Correction Deed in Missouri: Fix a Deed Error or Mistake the Right Way

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A single typo on a recorded deed — a misspelled name, a wrong legal description — can quietly “cloud” your title (create doubt as to your ownership rights). These sort of problems seem to surface at the worst possible moment: when you go to sell, refinance, or pass the property on to your intended beneficiaries. The good news is that in Missouri, there are multiple ways to fix such problems, and at least one fix is often straightforward. It’s called a correction deed (also a corrective deed or deed of correction), and we prepare them for property owners across Missouri frequently. We often can provide this service at a flat fee.

What Is a Correction Deed?

A correction deed is a document that fixes an error in a deed that’s already been recorded. A few things worth knowing up front:

• The purpose of a correction deed is not usually to simply transfer property. It is usually created and recorded to correct a specific mistake or error in the public record.
• It’s filed in addition to the original deed, in order to correct that previous deed.
• A correction deed must be signed, notarized, and recorded in the same county, and in the same manner, that the original deed was.
• A correction deed will generally reference the original deed, acknowledge the error, and supply the corrected information – essentially, it will say what the original deed should have said the first time around, if that deed would have been correct.
• Think of it as a type of amendment. The original deed stays on file; and the correction deed is recorded later, in order to set the record straight.

When Do You Need a Correction Deed?

Deed errors happen more often than people realize — during drafting, at closing, or even at the recorder’s office. These are the ones we see most:

• A misspelled Grantor or Grantee name
• An incorrect or missing legal description
• An omitted marital status
• A missing signature line or missing party
• An omitted spouse
• A missing notary acknowledgment
• Incorrect vesting language (how ownership is held, such as “joint tenants with rights of survivorship”, vs. “tenants in common”, vs. “tenants by the entirety” or ‘husband and wife”)

Any one of these can look minor and still create a title defect that stops a sale or refinance cold, and may require Court action to rectify. If you’re not sure whether your error needs a correction deed or something else, we can review it and give you an opinion on how it needs to be fixed.

What a Correction Deed Can — and Can’t — Fix

Not every deed problem is a correction-deed problem. However, if the original error was an honest mistake, many times a correction deed can be used to neutralize the problem.

Please keep in mind that one of the main requirements (hurdles) for a correction deed is that the original Grantors from the original deed must be willing and able to sign the correction deed. If one or more of the original Grantors have passed away, died, unavailable, or refuses to sign, and correction deed may not be possible.

What We Handle

When you bring a deed error to us, here’s what we take care of:

• We pull the original recorded deed and pinpoint exactly what’s wrong.
• We draft the correction deed so it references the original by its recording information (book, page, or document number), states the error, and supplies the correct information in the proper format
• We can often provide signing and notary services — in Missouri, typically only the Grantor(s) sign real estate deeds.
• We can record the correction deed with the same county Recorder of Deeds that recorded the original, so the correction is also in the public record. If you would like to learn more about deeds, please see our real estate deeds page.

Need a quick turnaround time? Mention it prior to hiring us, and we can typically arrange it!

Correction Deed vs. Scrivener’s Affidavit

In Missouri there are two main ways to fix a deed error, and which one fits depends on the circumstances:

A correction deed re-executes the conveyance with the corrected information. It needs signatures from the original parties — usually the Grantors, possibly the Grantees in certain places. This is the standard route when those parties are available and willing to sign.

A scrivener’s affidavit is a sworn statement from whoever prepared the original deed, confirming what the correct information should have been. This is usually used to correct very basic mistakes, such as misspellings in names, or perhaps even small typos in legal descriptions. It’s generally used when an original party isn’t available — for example, if the Grantor has passed away or can’t be located.

A correction deed is almost always the preferred method. Which one is proper in any given situation may come down to the nature of the error and who’s still around to sign — and that’s a judgment call. We make it for you and prepare the right document, rather than leaving you to guess.

What Does a Correction Deed Cost in Missouri?

We believe in being upfront about this one, because we are often asked the costs.

• County recording fees: typically in the range of $24–$45 at a Missouri Recorder of Deeds office, depending on the county and the length of the document.
• Attorney fees: many firms charge $300–$800 or more. We work on a flat fee — you’ll know exactly what you’re paying before we start. No hourly billing, no surprises. Contact us for a quote.
• The DIY risk: filing your own correction deed is possible, but an error in the correction itself creates a second title problem — often costlier to untangle than the first, because now there are two problem deeds on record.

If you are interested, Request a free quote – there’s no cost just to find out.

Why Work With an Attorney Instead of Filing It Yourself?

We can understand the temptation — perhaps on the surface, a correction deed looks simple. But there are real reasons most property owners let a professional handle it.

Missouri has its own rules for how a correction deed is executed and worded — who has to sign, what language it needs to carry. Get that wrong and the correction may not be effective. Worse, an incorrectly drafted correction deed can create a second title defect, leaving you worse off than when you started. Title companies look at corrections closely, and if the document isn’t right, it can delay or kill a sale. Having an attorney draft, notarize, and record it correctly the first time is usually cheaper than fixing a botched attempt — and a lot less stressful. As we often say, it is usually more expensive to NOT HIRE an attorney, than to simply HIRE one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a correction deed?

A correction deed — also called a corrective deed or deed of correction — fixes a clerical error in a property deed that’s already recorded. It doesn’t transfer property entirely by itself; it corrects the public record, including the previously recording incorrect deed.

How long does a correction deed take?

Once it’s drafted and signed, recording usually takes about 1–5 business days at the Missouri county Recorder of Deeds, though it varies by county. Many counties allow online, immediate recording. Need a quick turnaround time? Mention it prior to hiring us, and we can typically arrange it!

How much does it cost to file a correction deed in Missouri?

County recording fees generally run around $24–$45. Our attorney fee is usually a flat rate, so there are no surprises — ask us for a specific quote on your situation.

Can I file a correction deed without an attorney?

Yes, an attorney is not required. However, a mistake in the correction deed itself creates another title issue — often more expensive to fix than the original. Given how affordable professional help is, most owners choose to have it done right. If you are going to try to do it yourself, you must ask yourself – what is your time worth? Would it make more sense to spend your time doing something else, and let us handle it?

What’s the difference between a correction deed and a quitclaim deed?

A correction deed fixes an error in an existing deed without transferring any new interest. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the Grantor has, if any, and doesn’t reference a prior error. They’re different tools for different situations.

Does a correction deed need to be notarized?

Yes. Like any deed in Missouri, a correction deed has to be signed and notarized before it can be recorded with the county.

What if the original Grantor is no longer available to sign?

Then a scrivener’s affidavit may be the right tool instead. We’ll look at the error and who’s available and prepare whichever document actually fits under Missouri law.

Get Your Correction Deed Filed — Affordably

Deed errors don’t fix themselves, and the longer one sits in the public record, the more tangled it tends to get. We help Missouri property owners, investors, and professionals correct deed errors quickly, correctly, and at a price that won’t surprise them.

Flat-fee pricing. Attorney-prepared documents. Need a quick turnaround time? Mention it prior to hiring us, and we can typically arrange it!

Request a free quote or contact us — or call 417-882-5858.