Graves County Property Deed Records

Graves County lies in the Jackson Purchase region of western Kentucky with a population of 36,821. The county seat is Mayfield. Graves County Deed Records are maintained by the County Clerk's Office. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers. Property owners and researchers rely on these files regularly. The Clerk office handles both physical and digital records. Many records trace back to the county's formation in 1824. You can search in person at the courthouse in Mayfield.

Graves County Deed Records Office

The Graves County Clerk maintains all Deed Records for the county. Michelle R. Woodham serves as the current County Clerk. Her office is located in downtown Mayfield. The Clerk records all land transactions. These include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and mortgages. The office also records liens, releases, and various other property documents. All records are open to the public. You may visit during regular business hours.

The Graves County Clerk office is at 101 E. South Street, Mayfield, KY 42066. You can reach the office by phone at (270) 247-1733. The office operates in Central Time. Staff can help you search for deeds and other land records. They provide copies and answer questions about recording requirements for Graves County.

The Clerk office hours are Monday through Friday. The office opens at 8:00 AM. It closes at 4:30 PM. These times are in Central Time. The office is closed on weekends. State holidays also affect the schedule. Call ahead to confirm hours. This ensures staff availability when you visit Mayfield.

Graves County Deed Recording Fees

The Graves County Clerk charges fees to record documents. These fees follow Kentucky state standards. Different documents have different rates. Extra pages add to the cost. Always verify current fees before filing. The Clerk's office can provide exact amounts for your specific document.

A deed costs $50 to record in Graves County. This covers up to five pages. Each extra page adds $3. Mortgages cost $80 for up to thirty pages. Extra pages are $3 each. A mortgage with assignment costs $126. This also includes thirty pages. Assignments and releases each cost $46. These cover up to five pages. Plats cost a flat $50 fee.

Copy fees are separate from recording fees. Standard copies cost $0.10 per page. This rate follows Kentucky open records law. The Clerk accepts various payment forms. Check with the office for accepted payment methods before your visit to Mayfield.

Graves County Deed Recording Requirements

Documents must meet certain standards to be recorded. Graves County follows Kentucky recording requirements. These rules help ensure clear title records. Rejected documents delay property transactions. Review requirements before submitting. This saves time and money for all parties involved.

All documents must use white paper. The size must be 8.5 by 11 inches. Use black ink only. The font must be at least 8 point. Margins matter too. The top margin on the first page needs 2 inches. All other margins need 1 inch.

Required information includes original signatures. Names must be typed beneath each signature. You need mailing addresses for grantors and grantees. Include the tax bill "in-care-of" address. The preparer's name and address must appear. A complete legal description is required. Reference the source of title. Include a consideration statement. A gift affidavit works if there is no money exchanged.

Kentucky imposes a transfer tax on deeds. The rate is $0.50 per $500 of value. This applies to the full amount or any fraction. The grantor pays this tax. It is based on the consideration stated. The Clerk collects this at recording time in Graves County.

Researching Graves County Property History

Deed records trace property ownership through time. Graves County records show land transactions from 1824 onward. Early records involved the Jackson Purchase land acquisition from the Chickasaw Nation. Agriculture shaped many historical deeds in the region. Researchers can follow property chains from original land patents to modern owners. The county's rich farmland attracted many early Kentucky settlers.

Old deeds may use metes and bounds descriptions. These reference natural landmarks and section lines. Modern deeds use lot and block numbers. Subdivision plats show this transition. Always trace the full chain of title. Missing links can cloud ownership. Professional title searchers can help with complex histories in Graves County.

Cities in Graves County

Mayfield serves as the county seat of Graves County. All Graves County Deed Records are filed here. The County Clerk office handles records for all communities within the county. Property in any city uses the same recording process. The Clerk maintains a single index for all Graves County land records.

Other communities in Graves County include Fancy Farm and Symsonia. Residents of these areas file deeds at the Mayfield office. The same fees and rules apply throughout Graves County.

Nearby Counties with Deed Records

These counties border Graves County. Each has its own Clerk office. Deed Records must be filed in the correct county. Verify the property location before searching. This ensures you check the right office for land documents.

Kentucky Deed Records Context

Graves County is one of 120 counties in Kentucky. Each has an elected County Clerk. All maintain deed records and land documents. The Kentucky County Clerks Association provides standards and training. This ensures consistency for property records across the state.

The Kentucky Secretary of State Land Office holds historical deed records. These predate county clerk offices. Land grants from Virginia date to 1773. Kentucky grants start in 1792. These property records trace original land titles throughout the Commonwealth.

Transfer tax is $0.50 per $500 of value on deed records. This applies statewide. KRS statutes govern recording requirements for property documents. County clerks follow these laws. Graves County implements them locally. The system protects property rights. It creates a public record of land ownership for all residents.