Hillsborough County Recorder of Deeds: Search Deeds, Official Records & Recording Office
If you are searching for the Hillsborough County Recorder of Deeds, the Florida office you actually need is the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller. The Clerk serves as County Recorder and maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, judgments, notices of commencement, plats, marriage records and other documents recorded in Hillsborough County’s Official Records.
This guide shows you how to search the Official Records Index, narrow a deed search when you only know an owner or address, find older records, obtain certified copies, record a new deed, calculate common recording charges and choose the correct Tampa, Brandon or Plant City office.
Who Is the Hillsborough County Recorder of Deeds?
Hillsborough County does not operate a separate Pennsylvania-style “Recorder of Deeds” office. In Florida, the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller serves as the County Recorder. The Clerk records and preserves instruments placed in the county’s Official Records and provides the public search index used for deed research.
Use the Clerk for Recorded Documents
Use Hillsborough Official Records for deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, satisfactions, easements, notices of commencement, plats, recorded judgments and other instruments accepted for recording.
Use the Property Appraiser for Parcel Facts
If you only know a street address, start with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser. Its property search supports folio, parcel number, owner and address searches and can help identify the owner or folio before you search deeds.
Use HOVER for Court Cases
Civil lawsuits, criminal cases, traffic cases, divorces and other court dockets belong in HOVER. A deed may relate to litigation, but the recorded deed itself belongs in Official Records.
How to Search Hillsborough County Deeds Online
The Clerk’s Official Records Index is the correct search system for modern recorded deeds. The Clerk’s own eCertify guide explains that users can search by party name, business name, date range and document type, then open the matching record to review document details and available images.
Open the Official Records Index
Use the Clerk’s Official Records search rather than the court-case portal. Anonymous users can perform ordinary public searches without logging in, although some restricted records or images are not available to anonymous users.
Start With a Name Search
Search the name of a current or former owner who would appear as a party on the deed. The index also supports business-name searches. If you get too many results, add a narrower recording-date range.
Filter for a Deed Document Type
If you know the approximate recording period, use a document-type search to narrow the index to deeds or another specific instrument. This helps when an owner has many mortgages, liens, releases and other recordings under the same name.
Keep the Result Set Below 5,000
The Clerk’s eCertify guide warns that searches exceeding 5,000 records are not delivered. If that happens, reduce the date range or add another search criterion rather than repeatedly running the same broad name search.
Open the Matching Result
Results can show party names, recording date, document type, legal-description information when indexed and the instrument number. Open the candidate record and verify that it is the right property and transaction.
Save the Instrument Number
Once you identify the deed, save the instrument number, recording date and document type. These details are more reliable for later copy requests than repeatedly searching only by an owner’s name.
After opening this link: choose a name or document-type search, enter the narrowest date range you reasonably know, run the search, open the matching party name, confirm the instrument number and recording date, then download an uncertified copy or use the Certify option if a certified copy is required.
How to Find a Hillsborough County Deed by Property Address
The Official Records Index is strongest when you know a party name, instrument details or recording period. If your starting information is only a street address, use the Property Appraiser as a bridge rather than forcing an address into the deed index.
Find the Parcel First
Open the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser website and use the Property Search. Search by address and open the matching parcel.
Record the owner name, folio number, parcel number and legal-description details shown on the property record.
Move to Official Records
Return to the Clerk’s Official Records Index and search the owner name. Narrow by document type and approximate acquisition year until you locate the likely deed.
Compare the deed’s legal description with the Property Appraiser record before assuming it belongs to the parcel.
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Property Search
Useful when the only information you have is an address, folio, parcel number or owner name.
- Use the Property Search section on the HCPA home page.
- Enter the street address, owner, folio or parcel number.
- Open the correct parcel and note the owner name and folio.
- Return to the Clerk Official Records Index.
- Search the owner name and narrow to deeds around the relevant acquisition date.
