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Recording Department         Escrow Accounts 

 

THE LIFE OF A DOCUMENT

      See the Journey!

John Ditullio, Manager
(561) 355-2991
E-Mail Us

Mission Statement

Our mission is to accurately process large volumes of public records, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, etc., while adhering to Florida Statutes and departmental policies. We will use the most advanced technology to create speed, while displaying professionalism and courtesy to our customers, the public, attorneys, title companies and other County agencies.

Functions

The Recording Department is located in the Central County Courthouse at 205 North Dixie Highway, Room 4.2500, West Palm Beach, Florida and is the only office where documents may be recorded. However, documents may be dropped off at any Branch location to be forwarded at no additional charge to the Central office for recording.

The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday except legal holidays.

Phone operators are available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The mailing address is P.O. Box 4177, West Palm Beach, Fl. 33402-4177.

The telephone number is 561/355-2991.

Recording Forms, Requirements and Fees

Recording requirements are per Chapter 695 of the Florida Statutes, and Fees are per Chapter 28 of the Florida Statutes:

The fee for the first page of any document is $10.00, and each additional page is $8.50. Make the check payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court" and please furnish a stamped self-addressed envelope for return of the document.

If the document references real estate, there is an additional charge called the abstract fee. Each block or section of land in a metes and bounds description or a building, unit, lot, tract, etc. constitutes a legal description. The fee is $ .60 for the first legal description, $ .60 for the second legal description and $ .20 for each additional legal description in each document.

If the document to be recorded does not contain a legal description but sites a book and page number reference, or a Clerk's File Number, please allow $1.50 for each reference or look up fee, plus the abstract fee.

Cost of Documentary Stamps and Documents Requiring Documentary Stamps

Questions regarding penalties and interest should be directed to the Florida Department of Revenue. The Division of Taxpayer Assistance of the Florida Department of Revenue is ready to assist you in understanding and responding to questions you may have about these rules. For assistance, you may call 850/488-6800 or 1/800/FLA-DOR1, Florida only.

For the Hearing and/or Speech Impaired, the TDD number is 850/922-1115 or 1/800/DOR-TDD1 (1/800/367-8331), Florida only.

Recording Fees/Service Charges per Document    Escrow Accounts

1st page or fraction $ 10.00
Each additional page or fraction $ 8.50
Copy per page $ 1.00
Certification per document $ 1.50
ABSTRACT FEE: (per document) 1st land description $ 0.60
2nd land description $ 0.60
Each land description after the first two $ 0.20
SEARCH FEE: (per document) $1.50
This fee is due when only a book & page is given and the land is not described in the document. The abstract fee is also due when there is a search fee.
INDEX FEE: (per document) Count all names listed as 1st & 2nd parties. For each name over 4 allow $1.00 additional.
STATE DOCUMENTARY STAMPS are required on all Deeds: $ .70 for each $ 100.00 or fraction. Corrective deeds or no consideration deeds require a $ .70 stamp.

A properly executed DR 219 is required for all conveyances prior to recording.

STATE DOCUMENTARY STAMPS are required on all obligations to pay money.
The fee is $ .35 for each $100.00 or fraction.

STATE DOCUMENTARY STAMPS are required on all Assumption of Mortgages.
The fee is $ .35 for each $100.00 or fraction.

INTANGIBLE TAX is required on obligations to pay money involving real estate.
The rate is .002 for each $1.00 consideration. State Documentary Stamps are required as well as Intangible Tax on any Agreement for Deed or Contract for Deed. The base is the amount of the agreement less any down payment paid. The remainder is figured just like a mortgage.

EXAMPLES:

CONVEYANCE:

1 page 1 legal $ 10.00
1 Abstract fee $ 0.60
Minimum Stamp $ 0.70
======
Total $ 11.30

ASSIGNMENT:

2 page 1 $18.50
1 Abstract Fee $ 0.60
1 Search Fee
(Land description
not on document)
$ 1.50
======
Total $ 20.60

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