document– Documents that meet the statutory requirements, but do not meet the formatting standards will have the per page recording fee plus an additional $25.00 per document penalty applied. Exempt: Documents that meet the statutory requirements, but are exempt from the formatting standards will have only the per page recording fee schedule applied. Note: For a document that releases or assigns more than one item, there is a $5.00 per each additional item charge.

EXEMPTED DOCUMENTS FROM THE FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS: Documents signed prior to January 1, 2002- Military separation papers- Documents executed outside the United States- Certified copies of documents, including birth and death certificates- Any document where one of the original parties is deceased or incapacitated- Judgments or other documents formatted to meet court requirements- Fixture Filings or the National Approved UCC Forms.

Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
As of July 1, 2001, the Missouri Secretary of State assumed the duties of UCC Filings, except real estate related fixture filings. The McDonald County Recorder of Deeds Office will only record UCC’s that affect real estate and are recorded into land records. For information about filing a UCC with the Secretary of State, call 866-223-6535, opt.3 or go here http://www.sos.mo.gov/ucc

Who can perform a marriage ceremony in Missouri?

According to Section 451.100.1 of the Missouri Revised Statutes…

Marriages may be solemnized by any clergyman, either active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in this state. Marriages may also be solemnized, without compensation, by any judge, including a municipal judge. Marriages may also be solemnized by a religious society, religious institution, or religious organization of this state, according to the regulations and customs of the society, institution or organization, when either party to the marriage to be solemnized is a member of such society, institution or organization. Please visit the State website for more information: https://www.mo.gov/home-family/marriage-divorce/

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