Benton County MO Recorder of Deeds

06/12/2026

FAQ FRIDAY: Where can I find the restrictions for the subdivision where my real estate is located?
Restrictions are placed on properties in different ways:
* The most common is a set of restrictions being recorded that affects the entire subdivision (or just a particular addition of the subdivision). These are sometimes amended or changed throughout the years, so you may need copies of either the most recent or possibly all of the filings for that subdivision.
* Some restrictions (most common in pre-1960 developments) were placed on the original deed for each lot as they were sold for the first time. Unless there is a time limit placed on the restrictions, these continue to affect that lot going forward - regardless of whether they are shown on the most recent deeds.
* Any restrictions (for example, those relating to race) that were later made invalid by federal law, would not apply.

If the restrictions are recorded, you can obtain a copy from our office at a cost of $1 per page, or you are welcome to come in & look at them in person. Forbes Lake of the Ozarks Subdivision's restrictions are many, many pages, but you can find a copy of the recorded document(s) at www.forbesloa.org.

Most HOA's are filed with the MO Secretary of State's Office - showing the HOA officers. Their website is sos.mo.gov & you would search under the "Business Search" tab or call their office in Jefferson City. Keep in mind this site is for the entire State, so there may be more than 1 subdivision by that name in a different county.

06/10/2026

Issuing marriage licenses is one of the best parts of the job -- even better when the couple is someone you know. Congratulations, Ben & Kayla!

Congratulations to Ben & Kayla (Cardinal) Brodersen on their recent marriage. Ben is the son of Benton County MO Collector of Revenue, David Brodersen & his wife, Suzie Brodersen.
Photo courtesy of Olivia Danielle Photography.

06/08/2026

The Courthouse will be CLOSED on Friday, June 19th for the Juneteenth holiday.

06/05/2026

FAQ FRIDAY: Each Friday, we'll tackle one of our most frequently-asked questions.
Today's question is: "As it relates to the Recorder's Office, what is the difference between a plat & a survey?"
When I refer to a PLAT, it is the original survey that lays out the arrangement & measurements of lots in a subdivision or development. In our County, this would be places like Cole Turkey Acres, Sterett Creek Village, Bent Tree Harbor, etc. A plat includes a dedication that states the name of the subdivision, as well as other wording. The plat must be signed by the surveyor & the developers, & the developers' signatures must be notarized. By law, plats must be recorded in the County where the property is located.
When I refer to a SURVEY, it is a survey of a particular parcel of land - usually (but not always) an acreage - but only requires the signature & seal of the surveyor. Not all surveys are required to be recorded in our office. For more details, refer your questions to your surveyor.
Please note these are only the basics. Some counties &/or cities may have ordinances requiring approval from a government body before a plat can be filed.
If you are considering a survey, we can furnish you a list of some of the local surveyors that have filed documents in our office. Just email me at [email protected] or call (660)438-5732 or stop by the office to pick one up.
If you're trying to locate a survey or property for your survey, contact us using the above info & give us as much info as you possibly can to assist in the search - approximate time when survey may have been done, location of your property, etc.

06/05/2026

It's Jubilee Days time in Warsaw MO. How are we supposed to concentrate when there's a kettle corn stand right outside the office window? 😉
Ashley & I spent our lunch break exploring the other food options & can recommend the B & B Concessions and the funnel cake stand. And though I didnt have one today, the little girl at our table recommended the corn dog. 😊

06/03/2026

It's wedding season again! No appointment is necessary in our office, but we only do marriage license applications from 8:00 am to 11:30 am & from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Click below to see the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to a law change in 2025, NO ONE under the age of 18 can be married in Missouri, even with parent/guardian permission.

MARRIAGE LICENSES: We've had an increase in marriage license applications over the last few weeks. Here are answers to our most frequently-asked questions:
* COST - a Benton County marriage license costs $60 (cash or card - no checks). This includes the license & a certified copy afterward to show at the DMV or Social Security office for proof of marriage.
* BEING MARRIED AT THE COURTHOUSE -- most local judges - including ours - no longer perform marriage ceremonies due to scheduling conflicts. However, we do have a list of people from Benton County who perform marriage ceremonies at the Courthouse or Drake Harbor or other places nearby. If you want a copy of the list, you can pick one up at our office or have one emailed to you.
* APPOINTMENT FOR APPLYING -- currently, no appointment is necessary for applying. We take applications Monday-Friday 8:30 to 11:30 am or 1:00 to 4:00 pm (please check this page for any holiday closures). It takes approximately 15-20 min to do the paperwork.
* REQUIREMENTS -- Both parties are required to be here together to apply. We need to see Government-issued photo ID's for each of you. You aren't required to show your Social Security card, but we will ask for your Social Security #'s. If either of you were married previously, we will ask the approximate month & year of your last marriage. As of 8/28/25, applicants must be age 18 or over - no exceptions.
For any further questions, contact us at (660)438-5732.
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Pictured are Matthew & Morgan Heimsoth of Cole Camp, courtesy of Ashley Rose Photography.

05/16/2026

This has happened in my office also. DO NOT fill out marriage license (or any other legal documents) with a gel pen - use blue or black ballpoint pen.

Something I want to bring attention to that has happened a few times in our office as well as other counties … when your witnesses and the person performing your marriage ceremony sign your Marriage License and Certificate make sure you DO NOT USE GEL INK!!
When we record that and run it through the printer, the heat from the drum takes off the gel ink and the marriage license looks like it was not signed . You can see imprint but not ink , so then when we try to scan it into the computer it’s blank ! We have tried a couple different brands of printers and it still does it. The only way to try to fix the document is to put it in the freezer for a few hours to all day to try to get the ink to show back up !! Sounds crazy I know but it’s true !! Like I said, other Recorders are having this issue too!
Please use a ball point pen instead of gel ink !! Thank you !!

05/11/2026

I received an email this morning with a copy of a deed form attached. The deed had been generated by AI. While it looked very 'official', there were at least 8 reasons that it would not have been recordable in Missouri, if used in a real estate transaction. I was so glad they asked me about it before completing their transaction with that form.
PLEASE do not use a real estate document generated by AI without first checking with our office to see if it will be recordable. If you wait until it has been signed by the sellers & your money is gone, it will be extremely difficult to correct without going to court - assuming you have contact info for the seller.
Regardless of who prepares a deed or any other real estate document, we will need the original for recording, but if you would like us to look at it before it is recorded, feel free to email a copy to [email protected] & ask if it is recordable. This will not include doing a title search, since by law we aren't allowed to do that - I or one of my staff will just make sure it meets all of the requirements for recording.
Update: This was NOT a case of fraud - just someone attempting to save $ by using a generated form, rather than paying to have one done.

04/23/2026

Better late than never... I've already shown them my appreciation, but want to publicly acknowledge my Deputy Recorder Ashley Bilderback & part-time clerk Pete Hallack on Administrative Professionals' Day.
They're covering for me this week during my 4-day Recorder's conference & will be called on to do it again soon when I'm out a couple of days for a minor medical procedure.
Thank you, ladies!