Reviewed and updated October 9, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every office link was opened and checked against the office's own site between September 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026.
West Plains, Missouri, in Howell County, has about 13,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). The title to a parcel in West Plains is in the deed records of the Recorder of Deeds and its taxable value is set by the County Assessor; what is built on it is a matter for the city. This guide says who keeps each record and where the page for each office is.
This guide covers deeds, assessed values, city permits and records, evictions and court cases, records requests and common questions.
Related guides: West Plains public records, Howell County public records, West Plains arrest records, West Plains police reports, Missouri arrest records and Missouri inmate search.
Deeds, Mortgages and Liens in West Plains
Deeds, mortgages, liens and easements that affect title to land in West Plains are recorded by the Recorder of Deeds, which indexes them by name and sells copies.
Assessed Values and the Tax Roll in West Plains
The County Assessor sets the value each parcel in West Plains is taxed on and keeps the parcel maps. Missouri reassesses property in odd-numbered years and assesses homes at 19 percent of market value.
SearchSystems opened and checked the County Assessor's page at howell.missouriassessors.com (page title: Howell County), phone (417) 256-8284, 35 Court Square, Suite 202 West Plains, MO 65775, Mon - Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 23, 2026.
Permits and City Records in West Plains
Building permits, zoning and code cases are the city's own. For West Plains, SearchSystems opened and checked the city hall page at westplains.gov/contact-us (page title: Contact Us | City of West Plains), phone 417-256-7176, Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m., which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
The city clerk's page SearchSystems verified is at westplains.gov/departments/administration/city-clerk (page title: City Clerk | City of West Plains), phone (417)256-7176, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
Evictions and Court Cases About Land in West Plains
Court cases about land from West Plains, evictions among them, are filed in the Howell County Circuit Court.
Asking a County Office for a Record
Under the Missouri Sunshine Law a county office must answer a request within 3 business days, and it may charge research time and copying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds in West Plains?
The Recorder of Deeds.
Who sets the assessed value of a property in West Plains?
The County Assessor, whose page SearchSystems verified is at howell.missouriassessors.com.
Where are evictions from West Plains filed?
In the Howell County Circuit Court. The file is public unless the court seals it.
How is property assessed in Missouri?
Missouri reassesses property in odd-numbered years and assesses homes at 19 percent of market value.
Is this the official West Plains website?
No. SearchSystems.net is an independent public records guide, online since 1997. It links to the official city, county, court and state offices described above and does not hold records, charge for them or take requests.