Search Scott County Property Records

Scott County property records are kept by the Recorder of Deeds in Benton, 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 iCounty portal, which has deeds from 1999 to the present available with a subscription. The office also has land transfer records going back to 1820 for in-person searches. Scott County is in the southeast part of Missouri, and the recorder's office at 131 South Winchester Street handles all property document filings for the area.

Scott County Recorder of Deeds

Tara Mason serves as the Scott County Recorder of Deeds. The office is at 131 South Winchester Street in Benton (mailing address PO Box 78, Benton, MO 63736). Staff handle all property document recordings for Scott County. That includes warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, plats, and surveys. You can visit during business hours to file a document or search through the records.

You can reach the office at (573) 545-3551 or by email at tmason@scottcomo.com. Visit the Scott County Recorder page for more information about services and filing requirements. All documents must meet Missouri's format standards. Non-standard documents carry a $25 penalty under Section 59.313.

Search Scott County Property Records Online

Scott County offers online property record searches through the iCounty portal at scottmo.icounty.com. The system has deeds from 1999 to the present. A subscription is needed for full access. You can search by name to find deeds, deeds of trust, releases, and other recorded property documents. Results show the recording date, document type, and book and page reference.

For records before 1999, you need to visit the office in Benton. Land transfers at the Scott County office go back to 1820. Staff can help you search the physical index books for older entries. This includes records from the early settlement period of southeast Missouri.

The Missouri Digital Heritage land database has over 280,000 land patent entries from 1777 to 1969. Scott County sits in the Bootheel region where swamp land records from 1850 to 1945 are particularly relevant. The Missouri State Archives has a special collection of Swamp Land records that covers southeast Missouri counties like Scott. The Bureau of Land Management also holds federal land patents for the area.

Scott County Recording Fees

Scott County follows the statewide fee schedule. Standard documents cost $24 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Documents that do not meet format rules under Section 59.313 get a $25 penalty. All documents need 8.5 by 11 inch paper, a 3 inch top margin, and at least 8 point type size.

Copies of recorded documents cost $1 per page at the Scott County office. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. The office accepts various payment methods. E-recording may be available through providers like Simplifile for those who need to file from out of the area.

Note: Check with the Scott County Recorder at (573) 545-3551 to confirm current fee amounts before submitting documents.

Types of Scott County Property Records

The Scott County Recorder files warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, plats, surveys, easements, and liens. Tax liens and mechanic's liens are also recorded at this office. Under Section 442.380, all documents that affect real property must be filed in the county where the land sits. Beneficiary deeds are allowed under RSMo 461.025, letting owners transfer property at death without probate.

Scott County is in the agricultural Bootheel region of Missouri. Many property records in the area involve farm land, drainage districts, and levee districts. Some parcels may have special assessments tied to flood control infrastructure. The recorder's office can help you identify any special filings on a property.

Scott County Property Tax Records

Property taxes in Scott County are assessed on all real estate. The assessor values property every odd-numbered year. Missouri's assessment ratios are 19% for residential, 12% for agricultural, and 32% for commercial property. Scott County has a significant amount of farm land assessed at the agricultural rate. Tax bills go out by November 1. The due date is December 31.

The Missouri Department of Revenue has information on property tax credits. The Senior Citizen Property Tax Credit helps homeowners 65 and older. Disabled veteran exemptions are also available. The Scott County collector handles tax payments and receipts.

Scott County Property Fraud Alert

Property fraud happens when someone files a forged deed or other fake document to steal ownership of real estate. The Missouri Recorders Association offers resources on fraud prevention tools available across the state. Some Missouri counties provide free notification services that alert property owners when a document is filed using their name. Contact the Scott County Recorder at (573) 545-3551 to ask about fraud protection options. Signing up for alerts is a simple step that can save you from much bigger problems down the road.

Historical Land Records for Scott County

Scott County has land records going back to 1820. The Missouri State Archives holds land patents from 1777 to 1969. The archives include Swamp Land records from 1850 to 1945 that are especially relevant to Scott County and other southeast Missouri counties. These records document land that was reclaimed from swamps for agriculture. The FamilySearch Missouri Land and Property guide is useful for genealogy research connected to Scott County property.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Scott County in southeast Missouri. Make sure you know which county your property is in before starting a search.