How To Search for Kansas City Property Records
Property records contain a wealth of information that can provide the insights needed to make informed decisions about real estate you wish to buy or invest in. Key details you can get from these records include ownership history, assessed values, tax information, legal filings, and zoning regulations. Property records are public in Kansas City, meaning that they can be accessed and copied by anyone. Because Kansas City spans across four counties (Jackson, Clay, Platte, and a very small portion in Cass), knowing where to look is crucial to finding the correct information. Below, we've compiled a list of resources to help you find different types of property records in KCMO.
County Recorder of Deeds Offices
The recorder of deeds offices in Jackson County, Clay County, Platte County, and Cass County are all great resources for property records, including real estate deeds, tax liens, and subdivision plats. Each office offers an online search tool you can use to find these records. Searches can typically be done by name and document type; however, search parameters may vary by county, and some search tools also require account registration for full access. If you prefer in-person services, you can visit the recorder of deeds' office in the county where the property is located. Here are the addresses and contact numbers for the Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties' recorder of deeds offices and direct links to each office's online search tool:
Jackson County Recorder of Deeds Office
Historic Truman Courthouse
Suite 30, 112 W. Lexington
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: (816) 881-4483
Clay County Recorder of Deeds Office
1 Courthouse Square
Liberty, MO 64068
Phone: (816) 407-3550
Platte County Recorder's Office
Platte County Administration Building
Room 110, 415 Third St.
Platte City, MO 64079
Phone: (816) 858-3326
Cass County Recorder's Office
102 E. Wall St.
Harrisonville, MO 64701
Phone: (816) 380-8118
County Assessors Offices
Kansas City is spread across Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass counties. Each county has an assessor's office that is responsible for valuing all real property within its jurisdiction for tax purposes. These offices are an invaluable source for information on a property's classification, valuation data, ownership details, sales history, physical characteristics, and more. Each assessor's office provides a public search tool on its website where you can look up information by name, parcel number, address, or other search criteria (depending on the county). You can also visit the assessors' offices in person to get copies of these records. Here are the addresses and contact numbers for the Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties' assessor's offices and direct links to each office's online search tool:
Jackson County Assessment Department
1300 Washington St.
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 881-3530
Clay County Assessor's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Liberty, MO 64068
Phone: (816) 407-3500
The Clay County Assessor also operates offices at the Clay County Courthouse Annex, 1901 NE 48th Street, Kansas City, MO 64118, phone: (816) 407-3470, and Suite D, 234 W Shrader Street, Liberty, MO 64068, phone: 816-407-3370.
Platte County Assessor's Office
Platte County Administration Building
Room 114, 415 Third St.
Platte City, MO 64079
Phone: (816) 858-3316
Cass County Assessor's Office
2733 Cantrell Road
Harrisonville, MO 64701
Phone: (816) 380-8179
County Collector's Offices
The Jackson County Collection Department, Clay County Collector, Platte County Collector, and Cass County Collector of Revenue are responsible for billing and collecting property taxes for Kansas City, depending on where the property is located within the city. You can use these offices' websites to find tax statements, payment histories, bankruptcy filings, and other tax-related information. Note that the scope of information obtainable may vary by county. You can also contact the relevant collector's office directly for assistance with records not available online. Here are the addresses and phone numbers for each county collector's office and direct links to their respective tax information portals:
Jackson County Collection Department
Jackson County Courthouse
Suite 100, 415 E. 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 881-3232
The Jackson County Collection Department also operates a second office at the Truman Courthouse, Suite 114, 112 W. Lexington, Independence, MO 64050.
Clay County Collector's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Liberty, MO 64068
Phone: (816) 407-3200
The Clay County Collector also operates an annex office at 1901 NE 48th Street, Kansas City, MO 64118.
Platte County Collector's Office
Platte County Administration Building
Room 212, 415 Third St.
