St. Joseph Property Records Lookup
St. Joseph property records are managed by the Buchanan County Recorder of Deeds. The city is the county seat of Buchanan County, so the recorder office is located right in St. Joseph. You can search for deeds, liens, and other land documents through the county or visit the office in person. Whether you need to check who owns a parcel, look up a deed, or find recorded documents for real estate in St. Joseph, the Buchanan County Recorder is your main resource. The county assessor also has property value and tax data for every parcel in St. Joseph.
St. Joseph Quick Facts
St. Joseph Property Records at Buchanan County
Buchanan County is in charge of all property records for St. Joseph. The Recorder of Deeds is Rebecca Dunlap. The office files deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, plats, and other land documents for every parcel in St. Joseph. Under Section 442.380 RSMo, all documents that affect real estate must be recorded in the county where the property is. For St. Joseph, that means Buchanan County.
The recorder office is at 411 Jules Street in St. Joseph. Since the city is the county seat, you can walk to the office from most parts of downtown. The Buchanan County Assessor also maintains records on property values and reviews them every odd year per Section 137.115 RSMo. Homes are assessed at 19% of market value, commercial property at 32%, and farm land at 12%.
| Office | Buchanan County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Recorder | Rebecca Dunlap |
| Address | 411 Jules St, Room 103 St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
| Phone | (816) 271-1596 |
| Website | co.buchanan.mo.us/Recorder |
How to Search Property Records in St. Joseph
The Buchanan County Recorder has a website at co.buchanan.mo.us/Recorder where you can get information about searching St. Joseph property records. Some counties in Missouri offer online deed search through the iCounty system or other platforms. Check the recorder website for the latest options. You may also be able to search through the county assessor for property value and ownership data.
The Missouri Recorders Association lists contact information for the Buchanan County Recorder and links to available search tools.
You can also visit the recorder office at 411 Jules St in St. Joseph during business hours. Staff can help you look up deeds and other land documents. Bring the property address or owner name to speed up your search. The office may have public computer terminals for self-service lookups. Call ahead at (816) 271-1596 to check hours and what tools are open to the public for searching St. Joseph property records.
Note: St. Joseph property records filed before the county went digital may only be available in person at the recorder office.
St. Joseph Property Recording Fees
Recording fees for St. Joseph property documents follow the Missouri state schedule. The first page is $24 at the Buchanan County Recorder. Each extra page is $3. A $25 penalty applies if the document does not meet the format rules in Section 59.310 RSMo. That means 8.5 by 11 inch paper, a 3 inch top margin, and at least 8 point type.
Copies of St. Joseph property records cost a few dollars per page at the office. Certified copies are more. If you need a certified deed for a closing or court case, contact the Buchanan County Recorder to confirm the current rates.
St. Joseph Property Tax Information
Property taxes in St. Joseph are collected by the Buchanan County Collector. Tax bills go out by November 1 each year. Payment is due December 31. You can look up your St. Joseph property tax bill through the county website. Missing the deadline means interest and penalties. The Missouri Department of Revenue has info on state tax credit programs that may help lower your bill.
St. Joseph property owners age 65 and older or with a disability may qualify for the Missouri Property Tax Credit. The Homestead Preservation Credit and disabled veteran exemptions are also available. Check with Buchanan County or the state revenue site for details on how to apply for these programs.
Types of St. Joseph Property Records
St. Joseph property records at the Buchanan County Recorder include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, beneficiary deeds, release deeds, plats, surveys, easements, and liens. Beneficiary deeds are allowed under RSMo 461.025 and let a property owner name someone to get the real estate at death without probate. All these documents are public records and anyone can access them.
The Missouri State Archives has historical land records from 1777 to 1969 that may include early St. Joseph property data. The Bureau of Land Management also has federal land patents for Missouri. Buchanan County was one of the counties that received 500,000 Acre Grant lands between 1843 and 1951, so there may be early federal records tied to St. Joseph property.
If you are buying a home in St. Joseph, a title company can run a full search through the Buchanan County records. They check the chain of ownership and look for any liens or claims against the property. Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens all show up in St. Joseph property records at the recorder office. A clear title is needed before most real estate transactions can close in St. Joseph.
Note: St. Joseph property assessments happen every odd year, so values may shift in 2025, 2027, and so on.
Buchanan County Property Records
St. Joseph is the county seat of Buchanan County. All property filings and deed recordings for St. Joseph go through the Buchanan County Recorder of Deeds at 411 Jules Street. For the full county page with office details, fee schedules, and more, visit the Buchanan County property records page.
Nearby Missouri Cities
These Missouri cities are near St. Joseph and have property records pages: