Montgomery County Public Records /Montgomery County Property Records

Montgomery County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in Montgomery County in 2026

MontgomeryKSRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Montgomery County, Kansas. Members of the public may find ownership history, assessed values, recorded deeds, tax information, and encumbrance data through this resource. Available record categories include deeds and conveyances, mortgage and lien filings, property tax assessments, plat maps, and transfer histories. Records are subject to availability and may not reflect the most recent filings.

Property records in Montgomery County may be searched through several official channels maintained by county and state agencies. The primary resources include the Montgomery County Appraiser's Office, the Montgomery County Register of Deeds, and the Kansas Department of Revenue's property tax portal. Each office maintains distinct record sets, and members of the public are encouraged to consult multiple sources for a complete property profile.

Online Search Methods:

1. Property Appraiser Website

The Montgomery County Appraiser's Office maintains an online database for property assessment information. Members of the public may access this system at no cost and without registration.

Search Options:

By property address
By owner name
By parcel ID number
By subdivision name
By GIS map location
By legal description

Information Available:

Current owner name and mailing address
Property site address and legal description
Parcel identification number
Land use and zoning classification
Property characteristics including square footage, year built, lot size, and building type
Assessed value of land and improvements
Taxable value and applied exemptions
Sales history
GIS map location and aerial imagery

How to Search:

Navigate to the Montgomery County Appraiser's Office online portal
Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel ID)
Enter the relevant search criteria
Review the results list returned by the system
Select a specific property to view the full property card
Review ownership data, valuation history, and sales records
Print or save the information as needed

2. Register of Deeds Official Records Search

The Montgomery County Register of Deeds maintains the official index of recorded instruments affecting real property. Basic search access is available to the public at no charge.

Searchable By:

Grantor name (seller or transferor)
Grantee name (buyer or transferee)
Document type
Recording date range
Book and page number
Instrument number

Documents Available:

Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
Mortgages and deeds of trust
Mortgage satisfactions and releases
Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
Easements and access agreements
Declarations of restrictions and covenants
Plats and subdivision surveys
Powers of attorney affecting real property
Lis pendens filings
HOA-related recorded documents

How to Search:

Access the Montgomery County Register of Deeds online index
Select the appropriate search type
Enter grantor or grantee names, document type, or date range
Review the returned results list
Select a document to view the recorded image, if available online
Note the book and page or instrument number for reference
Some document images may require a fee to view or download

3. Tax Information Search

The Kansas Department of Revenue and the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office provide tax-related property information accessible to the public.

Search By:

Property address
Owner name
Parcel number
Tax account number

Information Available:

Current tax bill and payment status
Payment history by year
Outstanding balances and delinquency status
Applied exemptions and millage rates
Tax certificate information for delinquent properties
Installment plan status and payment options

4. GIS and Mapping System

Montgomery County maintains a geographic information system that allows visual property searches through interactive mapping tools.

How to Use:

Navigate the interactive map to the subject property location
Click on a parcel to retrieve linked property information
View property boundaries, zoning layers, flood zone designations, and aerial photography
Access linked assessment and deed records from the map interface
Measure distances and view multiple data layers simultaneously

In-Person Searches:

Montgomery County Appraiser's Office
217 N. Pine St., Room 201
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1050
Montgomery County Appraiser

Services available in person include public access computer terminals, staff assistance with property searches, printed property cards, plat maps, and exemption application processing.

Montgomery County Register of Deeds
217 N. Pine St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1060
Montgomery County Register of Deeds

Members of the public may inspect official recorded documents, request certified copies, search grantor and grantee indexes, and access historical record books with staff assistance.

Montgomery County Treasurer's Office
217 N. Pine St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1070
Montgomery County Treasurer

Services include tax payment processing, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.

By Mail Requests:

Property Appraiser:

Written requests for property information may be directed to the Montgomery County Appraiser's Office at 217 N. Pine St., Room 201, Independence, KS 67301. Requests should identify the property by address or parcel number and include a self-addressed return envelope. Copying fees may apply.

Register of Deeds:

Requests for copies of recorded documents should be directed to the Montgomery County Register of Deeds at 217 N. Pine St., Independence, KS 67301. Requestors should specify the document by book and page number, instrument number, or property address with an approximate date range. Payment for copying fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request.

Through Professionals:

Title companies provide comprehensive title searches, abstracts of title, and title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys offer legal title opinions and representation in complex ownership or dispute matters. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and provide comparable sales analysis as part of their representation services.

Search Tips:

When searching by address, members of the public should use the complete street address and try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W). When searching by owner name, attempting the last name first and checking spelling variations, including maiden names and business entity names, improves results. For historical records, older instruments may not be digitized and may require an in-person visit to the courthouse, where staff can assist with microfilm or bound record books.

Common Search Challenges:

Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing delays. Properties with common owner names or similar addresses may return multiple results; verification by parcel number or legal description resolves ambiguity. Unrecorded documents, private agreements, and documents filed under seal are not accessible through public property record systems.

What Is Montgomery County Property Records

Property records are official documents related to real property — land and the structures affixed to it — maintained by county government as legal evidence of ownership, encumbrances, and transactions. These records establish the chain of title, document transfers of ownership, record mortgages and liens, and support property tax assessment. Under Kansas Statutes Annotated § 58-2221, instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and creditors.

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records:

Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
Title documents and transfer records
Chain of title and ownership history
Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting real property

Encumbrance Records:

Mortgages and deeds of trust
Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
Easements and access rights
Deed restrictions and covenants
Homeowner association (HOA) recorded documents
Lis pendens filings

Tax and Assessment Records:

Property tax assessments and valuation notices
Tax bills and payment history
Applied exemptions including homestead, senior, veteran, and disability
Millage rates and special assessments
Tax delinquency records

Legal Descriptions:

Plat maps and subdivision plats
Surveys and re-plats
Lot and block information
Metes and bounds descriptions

Building and Permit Records:

Building permits and certificates of occupancy
Code violation notices
Zoning classifications and land use designations

Who Maintains Property Records:

The Montgomery County Register of Deeds records, indexes, and maintains all instruments affecting title to real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats. The Montgomery County Appraiser's Office maintains property valuation records, assessment data, property characteristics, and exemption applications. The Montgomery County Treasurer's Office maintains tax billing, payment history, and delinquency records. The Montgomery County Planning and Zoning Department maintains permit records, zoning classifications, and code enforcement files.

Legal Framework:

Kansas property recording law, codified at K.S.A. § 58-2222, establishes that every instrument in writing that conveys real estate or any interest therein must be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds of the county in which the real estate is situated. The recording system provides constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers, protecting the integrity of property ownership in the state.

Are Property Records Public Information in Montgomery County?

Property records in Montgomery County are public information. Under the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. § 45-215 et seq.), public records maintained by government agencies are open to inspection by any person. Property records recorded with the Register of Deeds and maintained by the Appraiser's and Treasurer's offices are subject to this statutory framework and are accessible to any member of the public without requiring a stated purpose or demonstrated interest.

Why Property Records Are Public:

The public nature of property records serves multiple essential functions. Transparency in property ownership prevents fraudulent transfers and supports accountability in property taxation. The recording system provides constructive notice — meaning that once a document is recorded, all subsequent parties are legally presumed to have knowledge of its contents, regardless of whether they have actually reviewed it. This principle underpins the entire real estate marketplace and the title insurance industry.

What Property Information Is Public:

The following categories of information are freely accessible to the public:

Current and historical property ownership
Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
Sale prices and transfer dates
Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
Liens, encumbrances, and easements
Tax assessments and payment history
Property characteristics including size, age, and building type
Deeds and all other recorded instruments
Plat maps and surveys

Privacy Considerations:

While property records are public, certain personal information is protected. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under state and federal privacy requirements. Kansas law provides address confidentiality protections for certain individuals, including law enforcement officers, judges, domestic violence victims, and stalking victims, who may request that their residential address be shielded from public disclosure. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public inspection; members of the public should contact the Montgomery County Appraiser's Office for specific policies regarding exemption application access.

Who Can Access Property Records:

Any person may access property records in Montgomery County. There is no residency requirement, ownership requirement, or business purpose requirement. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property investors, genealogists, historians, and members of the media. Out-of-state and international inquirers have the same access rights as local residents.

Commercial Use of Property Records:

Commercial use of public property records is permitted under Kansas law. Title companies, appraisal firms, real estate marketing services, and data aggregation companies such as CoreLogic and First American routinely compile and resell property record data. Such use is legal and consistent with the public nature of the records, provided that applicable anti-harassment laws, fair housing statutes, and privacy regulations are observed.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Montgomery County?

Members of the public may inspect property records at the Montgomery County Register of Deeds and Appraiser's Office at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee schedule reflects current standard charges:

Service	Standard Fee
Copy of recorded document (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy of recorded document	$1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee
Recording a new instrument (deed, mortgage, etc.)	$21.00 for first page + $17.00 each additional page
Online document viewing/download	Free to nominal fee depending on system
Property card copies (Appraiser's Office)	Nominal copying fee
GIS map prints	Nominal fee

Recording fees in Kansas are governed by K.S.A. § 28-115, which establishes the statutory fee schedule for the Register of Deeds. Fees may vary slightly based on document type and page count.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash
Check payable to Montgomery County Register of Deeds or Montgomery County Appraiser
Credit and debit cards (availability varies by office)
Money order

Free Access:

Online inspection of property assessment data through the Appraiser's Office portal is free
Basic grantor/grantee index searches through the Register of Deeds are free
Tax information searches through the Treasurer's Office are free
GIS map viewing online is free

No fee waiver provisions are currently established for standard property record requests in Montgomery County. Requests involving extensive staff research time may be subject to additional charges at the discretion of the office.

What's Included in a Montgomery County Property Record?

A complete Montgomery County property record draws from multiple official sources and encompasses the following categories of information:

Ownership Information:

Current Ownership:

Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the most recent deed
Ownership type: individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by entirety, trust, LLC, corporation, or life estate
Ownership percentage where multiple owners hold undivided interests
Acquisition date and deed book/page or instrument number
Mailing address for tax billing purposes

Previous Ownership:

Chain of title reflecting all prior owners
Transfer dates and historical deed references
Ownership timeline from original conveyance to present

Property Identification:

Site address and mailing address (if different)
City, ZIP code, and jurisdictional municipality
Legal description including lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, and section/township/range where applicable
Parcel identification number and tax account number

Physical Characteristics:

Land Information:

Lot size in square feet or acres
Lot dimensions, frontage, and depth
Corner lot designation
Land use designation and zoning classification

Building Information:

Total living area in square feet
Year built and effective year
Number of stories and building type
Construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, and foundation type
Number of bedrooms, full bathrooms, and half bathrooms

Additional Features:

Garage type and number of spaces
Pool, porch, and patio information
Fireplace, central air conditioning, and heating type
Water source and sewer system type
Additional structures on the parcel

Valuation Information:

Assessed land value and building value
Total assessed value and estimated market value
Assessment year and historical values for prior years
Agricultural classification and value where applicable

Tax Information:

Total current year tax amount
Taxable value after exemptions
Millage rate and breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, city, special districts)
Payment status, due dates, and discount information
Tax payment history for prior years
Applied exemptions including homestead, senior, disability, and veteran exemptions

Sales History:

Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document numbers for recent transfers
Sale type classification (warranty deed, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, gift, inheritance, divorce transfer)
Grantor and grantee names for each transaction
Qualified or unqualified sale designation
Documentary stamp amounts

Encumbrances and Liens:

Recorded mortgages including lender name, recording date, and original amount
Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens
Easements, deed restrictions, and covenants
Lis pendens filings
Life estates and recorded lease interests

Legal and Regulatory Information:

