Old written documents that were used to transfer land — like deeds or powers of attorney — can be used as evidence in court without extra proof, as long as they were properly signed and recorded more than 30 years before March 28, 1874, following the laws that were in place at the time they were made.
490.380. s thirty years before 1874. — All deeds, , powers of attorney, or other instruments in writing under , to any land, or any therein, or whereby the same may be affected , and in conformity with the of any law in force in this state, or in the or territory of Louisiana, or in the territory of Missouri, at the time of its and , and which deed has been in the proper office more than thirty years before March 28, 1874, shall, together with the or , be in all the courts of this state without further proof of the execution thereof.
(RSMo 1939 § 1875)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 1711; 1919 § 5398; 1909 § 6342
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Related Missouri laws
Recitals in deeds, evidence of heirship in certain cases
RSMo 490.370
Copies evidence when original lost
RSMo 490.390
Evidence of execution of real estate instrument
RSMo 490.360
Sheriff's deed in tax sale, evidence of what
RSMo 490.400
Copies of recorded instruments
RSMo 490.350
Acknowledged instruments affecting realty
RSMo 490.410
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.