Pettis County Property Records
Pettis County property records are maintained at the Recorder of Deeds office in Sedalia, Missouri. The office holds deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and other land documents for this central Missouri county. You can search Pettis County property records through multiple online tools or visit the recorder's office on South Ohio Avenue. The county stands out because it offers three different online search options, including a free service that covers records all the way back to 1833. That kind of historical access is unusual for Missouri counties.
Pettis County Quick Facts
Pettis County Recorder of Deeds
Barbara Clevenger is the Pettis County Recorder of Deeds. The office is at 415 South Ohio Ave, Suite 106, in Sedalia. You can reach the office by phone at 660-826-5000 Ext 431 or by fax at 660-829-4479. The email address is recorder@pettiscomo.com. Staff handle all property document filings for the county, including deeds, deeds of trust, releases, plats, surveys, and liens.
The Pettis County Recorder's website at pettiscomo.com/recorder has information about the office, its services, and links to online search tools. Walk-in visits are welcome during regular hours. If you need to search for a document, the staff can help you use the online system or search the old index books for earlier records.
| Office | Pettis County Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Recorder | Barbara Clevenger |
| Address |
415 South Ohio Ave, Suite 106 Sedalia, MO 65301 |
| Phone | 660-826-5000 Ext 431 |
| Fax | 660-829-4479 |
| recorder@pettiscomo.com |
Search Pettis County Property Records Online
Pettis County has three online search options for property records. The first is Tapestry, a pay-as-you-go service that lets you view and print recorded documents from 1983 to the present. This is good for occasional users who just need to look up one or two documents. The second is Laredo, a monthly subscription service for people who search records regularly, such as title companies and real estate professionals.
The third option is eSearch, which is free and covers Pettis County records from 1833 to 1994. This is a rare offering. Most Missouri counties do not have free online access to records that go back nearly 200 years. If you are doing historical research or tracing the chain of title on an older Pettis County property, eSearch is the place to start. You can look up deeds and other recorded documents without paying a fee.
Between these three tools, Pettis County covers the full range from 1833 to the present day. For records from 1983 forward, use Tapestry or Laredo. For 1833 to 1994, use the free eSearch tool. The Missouri Digital Heritage land database also holds over 280,000 entries of land patents if you need to go back even further.
Note: The free eSearch tool covers Pettis County records from 1833 to 1994.
Pettis County Recording Fees
Pettis County follows the Missouri state fee schedule. The first page of a document costs $24 to record. Each added page is $3. A $25 penalty under Section 59.313 applies if a document does not meet state format standards. Documents must be on 8.5 by 11 inch paper with a 3 inch top margin on the first page and at least 8 point type size.
Copies of recorded documents cost $1 per page at the Pettis County office. Certified copies carry a small extra charge. The office may accept cash, checks, and other payment methods. Contact the recorder to confirm before visiting. E-recording vendors can submit filings digitally if you cannot come to the Sedalia office in person.
Property Records in Pettis County
The Pettis County Recorder handles all types of land documents. Warranty deeds transfer ownership with a title guarantee. Quitclaim deeds pass interest without any guarantee. Deeds of trust secure a loan using the property as collateral, and release deeds clear that lien when the loan is paid. Under Section 442.380 of Missouri law, all documents that affect real estate must be recorded in the county where the property is located.
Plats, surveys, easements, restrictive covenants, tax liens, and mechanic's liens are also on file. Beneficiary deeds under RSMo 461.025 let an owner name someone to receive the property at death without probate. With 25,619 parcels in the county and a median home value of $161,500, Pettis County sees a steady flow of real estate activity. The property tax rate sits at 0.82%, and the median household income is $59,469.
Pettis County Property Tax Records
The Pettis County assessor values real estate on odd-numbered years. Assessment ratios are 19% for residential, 12% for agricultural, and 32% for commercial property. The property tax rate in Pettis County is 0.82%. Tax bills are mailed by November 1 and due by December 31 each year. Median rent in the county is $716 per month.
The Missouri Department of Revenue has information on tax credit programs for Pettis County homeowners. The Senior Citizen Property Tax Credit helps those 65 and older. There are also programs for disabled veterans. The county collector handles tax payments and can provide receipts and payment histories.
Historical Property Records in Pettis County
Pettis County has some of the most accessible historical property records in Missouri thanks to the free eSearch tool that covers 1833 to 1994. Beyond that, the Missouri State Archives holds land patents from 1777 to 1969, and the Bureau of Land Management has federal patent records. Pettis County was formed in 1833, so the eSearch tool covers the county's entire history up through the mid-1990s.
The FamilySearch Missouri Land and Property guide is another resource for historical land research in Pettis County. It covers how to use county deed books and state archives together.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Pettis County in central Missouri. Property records must be filed where the land is located.