US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 29021

Buchanan County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Buchanan County, Missouri. Serving a population of 82.956 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Saint Joseph • Land Area: 408,249 sq mi • State: Missouri (MO)
Call: (573) 757-1751 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Buchanan County Courthouse / Recording Office, Saint Joseph, MO 64501

Seat of government for Buchanan County in Saint Joseph, MO.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(573) 757-1751

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 29021 • Coordinates: 39.6604° N, -94.8082° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Buchanan County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Buchanan County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Mo. Rev. Stat. § 59.310
First Page Base Fee
$24.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$3.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
None (Missouri Constitution prohibits transfer taxes)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Missouri:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Buchanan County

License Fee $45 - $60
Waiting Period 0 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 30 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Buchanan County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: Issued by County Recorder of Deeds. Immediate issuance.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $15.00
Death Cert $14.00
Marriage Cert $15.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records and the local Buchanan County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Buchanan County

Filing Fee: $7.00
1. Filing Authority

In Buchanan County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Missouri Secretary of State.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Missouri.

3. State Rules & Notice

Fictitious name registration handled via the Secretary of State online portal.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Buchanan County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Buchanan County Missouri Secretary of State. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Missouri.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Missouri Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Missouri Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Missouri county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Missouri Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Missouri

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Missouri recording offices:

Platte County Seat: Platte
~19.6 mi →
Clinton County Seat: Plattsburg
~22.2 mi →
Andrew County Seat: Savannah
~22.7 mi →
DeKalb County Seat: Maysville
~26.7 mi →
Clay County Seat: Liberty
~31.5 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Buchanan County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Buchanan County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Buchanan County office is located at Buchanan County Courthouse / Recording Office, Saint Joseph, MO 64501. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (573) 757-1751.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Buchanan County?
Under Missouri statute (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 59.310), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Buchanan County costs $24.00 for the first page, plus $3.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: None (Missouri Constitution prohibits transfer taxes).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Buchanan County, MO?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Buchanan County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $45 - $60. Missouri requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Buchanan County?
In Buchanan County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Missouri Secretary of State with a standard statutory filing fee of $7.00. Fictitious name registration handled via the Secretary of State online portal.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Buchanan County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $15.00 and death certificates starting at $14.00) can be requested through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records or directly at the Buchanan County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.