FAQs • Jefferson County, KS • CivicEngage

My spouse recently died. How do I change the name on my deed?: If you owned the property in joint tenancy, you need to file a certified copy of the death certificate in the Register of Deeds Office at 300 Jefferson Street in Oskaloosa. This will remove the name of the deceased party from the title to the real estate. A new deed will not be made but the records will reflect that one party is deceased.

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Register of Deeds

1. How do I change my name, add someone to my deed, or remove someone from my deed?: Once a document has been filed in this office, the document itself will not be changed. If you want to make a change to the title, a new document would need to be prepared and recorded. We cannot prepare the document for you. To avoid future legal problems we recommend that you have a title company or an attorney prepare the new deed.

2. Why can’t the Register of Deeds Office prepare my real estate documents?: The Register of Deeds Office is charged with the duty of being an independent custodian of records. As such, the only area we can assist you in is general process questions. We cannot assist you in the actual drafting of documents. We recommend that you retain an attorney or title company for assistance.

3. Can I find birth, death, and marriage records in the Register of Deeds Office?: No. These records are filed with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Vital Statistics in Topeka, Kansas. Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office

4. What is a deed?: A deed is a document that transfers the ownership of real estate. There are many forms of deeds. A warranty deed and quit claim deed are among two of the most common forms used. A warranty deed is a guarantee from the seller to the buyer that he has a good clear title, and guarantees that previous owners have no interest in the property. A quit claim deed is used to release the name of a person who may have interest in or claim to the property.

5. Can the Register of Deeds Office do a title search and tell me if I have clear title to my property?: No, the Register of Deeds Office will not do a title search and tell you if you have a clear title to your property. The Register of Deeds Office is not authorized to render opinions regarding the status of your title. Professional title examiners or abstractors search records in our office and other places such as the courts to determine if your title is free of encumbrances.

6. What if I lose my deed?: As long as it was filed in the Register of Deeds Office, you will always be able to obtain a copy of your deed. There is a fee for the copy and an additional fee if you want the copy certified.
For more information, please contact the Register of Deeds Office at (785) 863-2243.

7. Can I prepare my own deed?: Yes, you can prepare 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 accurately. Our staff does not prepare deeds nor are we qualified to provide legal advice.

8. If I sell a portion of my land, do I get a deed for the remainder?: No, not unless you have a new deed prepared containing only the remainder of land you own. When documents are recorded in our office they become permanent record and cannot be altered. To determine what someone owns after the sale of a portion of land, you would need the original legal description and the description of any pieces sold. A survey may be required for a new legal description.

9. Who keeps the documents I submit for recording?: Once a document is recorded it is returned to the filer. A digital copy is kept at the Register of Deeds office and a microfilmed copy is stored at the salt mines in Hutchison, Kansas.

10. Can I find out who owns a particular piece of property?: A call or visit to the Register of Deeds Office with an address or legal description will enable us to determine who owns the property. Another valuable tool is the Appraiser’s Office, where you can search by an address.

11. Can I verify my date of birth or age in your department?: Yes. Kansas law allows us to provide verification from county school census records. Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office

12. My spouse recently died. How do I change the name on my deed?: If you owned the property in joint tenancy, you need to file a certified copy of the death certificate in the Register of Deeds Office at 300 Jefferson Street in Oskaloosa. This will remove the name of the deceased party from the title to the real estate. A new deed will not be made but the records will reflect that one party is deceased.

13. Can you record a deed for property located outside of Jefferson County?: No, the property must be located in Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Register of Deeds Office can help you locate other Kansas Register of Deeds offices. A list of Register of Deeds contacts can also be found at the following website. Kansas Register of Deeds Association

14. How do I record or get a copy of my military discharge (DD214)?: To record your military discharge papers, also known as DD214s, bring the original discharge form to our office and we will record it while you wait. There is no fee for this service. We can then provide certified copies for you at that time or anytime thereafter. To request a copy at a later date, a Request for DD214 or Military Record form has to be completed and photo ID is required. Request for DD214

15. What was the sale price for a particular property?: The County Appraiser collects sales information which is used for property valuation purposes and is not open to public inspection.

16. What is a lien?: Many times the owners of property may owe money to various creditors. The lien allows creditors a means of preventing the property from either being sold or mortgaged until the debt is paid. There are many types of liens filed in the Register of Deeds Office: Internal Revenue and State Tax liens (for non-payment of taxes) and mechanics liens (for labor and material furnished in repair of personal property). However, a mechanic lien on real estate is filed with the Clerk of the District Court.

17. How do I find information about easements on my property?: Our records will show any easements that have been recorded in our office. Some easements are also recorded on deeds and may not be easily located. Easements are often difficult to find because many have not been recorded in our office. The services of an attorney or title company may be required to sort through easement issues.

18. Can I find out how old my house is or get historical information about my house?: Not in our office. The Appraiser’s Office may have some information regarding the date a house was built. For more detailed information you might try contacting the Jefferson County Genealogical Society.

19. I can’t find a record, where else can I look?: Not all records are in the Register of Deeds Office. The Clerk of the District court will have court, probate, and divorce records. Kansas Department of Health and Environment - Vital Statistics has birth, marriage, and death records. The Jefferson County Historical Society may be helpful in doing genealogy work. Kansas Department of Health and Environment

20. Can I file deeds electronically with your office?: Yes, we do accept electronic recordings. You must be an approved submitter & use one of our contracted vendors.