Platte City, MO 64079
Phone: (816) 858-3356
Cass County Collector's Office
2725 Cantrell Road
Harrisonville, MO 64701
Phone: (816) 380-8377
County Circuit Courts
The county circuit courts in Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass counties are also valuable sources for Kansas City property records related to legal actions or disputes. This includes records on foreclosures, quiet title actions, and other legal judgments that may affect a property's ownership. The Missouri Judiciary provides a centralized Case.net system that you can use to search for these records online using various criteria, such as litigant name, case number, and filing date. You can also request copies of these records in person at the courthouse where the case was heard. Here are the addresses and contact numbers for each county's circuit courts:
Sixteenth Circuit Court of Jackson County
415 East 12th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 881-3000
This court also has locations at 1315 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106; 308 West Kansas, Independence, MO 64050; and 625 East 26th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Seventh Judicial Circuit, Clay County
11 South Water Street
Liberty, MO 64068
Phone: (816) 407-3901
This court also has a location at 351 East Kansas, Liberty, MO 64068.
Sixth Judicial Court, Platte County
415 Third Street
Platte City, MO 64079
Phone: (816) 858-2232
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, Cass County
1st Floor, 2501 W. Mechanic St.
Harrisonville, MO 64701
Phone: (816) 380-8227
KCMO Parcel Viewer
Kansas City has an interactive parcel viewer mapping site that you can use to find details like access zoning, land use, property data, and other parcel information on properties in the city. This tool can be particularly useful if you're unsure of the county where the property you are interested in is located.
Kansas City Property Taxes
Kansas City property taxes are a vital source of funding for essential local services and infrastructure that keep the city running. These include police and fire departments, public schools, libraries, road maintenance, parks and recreation, and more. The Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass county assessors' offices determine the value of properties that fall within their respective jurisdictions, while the county collector's offices are responsible for tax payment collection. Your property's assessed value is a percentage of its market value: 19% for residential real estate, 12% for agricultural, and 32% for commercial and all other types of real estate.
Property tax bills are typically mailed in November (usually between Veterans' Day and Thanksgiving) and are due by December 31st. If the taxes are not paid in full by this date, the unpaid amount will accrue interest, penalties, and fees, which can go as high as 25%. If taxes become delinquent (remain unpaid for up to two years or more, depending on the county), the property may be included in a tax foreclosure sale to recover the unpaid amount. Each county collector's office provides several options for paying property taxes, including online payments (through their websites), credit cards, mail-in, drop boxes, and cash payments at their offices. You can contact the relevant county collector's office directly to get specific information on available tax payment methods by calling any of the following numbers:
- Jackson County Collection Department: (816) 881-3232.
- Clay County Collector: (816) 407-3200.
- Platte County Collector: (816) 858-3356.
- Cass County Collector of Revenue: (816) 380-8377.
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Assessments
The Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass county assessor's offices determine the value of property in Kansas City for tax purposes. This process involves estimating the property's market value by analyzing factors like recent construction, nearby property sales, and the condition of the property. One or more of the three methods are used for this: the cost approach (estimating land and replacement costs minus depreciation), the market approach (comparing recent sales of similar properties), and the income approach (valuing income-generating properties based on rental income and expenses). Once the market value is determined, it is multiplied by a percentage to get the assessed value, which is what your tax bill is based on. The percentages are 19% for residential, 12% for agricultural, and 32% for commercial. For example, a home with a market value of $500,000 would have an assessed value of $95,000.
Real properties in Kansas City are reassessed every odd-numbered year. However, adjustments may be made to a property's market value during even-numbered years if new construction or improvements have taken place. If you believe your property has been overvalued, you can first contact your specific county assessor's office for an informal review. If you remain unsatisfied, you may file a formal appeal with the appropriate County Board of Equalization (Jackson, Clay, Platte, or Cass). The appeal period is typically in July, but you should always check with your county for specific dates. A final appeal can also be made to the Missouri State Tax Commission if necessary.
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Appraisals
Appraisals provide an official estimate of a property's market value. In Kansas City, this value is determined using at least one of three methods: the market data/comparison approach (comparing the home to similar recently sold properties in the area), the cost approach (how much it would cost to replace the property), and the income approach (how much money the property can earn). In cases where a property has a unique or unusual structure or is newly constructed, the county may call on an appraiser to help estimate its value. Estate planners, legal professionals, and lenders also use appraisals to determine a property's value.