Current zoning classification and permitted uses
Future land use designation
Special taxing district memberships (school, fire, water, community development)
Deed restrictions and subdivision covenants
Flood zone designation per FEMA mapping
Wetlands and conservation area designations

Maps and Images:

Exterior property photograph
Aerial photograph and GIS map with parcel boundaries
Plat map and property sketch
Historical aerial imagery where available

Building Permit Information (if integrated):

Building permits issued, permit dates, and descriptions
Contractor information and permit valuations
Certificate of occupancy records
Inspection history

What Is NOT Typically in Public Property Records:

Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
Interior photographs
Confidential exemption application details
Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
Private unrecorded agreements
Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price

How Long Does Montgomery County Keep Property Records?

Property records in Montgomery County are maintained permanently. The Register of Deeds retains all recorded instruments affecting title to real property indefinitely, as these records form the legal foundation of the chain of title and cannot be destroyed without eliminating the evidentiary basis for property ownership. This permanent retention requirement is consistent with Kansas records retention law and the fundamental principle that title to real property must be traceable through an unbroken chain of recorded instruments.

Records Kept Permanently:

Deed Records:

All recorded deeds are retained permanently, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance instruments. Montgomery County's deed records extend back to the county's formation, with the earliest instruments reflecting original land grants and territorial-period transfers.

Mortgage Records:

All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, releases, modifications, and assignments are maintained permanently. Even after a loan is paid in full and a satisfaction is recorded, both the original mortgage and the satisfaction remain in the permanent record.

Lien Records:

All recorded liens — including tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and releases thereof — are retained permanently as part of the official title record.

Plats and Surveys:

All recorded subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are maintained permanently. These documents establish the legal boundaries of parcels and cannot be removed from the record.

How To Find Liens on Property in Montgomery County?

Liens on property in Montgomery County are recorded instruments and are therefore searchable through the Montgomery County Register of Deeds. A lien is a legal claim against real property that secures payment of a debt or obligation, and under Kansas recording law, a lien must be recorded to be enforceable against subsequent purchasers and creditors who lack actual notice of its existence.

Types of Liens Commonly Found on Property:

Federal and state tax liens filed by the IRS or Kansas Department of Revenue
Judgment liens arising from court judgments against the property owner
Mechanic's liens filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers
HOA assessment liens
Code enforcement liens
Child support liens

Steps to Search for Liens:

Access the Montgomery County Register of Deeds online index
Search by the property owner's name as grantor or grantee
Filter results by document type to identify lien filings specifically
Review all results within the relevant time period
Note the recording date, lien amount, and lienholder for each result
Request a copy of any lien document for the full text of the instrument
Check for corresponding releases or satisfactions that may have discharged the lien

Federal Tax Liens:

Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the county Register of Deeds in the county where the taxpayer's property is located. Members of the public may also search the IRS federal tax lien database for additional information regarding federal lien filings.

Judgment Liens:

Judgment liens in Kansas arise when a court judgment is filed with the Register of Deeds in the county where the debtor owns real property. A judgment lien attaches to all real property owned by the debtor in that county at the time of filing and to any property subsequently acquired. Judgment lien records are searchable through the Register of Deeds index under the judgment debtor's name.

Mechanic's Liens:

Contractors and material suppliers who have not been paid for work performed on real property may file a mechanic's lien under Kansas law. These liens are recorded with the Register of Deeds and are searchable by property owner name or property address where the index permits address-based searches.

In-Person Lien Search:

Members of the public who require a comprehensive lien search, particularly for older records not available online, may conduct an in-person search at the Register of Deeds office. Staff can assist with retrieving records from microfilm or bound indexes for time periods not covered by the online system.

Montgomery County Register of Deeds
217 N. Pine St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1060
Montgomery County Register of Deeds

Title companies routinely conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process and can provide a certified report of all recorded encumbrances affecting a specific parcel.

What Is Property Owner Rule in Montgomery County?

The property owner rule in Montgomery County refers to the body of Kansas statutory and common law principles that govern who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Under Kansas law, any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, or other legal entity may hold title to real property in the state.

