Palm Beach County Recorder of Deeds: Search Official Records, Record Deeds & Visit the Clerk’s Recording Office
Palm Beach County does not use a separate elected office called “Recorder of Deeds.” In Palm Beach County, Florida, deeds, mortgages, liens, notices of commencement and other land records are recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Recording Department.
This guide explains how to search Palm Beach County Official Records, how to record a deed or mortgage, which courthouse locations accept recordings, when a document must go to the Main Courthouse, how recording fees and documentary stamp taxes work, and when you should use the Property Appraiser instead of the Clerk.
Where Do You Search or Record Palm Beach County Deeds?
Use the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Official Records and deed recording. The Clerk records deeds, mortgages, agreements, bills of sale, notices or claims of lien, and other instruments relating to ownership, transfer, encumbrance or claims against real property interests.
For Recorded Deeds and Official Records
Search the Clerk’s Official Records database or contact the Records Service Center if you need deed images, instrument numbers, book/page references, certified copies, or records research.
Official Records contact: 561-355-2932 or ORWEB@mypalmbeachclerk.com.
For Property Appraiser Records
Use the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser when your task is owner lookup, parcel control number, property address, assessed value, GIS, exemption, sales history, or appraisal data.
Tip: Property Appraiser data can help you find the PCN/tax folio number before searching Clerk records.
For Property Taxes
Use the Palm Beach County Tax Collector or property-tax portal for tax bills, payments, receipts and tax-account searches. The Clerk records documents, but does not replace the tax-collection office.
Do not confuse: Official Records are not the same as current tax bills.
Clerk, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector: Which Palm Beach County Office Do You Need?
“Recorder of deeds” searches often mix together three different public-record systems. Use this local decoder before you call or file.
| Your Task | Correct Office | Why | Useful Starting Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search or record deeds, mortgages and liens | Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Recording Department | The Clerk records documents into Palm Beach County Official Records. | Use Official Records Search, room 4.2500, or eRecording. |
| Find owner, parcel control number or assessed value | Palm Beach County Property Appraiser | The Property Appraiser maintains parcel, ownership, GIS, valuation and exemption data. | Search PAPA by address, owner, PCN or sales tools. |
| Pay current or delinquent property tax | Palm Beach County Tax Collector | The Tax Collector handles property-tax payment and receipts. | Use the Tax Collector property-tax search portal. |
| Record a Notice of Commencement | Clerk Recording Department; some Wednesday service at PZB | Florida law requires a Notice of Commencement before certain construction activities; the owner signs it. | The Clerk notes Notices of Commencement and related documents can be recorded at PZB on Wednesdays by credit card. |
| Ask about property fraud monitoring | Clerk Property Fraud Alert | The free alert monitors documents recorded in Official Records using your name. | Sign up through the Clerk’s Property Fraud Alert page. |
How to Search Palm Beach County Deed Records Online
The Clerk’s Official Records database is free to search and includes many recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens and marriage licenses. Some documents are restricted from public internet display because of privacy laws, but may still be available by mail or in person with restrictions.
Start with the best identifier you have
The Clerk’s FAQ says the online Official Records search can use complete party names, recording year/month/date, legal description, physical address, parcel identification number / parcel control number / tax folio number without hyphens, book and page, instrument number, or case number.
Use broad names first
For people, try last name and first name variations. For businesses, search the legal entity name and common variations. The Clerk’s records-research page recommends broad search parameters and name variations for successful Official Records searches.
Limit by record date only after you get too many results
Recording date can help narrow results, but a deed may have been signed on one date and recorded later. If you are using closing documents, look for the Clerk file number, official record book/page or recording stamp.
Confirm document type and party names before ordering
A result may be a deed, mortgage, satisfaction, claim of lien, judgment, notice, assignment, agreement, or other instrument. Confirm document type, recording date, parties, legal description and instrument number before you pay for certified copies.
Know when the image may not be online
The Clerk notes some documents cannot be viewed or purchased on a publicly available internet website. If the index exists but the image is restricted, contact Official Records or visit the Main Courthouse Records Service Center.
Use certified copies only when required
You may view and print uncertified copies online. Certified Official Records copies can be ordered online, by mail, or in person. The Clerk’s recording fee page lists certified copies as $1 per page plus $2 per instrument.
How to Record a Deed, Mortgage or Lien in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County recording can be done by eRecording, mail/delivery, or in person. The Clerk can reject documents that do not meet Florida law, formatting, signature, notary, payment or return-envelope requirements.
