PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA • PUBLIC RECORDS GUIDE • OCTOBER 2026
Palm Beach County Recorder of Deeds: Search Records, Get Copies & Visit the Office
Looking for a property deed, mortgage, lien or recorded document in Palm Beach County? The office responsible is the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller.
You can search many recorded documents online for free. The county also provides certified copies, electronic recording and free property fraud alerts.
This guide explains exactly where to search, how to find records using an address or parcel number, what copies cost and how to record a deed without unnecessary delays.
Official government services linked below • No affiliation with Palm Beach County government
START HERE
Palm Beach County Recorder: Quick Facts
Search deeds, mortgages, liens and recorded instruments through the Clerk’s Official Records system.
Do not confuse Official Records with eCaseView, which is primarily for civil, criminal and traffic court cases.
Which service do you need?
Use the free Official Records Search portal.
See search instructionsUse the Property Appraiser or search Official Records by address or PCN.
See address searchPrepare the original document, required information and recording fees.
See recording stepsONLINE RECORDS
How to Search Palm Beach County Deeds Online
Palm Beach County’s Official Records database provides free public access to many recorded documents.
These include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, satisfactions of mortgage, judgments, liens, marriage licenses, tax deeds and other recorded instruments.
Open Official Palm Beach County Records Search-
Open the Official Records portal.
Read and accept the portal’s terms if prompted. Then enter the records-search interface.
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Select a useful search field.
Search using party names, recorded document information, property address, legal description or parcel information.
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Enter the available information.
Use the full name when known. Add a recording date range to narrow a common name.
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Review the result list.
Compare document type, parties, recording date, Clerk’s File Number and book/page references.
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Open the document image.
Review the legal description and parties. Available uncertified documents can generally be printed or saved free.
- Names of parties to the document
- Recording year, month or date
- Physical property address
- Property legal description
- Parcel Control Number (PCN) or tax folio
- Official Records book and page
- Instrument number or Clerk’s File Number
- Related case number when applicable
What is the difference between a deed and a mortgage?
A deed is used to convey an ownership interest in real estate. A mortgage generally documents a security interest securing repayment of a debt.
A satisfaction of mortgage may be recorded after the mortgage obligation is discharged. Search for it separately if you are verifying that a mortgage has been released.
How to read an Official Records result
Shows whether the record is a deed, mortgage, lien, satisfaction or another instrument.
Identifies the parties named in the transaction or recorded document.
Shows when the Clerk accepted the document into the Official Records.
A recording reference used to locate or request the specific document.
Another way to identify the recorded instrument. Look near the recording stamp.
Describes the land or property interest affected. It is not always the same as the street address.
A recorded instrument does not by itself establish that title is free of all defects, prior interests or unrecorded claims.
ADDRESS & PARCEL LOOKUP
Search by Property Address, Owner Name or Parcel Control Number
If you only know the property address, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser is a useful starting point.
Its advanced search supports owner names, street addresses, Parcel Control Numbers and several additional property fields.
Open Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Search- Use the Address fields if you know the property location.
- Enter the street number and street name in their separate fields.
- Select the correct property from the results.
- Locate the Parcel Control Number on the property detail page.
- Return to the Recorder’s Official Records system to examine recorded documents.
What is the PCN?
PCN means Parcel Control Number. It is Palm Beach County’s property identification number.
A typical PCN has 17 digits. It may appear with separators, such as 74-42-43-15-04-000-0270.
When searching the Clerk’s Official Records, the county advises entering the PCN without hyphens.
Try the full owner name, a previous owner’s name, a shorter recording-date range or the book/page from the Assessor’s records.
If the document still does not appear, use the Clerk’s Official Records search help or call Records Research at (561) 355-2932.
DOCUMENT COPIES
How to Get a Palm Beach County Deed Copy
You do not need to pay for a certified copy if you only want to view a deed for general research.
Many Official Records can be viewed, saved and printed as uncertified copies online for free.
Regular copies versus certified copies
Useful for personal reference and property research. The online copy may contain a watermark.
Includes a statutory certification fee and an electronic service fee. Payment processing charges may apply.
