Standards for Recording Real Estate Documents
Effective January 1, 2002
After January 1, 2002, all recorded documents will be classified into 3 different types of documents:
- Standard
- Non-Standard
- Exempt
Standard Documents
Standard documents must follow all of the new formatting requirements to be qualified. They are as follows:
- 8 1/2 x 11 inch white or light colored #20 lb paper (no 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 pt type (nonessential information with any margin is exempt from this requirement) (It should be noted that the Recorder is not liable or responsible for insuring that nonessential information is archived.)
- Signatures must be in black or dark ink
- All signatures must have the name typed, stamped or printed underneath
- Top margin must be 3" (first page only) all other margins are ¾”
- First page designations:
- Title of document
- Date of document
- All grantors' names
- All grantees' names
- Any statutory addresses
- Legal description
- Reference Book & Page if required
(These can also be referenced on the first page as to what page in the document they can be found)
(If one of the required fields begins on the first page and continues uninterrupted to subsequent pages, that meets first page requirements)
- Attachments to a page may not be stapled or taped other than a securely attached bar-coded label or than as required by law. ('Attachment' does not refer to an Exhibit but additions to a document page)
Non-Standard Documents
These documents do not meet the standardization requirements.
To record this document an additional $25.00 fee will be added.
A Non-Standard Document cover page will be added to the front of this document at no additional charge and will be numbered.
RSMO 59.310.1 "The county recorder of deeds may refuse any document presented for recording that does not meet the following requirements." The may does not mean we have the option of refusing if they are willing to pay the $25.00 penalty fee. It means that we may refuse it as a standard document, but give them the option of reformatting it or pay the penalty fee. The objective is to standardize, but not to disallow anyone the right of recording a document.
Exempt Documents
These documents are Exempt from the new standardization requirements. They are as follows:
- Documents signed prior to January 1, 2002
- Military separation papers
- Documents executed outside the United States
- Certified copies of documents, including birth & 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 on the National Approved U.C.C Forms
- Tax Liens
- Trustee Deeds Under Sale
- Home School Letter
An Exempt Document cover page will be added to the front of this document at no additional charge and will be numbered.
Cover Pages
A cover page for the document is not required, but a filer may choose to present a cover page and it will be recorded as the first page of the document. The cover page must have the top 3" vertical 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" vertical margin and the required first page designations.
Rejections
Under the new law all documents that are rejected must be returned with the reason for rejection.
Fees
Standard
Documents that meet both the statutory requirements and formatting standards will have only the per-page recording fee schedule applied.
Non-Standard
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 added.
Real Estate Fees
If the fee tendered is greater than the required fee we will assume you prefer to have the document recorded rather than rejected. Unless a letter requesting rejection is sent to the recorder with each document, overpayment will not be refunded up to $10.00 per document. Over $10.00 will be rejected.
Uniform Commercial Code
Overpayment of UCC termination and search requests will not be refunded.
Exempt
Documents that meet the statutory requirements, but are exempt from the formatting standards will have only the per-page recording fee schedule applied.
Plats & Surveys
No changes.
Marriage License
No changes.
Internet Reference Locations
Senate Bill 515
House Bill 606
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