Prepare a recordable original document
Do not submit a photocopy or modified certified copy for re-recording. If a recorded document must be changed, the Clerk says to provide a new document or modify the original document where legally appropriate.
Leave the required recording-stamp space
The Clerk requires a blank space in the top-right corner of each page for the official recording stamp. The first page must have a 3 inch by 3 inch space, and all other pages must have a 1 inch by 3 inch space.
Check witness-address and Prepared By requirements
The Clerk says all deeds and easements notarized in Florida require witness names and witness addresses. The Recording page also explains that Florida Statute 695.26 requires a Prepared By Statement on many documents affecting real property.
Calculate recording fees, documentary stamps and intangible tax
The Clerk’s fee page lists $10 for the first page, $8.50 for each additional page, documentary stamps on real-property conveyances at $0.70 per $100 rounded up to the nearest $100, and intangible tax of $0.002 per $1.00 consideration when required on real-estate obligations.
Choose eRecording, mail or in-person delivery
eRecording is usually best for title companies, law firms and frequent filers. Mail requires full payment, no cash, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Time-sensitive documents should be recorded in person because the Clerk does not guarantee same-day recording for mailed documents.
Use the Main Courthouse for restricted document types
Documents such as plats, declarations of condominium and related documents, notice of homestead, notice of interest in land, transfer of lien/judgment to bond, confidentiality requests, and certain other items must be processed at the Main Courthouse.
Palm Beach County Recording Fees and Documentary Stamp Estimate
This calculator uses common Palm Beach County recording-fee items for simple estimates only. It does not replace the Clerk’s official Recording Fee Calculator, Florida Department of Revenue tax rules, legal review, or Clerk acceptance.
Formula used here: $10 first page + $8.50 each additional page + $1 each additional name over four + legal-description abstract fees + $2 search fees + optional $0.70 per $100 documentary stamps on real-property conveyances + optional 0.002 intangible tax on obligations + copy/certification estimate. Complex documents may require other charges.
| Fee Item | Published Amount | When It Applies | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recording first page | $10.00 | Any instrument not more than 8½ by 14 inches, first page. | Plats and unusual documents may have different handling. |
| Recording additional pages | $8.50 per additional page or fraction | Every page after the first. | Page count affects mailed payment accuracy. |
| Copies | $1.00 per page | Copies up to and including 8½ by 14 inches. | Certified copies add $2.00 per instrument. |
| Indexing names over four | $1.00 per additional name | Names listed as successor by merger, aka, fka, nka, dba and similar variations count. | Count names carefully before mailing. |
| Documentary stamp tax — conveyance | $0.70 per $100, rounded up to nearest $100 | Instruments conveying interest in real property. | Check Florida DOR rules for exemptions and taxable value questions. |
| Intangible tax | $0.002 per $1.00 consideration | Obligations to pay money involving real estate. | State doc stamps and intangible tax are required on Agreement for Deed / Contract for Deed. |
Palm Beach County eRecording and Property Fraud Alert
Palm Beach County supports eRecording for secure electronic submission of documents to the Clerk’s office. The Clerk also offers a free Property Fraud Alert service to help monitor documents recorded with your name.
eRecording
eRecording lets eligible submitters record documents electronically rather than mailing or delivering originals to the courthouse. The Clerk says common eRecorded documents include deeds, mortgages, assignment of mortgages and satisfaction of mortgages.
- Best for title companies, attorneys, lenders and frequent filers.
- Documents originally created and executed using an electronic signature must be electronically recorded under the Clerk’s FAQ language.
- Provider prices and supported document types can vary.
Property Fraud Alert
Property Fraud Alert is a free service that monitors documents recorded in Official Records with your name and sends alerts. It does not prevent fraud by itself, but it can help you react faster if a suspicious document is recorded.
- Sign up using name variations that may appear on title documents.
- Review every alert against the Official Records image or index.
- Contact the Clerk and a qualified professional if something looks unauthorized.
