Petroleum County Recorder Information

About Petroleum County Recorder

The Clerk and Recorder is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in Petroleum 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

Certified copies of documents are $2 for the certification fee plus $0.50 for the first page and $0.25 for each page thereafter.

Document Formatting Requirements

* Documents should be legibly printed or typed in black or blue ink in at least 10 point font on 8.5 x 11 or 8.5 x 14 inch white paper. All signatures, initials, dates, or handwriting should be in dark blue or black ink.

* All documents to be recorded must be signed before a notary public or another official authorized to acknowledge signatures with a seal affixed. An acknowledgment by a notary is exempt from the color and margin requirements.

* Margins should be clear of all markings, except for return address information. At the top of the first page, a 3-inch top margin should be provided. On subsequent pages, top and bottom margins should be at least 1 inch. Side margins can be at least 1/2 an inch.

* In the upper left-hand corner of the first page within the 3-inch top margin and the 1/2 inch side margins, provide the name and mailing address of the person to whom the document is to be returned after recording.

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

* The grantee's address must be provided on a real property document.

* Provide a legal description of the real property being conveyed.

REALTY TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

Any party transferring real property regardless of whether the transfer is or is not evidenced by deed or instrument or any party transferring an instrument or deed evidencing a transfer of real estate for recordation is required to submit a Realty Transfer Certificate. Real estate includes land, growing timber, buildings, structures, fixtures, fences, and improvements affixed to land.

Any gain on the 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 deed evidencing a transfer of real estate is presented for recording.

This form can be found on the Montana Department of Revenue website.