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1. What is the Register of Deeds Office?

The Register of Deeds office is a place where all transactions having to do with real estate including most liens and mortgages are recorded and maintained so that the public is made aware of their existence. This is also a place where fixture filings are recorded under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).

2. What is the Uniform Commercial Code?

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) became effective in Kansas in 1966. The Uniform Commercial Code is a code developed for uniform filing on personal property throughout the USA. Like all “uniform” attempts, fees and other things are different, but the basic concepts of security regulations are more uniform.

The filing of a UCC financing statement is what perfects or secures the loan on consumer goods or personal property. UCC finance statements on personal property are now filed at the state level. UCC Fixture Filings which affect the land continue to be filed in the Register of Deeds Office.

3. Who runs the Register of Deeds Office?

A person referred to as the Register of Deeds administers the Register of Deeds Office, who in turn has a Deputy and a staff that performs various duties.

4. Who is the Register of Deeds?

The Register of Deeds is an elected official for a four-year term who makes certain that the documents are recorded properly according to the laws of the state and maintains and preserves those records. The current Register of Deeds is Diane Lynn Briestensky.

5. Where is the Register of Deeds Office located?

The office is located at the corner of 8th and Franklin Streets and across from the Geary County Detention Center at:
Geary County Office Building
200 E 8th Street
Junction City, KS  66441

6. What kinds of records would I find in the Register of Deeds office?

Our office records a diverse range of very technical documents. Besides deeds, mortgages, and liens, there are:

• Corporate records
• Easements
• Land Surveys for land within Geary County
• Military Discharge Records (Per K.S.A. 45-221 (46) Exempt from Open Records)
• Mortgage Assignments
• Oil and Gas Leases
• Plats of Additions to the cities of Geary County
• Power of Attorneys
• Releases
• Restrictive Covenants

7. How far back do the records go?

The earliest records in the Register of Deeds Office, written in elaborate manuscript, date back to the 1800s when we were known as Davis County. Among the early records are the Patent Deeds recorded when the land was bought from the United States government that is signed by the President of the United States.

8. What happens to a document when it is brought to the Register of Deeds?

There are a number of steps taken when a document is received for recording before it is returned to the customer. 

1. The document is evaluated for obvious errors and recordability and the correct fee is received
2. The document is entered into the computer system. 
3. This action generates a label containing the Register of Deeds signature and county seal as well as:
   • Book amount
   • Date
   • Fee amount.
   • Page amount
   • Time
4. This label will be affixed to the document. 
5. The recorded document is imaged and data entered into the computer system creating a permanent record for archival and reproduction purposes before being returned to the customer. 
6. The document is indexed in the numerical Land Index books and/or the miscellaneous Direct and Indirect books.

9. Who do I talk to in the Register of Deeds Office about matters?

The office staff at the front counter as you enter the Register of Deeds Office will be more than happy to answer your questions. It is better if you personally visit the office. However, if you cannot you may obtain certain information over the phone. 

Since there are certain kinds of information that can only be answered by an attorney it would not be suitable to have the information given you by one who is not an attorney. Basically the Register of Deeds office is a recording agency only and therefore the information it provides is limited to that which is contained in the records. If you call, the number is 785-238-5531. The Register of Deeds Office is open to the public during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding state and national holidays.

10. What are the fees for recording instruments in the Register of Deeds Office?

State law sets the recording fees, which are $17 for the first page and $13 for each additional page. In addition, there is a technology fee charged of $2 per page for the Register of Deeds Office, $0.50 per page each for Treasurer's and Clerk's Office and $1 per page for Heritage Trust Fund. A release or assignment of mortgage is $16 per mortgage listed regardless of the number of pages (the technology fees and Heritage Trust fee also applies to be an additional $4 per page), and Plats of Additions are $32 per page. 

The recording fees for the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) fixture filings are $15 for up to 10 pages and $1 per page after that. The fee for certifying a copy of record is $13. The previous Mortgage Registration Fee is no longer collected per KSA 28-115. These fees listed are accurate as of January 2019.

11. How long will it take for a deed or other document to be returned?

After imaging and indexing, the documents are sorted and envelopes addressed ready to be placed in the mail within 24 to 48 hours of recording. In some instances, it is possible the document may be ready to be returned the same day.

12. Can I locate the mortgage on my property in the Register of Deeds Office?

Yes, mortgages are listed in the numerical land index books, as are the deeds.

13. Can I record property in the Geary County Register of Deeds Office if the property is not located in this county?

No, the property or part of it has to be located in Geary County.

14. Can the Register of Deeds Office tell me if I have a good and clear title?

No. Professional title examiners or abstractors use the records in our office as well as searching records in other offices to determine if the title is good and clear.