Clayton County Full Release of Real Estate Contract Form

Clayton County Full Release of Real Estate Contract Form
Fill in the blank Full Release of Real Estate Contract form formatted to comply with all Iowa recording and content requirements.

Clayton County Full Release of Real Estate Contract Guide
Line by line guide explaining every blank on the Full Release of Real Estate Contract form.

Clayton County Completed Example of the Full Release of Real Estate Contract Document
Example of a properly completed Iowa Full Release of Real Estate Contract document for reference.
All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees
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Additional Iowa and Clayton County documents included at no extra charge:
Where to Record Your Documents
Clayton County Recorder
Elkader, Iowa 52043-0278
Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm M-F
Phone: (563) 245-2710
Recording Tips for Clayton County:
- Double-check legal descriptions match your existing deed
- Recording fees may differ from what's posted online - verify current rates
- Avoid the last business day of the month when possible
- Both spouses typically need to sign if property is jointly owned
- Leave recording info boxes blank - the office fills these
Cities and Jurisdictions in Clayton County
Properties in any of these areas use Clayton County forms:
- Edgewood
- Elkader
- Elkport
- Farmersburg
- Garber
- Garnavillo
- Guttenberg
- Luana
- Marquette
- Mc Gregor
- Monona
- North Buena Vista
- Saint Olaf
- Strawberry Point
- Volga
Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Clayton County
How do I get my forms?
Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Clayton County forms will be in your account ready to download to your computer. An account is created for you during checkout if you don't have one. Forms are NOT emailed.
Are these forms guaranteed to be recordable in Clayton County?
Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed all formatting requirements set forth by Clayton County including margin requirements, content requirements, font and font size requirements.
Can I reuse these forms?
Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in Clayton County you only need to order once.
What do I need to use these forms?
The forms are PDFs that you fill out on your computer. You'll need Adobe Reader (free software that most computers already have). You do NOT enter your property information online - you download the blank forms and complete them privately on your own computer.
Are there any recurring fees?
No. This is a one-time purchase. Nothing to cancel, no memberships, no recurring fees.
How much does it cost to record in Clayton County?
Recording fees in Clayton County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (563) 245-2710 for current fees.
Questions answered? Let's get started!
Iowa Code 558.46 primarily addresses the mandatory recording of residential real estate installment sales contracts (commonly known as contracts for deed or land contracts). This law has implications for both the initial recording of these contracts (or a memorandum of the contract) and the release of such contracts once their terms are fulfilled or terminated.
Here’s how Iowa Code 558.46 affects the recording of a release of contract:
1. Recording a Release of the Contract (or Memorandum):
When the installment sales contract is fulfilled (i.e., the buyer completes all payments and other contractual obligations) or terminated (if the parties mutually agree to end the contract early), a Release of Contract or a Release of Memorandum of Contract must be recorded. The process and obligations for recording a release are influenced by Iowa Code 558.46 in the following ways:
Release of Buyer’s Interest: Once the contract has been fulfilled or terminated, the seller must execute a release to formally release the buyer’s interest recorded under the contract or memorandum. Recording a release clears the property title of the buyer’s claim or interest, ensuring that the property’s record reflects the new, accurate status (whether ownership has been transferred to the buyer or the contract was terminated).
Clearing the Public Record: Just as the contract or memorandum must be recorded to give public notice of the buyer’s interest, the release must also be recorded to update the public record and ensure that no ongoing encumbrance or claim related to the installment contract remains on the property title.
-If the buyer has completed the contract (i.e., all installment payments and obligations are met), the release confirms the transfer of full title to the buyer.
-If the contract has been terminated (either by mutual agreement or default), the release serves to remove the memorandum of contract from the public record.
Seller’s Responsibility: According to 558.46, the seller is responsible for recording the original contract or memorandum. Similarly, the seller is typically responsible for recording the release of contract upon fulfillment or termination of the agreement. Failure to do so could leave the property’s title clouded or encumbered, potentially complicating future transactions.
-Sellers should ensure timely recording of the release to avoid legal disputes, title issues, or claims of breach of contract by the buyer.
Buyer’s Right to Protect Their Interest: While 558.46 places the obligation of recording on the seller, buyers also have an interest in ensuring the contract or memorandum is recorded (initially) and released (upon fulfillment or termination). If the seller fails to record the release, the buyer may take action to record it to protect their interest in the property or to clear their name from any continuing liability under the contract.