What a Hillsborough County Deed Search Result Tells You
A record-search result is an index entry pointing to a recorded instrument. Knowing which fields matter helps you avoid selecting a mortgage, satisfaction or unrelated deed involving a person with the same name.
| Field | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Party / Name | Person or entity indexed as a party to the recorded instrument. | Useful for grantor/grantee research, but confirm identity because names may repeat. |
| Document Type | The Clerk’s classification of the recorded instrument. | Helps distinguish a deed from mortgage, lien, easement, satisfaction or notice. |
| Recording Date | Date the document was recorded into Official Records. | Not necessarily the same as the signing, closing or effective date. |
| Instrument Number | Unique recorded-document identifier. | One of the best references for requesting the exact document later. |
| Legal Description | Indexed property-description information when available. | Useful for confirming that the document affects the intended parcel. |
| Document Image | Digitized image or preview of the recorded document when public online access is available. | Review names, consideration language, legal description and signatures before ordering a certified copy. |
How Far Back Do Hillsborough County Deed Records Go?
The Clerk distinguishes between the modern online Official Records Index and older archival material. That matters if a deed predates the modern digital index.
Online Official Records Index
The Clerk states that the online Official Records Index is available from 1965 to the present.
Archived Deed Indexes
The Clerk’s archived-record resources include deed indexes from 1948 through 1957 and Official Records indexes from 1958 through 1966.
Official Records Library
The Clerk says its Official Records Library includes microfilmed or electronically imaged records with the earliest available material dating back to 1836.
Uncertified Copies vs Certified Hillsborough County Deeds
Uncertified Copy
If you only need to read a deed, confirm a legal description or keep a research copy, start with the online Official Records Index. The Clerk says uncertified Official Records can be searched online for free.
Downloaded uncertified copies may include an “UNCERTIFIED COPY” watermark.
eCertified Copy
Clerk eCertify provides electronically certified Official Records 24/7. Certified PDFs are tamper-evident and can be authenticated using the validation link or QR code on the certification cover page.
Ask the receiving agency, lender, title company or attorney whether electronic certification is acceptable before purchasing.
| Copy Service | Current Clerk-Listed Charge | Practical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Official Records copy | $1 per page | Paper or requested copy when a free online viewing copy is not enough. |
| Certification | $2 per document in addition to copy charge | When the receiving party requires a Clerk-certified record. |
| In-person records search | $2 for each year searched | Useful when staff research is needed. |
| eCertify vendor charge | $6 per electronically certified document | Added to Clerk statutory copy and certification costs. |
| Credit-card processor | 3.5% of eCertify subtotal | Separate processing expense shown before payment. |
How to Record a Deed in Hillsborough County
Recording is different from searching. The Clerk records documents that meet Florida statutory recording requirements, but Clerk staff do not replace an attorney or prepare a deed for you.
Prepare the Correct Legal Document
Make sure the deed or other instrument is complete, signed and acknowledged as required by Florida law. If you need advice about ownership interests, legal description wording, tenancy, probate, trusts or deed selection, consult a qualified Florida attorney or title professional.
Check the Witness Information Rule
Since January 1, 2024, Hillsborough County highlights Florida Statute 695.26 requirements affecting certain instruments that convey, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of an interest in real property. For covered documents, the two witnesses must be identified and each witness’s post-office address must also appear.
Calculate Recording Fees and Documentary Stamp Tax
The Clerk lists common recording charges of $10 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page of the same standard document. Additional names after the first four may add indexing charges.
Use the Deed Calculator
The Clerk provides a deed calculator that estimates recording charges and documentary stamp tax based on the home consideration and number of pages.
Submit In Person, by Mail or Through an Approved eRecording Route
The Clerk publishes multiple recording options. For mailed submissions, follow the Recording Department instructions and include the exact payment, recording transmittal form or cover letter, and a sufficiently sized self-addressed stamped envelope for returned documents.
Verify the Recorded Instrument
After recording, search the Official Records Index and confirm the document appears under the correct party names, document type and instrument number. Save that instrument number with your closing or title documents.
Hillsborough County Deed Recording Fees and Documentary Taxes
These are common Clerk-published amounts for standard recordings. Complex documents can involve additional charges, so use the official calculator or Recording Department before mailing payment.
| Charge | Published Amount | How It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| First recording page | $10.00 | Common charge for the first page of a standard recordable instrument. |
| Additional page | $8.50 | Applied to each additional page of the same standard instrument. |
| Additional indexed names | $1.00 each after the fourth name | Names can include parties acting in trustee, estate, representative or other capacities. |
| Documentary stamp tax on deeds | $0.70 per $100 or fraction of consideration | Florida documentary stamp tax on deeds and instruments conveying an interest in real property, subject to applicable law. |
| Mortgage documentary stamps | $0.35 per $100 or fraction of indebtedness | Relevant to mortgages and certain secured obligations rather than a simple deed-only calculation. |
| Nonrecurring intangible tax | 0.002 × qualifying secured indebtedness | Can apply to mortgages and other obligations secured by Florida real property. |
Official Hillsborough County Deed and Recording Resources
Hillsborough Official Records Search
Use for deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, notices of commencement, judgments and other recorded instruments.
