Recording - General Information
Pursuant to Article V of the Florida Constitution and Section 28 of the Florida Statutes, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the official recorder of all instruments that may, by law, be recorded in the county. The Clerk is required to record all instruments in one general series of books called the "Official Records." The Clerk must keep a register in which are entered the names of the parties to the instrument, the kind of instrument, the filing number of the instrument, and the date and time of filing.
As recorder, the Clerk maintains a variety of instruments as official documents. Examples of these instruments are: deeds, leases, bills of sale, agreements, mortgages, judgments, claims of lien, satisfactions, certificates of discharge, from military service, and any other instrument required or authorized by law to be recorded.
Changes to Recording Department Business Procedures - Effective October 10, 2006
Starting October 10th, 2006, we will be changing our business procedures with regards to recording documents. All packages will be required to have our Recording Transmittal Sheet attached and completed. This change will allow our office to provide better service to you, our customer. For your convenience, this form may be found in the Documents & Publications section at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions or need help with the form and/or the procedure please contact our office at 630-2043.
Fees for Recording Documents - Effective June 1, 2004
- First Page of Document - $10.00
- Each additional page - $8.50
- Indexing fee - $1.00 for each name after the fourth (4th)
Since changes cannot be made once the instrument has been recorded, please check the following:
- 3x3 blank space in upper right corner of the first page.
- 1x3 blank space on each subsequent page.
- Legible, black print of typing for best reproduction by microfilm or photographing.
- Date the body of the instrument.
- Grantee's mailing address, if transfer of interest is real estate. (Example: Deeds, Agreements and Contracts for Deeds)
- Affix the name and address of person to whom instrument is to be returned on the front of the instrument.
- On instruments by which the title to real estate or any interest therein of lien thereon is conveyed, created, encumbered, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, the name and address of the person who prepared the instrument must be printed, typewritten or stamped on the face of the instrument in a legible manner. (Instruments executed or acknowledged outside of the State, or before January 1, 1968, are exempt.)
- Description of real or personal property, if any.
- Signature(s) should agree with name(s) in the body of the instrument and should be legible and correctly spelled.
- Signature(s) to be attested by two witnesses (transfer of any property).
- Each person who signs a document must print their name under their signature.
- Acknowledgment of person(s) executing the instrument.
- Notary public seal and expiration date (for out of state notary - if the acknowledgment or proof is made before a notary public who does not affix a seal, it shall be sufficient for the notary public to type, print or write by hand on the instrument, "I am a notary public of the State of _______ and my commission expires on _______.(date)")
- Corporate seal, if applicable.
Your original documents will be recorded, scanned, microfilmed, and the original recorded documents returned to you in approximately two to three weeks.
Mail-In Recording
For your convenience, you may mail your official documents to the Clerk's Office for recording. Insure you send the original documents for recording. Copies cannot be accepted for recording. Make sure your check is payable to "Clerk of Circuit Court". Personal checks are not accepted, please send a business or cashier's check. Mail your documents and check to:
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Attention: Recording Division
330 East Bay Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Declaration of Domicile
A Declaration of Domicile is a sworn statement that you are a bona fide resident and maintain a place of abode in the county. A Declaration of Domicile is not an application for Homestead Exemption. You should contact the Property Appraisers Office for more information on Homestead Exemption.
Fictitious Name
Contact the Office of the Secretary of State:
Fictitious Name Registration
P.O. Box 1300
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1300
Internet: Fictitious Name Registration
Transfer of Interest Forms (DR219)
The DR219 forms are available from the Florida Department of Revenue. Their phone number is: 850-488-8422. You may also visit their website at www.myflorida.com
Office Information:
The Recording Department is located in the Duval County Courthouse, 330 E. Bay Street, Room 103, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. Our office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. We can be contacted by telephone at (904) 630-2046.
eRecording
For information regarding the electronic recording of official records, please contact one of our e-Recording providers.
Documents & Publications
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