Dawson County Recorder Information

About Dawson County Recorder

The Clerk and Recorder is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in Dawson County.

Recording Fees

To record a standard document, the fee is $8 per page.

For non-standard documents, add a $10 document fee.

EXAMPLES OF RECORDING FEES
Pg. / Standard Fee / Non Standard Fee
1...............$8.00.......................$18.00
2...............$16.00......................$26.00
3...............$24.00......................$34.00
4...............$32.00......................$42.00
5...............$40.00......................$50.00
6...............$48.00......................$58.00
7...............$56.00......................$66.00
8...............$64.00......................$74.00
9...............$72.00......................$82.00
10.............$80.00......................$90.00
etc

Documents can be mailed or e-mailed to be recorded. For questions on e-mailing documents, contact the Clerk and Recorder directly.

If sending documents through the mail, a self-addressed stamped envelope is required.

Document Formatting Requirements

* The document must be legibly printed or typed in blue or black ink on white paper that is either 8.5 x 11 inches in size or 8.5 x 14 inches.

* The address of the grantee must be in blue or black ink when legibly printed or typed in the form.

* A whole document legibly printed in blue or black ink, meeting all other document standards, is a standard document. A whole document written in cursive is non-standard. A document that includes highlighting is a non-standard document. An acknowledgment by a notary is exempt from the color and margin requirements. The notary seal must be legible.

* At the top of the first page, a 3-inch margin is required. At the top and bottom of subsequent pages, a 1 inch margin is required. Other margins should be at least 1/2 an inch. If an insignificant portion of a signature extends into the margin (such as the tail-end of a letter), the document will still be considered standard. If a significant portion of a signature extends into a margin (such as Sr., Jr., POA, etc.), this will cause the document to be non-standard.

* Within the 3-inch top margin on the first page on the left side, a return name and address should be legibly printed in ink or typed. The document will be considered non-standard if no return address is listed in this section. The document will be returned to the address given. If the submitter wants the document sent to an alternate address, they must write it on the document before it is recorded.

* Margins must be clear of all markings, except for the return address information in the top margin. Other designations such as, page numbers, form numbers, tribal numbers, initials, form names, fax transmittal information, barcodes, order numbers, or name of the lending institution may be in the margins, except for the top margins.

* On the first or second page of any document with more than one page, provide the names of the parties to the conveyance.

* If a document conveys an interest in real property, a legal description of the real property must be provided. A street address or deed reference are not descriptions of the property. The full metes and bounds description or subdivision with lot or certificate of survey number must be included. A substitution of trustee instrument does not need a legal description, just a reference to a previously recorded document.

* The grantor must sign the document and must have his/her signature acknowledged.

REALTY TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

This confidential tax document must be filed by any party transferring real property, regardless of whether the document is or is not evidenced by deed or instrument, or any party presenting a deed evidencing a transfer of real property. The completed Realty Transfer Certificate must be filed with the county recorder when the deed evidencing a transfer of real property is presented for recording.

Any gain on this transfer is Montana source income and should be reported to the Department of Revenue on the appropriate income tax return. The Realty Transfer Certificate can be obtained from the Dawson County Recorder's webpage.