Duval County Recorder: Deeds & Records

Florida does not use a separate elected Recorder of Deeds office in Duval County. Instead, the Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the official county recorder.

The Clerk maintains the county’s Official Records, including instruments that document real-estate ownership, mortgages and other recorded interests.

Duval County provides a public Official Records Search portal for deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens, satisfactions and other recorded instruments.

The portal allows several types of searches, including party name, instrument number, document type, recording date, consideration, book/page and case number.

After opening: select Name, Instrument #, Doc Type, Record Date or Book/Page. Use the information you already know to narrow the results.

Find a deed step by step

1. Open Official Records Search.

   Use the county’s public records portal rather than the separate court-case search.

2. Select Name search.

   Enter the grantor or grantee name associated with the property transfer.

3. Narrow the results.

   Use a known recording year, document type or other available details.

4. Identify the correct document.

   Compare the parties, recording date, legal description and instrument number.

5. Open the recorded image.

   Review the full instrument where public online access is permitted.

6. Save or print your copy.

   Download or print an available uncertified copy, or order certification if needed.

Choose the best search method

The Recorder’s Official Records index is most useful when you know a party name or recording reference.

If you only have a street address, start with the Duval County Property Appraiser.

Find the deed from an address

1. Open Basic Property Search.

   The Property Appraiser allows searches by real estate number, owner name and property address.

2. Enter the street address.

   Search the street number and name. You can omit some details if the exact spelling or street type is uncertain.

3. Confirm the parcel.

   Check the real estate number, owner, property address and parcel details.

4. Review sale or ownership information.

   Note the relevant names and sale dates available on the property record.

5. Search the Clerk’s Official Records.

   Use the owner or previous owner’s name to locate the actual recorded deed.

How to search more effectively

The Property Appraiser recommends using fewer search fields when an exact address does not match its database.

You can also search by the owner’s last name, or by the full Real Estate Number if known.

After opening: review Basic Search, Owner Name and Property Address instructions. Return to the Clerk’s Official Records portal after finding the parcel.

Finding the courthouse

The downtown courthouse is on West Adams Street between Pearl Street and Broad Street.

Allow time for traffic, parking and the courthouse security entrance, especially if you are submitting a time-sensitive recording.

After opening: choose Downtown Courthouse, confirm the address and service hours, and check for holiday closures before traveling.

Does the Beaches Branch handle deed recording?

The Clerk also operates a branch at 1543 Atlantic Boulevard, Neptune Beach, FL 32266.

However, recording and Official Records research instructions specifically direct users to the downtown courthouse.

If you want to use the Beaches Branch for a document-related service, call 904-255-2000 to confirm that the particular transaction is available there before visiting.

Recording a deed adds the instrument to Duval County’s Official Records.

Before filing, make sure the document complies with Florida recording law and the Clerk’s local submission requirements.

Document preparation checklist

Duval County deed recording steps

1. Prepare the deed.

   Confirm the correct ownership transfer, parties, legal description and required signatures.

2. Complete witnessing and notarization.

   Review Florida’s execution and witness requirements for the type of deed being recorded.

3. Check the page format.

   Leave the Clerk’s required recording spaces and ensure the instrument is legible.

4. Complete the transmittal sheet.

   The Clerk requires a completed Recording Transmittal Sheet with recording packages.

5. Determine all applicable charges.

   Include document recording fees, additional-name indexing charges and any Florida documentary stamp or other applicable taxes.

6. Submit the original document.

   Visit the Recording Department or use an accepted mail or eRecording method.

7. Retain the official recording reference.

   Save the instrument number and recording date for future searches and transactions.

After opening: review Fees for Recording Documents and the Clerk’s recording checklist before submitting your original.

Florida recording requirements are especially important when a deed transfers an interest in real estate.

The Duval County Clerk identifies several formatting and execution rules that can affect whether a document is accepted.

Witness mailing-address requirement

Florida changed the recording requirements for certain real-estate documents effective January 1, 2024.

Affected instruments must include each witness’s postal address printed, typed or stamped beneath the signature.

The address may be a physical mailing address or post office box. An email address alone does not satisfy the requirement.

After opening: review the list of affected documents and check the witness-name and postal-address examples against your document.

Other details to check

Because the Clerk generally cannot change an instrument after recording, review every name, description and address carefully beforehand.

Duval County publishes an itemized fee schedule for recording official instruments.

The basic recording charge depends on the number of pages and the number of names that must be indexed.

Example: Basic fee for a three-page deed

This is the ordinary page-recording subtotal only.

Documentary stamp tax, additional indexed names, applicable mortgage taxes or other charges can increase the total substantially.

After opening: review Recording and General Fees. Add the correct page, indexing and certification charges before making payment.

Florida imposes documentary stamp tax on many documents transferring real-estate interests.

In Duval County, the tax rate on taxable deeds is $0.70 per $100, or fractional part, of taxable consideration.

Example: $250,000 property conveyance

This assumes the full $250,000 is taxable consideration and no exemption applies.

Does a gift deed owe documentary stamp tax?

The answer depends on the transaction, not simply the dollar amount printed on the deed.

Florida may treat an existing mortgage or another discharged obligation as consideration.

For example, transferring property without a cash payment does not necessarily eliminate documentary stamp tax if the property is encumbered by a mortgage.

