Document Formatting Standards
for Recorder of Deeds
Size and Ink
8 ½” X 11”, white, light
colored, 20# paper without watermarks or logos
Black or dark ink on one
side only, including signatures
No continuous forms or
permanent binding
8 pt font minimum
All signatures must have
the name typed, stamped or printed underneath
Attachments
Attachments to a page may
not be stapled or taped other than a securely attached
bar-coded label or than as required by law (does not refer
to an “Exhibit”)
Margins
Top 3” vertical space of
the first page only designated for Recorder’s certification
All other margins on first
and subsequent pages will be ¾” minimum
Non-essential information
in the margins does not have to comply with 8 pt
requirement but the Recorder is
not liable or responsible for insuring that nonessential
information is archived
First Page Designations
Every document (except
Plats and surveys) should have the following information on
the first page below the 3’ margin
1.
Title
2.
Date
3. All
grantors’ names
4. All
grantees’ names
5. Any
statutory address
6.
Legal Description
7.
Reference book and pages if required
Page references are
permitted if there is not enough space on the front page.
Further if one of the reference field
begins on the first page and continues, it meets the first
page requirement.
Designations
1.
Grantors and grantees must be designated in order to be
indexed
2.
Statutory addresses must be designated, ex. Grantee’s
Mailing Address
3. The
address of the property shall not be accepted as a legal
description
4.
Book and page references required on certain documents, ex.
Releases, assignments, must be designated.
Cover Pages
Not required, but if there
is one it must have 3” margins and first page designations
If presented for
re-recording, there must be a new cover page meeting all
requirements
Exempt Documents
From Formatting Requirements
1.
Documents signed prior to January 1, 2002
2.
Military Separation papers
3.
Documents executed outside the U.S.
4.
Certified copies of documents including birth and death
certificates
5. Any
document were one of the original parties is deceased or
incapacitated
6.
Judgments or other documents formatted to meet court
requirements
7.
Fixture Filings on the National Approved UCC Forms
Rejections
All documents that are
rejected must be returned with a reason for rejection.
For Full text of the legislation please
try either of the following links
www.senate.state.mo.us/01info/billtext/tat/SB515.htm
www.house.state.mo.us/bills01/biltxt01/truly01/HB0606T.htm
