The Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division:

places or “records” official documents, such as deeds, into the Official Record.
maintains a searchable database of recorded documents, including deeds, at our offices at the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. You can also view an index and images of recorded deeds online.
provides certified copies of deeds and other recorded legal documents.
processes requests to change names on a deed.

If you have questions about completing deed forms or other issues related to deeds, including transferring property, you should consult an attorney. The staff of the Records, Taxes and Treasury Division cannot help you complete deed forms or give legal advice.

Record a Deed

In order for Broward County to record your deed, it must meet the following recording requirements. A deed that does not contain all these requirements cannot be recorded. Note that there are other statutory requirements for making your deed a valid conveyance.

Normally, it takes four to six business days to record a deed received by mail. If time is of the essence, consider bringing the document into the office and waiting for it to be recorded. Check our Work Request Status Update to find out what day’s mail we are currently recording.

Deed Recording Requirements

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.
Legal description of property (must be located in Broward County).
Signatures of Grantors (names printed underneath).
Signatures of two (2) Witnesses (name and address of each witness printed underneath their signature).
Notary acknowledgment, including names being acknowledged, date acknowledgement taken, signature of notary (name printed underneath), commission expiration date and seal.
"Prepared by" statement (Name and Address of the Person preparing the Deed).
In accordance with Florida Statute 689.02(2), Parcel ID or folio number of the property being conveyed, in addition to the legal description. You can obtain the Parcel ID In accordance with Florida Statute 689.02(2), Parcel ID or folio number of the property being conveyed, in addition to the legal description. You can obtain the Parcel ID or the folio number from the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office.
Documentary or "doc"stamp fees – required at time of recording. To indicate the sale/transfer price/consideration or doc stamps paid, you may use a cover letter, your own transmittal or a download a Recording Transmittal Form.
Three-inch square white space on the top right hand corner of the first page of each document and a one-inch square white space on the top right hand corner of each subsequent page of the document. This space is needed to apply computerized recording information; documents without sufficient white space must be returned to you, unrecorded.
Payment of prescribed fees.
Self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of your recorded document(s).

Search for a Deed

Your search of the Official Record must be by property owner. If you do not know the property owner, you can call the Broward County Property Appraiser at 954-357-6830, or visit the Broward County Property Appraiser's website and search by street address to find out who owns a property.

Please direct questions about the recording process, including fees and doc stamps, to 954-357-4TAX (4829). The Property Appraiser cannot answer these questions.

Obtain Certified Copy of Deed

The Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division can provide certified copies of documents recorded, including all documents pertaining to ownership of real estate in Broward County, since 1883. Numerous other documents, such as affidavits and final judgments from court cases, are also available. All documents recorded since 1978, and images of all documents recorded since August 24, 1998, can be searched in an online index.

If you have lost or misplaced your original deed (or other legal document which has been recorded), you can obtain a certified copy from the Recording Office where the original document was recorded. A certified copy has the legal validity of the original document.

Certified copies can be requested in person, or by mail. If requested by mail, you must enclose a check for applicable fees, payable to Broward County Commission, and provide the book and page number where the document is located. If you do not know the book and page number where the document is located, there is an additional records search charge.

Documents filed in County or Circuit Court which are not captioned as final judgments are not available in the Records, Taxes and Treasury Division official records. These must be requested from the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Change Names on a Deed

Examples of common name change transactions include adding a wife/husband/child on a deed, or removing the name of a deceased owner from a deed.

While forms for deed name changes and other deed transactions are available at most office supply and stationery stores, we recommend you consult with an attorney or legal professional. You must take many factors into consideration, including future interests, trusts and taxes. Unfortunately, the Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division cannot assist you in completing forms or checking completed forms, and cannot give you legal advice.

Regarding removing the name of a deceased owner from a deed, generally speaking, the simplest transactions require at least three documents:

A certified copy of the Death Certificate of the deceased property owner, available from the State of Florida Office of Vital Statistics. When you make the request for the Certificate, you must state that the cause of death cannot show.
Affidavit of Continuous Marriage, if the property is owned by a married couple, one of whom is now deceased. This document, which must be composed "from scratch" (i.e. no form is available) must be executed by the surviving spouse in front of a notary. It must specify the dates covered by the marriage and give the legal description of the property held jointly by the couple until the time of death of one of the parties.
Various tax forms issued by the State of Florida Department of Revenue, such as DR-312 (Affidavit of No Florida Estate Tax Due).

Download forms online at the Florida Department of Revenue website, floridarevenue.com/pages/forms_index.aspx. If you have questions or require further information mail your requests or contact:

Florida Department of Revenue
Tallahassee Service Center
2450 Shumard Oak Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0130

Or, call 800-352-3671.

If you do not have an attorney, consult:

Broward County Bar Association
1051 S.E. Third Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Or call 954-764-8040.