2. Legal and Practical Implications of Non-Compliance:
Non-compliance with the mandatory recording requirements under 558.46—whether it involves recording the original contract, memorandum, or the release—can have several consequences:
Legal Penalties: If the seller fails to record the initial contract or a release upon fulfillment or termination, they may face legal penalties. Under Iowa Code, sellers can be fined or held liable for damages resulting from a failure to record.
Clouded Title: If the release is not recorded, the buyer's interest in the property may still appear on the public record, creating a cloud on the title. This can prevent the seller from selling or refinancing the property in the future or complicate the buyer’s ability to sell the property after fulfilling the contract.
Title Insurance Issues: Title insurers may refuse to issue a clear title insurance policy if the contract for deed or memorandum is still on record without a corresponding release. This can delay or prevent the sale of the property.
Third-Party Claims: Failure to record a release may leave the property vulnerable to third-party claims or liens, as the public record still reflects that the installment sales contract is in effect.
3. Ensuring a Proper Release:
To properly release a memorandum of contract or the entire contract, the following steps should be taken:
Prepare the Release of Memorandum of Contract: The release document should include references to the original memorandum of contract (e.g., names of the parties, the date of the contract, and the legal description of the property) and should state that the contract has been fully performed or terminated.
Signatures: The release should be signed by the seller (and in some cases, both parties) and notarized.
Record the Release: The release must be filed with the county recorder’s office where the original memorandum of contract was recorded. This clears the property’s title and removes any record of the buyer’s interest in the property.
Important: Your property must be located in Clayton County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.
This Full Release of Real Estate Contract meets all recording requirements specific to Clayton County.
Our Promise
The documents you receive here will meet, or exceed, the Clayton County recording requirements for formatting. If there's an issue caused by our formatting, we'll make it right and refund your payment.
Save Time and Money
Get your Clayton County Full Release of Real Estate Contract form done right the first time with Deeds.com Uniform Conveyancing Blanks. At Deeds.com, we understand that your time and money are valuable resources, and we don't want you to face a penalty fee or rejection imposed by a county recorder for submitting nonstandard documents. We constantly review and update our forms to meet rapidly changing state and county recording requirements for roughly 3,500 counties and local jurisdictions.
4.8 out of 5 - ( 4573 Reviews )
Christine W.
December 30th, 2020
excellent
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February 12th, 2022
Very easy to use. Appreicate the sample filled out forms and the guide book. Thank you!
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Deirdre K.
July 19th, 2020
Fantastic! So helpful, got my deed recorded with no problem.
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June 9th, 2022
Its exactly what it said it was. I received multiple downloads, loaded fast and was pretty easy to navigate.
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May 31st, 2025
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September 15th, 2019
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July 12th, 2019
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December 30th, 2019
Excellent service!
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Lance G.
December 13th, 2018
You did not include the Notice of Intent to File a Lien Statement form which is necessary to properly file a mechanic's lien in Colorado. If you are going to charge people $20 to download the forms, you should include all of them not half of them.
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JUDITH-DIAN W.
June 28th, 2023
I didn't have any problem downloading and filling out the form on my computer and printing it yesterday. I didn't know what to put for "Source of Title". I called the county recording office; they didn't know either and said to leave it blank. I got the form notarized at my bank and took it in to the recording office. They checked it, accepted it, I paid a fee, and it's done. So easy. My children will appreciate that I've done this. Added note: You do have one typo on your form--you left out 'at'. It should read: "You should carefully read all information at the end of this form."
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Omar F.
February 1st, 2021
Great! Thank you!
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kevin d.
April 19th, 2022
the quitclaim form worked well with the Nevada Recorders office. Tried other vendors, theirs were rejected.
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Christine R.
February 8th, 2019
Ordering and directions were easy. The only thing missing in the instructions was how to record by mail. Thanks!
Thank you Christine. We'll work on making it more clear that one can find mailing information in our recording section. Have a great day!
Steve R.
June 17th, 2023
Hopefully filling out and filing the paperwork is as easy as this was.
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Elizabeth J.
May 17th, 2019
It is very good and I would use the site again.
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