Establishing Ownership:

Ownership of real property in Kansas is established by a recorded deed. As noted above, K.S.A. § 58-2221 requires that instruments conveying real property be recorded with the Register of Deeds to provide constructive notice. An unrecorded deed may be valid between the parties to the transaction but does not protect the grantee against a subsequent bona fide purchaser who records first without notice of the prior conveyance.

Forms of Ownership:

Kansas law recognizes several forms of concurrent ownership:

Tenancy in Common: Two or more persons each hold an undivided fractional interest in the property. Each co-tenant may transfer their interest independently, and upon death, the interest passes through the owner's estate rather than to the surviving co-tenants.
Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship: Two or more persons hold equal undivided interests with the right of survivorship, meaning that upon the death of one joint tenant, their interest passes automatically to the surviving joint tenant(s) without probate.
Tenancy by the Entirety: Available only to married couples in Kansas, this form of ownership provides that neither spouse may transfer or encumber the property without the consent of the other, and the property passes automatically to the surviving spouse upon death.
Trust Ownership: Real property may be held in a revocable or irrevocable trust, with the trustee holding legal title for the benefit of the trust beneficiaries.
Entity Ownership: LLCs, corporations, and partnerships may hold title to real property in Kansas, with ownership and transfer governed by the entity's organizational documents and applicable state business law.

Property Owner Rights and Obligations:

Property owners in Montgomery County hold the right to use, enjoy, lease, mortgage, and transfer their property subject to applicable zoning regulations, deed restrictions, HOA covenants, and state and local law. Property owners are obligated to pay real property taxes assessed by the Montgomery County Appraiser and levied by the Montgomery County Treasurer. Failure to pay property taxes may result in the placement of a tax lien and, ultimately, a tax deed sale under Kansas delinquent tax law.

Homestead Protections:

Kansas provides significant homestead protections for owner-occupied residential property. Under the Kansas Constitution, Article 15, Section 9, a homestead of up to 160 acres of farming land or one acre within a city or town is exempt from forced sale for the payment of debts, with limited exceptions for mortgage obligations, purchase money liens, and tax obligations. This constitutional protection is among the strongest homestead exemptions in the United States and reflects the state's longstanding policy of protecting family residences from creditor claims.

Transfer of Ownership:

Real property in Montgomery County is transferred by a written deed signed by the grantor and delivered to the grantee. The deed must contain a legal description of the property, identify the grantor and grantee, and express the grantor's intent to convey the property. Recording the deed with the Montgomery County Register of Deeds provides constructive notice of the transfer and protects the grantee's ownership interest against subsequent claims. Kansas does not impose a state real estate transfer tax, which distinguishes it from many other states.

Montgomery County Register of Deeds
217 N. Pine St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1060
Montgomery County Register of Deeds

Montgomery County Appraiser's Office
217 N. Pine St., Room 201
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1050
Montgomery County Appraiser

Montgomery County Treasurer's Office
217 N. Pine St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1070
Montgomery County Treasurer

Montgomery County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in Montgomery County in 2026

1. Property Appraiser Website

2. Register of Deeds Official Records Search

3. Tax Information Search

4. GIS and Mapping System

Property Appraiser:

Register of Deeds:

What Is Montgomery County Property Records

Ownership Records:

Encumbrance Records:

Tax and Assessment Records:

Legal Descriptions:

Building and Permit Records:

Are Property Records Public Information in Montgomery County?

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Montgomery County?

What's Included in a Montgomery County Property Record?

Ownership Information:

Property Identification:

Physical Characteristics:

Valuation Information:

Tax Information:

Sales History:

Encumbrances and Liens:

Legal and Regulatory Information:

Maps and Images:

Building Permit Information (if integrated):

How Long Does Montgomery County Keep Property Records?

Deed Records:

Mortgage Records:

Lien Records:

Plats and Surveys:

Other Recorded Documents:

How To Find Liens on Property in Montgomery County?

What Is Property Owner Rule in Montgomery County?