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Tax Rates
Because Kansas City spans four counties, its property tax rate varies. For properties in Jackson County, the median effective property tax rate is 1.56%; for those in Clay and Platte Counties, it's 1.38% and 1.52%, respectively, while properties in Cass County have a median effective property tax rate of around 1.46%. These rates are all higher than the national median of 1.02% as well as the Missouri statewide median rate of 1.20%. Likewise, the average annual property tax bill in KCMO also depends on the area in the city: $1,411 for properties in Jackson, $2,644 for those in Clay, $3,767 for Platte, and $2,217 for properties in Cass.
Here's a look at how Kansas City's property tax rates compare to other counties in Missouri:
- Adair County 1.16%
- Boone County 1.27%
- Cole County 1.08%
- Franklin County 1.08%
- Greene County 1.01%
- Jasper County 0.89%
- Jefferson County 1.33%
- Lincoln County 1.17%
- Pettis County 1.16%
- St. Charles County 1.08%
- St. Louis County 1.35%
- Taney County 0.97%
- Webster County 0.95%
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Exemptions
Property tax rates in KCMO are relatively higher than the national average, and some homeowners may find it difficult to keep up with annual tax payments. Thankfully, there are tax relief programs that can help ease the tax burden for qualifying homeowners. These include:
- Missouri Property Tax Credit Program: This is available for certain senior citizens and disabled individuals and refunds a portion of their property taxes or rent (up to $1,100 and $750 for renters).
- Senior Citizens Tax Credit/Freeze Program: This is available for homeowners who are at least 62 years old and "freezes" the taxable amount of their property's value to prevent increases in their tax bills.
In addition to these, Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties are also actively exploring other tax relief options. You can contact your county assessor's office for more information on these programs and how to apply.
Kansas City Building Permits/Inspections
Permits are required for new construction and home improvement projects in Kansas City. However, exemptions are typically made for certain minor work, like replacing faucets and fixtures, painting, and installing flooring or wall-mounted cabinets. Permits are issued by the KC City Planning and Development Department (CPDD). You can apply for permits, submit plans, and request inspections either through the department's CompassKC online portal or by visiting its Permit Center located at 414 E 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106. You can also call (816) 513-1500 for assistance.
Common types of permits available in Kansas City include:
- Building Permits: for residential and commercial construction, additions, remodels, and demolitions.
- Electrical Permits: for installing, repairing, or altering electrical systems.
- Mechanical Permits: for work on heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) systems.
- Plumbing Permits: for installing, altering, or repairing water supply, drainage, vent, or other plumbing systems.
When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.
Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.
Real Estate in the City of Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri (commonly referred to as "KCMO" to distinguish it from the similarly named neighboring city in Kansas) is the state's largest and most populous city. In addition to being home to the Kansas City Chiefs, four-time Super Bowl champions, the city is also famous for its rich jazz heritage, world-class barbecue, and more than 200 public fountains, earning it the nickname "City of Fountains".
Kansas City, MO, has a population of 508,090 residents spread across four counties. The majority of the city's population is in Jackson County, with the remainder in Clay, Platte, and a small portion in Cass County. Kansas City has about 246,544 housing units, and approximately 90% of these units are occupied. Housing options in the city are a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, apartments, duplexes, and condos, and housing styles include Classic Shirtwaist, Victorian, Ranch, Bungalow, and Modern Contemporary. The average price for a house in Kansas City, Missouri, is $247,197, which represents a 1.1% increase from previous years. Keep in mind that actual home prices can differ significantly depending on the neighborhood. Here are examples of house prices across different areas in Kansas City:
- Columbus Park $329,495
- Northeast Industrial District $72,593
- Pendleton Heights $254,001
- River Market $277,694
- Sarritt Point $134,601
The Kansas City, Missouri, real estate market is quite active. The city's cultural vibrancy, combined with a solid job market and an expanding downtown, creates steady demand for housing. This has led to steady and reliable appreciation in home prices over the past several years. The city's housing market also moves quickly, with competitive homes often going under contract in about 10 days, and nearly 40% of listed homes selling above the listing price.