Recording a mortgage?

In addition to recording charges, a mortgage may involve documentary stamp tax and Florida nonrecurring intangible tax.

These are separate taxes, and the correct amount depends on the secured obligation and applicable exemptions.

After opening: review Deeds, Tax Rate and Consideration. Use the Notes and Mortgages section if recording a loan-related instrument.

Duval County offers several ways to obtain recorded-document copies.

The least expensive option depends on whether you need a regular research copy or an officially certified document.

Option 1: Download a free uncertified deed

1. Search the Official Records.

   Locate the deed using its parties or instrument number.

2. Confirm the correct record.

   Check the instrument type, recording date and property legal description.

3. Open the publicly available image.

   Review the full recorded pages.

4. Download or print.

   Save the uncertified copy for personal use or research.

After opening: search the document, open its image and use the available download or print tools.

Option 2: Order an electronic certified copy

The Clerk offers eCertified copies of Official Records recorded since 1988.

These copies include electronic certification information, a stamp and seal, and a verification code.

An eCertified document purchased online is normally available immediately after purchase.

The download link remains available for 30 days. Once downloaded, you can retain and print the certified document.

After opening: find Order Electronic Certified Copies of Official Records. Compare online checkout with requesting an emailed certified copy directly from the Clerk.

Option 3: Request a paper certified copy

The Clerk charges $1 per standard-size page for paper copies plus $2 per instrument for certification.

Mailing or payment-processing charges may apply. Confirm the final amount before sending a request.

Duval County’s online Official Records images generally begin in 1988.

If you need a deed or other instrument recorded before 1988, contact the Clerk’s Official Records and Research Department.

Information that helps with older records

Requests can be made in person or by mail. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope when requesting mailed copies.

After opening: find Request for Copies of Documents Recorded Before 1988, then follow the room 1253 or mailing instructions.

Record by mail

Duval County accepts eligible original documents by mail when all recording requirements and fees are satisfied.

The Clerk requires a completed Recording Transmittal Cover Sheet with the package.

Before mailing, check:

The Clerk cannot guarantee same-day or next-day recording for documents received by mail or through eRecording.

For a document with an urgent recording deadline, contact the Recording Department about in-person submission.

After opening: choose the Over the Counter – Recording Transmittal Sheet or eRecording Transmittal Cover Sheet, as appropriate.

Electronic recording in Duval County

The Clerk accepts qualifying electronic recording submissions through approved third-party vendors.

The county lists separate services for high-volume direct submitters and lower-volume indirect submitters.

After opening: find eRecording, compare direct and indirect submitters, and review the list of instruments that cannot be submitted electronically.

Duval County offers a free Property Fraud Alert service.

This service monitors names appearing on newly recorded documents and notifies subscribers when a match is found.

How to register for a fraud alert

1. Open the Property Fraud Alert page.

   Use the official Duval County Clerk website.

2. Start the registration process.

   Select the county’s enrollment link and click Continue.

3. Choose a person or business.

   Select the type of name you want monitored.

4. Enter the names.

   The county allows up to ten monitored names during a registration transaction.

5. Select how to receive alerts.

   Choose email, text or voice notifications according to the available options.

6. Review future alerts.

   Use the instrument number in a notification to inspect the related recorded document.

After opening: choose Register for Property Fraud Alert for Free, then follow the name-monitoring and notification instructions.

What if you receive an unexpected alert?

An alert means a document was recorded under a monitored name. It does not automatically mean your property was transferred fraudulently.

The recorded document might belong to another person who shares your name.

Florida homestead exemption

Recording a deed does not automatically establish homestead exemption eligibility.

The Duval County Property Appraiser handles property-tax homestead exemptions, eligibility and application procedures.

After opening: choose Exemptions or Homestead, then review eligibility and application instructions for your tax year.

Declaration of domicile

The Clerk records a sworn Notice of Domicile for eligible Duval County residents.

The Clerk lists a $5 issuance charge and a $10 recording charge when the notice is issued through the office.

A completed, notarized notice presented only for recording carries the applicable recording charge.

This is separate from applying for a property-tax homestead exemption.

Mortgage satisfaction

If you recently paid off a mortgage, search the Official Records for a satisfaction or release.

If the expected document is missing, contact your lender or mortgage servicer and ask whether it has been submitted for recording.

Tax deed records

A tax deed is not the same as an ordinary warranty deed from a conventional property sale.

The Clerk maintains separate tax deed sale and tax deed file information.

After opening: use the tax deed search or sales information appropriate to your request. Do not confuse a tax deed file with a normal ownership deed copy.

Protected and redacted information

Some information may be restricted from online viewing or redacted under Florida law.

The Clerk provides confidentiality and redaction procedures for legally protected information.

After opening: review the available confidentiality and redacted-information request forms. Access to protected details is subject to applicable law.

Duval County property information is divided among several offices.

Using the correct department can save a phone call or courthouse visit.

Which communities use Duval County Official Records?

The Clerk maintains recorded instruments for real property throughout Duval County.

This includes Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Baldwin and unincorporated parts of the county.

The property is recorded in the county where it is physically located, not necessarily where its owner lives.

The following official county and state resources support the recording procedures, fees, office details and document services explained in this guide.