Paper certification is available through the Records Service Center and other approved request channels.
Order an electronically certified deed
Open Official E-Certified Copies Service- Choose the electronic certified Official Records option.
- Find the recorded document you need.
- Review the certification cost before payment.
- Complete the purchase.
- Download the certified electronic document.
- Use its verification link or QR code when proof of authenticity is requested.
The county states that purchased electronic certified documents are available to download immediately after payment.
Confirm this before buying. Some banks, government agencies or legal proceedings may require a manually stamped paper copy.
The Clerk states that a manually stamped copy can be supplied without an extra certification charge when a previously purchased electronic certified document is not accepted by an institution.
Request copies by mail or through the Records Service Center
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Records Service CenterP.O. Box 4526
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4526
Include the name or document reference, your contact information, applicable fees and a self-addressed stamped return envelope.
For assistance, call (561) 355-2932 or email ORWEB@mypalmbeachclerk.com.
LOCAL OFFICE
Palm Beach County Recorder Office Address, Hours & Google Map
Main Courthouse — Recording & Official Records
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Address:
205 North Dixie Highway
Room 4.2500, Fourth Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Recording: (561) 355-2991
Copies & Research: (561) 355-2932
Recording email: COCREC93@mypalmbeachclerk.com
Records research email: ORWEB@mypalmbeachclerk.com
Clerk Ad Interim: Shannon Ramsey-Chessman, CPA, CGFO.
The county appointed her effective August 18, 2026. The elected-office leadership may change, so check the official Clerk website for the latest status.
For record-copy research, go to the fourth-floor Records Service Center in Room 4.2500.
If you are bringing a deed for recording, use the Recording Department at the same courthouse.
Verify Office Contact Details & Mailing Addresses- Find the Recording or Records Service Center entry.
- Confirm the current telephone number and room number.
- Use the correct mailing address for your task.
- Check county holiday closures before visiting.
Other Palm Beach County recording locations
The Clerk also lists recording services at the South County, North County and West County courthouses, plus the Royal Palm Beach branch.
Some document types are accepted only at the Main Courthouse. Confirm your document is eligible for branch recording before driving to another location.
Check Recording Locations & Submission RulesNEW DOCUMENTS
How to Record a Deed in Palm Beach County, Florida
Recording a deed makes the document part of Palm Beach County’s Official Records.
The Clerk reviews recording requirements, but recording does not guarantee that the deed is legally valid or transfers clear title.
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Prepare the correct deed.
Use the appropriate instrument for your transaction, such as a warranty deed or quitclaim deed.
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Check signatures and acknowledgment.
Verify Florida’s witness, notary and identity requirements for the document type.
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Include the property information.
Verify the legal description, Parcel Control Number and identifying details required by Florida law.
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Leave room for the recording stamp.
Reserve the correct blank space in the top right corner of each page.
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Calculate recording fees and documentary stamps.
Review the page count, number of names, legal descriptions and consideration.
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Submit through an approved channel.
Use in-person recording, regular mail or eRecording when eligible.
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Save the recorded reference.
Keep the Clerk’s File Number and recorded document copy for future property research.
Important document formatting rule
Palm Beach County requires a 3 × 3-inch blank area in the top-right corner of the first page.
Subsequent pages require a 1 × 3-inch blank area in the top-right corner.
If the document lacks the proper first-page space, a cover page may be necessary. That additional page can increase recording costs.
- Review the applicable document-recording requirements.
- Download the Recording Transmittal Form if submitting by mail or delivery.
- Check witness, acknowledgment and legal-description requirements.
- Use the required page-space or cover-page format.
- Prepare the correct recording charges and return envelope.
Mail a deed for recording
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Recording DepartmentP.O. Box 4177
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4177
For express delivery, the county lists the Main Courthouse at 205 N. Dixie Highway, Room 4.2500, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Include full payment and a self-addressed, stamped envelope when mailing hard-copy documents.
The Clerk does not guarantee that mailed or electronically submitted documents will be recorded the same day they are received.
For urgent recording, the county recommends presenting documents in person during recording hours.
