Adverse possession in Missouri
Missouri bars an action to recover land unless the person suing, or someone they claim through, held or possessed it within the 10 years before the suit (Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.010).
How long it takes in Missouri
Possession of part of a tract under color of title, while exercising the usual acts of ownership over the whole tract claimed, counts as possession of the whole tract (Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.040).
Missouri gives a claimant one year to sue for land in another's lawful possession when the claimant, and those they claim through, have neither possessed it nor paid any taxes on it for 30 consecutive years (Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.070).
Sources: MO ten-year limit; MO color of title covers whole tract; MO thirty years without taxes
Land and people the clock does not run against
Missouri's limitation statutes do not run against land given or set aside for public, pious or charitable use, or land belonging to the state (Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.090).
If the owner is under 18 or mentally incapacitated when the right first accrues, that time does not count toward the deadline (Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.030).
Sources: MO public, charitable and state land; MO disability tolling
Common questions
How many years for adverse possession in Missouri?
Missouri bars an action to recover land unless the person suing, or someone they claim through, held or possessed it within the 10 years before the suit (Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.010).