- Choose the search type that best matches what you know.
- For deed research, start with the owner or business name.
- Limit the recording-date range when the name is common.
- Use document type to isolate deeds from mortgages, liens and other records.
- Open the result and verify the instrument number, date and legal-description information.
Hillsborough Clerk Recording Information
Use before submitting a deed, mortgage, lien, notice or other document for recording.
- Review the current recording requirements and privacy notices.
- Check whether your document is affected by the witness-address rule.
- Open the recording fee information before preparing payment.
- Choose mail, in-person or approved electronic recording where available.
- Use the Recording Department contact if the Clerk’s published rules do not answer your procedural question.
Hillsborough Deed Calculator
Official Clerk tool for estimating documentary stamp taxes and recording fees for a new deed.
- Enter the consideration or cost associated with the transaction.
- Enter the number of pages being recorded.
- Run the calculation.
- Review both recording fees and documentary stamp tax.
- Reconfirm the total if the transaction includes assumptions, mortgages or unusual consideration.
Clerk eCertify for Official Records
Use when you need an electronically certified deed or other eligible Official Record.
- Search the deed first in the Official Records Index.
- Confirm that the instrument number and document image are correct.
- Select the Certify option and add the document to the cart.
- Review page count and all Clerk/vendor fees before payment.
- Use the emailed link to download the certified PDF and keep the certification cover sheet intact.
Recording Transmittal Form
Useful when mailing documents to the Recording Department.
- Enter your return name, address, phone and contact information.
- List each document in the exact recording order.
- Calculate page, indexing and applicable tax charges.
- Make payment payable as directed by the Clerk.
- Include a sufficiently sized self-addressed stamped envelope for returned documents.
Sign Up for Hillsborough County Property Fraud Alerts
The Clerk offers a free alert service that can notify property owners when a deed, mortgage or other land record containing their registered name is recorded in Hillsborough County Official Records.
What the Alert Does
It monitors newly recorded documents for the name information you register and sends an alert when a possible match is recorded.
An alert does not automatically mean fraud occurred; it tells you to review the new recording promptly.
What It Does Not Do
The service does not block a document from being recorded, determine whether a deed is valid or replace title insurance, legal advice or routine review of your property records.
Hillsborough County Recorder Office Location
The main Downtown Tampa location listed for Recording is the Pat Collier Frank Courthouse. The Clerk also lists recording service at Brandon and Plant City, which can be more convenient depending on where you live.
Pat Collier Frank Courthouse
Recording / Official Records
419 Pierce Street, Room 140
Tampa, FL 33602
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Main phone: 813-276-8100
Holiday closures can change counter availability, so review the Clerk’s current Service Options and Locations page before traveling.
Verify Hours & Locations ↗Brandon Regional Service Center
311 Pauls Drive, Suite 110
Brandon, FL 33511
Clerk lists Recording as an available service. Published general hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Plant City Courthouse
301 North Michigan Ave, Room 1071
Plant City, FL 33563
Clerk lists Recording as an available service. Published general hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Clerk vs Property Appraiser vs Tax Collector
| Office | Use It For | Do Not Use It For |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk / County Recorder | Deeds, mortgages, liens, recorded judgments, notices of commencement, plats, certified recorded copies and recording new instruments. | Property appraisal value, homestead-exemption approval or annual tax payment. |
| Hillsborough County Property Appraiser | Owner/parcel search, folio, property characteristics, assessed value, exemptions, property appraisal and parcel maps. | Recording a deed or issuing an Official Records certified copy. |
| Hillsborough County Tax Collector | Property-tax bills, payments, delinquent tax issues and tax-related collections. | Deed indexing, title recording or property-value appraisal. |
Why You May Not Find a Hillsborough County Deed
Common Search Problems
- Searching the HOVER court system instead of Official Records.