OFFICIAL FEES
Palm Beach County Recorder Fees and Florida Documentary Stamp Tax
Recording fees depend on the document’s length and other indexing requirements.
Florida documentary stamp tax may also apply when a deed conveys an interest in real property.
Additional fees that can affect your total
- Additional names beyond four may incur indexing charges.
- Multiple legal descriptions may generate abstract charges.
- Documents without a legal description may require an additional search fee.
- Mortgages and other financing instruments may trigger documentary stamp and nonrecurring intangible taxes.
- Special documents, oversized plats and return-mail services may carry different charges.
- Identify the correct document category.
- Count the number of pages.
- Check legal-description and extra-name charges.
- Determine whether Florida documentary stamp or intangible tax applies.
- Use the county’s linked recording fee calculator if available.
Example: Recording a two-page deed
Base recording charges
First page: $10.00
Second page: $8.50
Total base recording charge: $18.50
This excludes documentary stamp tax, additional indexing, legal-description fees and any other applicable charges.
Example: Florida deed documentary stamp tax
Florida’s standard deed documentary stamp tax in Palm Beach County is $0.70 per $100, or fraction of $100, of taxable consideration.
Illustrative taxable consideration: $400,000
$400,000 ÷ $100 = 4,000 increments
4,000 × $0.70 = $2,800 documentary stamp tax
Hypothetical calculation only. Consideration, outstanding mortgages, exceptions and other transaction details can affect the actual tax.
A transfer for little or no cash consideration does not automatically mean documentary stamp tax is zero. Existing mortgage obligations and other consideration can matter.
ELECTRONIC FILING
Palm Beach County eRecording: Submit Documents Electronically
eRecording lets eligible submitters send documents electronically without mailing or visiting the courthouse.
The county accepts eRecording through approved vendors, including CSC eRecording Solutions, eRecording Partners Network, Hopdox and Simplifile.
Common electronically recorded instruments include deeds, mortgages, mortgage assignments and satisfactions.
The Clerk states that documents originally created and executed using electronic signatures must be electronically recorded under Florida law.
Not every document type is eligible for eRecording.
- Review the approved eRecording vendors.
- Confirm that your document type is eligible.
- Follow the selected vendor’s registration requirements.
- Upload and submit the document with required fees.
- Save the accepted recording confirmation and reference.
PROPERTY PROTECTION
Free Palm Beach County Property Fraud Alert Service
Palm Beach County’s free Property Fraud Alert service sends email notifications when a document is recorded that matches the name, address or parcel number you registered.
It is especially helpful for homeowners who want to watch for unexpected deeds, mortgages or other recorded documents.
Register for Free Property Fraud Alerts- Choose whether to monitor an individual or business.
- Enter the name you want to monitor.
- Add address variations if useful.
- Enter the full 17-digit PCN if monitoring a parcel.
- Provide your email address and choose a language.
- Submit the registration and complete email verification.
Why exact matches matter
The service uses exact matching. A middle initial, name suffix or abbreviated street name can affect whether a particular recording triggers an alert.
The county recommends registering more than one name or address variation for stronger monitoring.
The service alerts you after a matching document is recorded. It is not title insurance and does not guarantee prevention of fraudulent transfers.
If you receive a suspicious alert, review the document and contact the Clerk, local law enforcement or a qualified attorney as appropriate.
Fraud Alert assistance: (561) 355-2991 or PropertyFraudAlerts@mypalmbeachclerk.com.
SPECIAL RECORD TYPES
Tax Deeds, Mortgage Releases, Older Documents & Restricted Records
Tax deeds
Tax deeds arise from a separate delinquent-tax process. The Clerk provides tax deed sale and document-search services.
Find tax deed recordsMortgage satisfactions
After a mortgage is paid off, search Official Records for the related satisfaction or release.
Search recorded releasesHistorical documents
The county reports digitized document images dating back to 1968. Some older index and plat materials have different availability.
View record coverageRestricted documents
Some military discharges, death certificates and certain family, juvenile or probate records cannot be displayed publicly online.
Review privacy informationIf you cannot open a record image, it may be restricted by Florida law rather than missing from the county’s records.
