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Recorder reports higher recording volume, offers free property-alert program amid rising fraud elsewhere in Missouri
Summary
The recorder of deeds reported higher first-quarter recording activity, fee allocations and free fraud-alert service; staff noted property-fraud cases elsewhere in Missouri and said legislation and notary checks are under discussion.
Recorder of Deeds Miss Skelly reported to the Christian County Commission on April 17 that first-quarter recordings and fees have risen compared with the same period last year and that the office continues to offer a free property-alert program.
"We took in a total of $166,695.24; of that $77,006.33 was general revenue," Miss Skelly said. She reported 3,354 land documents recorded in the first quarter, 89 marriage licenses and 47 plats and surveys. The recorder said those tallies are up from the previous year.
Skelly described an alert program that notifies property owners if a document is recorded in their name. "If anything gets recorded in your name, that is free of charge," she said. She and commissioners discussed property-fraud incidents reported in other counties; Skelly said the county has not had a similar confirmed case but that fraud incidents elsewhere have prompted legislative discussion about additional safeguards and notary penalties.
Skelly told commissioners her office has three full‑time and one part‑time employee and that she has served as recorder of deeds for 15 years and with the county for 21 years. Commissioners thanked her and asked staff to continue public outreach about the alert program and renewal deadlines for local exemptions that affect senior tax freezes.
No new fees or policy changes were proposed at the meeting.
