Missoula County Recorder Information

About Missoula County Recorder

The Clerk and Treasurer is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in Missoula 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

$1 will be charged for each page of a document required to be recorded with a subdivision, townsite plat, or certificate of survey.

Checks should be made payable to "Clerk and Recorder." Please make sure proper fees are enclosed when sending in documents through the mail.

Documents will be mailed back in 5-10 business days.

Document Formatting Requirements

* Documents must be originals. Certified copies from certain courts are accepted. Check with the Missoula County Clerk and Recorder for clarification.

* Signatures must be notarized and properly acknowledged before the document can be recorded. An acknowledgment by a notary is exempt from the color and margin requirements.

* Documents must be legibly printed or typed in blue or black ink on white paper that is either 8.5 x 11 inches or 8.5 x 14 inches. All signatures, initials, dates, or handwriting should be in blue or black ink.

* A top margin of at least 3 inches is required for the first page and at least a 1 inch margin is needed at the top of subsequent pages. The bottom margin for all pages should also be at least 1 inch. Side margins on all pages should be at least 1/2 an inch. Page numbers, the name and mailing address of the person to whom the document is to be returned, and other administrative information and designations may appear in the margins.

* In the upper left corner between the 1/2 inch side margins, include the name and mailing address of the person to whom the document is to be returned.

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

* Provide a legal description of the real property.

* An instrument or deed evidencing either a division of real property or a merger of real property can only be recorded if it is accompanied by a certification from the county treasurer that taxes and special assessments have been assessed and levied and have been paid.

REALTY TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

Any party transferring real property regardless of whether the transfer is or is not evidenced by a deed or instrument or any party presenting an instrument or deed evidencing a transfer of real estate for recordation is required to submit a Realty Transfer Certificate.

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 completed Realty Transfer Certificate must be filed with the County Clerk and Recorder when the instrument or deed evidencing a transfer of real estate is presented for recording. This certificate can be accessed via the Missoula County Recorder's website.