List of frequently asked questions (FAQ) for Register of Deeds.
It is vital that deeds are prepared accurately. You can draw up your own deed but to prevent mistakes that could be costly, we always recommend that you retain an attorney or title company to help ensure that the deed is prepared correctly. Our staff does not prepare deeds nor are we qualified to provide legal advice.
No. At least a portion of any property referred to in the document has to be located in Douglas County, Kansas.
While the Register of Deeds office does not directly provide this service, the public is welcome to research our records.
Yes. Douglas County will accept e-record documents from the following vendors:
Simplifile - http://www.simplifile.com
Mobilis - www.icounty.com
CSC-Corporation Service Company - www.erecording.com
ePN - https://www.goepn.com/
Documents must be an original. The only exceptions are certified copies from the courts.
In America, property ownership is almost taken for granted. But remember, there are countries where owning property is not the norm. The office was often created even before a state became an official part of the United States. The records retained in the Douglas County Register of Deeds office go back to the early 1800's. In eastern states, the records start in the 1700's and before. These records never go away. Research takes you back to the very first transaction between the Native Americans and the U.S. government and everything in between then and now!
Documents can be submitted for re-recording in one of two ways:
Documents are processed immediately upon presentation (except some surveys and plats). Documents that are presented in person will be returned within 5-10 minutes. Documents received by mail will be sent out for return on the following business day.
YES. We can accept the three-part SVQ form or the one-part form. For SVQ’s older than Revision 8/12 please provide the instruction page due to clause listed on the instruction page.
Once recorded, if your deed is lost or misplaced, a copy may be obtained from the Register of Deeds office and certified with an official stamp. There is a fee for the copy and the certification.
The legal description can be found on the deed to the property. If you do not have a copy of your deed one can be obtained at the Register of Deeds office.
Please note that the legal description provided on tax statements is not a complete legal description.
You can get the entire fee schedule by visiting the Register of Deeds Fee Schedule, or by visiting the Register of Deeds Office.
The Register of Deeds office is located at:
The Register of Deeds is a county official elected to a four-year term who ensures that documents are recorded properly and also maintains and preserves those records according to Kansas law. The current Register of Deeds is Kent Brown.
This office is responsible for keeping a record of who owns what property. When you sell your property, someone checks our records to make sure that you have clear title to the property. If you are the buyer, someone is doing the same. They will need to know if the property is in your name (Deed) and is there are any liens against the property (Mortgage, Federal Tax Liens, State Tax Lien, etc.). The records here are also used to determine where to send the tax bill, where to put utility lines, how to make the best land usage plans and lots more.
No. Professional title examiners or abstractors search our records as well as other places, such as the courts, to determine if your title is free of encumbrances.
Courthouse:
1100 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
Judicial and Law Enforcement Center:
111 East 11th Street
Lawrence, KS 66044