AVOID THE WRONG OFFICE
Recorder vs Property Appraiser vs Tax Collector
Clerk & Comptroller
Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, copies, tax deeds and other Official Records.
Property Appraiser
Parcel identification, assessed and market values, exemptions, ownership information and property characteristics.
Tax Collector
Property-tax bills, payments, delinquent taxes, receipts and collection services.
Property Appraiser: pbcpao.gov • (561) 355-3230
Tax Collector: pbctax.gov
The Clerk records the deed. The Property Appraiser maintains the assessment record and reviews ownership changes. The Tax Collector handles the resulting property-tax bill.
An update appearing in one system does not always mean every other county system has already updated.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Why You Cannot Find a Palm Beach County Deed
No result by owner name? Try the full legal name, alternate name order or a prior owner’s name.
Address search returns nothing? Find the PCN using the Property Appraiser and retry without hyphens.
Too many results? Narrow by recording date, document type or party name.
Document image unavailable? Check whether the record is restricted or contact the Records Service Center.
Mortgage appears paid but no satisfaction? Ask the lender or closing professional whether a satisfaction was submitted and recorded.
Wrong property information? Check the legal description and PCN rather than relying only on the street address.
Recording rejected? Review required signatures, acknowledgment, witnesses, formatting, recording fees and any statutory identity information.
Searching for a court lawsuit? Use eCaseView rather than the Official Records portal when the issue is court-case documents.
Call (561) 355-2932 with the full name or legal description and an approximate recording year.
Staff-assisted research or mailed searches may involve fees. Confirm the cost before ordering.
YOUR NEXT ACTION
What Should You Do Next?
Need a deed copy? Search Official Records first. Print an uncertified copy for free or order certification only if required.
Need proof of ownership? Review the deed and obtain a certified copy if the receiving institution requires it.
Recording a transfer? Check deed execution rules, page formatting, recording charges and documentary stamp tax.
Want to monitor fraud? Register your name, address variations and 17-digit PCN with the free Property Fraud Alert system.
Have a title dispute? Seek qualified legal or title assistance. The Clerk records qualifying documents but does not decide who legally owns disputed property.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Palm Beach County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Who is the Recorder of Deeds in Palm Beach County?
The Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller serves as the county recorder. The official office currently identifies Shannon Ramsey-Chessman as Clerk Ad Interim, effective August 18, 2026.
Can I search Palm Beach County deeds online for free?
Yes. The county’s Official Records portal provides free searching and access to many recorded document images, including deeds, mortgages, judgments and liens.
Where is the Palm Beach County Recorder’s Office?
The Main Courthouse is at 205 North Dixie Highway, Room 4.2500, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Recording services are generally available Monday through Friday, 8 AM–4 PM, excluding designated holidays.
How do I search a recorded deed by address?
Search the Clerk’s Official Records using the property address or PCN. You can also obtain the 17-digit PCN from the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s search.
How much does it cost to get a certified deed copy?
A manually certified copy generally costs $1 per page plus $2 per document. Electronically certified Official Records cost $8 per document, excluding applicable payment-processing charges.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Palm Beach County?
The basic recording fee is $10 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. Documentary stamp tax and other recording charges may also apply.
What is a Parcel Control Number in Palm Beach County?
A PCN is the Property Appraiser’s 17-digit parcel identifier. The Clerk’s records search accepts a PCN or tax folio number without hyphens.
Does Palm Beach County offer electronic recording?
Yes. The Clerk accepts eligible documents through approved eRecording vendors, including CSC, eRecording Partners Network, Hopdox and Simplifile.
Is the Property Fraud Alert service free?
Yes. Palm Beach County’s Property Fraud Alert service is free and sends email notifications when recorded documents exactly match registered information.
How old are the Palm Beach County digital Official Records?
The Clerk reports that digital images of recorded documents date back to 1968. Marriage license listings and some plat collections have earlier historical coverage.
Does recording a deed prove clear title?
No. Recording creates a public record of the instrument, but does not guarantee clear title, ownership rights or the absence of other claims.
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
Official Palm Beach County Recorder Resources
These government resources were used to verify the guide’s search methods, locations, service types and published fees.