Palm Beach County Recording Locations
The Clerk lists multiple in-person recording locations for same-day recording, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding designated holidays. Some documents are accepted only at the Main Courthouse.
| Location | Address | Phone | Use This Location For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Courthouse Recording Department | 205 N. Dixie Highway, Room 4.2500, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | 561-355-2991 | All recording services, Main-Courthouse-only documents, confidentiality requests, records service center and microfilm/image issues. |
| South County Courthouse | 200 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach | 561-274-1588 | Common recordings accepted at branch locations. |
| North County Courthouse | 3188 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens | 561-624-6622 | Common recordings accepted at branch locations. |
| West County Courthouse | 2950 State Road 15, Room S-100, Belle Glade | 561-996-4843 | Common recordings accepted at branch locations. |
| Royal Palm Beach Branch | 200 Civic Center Way, Ste. 400, Royal Palm Beach | 561-784-1271 | Common recordings accepted at branch locations. |
Palm Beach County Recording Department Address and Map
Use the Main Courthouse location for full Recording and Official Records services, document types limited to Main Courthouse, and in-person copy or certified-copy issues.
Main Courthouse Recording Department
Office: Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County — Recording Department
Address:
205 N. Dixie Highway, Room 4.2500
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Recording phone: 561-355-2991
Official Records / copies phone: 561-355-2932
General Main Courthouse phone: 561-355-2996
In-person recording: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., excluding designated holidays.
Open Main Courthouse Map ↗Common Palm Beach County Deed Search and Recording Problems
Most problems come from using the wrong office, searching by too narrow a name, missing PCN information, or assuming every recorded image is visible online.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Try This | Best Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| No deed appears by address | Official Records searches may work better with party name, PCN/tax folio, book/page or instrument number. | Use PAPA first to find PCN without hyphens and owner history, then search Official Records. | Property Appraiser + Clerk Official Records |
| Image appears restricted or unavailable online | Privacy laws or image availability limitations may block public internet viewing. | Contact ORWEB@mypalmbeachclerk.com, order copies, or visit the Main Courthouse Records Service Center. | Clerk Official Records |
| Document gets rejected | Wrong format, missing space for stamp, missing fees, missing signature/notary, wrong size, copy instead of original, or statutory defect. | Review recording requirements, fee calculator, Florida Statutes 28.222 and 695.26, and resubmit a recordable original. | Recording Department |
| Need to correct or change a deed | The Clerk records submitted documents but does not draft deed corrections or give legal advice. | Have a Florida attorney or title professional prepare a new deed or corrective instrument if appropriate. | Attorney/title professional + Clerk |
| Trying to record at a branch but refused | Some documents are Main-Courthouse-only. | Check the Clerk’s Main Courthouse-only list before visiting a branch. | Main Courthouse Recording Department |
Official Palm Beach County Deed and Recording Links
Use these official resources for final verification before searching, ordering copies, recording documents, or calculating fees.
Palm Beach County Official Records Search
Free Clerk database for searching and viewing Palm Beach County Official Records, including deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens and marriage licenses.
- Read and accept the Official Records search terms.
- Choose a search method such as name, document/instrument number, book/page, record date or other available criteria.
- Enter broad name variations first, then narrow by date or document type.
- Open the matching result and confirm parties, recording date, instrument number and document type before printing or buying certified copies.
Recording Department
Official Clerk page for recording methods, mail address, in-person locations, eRecording, Property Fraud Alert, recording forms and same-day recording guidance.
- Review eRecording, mail and in-person submission options.
- Check the required Recording Transmittal Form link.
- Read the witness-address, Prepared By and recording-stamp space requirements.
- Confirm whether your document can be recorded at a branch or only at the Main Courthouse.
Recording Fees
Official fee page for recording, copies, certification, documentary stamps, intangible tax, indexing names and postage.
- Confirm the first-page and additional-page fees.
- Check documentary stamp and intangible tax rules for your document type.
- Count names, legal descriptions and search-fee items before mailing payment.
- Use the official fee calculator for final payment planning.
Official Records / Copies and Research
Official Clerk page for search requests, copy requests, certified copies and Official Records contact details.
- Use the online search first if you have enough information.
- If requesting by phone or mail, provide a full name or legal description and exact or approximate recording year.
- Use PO Box 4526 for mailed Official Records search/copy requests when instructed by the Clerk page.
- Contact ORWEB@mypalmbeachclerk.com for copy and Official Records questions.
Documents Accepted at the Main Courthouse Only
Official list of document types and confidentiality requests that cannot be processed at branch locations.
- Open the list before visiting a branch.
- Check for plats, condominium declarations, notice of homestead, transfer of lien/judgment to bond and confidentiality requests.
- If your document appears on the list, use the Main Courthouse instead of a branch.
- Email SpecializedIntakeRecording@mypalmbeachclerk.com if the document type is unclear.
