Access Reynolds County Property Records

Reynolds County property records are managed by the Recorder of Deeds in Centerville, Missouri. The office holds deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and other land documents for the county. You can search for property records online through the SFFlexSuite Web system, which covers real estate documents from January 2001 to the present. Images have been digitized back to 1872, though the older ones are not fully indexed. The Reynolds County courthouse has burned three times in its past, destroying records each time, so the current collection starts with documents rebuilt after the 1872 fire.

Reynolds County Recorder of Deeds

Myra Turner is the Reynolds County Recorder of Deeds. The office is at 2319 Green Street in Centerville. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Staff at this office record all property documents for Reynolds County, including deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, plats, and surveys. You can visit in person during business hours to file a document or search through the index books.

The recorder can be reached at (573) 648-2494, extension 129. More information is available at the Reynolds County Recorder website. All documents must meet Missouri's format rules to avoid extra fees. That means 8.5 by 11 inch paper, a 3 inch top margin, and at least 8 point type size.

Search Reynolds County Property Records Online

Reynolds County uses the SFFlexSuite Web system for online property record searches. The system has real estate documents from January 1, 2001 to the present, fully indexed and searchable. Images of older documents have been digitized back to 1872, though not all of those are indexed in the computer system. You can search by name to find deeds, liens, and other recorded documents for Reynolds County.

Online access requires a credit card. The fee structure gives you timed passes. A 1 hour pass costs $30 plus a convenience fee. A 3 hour pass runs $70 plus a fee. If you just need to view a single document, the shorter pass may be enough. Once you find what you need, copies are $1 per page.

For older records that predate the online system, you can visit the office in Centerville or contact the recorder by phone. The Missouri Digital Heritage land database has historical land patents from 1777 to 1969 that may cover Reynolds County parcels.

Reynolds County Property Record History

Reynolds County has a difficult record history. The courthouse burned in December 1863 during the Civil War, destroying all records. It burned again in November 1871, wiping out whatever had been rebuilt. Then temporary quarters burned on May 27, 1872, destroying records a third time. Because of these fires, the oldest property records in Reynolds County date from after 1872. The digitized images in the online system go back to that year.

For research into land ownership before these fires, the Missouri State Archives has state-level land patent records. The Bureau of Land Management holds federal land patents that may include Reynolds County parcels. These state and federal sources can fill in some of the gaps left by the courthouse fires.

The FamilySearch Missouri Land and Property guide is also helpful for genealogy research tied to Reynolds County property. It explains how to work around gaps in county records by using state and federal archives.

Reynolds County Recording Fees

Recording fees in Reynolds County follow the statewide schedule. The first page of a standard document costs $24 and each additional page is $3. Under Section 59.313, documents that do not meet format requirements get a $25 penalty fee. All documents need to be on 8.5 by 11 inch paper with a 3 inch top margin.

Online access to Reynolds County property records has its own fee schedule. A 1 hour pass is $30 plus a convenience fee. A 3 hour pass is $70 plus a fee. Copies through the online system cost $1 per page. The office also handles in-person copy requests during business hours.

Types of Reynolds County Property Records

The Reynolds County Recorder files warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, plats, surveys, easements, and liens. Under Section 442.380, all documents affecting real property must be filed in the county where the land sits. Missouri also allows beneficiary deeds under RSMo 461.025, letting owners name someone to receive the property after death without probate.

Tax liens show up in the recorder's files when property taxes go unpaid. Mechanic's liens are filed by contractors who have not been paid for work on a property. All of these documents are public record once they are filed at the Reynolds County courthouse in Centerville.

Note: Under Section 442.410, deeds must be recorded to be valid against third parties in Missouri.

Reynolds County Property Tax Records

The Reynolds County assessor values all real estate on odd-numbered years. Missouri assessment ratios are 19% for homes, 12% for farm land, and 32% for commercial property. Tax bills go out by November 1 and are due December 31. Unpaid taxes lead to a lien on the property. The county collector handles payments and can provide receipts.

The Missouri Department of Revenue has details on property tax credits. The Senior Citizen Property Tax Credit helps homeowners 65 and older. Disabled veteran exemptions may also apply. Contact the Reynolds County collector for specific tax payment questions.

Property owners in Reynolds County should stay alert to deed fraud. If someone forges a deed or files a fake transfer, you may not find out for months. Check your property records at the Reynolds County Recorder's office at least once a year to make sure no one has filed a document you did not sign.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Reynolds County. Property records must be filed where the land is located, so verify the county before starting your search.