If a deed for real estate is over 20 years old and was used in a court case, a certified copy of that deed from the court records can be used as evidence in a later case — but only if the original deed has been lost or destroyed.
490.320. Copy of , when . — When any deed or affecting has been more than twenty years, and has not been or , according to law, when so recorded, but has been subsequently duly proved, and read upon the trial of any in any of the of this state, and a copy of such deed or conveyance has been preserved in a taken and filed in such , and a of the proceedings therein has been filed in the supreme court or any of the , upon that the deed or conveyance has been lost or destroyed, the copy thereof contained in such transcript, under the hand and of the of the proper court, may be in any suit.
(RSMo 1939 § 1843, A.L. 1973 S.B. 263, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 1679; 1919 § 5366; 1909 § 6311
Effective 1-02-79
Tap any gold-underlined word to see what it means.
Related Missouri laws
Original deed lost
RSMo 490.310
Evidence offered to reject such copy
RSMo 490.330
Deed, evidence upon proof of certain facts
RSMo 490.300
Certain recorded instruments to impart notice, when
RSMo 490.340
Deed acknowledged under former law
RSMo 490.290
Copies of recorded instruments
RSMo 490.350
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.