Frequent Questions and Answers

What are the requirements for recording a Deed?

In order to record a Deed in the Official Records of Sumter County, Florida, the following requirements must be met:

Grantors’ (party giving title) names legibly printed in the body of the Deed

Grantors’ mailing address

Grantees’ (party receiving title) names legibly printed in the body of the deed

Grantees’ mailing address

Signatures of Grantors

Grantors’ names printed under their signatures

Complete Notary acknowledgment, including:

Names being acknowledged

Date acknowledgement taken

Signature of Notary

Name printed under signature

Commission expiration date

Stamp or seal

“Prepared by” statement (name and address of the person preparing the Deed)

Effective June 1, 2008, the Florida Department of Revenue form DR-219, previously required as a condition of recording for any document transferring an interest in real property, no longer exists. We request the consideration or sales price be placed on the deed or include it on a cover letter. It should be noted, however, that Florida law still has the same requirements that a transfer tax of $.70 per $100.00 of actual value or consideration be paid at the time of recording. Penalties and interest imposed by the Department of Revenue may be incurred if the correct documentary stamp taxes are not paid at the time of recording.

Three-inch square white space on the top right-hand corner of the first and each subsequent page of each document. This space is necessary for us to apply our recording label.

Must have two subscribing witnesses or a corporate stamp

The names of witnesses printed under witnesses’ signatures

Effective January 1, 2024, paragraph (c) of subsection (1) ofsection 695.26, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
695.26 Requirements for recording instruments affecting real property.


(1) No instrument by which the title to real property or any interest therein is conveyed, assigned, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of shall be recorded by the clerk of the circuit court unless:
(c) The name of each witness to the instrument is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped upon such instrument immediately beneath the signature of such witness and the post office address of each such person is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped upon such instrument;

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How do I obtain a copy of my deed or other Official Record?

Copies may be obtained at www.myfloridacounty.com

Court documents are not available for viewing, but are available for purchase

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What are your fees and payment options?
  • Recording fees are $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page
  • We also have provided a Document Fee Calculator Online
  • Indexing additional names over 4 are $1.00 per name.
  • Copies are $1.00 per page.
  • Additional Fees for services can be viewed here

 All payments are to be made in the form of cash, cashiers check, money order, and credit cards (with proper identification). There is a fee of 3.5% of total amount charged for use of credit cards.  Credit Cards cannot be accepted over the phone

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Are there any liens on my property or a property I want to buy?
The Official Records Department is unable to search for multiple liens on a piece of property. You may, however, search the Official Records, either in our office or on www.myfloridacounty.com to identify any liens recorded against a particular name. Liens are recorded and indexed using the property owner(s) name and legal description. If you are inquiring about a specific lien and know when it was recorded, you may contact the official records department at 352-569-6600. We will be happy to assist you. Return to Top
How do I transfer title to my property?
The official records department cannot provide legal advise. In order to transfer title to property, we recommend that you speak with an attorney or your legal advisor. Once the appropriate documentation resulting from the transfer is completed and ready for recording, it must meet the recording criteria as outlined in Florida Statutes. Return to Top
How do I obtain a copy of a recorded plat?

A plat may be obtained either in our office  or by mail along with proper payment.

Plats are not available online but complete sets can be obtained through our Plat Subscription Service Plan

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What are documentary stamp taxes, and how do they relate to recording?
Documentary stamp taxes are taxes imposed by Florida Law on the transfer of ownership or interest in real estate transactions. They are calculated, for recording purposes, as a percentage of either the consideration amount for a Deed or the obligatory amount for a Mortgage. Documentary stamp taxed must be paid at the time of recording. Return to Top
Where do I send in my documents for recording?

Documents for recording may be submitted to the addresses below:
Mailing Address: 

Sumter County Clerk of Court
Attn: Recording Department
PO Box 2587
Bushnell, FL 33513

 
Mailing Address for overnight:

Sumter County Clerk of Court
215 E McCollum Ave, Rm 190
Bushnell, FL 33513

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