- Using only a property address when the Official Records search is party-name oriented.
- Using a date range so broad that results exceed the 5,000-record limit.
- Searching only the current owner when the deed was recorded under a previous owner or trust.
- Assuming an older pre-1965 record must appear in the modern online index.
- Ignoring alternate business, trust, middle-name or former-name variations.
Better Search Sequence
- Confirm the parcel and owner on the Property Appraiser site.
- Search the Clerk Official Records Index by party name.
- Narrow the recording dates.
- Filter by deed document type.
- Compare the legal description.
- Use archived indexes or the Records Library for older deeds.
What to Do Next
| Your Goal | Best Next Step |
|---|---|
| I need the current deed. | Search the Property Appraiser for the current owner if needed, then search that name in the Clerk Official Records Index. |
| I need a certified deed. | Locate the exact instrument in Official Records, verify it, then use Clerk eCertify or request a certified copy through the Clerk. |
| I need to record a new deed. | Review statutory recording requirements, witness information, fees and documentary stamp tax; then use the Clerk’s recording options. |
| I need an old deed before 1965. | Check archived deed indexes and the Official Records Library rather than relying only on the current online index. |
| The property owner is wrong on the appraisal site. | Confirm whether the deed has already been recorded. If it has, contact the Property Appraiser regarding update timing or record correction. |
| I think a fraudulent deed was recorded. | Review the document immediately, contact the Clerk as appropriate and obtain qualified legal/law-enforcement advice. Register for Property Fraud Alerts for future recordings. |
Hillsborough County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
1. Who is the Recorder of Deeds in Hillsborough County, Florida?
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller performs the County Recorder function. The Clerk maintains Official Records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, recorded judgments and other recordable instruments.
2. How do I search for a deed in Hillsborough County?
Use the Hillsborough County Official Records Index. Search by a person or business name, narrow the recording-date range and use document-type filters to isolate deeds. Open the matching result and verify the instrument number, recording date and legal description.
3. Can I search a Hillsborough County deed by street address?
A better workflow is to search the address on the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser website first. Note the owner name, folio and parcel information, then search the owner name in the Clerk Official Records Index.
4. How far back does the Hillsborough Official Records search go?
The Clerk states that the online Official Records Index is available from 1965 to the present. Older archival resources include deed indexes from 1948–1957, Official Records indexes from 1958–1966 and Records Library material dating back further.
5. How much does it cost to record a deed in Hillsborough County?
The Clerk currently lists $10 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page for many standard recordings. Additional indexed names and applicable documentary stamp taxes can increase the total. Use the Clerk’s deed calculator before submitting payment.
6. What is the documentary stamp tax on a Hillsborough County deed?
The Clerk’s recording information lists Florida documentary stamp tax on deeds at $0.70 per $100, or fraction thereof, of applicable consideration. The exact taxable consideration can depend on the transaction, so confirm the calculation before recording.
7. Can I get a certified Hillsborough County deed online?
Yes. Eligible Official Records can be purchased as electronically certified documents through Clerk eCertify. First find the exact instrument in the Official Records Index, confirm the document, select Certify and review the page count and fees before paying.
8. Where do I go in person to record a deed in Tampa?
The Clerk lists Recording at the Pat Collier Frank Courthouse, 419 Pierce Street, Room 140, Tampa, FL 33602. The Clerk also lists recording service at the Brandon Regional Service Center and Plant City Courthouse. Verify current hours before visiting.
9. Why is my deed missing from the online Official Records search?
You may be using the wrong party name, an overly broad date range, the wrong records system or a spelling variation. Very old deeds may require archived indexes or Records Library research. Some documents or images can also be restricted from public internet display.
10. Is CountyClerkOfCourt.us the Hillsborough County Recorder website?
No. CountyClerkOfCourt.us is an independent informational website. Official deed searches, recordings, certified copies, fees, fraud alerts and office information should be completed or verified through the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller.
Independent Records Guide
CountyClerkOfCourt.us is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, Hillsborough County Tax Collector or the State of Florida.
Recorded documents can affect valuable legal and property rights. This page explains public procedures but does not determine ownership, title validity, lien priority, deed validity, boundary rights or the legal effect of an instrument.
Property and Official Records information should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.