If an old deed or property transfer was properly signed, witnessed, and recorded following the rules that existed back when it was made, it can be used as proof in court today. Two things must be true: it was filed in the right government office within one year of being made, and it was made more than twenty years before someone tries to use it in court.
490.290. under former law. — Any deed or , or and , according to any law in force at the time of taking such or , although not declared by such law to be , shall be , if it appear to have been in the proper office, within one year from its date, and more than twenty years from the time it is offered in evidence.
(RSMo 1939 § 1840)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 1676; 1919 § 5363; 1909 § 6308
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Related Missouri laws
Deed, evidence upon proof of certain facts
RSMo 490.300
Instruments under repealed law
RSMo 490.280
Original deed lost
RSMo 490.310
Certified copies of religious records
RSMo 490.270
Copy of deed, when evidence
RSMo 490.320
Records of religious societies
RSMo 490.260
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.