Jefferson County Memorandum of Contract Form

Jefferson County Memorandum of Contract Form
Fill in the blank Memorandum of Contract form formatted to comply with all Iowa recording and content requirements.

Jefferson County Memorandum of Contract Guide
Line by line guide explaining every blank on the Memorandum of Contract form.

Jefferson County Completed Example of the Memorandum of Contract Document
Example of a properly completed Iowa Memorandum of Contract document for reference.
All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees
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Additional Iowa and Jefferson County documents included at no extra charge:
Where to Record Your Documents
Jefferson County Recorder
Fairfield, Iowa 52556-2820
Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm M-F
Phone: (641) 472-4331
Recording Tips for Jefferson County:
- White-out or correction fluid may cause rejection
- Recording fees may differ from what's posted online - verify current rates
- Recorded documents become public record - avoid including SSNs
Cities and Jurisdictions in Jefferson County
Properties in any of these areas use Jefferson County forms:
- Batavia
- Fairfield
- Libertyville
- Lockridge
- Packwood
Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Jefferson County
How do I get my forms?
Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Jefferson 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 Jefferson County?
Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed all formatting requirements set forth by Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County?
Recording fees in Jefferson County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (641) 472-4331 for current fees.
Questions answered? Let's get started!
In Iowa, under Iowa Code Section 558.46, a Memorandum of Contract can be used as a legal alternative to recording the entire real estate installment sales contract, particularly for residential property. The law provides that when certain residential real estate installment sales contracts are entered into, either the full contract or a memorandum of the contract must be recorded. Below are the key uses and implications of using a Memorandum of Contract under Iowa Code 558.46:
Key Uses of a Memorandum of Contract in Iowa:
1. Public Notice of Buyer’s Interest: The primary purpose of recording a Memorandum of Contract is to put the public on notice that the buyer has an interest in the property under an installment sales contract (contract for deed). This helps protect the buyer from claims by third parties, such as future buyers, lienholders, or creditors, who may otherwise be unaware of the buyer’s interest in the property.
Once recorded, the memorandum provides notice that a contract exists, without revealing all details of the transaction.
2. Satisfying the Recording Requirement: Iowa law under 558.46 requires that certain residential real estate installment sales contracts must be recorded to protect the interests of the parties and ensure transparency in property transactions.
The statute allows for either the entire contract or a memorandum of the contract to be recorded, giving parties the option to record a summary document rather than the full agreement
3. Privacy Protection: A key benefit of using a Memorandum of Contract is that it allows the parties to keep sensitive financial details (e.g., the purchase price, installment payment terms, interest rate) private. While the memorandum must include essential information (like the names of the parties, property description, and date of the agreement), it does not need to disclose the entire contents of the contract.
This allows the parties to protect the privacy of their financial arrangements while still complying with the recording requirement.
4. Avoiding Legal Disputes: Recording the memorandum serves as a protective measure to prevent legal disputes over the property. It establishes that a valid contract exists, preventing the seller from attempting to sell the property to another party without the buyer’s knowledge.
It can also be useful if the seller fails to comply with their obligations under the contract, as the recorded memorandum establishes the buyer’s rights.
5. Complying with Iowa’s Legal Framework: Recording either the entire contract or a memorandum ensures compliance with Iowa law and avoids potential legal issues related to the failure to record. Under Iowa Code 558.46, if the contract is not recorded within 90 days of execution, the seller may be subject to fines and penalties, and the buyer may take steps to record the contract or memorandum to protect their interest.
Information Typically Included in a Memorandum of Contract: (If a real estate contract is required to be recorded under this section, the requirement is satisfied by recording either the entire real estate contract or a memorandum of the contract containing at least the names and addresses of all parties named in the contract, a description of all real property and interests in the real property subject to the contract, the length of the contract, and a statement as to whether the seller is entitled to the remedy of forfeiture and as to the dates upon which payments are due. Mandatory recording of certain residential real estate installment sales contracts. 558.46(4))
Example Scenario of Use:
A buyer enters into a contract for deed to purchase a residential property in Iowa. Rather than record the entire contract, which contains sensitive financial information, the buyer and seller agree to record a Memorandum of Contract. The memorandum includes the essential details, such as the names of the parties, the date of the contract, and the property description. This ensures that the buyer's interest is protected and the public is on notice, while keeping financial details private.
Legal Consequences of Non-Compliance:
If the seller fails to record the contract or memorandum within 90 days as required under Iowa Code 558.46, the buyer has the right to record the contract or memorandum themselves.
Sellers who do not comply with this requirement may face legal penalties, and their failure to record could expose the buyer to risks such as third-party claims against the property.
In Iowa, recording a Memorandum of Contract under 558.46 serves as a critical tool for protecting the buyer’s interest in a property under an installment sales contract, while also allowing for privacy in sensitive financial terms. It fulfills the legal requirement for recording and protects both parties against future disputes or claims by third parties.
Important: Your property must be located in Jefferson County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.
This Memorandum of Contract meets all recording requirements specific to Jefferson County.
Our Promise
The documents you receive here will meet, or exceed, the Jefferson 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 Jefferson County Memorandum of 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.
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June 4th, 2019
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July 15th, 2021
The service was prompt and attentive to my questions. I would've just appreciated a heads up that I also needed to contact the county directly (and provide contact info) to receive a certified copy of the document (Notice of Commencement) in order to submit the certified copy to the Building Department. This was an extra step that I haven't had to complete before using another eRecording service. Even if this extra step is a result of the county's system. I would still have expected a head's up (since there wasn't any info regarding this on the county's site for eRecording).
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February 9th, 2025
I found the process of downloading and completing the documents very user friendly. Thank you for the Declare Value instructions. It was easy to follow, though a sample of the declaration form would be very useful. I didn't know how to list my "capacity" so I left it blank so the recorder could advise me. Otherwise, thank you so much for being available for people who are capable of completing simple legal tasks without the expense of a lawyer. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
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August 1st, 2025
I can't recommend working with Deeds.com enough. I had been given incorrect information from another document service. The helpful staff member at Deeds.com that assisted in the submission of the recording was exceptionally helpful in making sure what I was submitting included the necessary elements required by the county. I am very thankful I chose Deeds.com for my eRecording service. Thank you!!
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January 10th, 2019
Was working with a notary client that need to do a deed. We got on this site, ordered the blank forms, he filled them out and we printed them so he could sign. Really clean forms, easy to understand and complete in a hurry. I will be letting all my clients know about this site.
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May 13th, 2020
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April 10th, 2025
Was very easy to use with the information and samples supplied.
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October 22nd, 2019
I was annoyed when I realized I couldn't put the document into Word or WordPerfect. I had to retype the entire document. What a waste of time and money.
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July 15th, 2021
I bought a Quitclaim Deed package for Fayette County, Kentucky, to transfer my house into a Living Trust that I had set up previously. Creating my Quitclaim Deed was pretty straightforward, using the form, the instructions, and the sample Quitclaim Deed. I signed my Quitclaim Deed at a nearby Notary Public, then took it to the Fayette County Clerk's office to be recorded. The clerk there asked me to make two small changes to the Quitclaim Deed, which she let me do in pen on the spot: * In the signature block for the receiver of the property, filled in "Capacity" as "Grantee as Trustee ______________________________ Living Trust". * In the notary's section, changed "were acknowledged before me" to "were acknowledged and sworn to before me".
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July 28th, 2021
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April 19th, 2021
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January 19th, 2023
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