Forms for Recording
Official page with commonly used recording forms and warnings that Clerk staff cannot provide legal advice.
- Use forms only when they match your exact recording task.
- Review deed template explanations and required components.
- Do not assume a form is legally correct for estate, trust, divorce, business or title-defect situations.
- Seek legal counsel if you are unsure which form to use or how to complete it.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Use PAPA when you need owner, parcel control number, address, property details, sales, exemptions, assessed value or GIS information.
- Search by address, owner or parcel control number.
- Save the PCN / tax folio number without hyphens for Clerk Official Records searching.
- Review sales history and property details for deed-search clues.
- Use the Clerk, not PAPA, for recorded deed images and certified copies.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Why This Helps |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of a Palm Beach County deed. | Search Official Records online first; order certified copies only if an official certified record is required. | Uncertified images may be viewed or printed online for free, while certified copies cost extra. |
| You only know the property address. | Search the Property Appraiser’s PAPA system, save the PCN and owner details, then search Official Records. | PCN, owner history and sales clues make the Clerk search easier. |
| You want to record a deed or mortgage. | Use eRecording, mail or an in-person recording location; check fees, required spaces, witness addresses and Prepared By statement. | Recording defects can cause rejection or delays. |
| Your document is unusual or listed as Main-Courthouse-only. | Use the Main Courthouse Recording Department at 205 N. Dixie Highway, Room 4.2500. | Branch locations cannot accept every document type. |
| You are worried about deed fraud. | Sign up for Property Fraud Alert and monitor your name variations. | The alert does not prevent fraud, but it can warn you when a document is recorded using your name. |
Palm Beach County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
Does Palm Beach County have a Recorder of Deeds office?
Palm Beach County does not use a separate Recorder of Deeds title the way some states do. Deeds and other land records are recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County, through the Recording Department and Official Records services.
How do I search Palm Beach County deed records online?
Use the Clerk’s Official Records Search. You can search with party names, recording date, legal description, physical address, parcel identification number / parcel control number / tax folio number without hyphens, book and page, instrument number or case number.
How far back do Palm Beach County online Official Records images go?
The Clerk’s Official Records database states that users may view and print images from Official Record documents filed with the Clerk since January 1, 1968. Some document images may not be viewable online because of privacy laws or other restrictions.
Where is the Palm Beach County Recording Department?
The Main Courthouse Recording Department is at 205 N. Dixie Highway, Room 4.2500, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The Recording Department phone number listed by the Clerk is 561-355-2991.
Can I record Palm Beach County documents by mail?
Yes. The Clerk lists the recording mail address as Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Recording Department, PO Box 4177, West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4177. Include full payment, no cash, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of hard-copy documents.
Can I record Palm Beach County documents electronically?
Yes. The Clerk supports eRecording, which is secure electronic submission of documents for recording in the Official Records. Common eRecorded documents include deeds, mortgages, assignments of mortgages and satisfactions of mortgages.
What are Palm Beach County recording fees for deeds?
The Clerk’s recording fee page lists $10.00 for the first page of a qualifying instrument and $8.50 for each additional page or fraction. Deeds and other conveyances may also require documentary stamp tax, additional name indexing fees, legal-description abstract fees, copies, certifications or other charges.
What documentary stamp tax applies to Palm Beach County deeds?
The Clerk’s fee page lists state documentary stamps on instruments conveying an interest in real property at $0.70 per $100, rounded up to the nearest $100. Intangible tax may also apply to obligations to pay money involving real estate.
Which Palm Beach County documents must go to the Main Courthouse?
The Clerk lists several Main-Courthouse-only document categories, including plats, declarations of condominium and related documents, notice of homestead, notice of interest in land, transfer of lien/judgment to cash or surety bond, foreign judgment, confidentiality requests and other specialized recordings.
Is Property Fraud Alert the same as title insurance?
No. Property Fraud Alert is a free notification service that monitors documents recorded in Official Records using your name. It can help you spot suspicious activity, but it does not prevent fraud, insure title, remove a fraudulent document, or replace legal advice.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, the Palm Beach County Tax Collector, Florida Department of Revenue, any courthouse, title company or law firm.
Recording acceptance, fees, documentary stamps, intangible tax, copy availability, image restrictions, certified-copy rules, document requirements and legal outcomes are determined by official agencies and Florida law. Verify current requirements with the Palm Beach County Clerk before recording or mailing any document.
Public property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.