Recording
By law, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the official recorder of all written legal documents, called instruments, that may be recorded in Duval County. These documents include such items as marriage licenses, deeds, mortgages, judgments, claims of lien, satisfactions, certificates of discharge from military service, and all other instruments required or authorized by Florida law to be recorded.
The Clerk is required to record all these instruments in one general series of books called the Official Records. We are also required to maintain a registry that contains the names of the parties to the recorded instruments, the type of instrument, the filing number of the instrument, and the date and time of filing.
The filer is solely responsible for ensuring the timeliness of a recording for any legal purpose. While the Clerk processes all documents as soon as possible in the order they are received, the Clerk cannot guarantee same or next-day recording for documents received by mail or though eRecording. While rare, instances of equipment failure, high volume of recording requests, emergency situations, or other unforeseen delays may impact recording times. If your recording is time-sensitive, you may wish to consider recording your document in person at the Clerk’s Recording Department.
Property Fraud Alert
Property and mortgage fraud is a nationwide problem. By recording fake deeds, scammers make it appear as if they own property that is not actually theirs. These scammers then trick people into giving them money to rent or buy those properties.
To help protect property owners from fraud, the Duval County Clerk’s Office offers a free Property Fraud Alert service which notifies registered users if a document has been recorded in their name or their business name. Sign up now and protect your property from fraud today!
Recording Transmittal Sheet
All packages are required to have our Recording Transmittal Sheet attached and completed. This allows our office to provide better service to you, our customer. If you have any questions or need help with the form and/or the procedure, we invite you to contact our office at (904) 255-2000.
Mail-In Recording
For your convenience, you may mail your official documents, along with a Recording Transmittal Cover Sheet, and a self addressed stamped envelope to the Clerk's Office for recording. Please be sure you send the original documents for recording - copies cannot be accepted.
If paying by mail, the Clerk can accept a money order, business check, or cashier's check made payable to the "Duval Clerk of the Circuit Court." The Clerk's Office cannot accept personal checks. Please also include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the prompt return of your documents. Mail your documents and payment to:
Duval County Clerk of the Circuit CourtAttention: Recording Department Room 1046
501 West Adams Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
After we scan and record your documents, we will return them to you if the documents are accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope or other mailing method with postage previously paid. If your documents are not accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope for return, we will make an effort to contact you to resolve the return of your documents.
Homestead Exemption
Please contact the Property Appraiser’s Office for information about homestead exemptions.
Fictitious Name
For information about fictitious names, please contact the Office of the Secretary of State:
Fictitious Name RegistrationP.O. Box 1300
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1300
Apostille Certification
Please contact the State Department Division of Corporations for information about Apostille Certification:
Apostille CertificationP.O. Box 6800
Tallahassee, FL 32314
Phone
(850) 245-6945
eRecording
For information about the electronic recording of official records, one of our e-Recording providers will be glad to help you. Please contact them at the phone numbers below.
- Simplifile: (800) 460-5657 - sales@simplifile.com
- CSC: (866) 652-0111 - erecording@cscglobal.com
- ePn: (888) 325-3365 - sales@GOePN.com
Office Information
Recording Department
Office Hours
Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Mailing Address
Duval County Clerk of Courts
Attn: RECORDING DEPARTMENT
501 West Adams Street, Room 1046
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone
(904) 255-2000