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The Clerk of Court is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in Bay County.
Recording Fees
First page: $10.00
Each additional page: $8.50
For indexing instruments recorded in the official records which contain more than four names, per additional name: $1.00
DOCUMENTARY STAMP TAX:
On real estate conveyance, per $100.00 consideration: $0.70 (Formula: .0070 x Total Purchase Price = Amount of Doc Stamps)
On obligations to pay money, per $100.00 indebtedness: $0.35 (Formula: .0035 x Amount Financed = Amount of Doc Stamps)
Intangible tax on promissory notes, written obligations to pay money (mortgages, etc.): $0.002 x total
The documentary tax stamp is due on total consideration (including cash, any unpaid balance on existing or new mortgages, plus anything having a monetary value).
County recording fees are subject to change without notice. For the most current fees and further information, contact the local clerk's office directly.
Document Formatting Requirements
* The consideration or the sale price of the real property located in Bay County must be noted on the deed.
* For best reproduction or microfilming outcomes, legibly print or type the form in dark ink.
* Date the body of the instrument.
* If the transfer of interest pertains to real estate (such as for deeds, agreements, or contracts for deeds), the grantee's complete name and mailing address needs to be contained within the document.
* On the front of the instrument on the first page, give the name and address to whom the document is to be returned after recording.
* On all instruments by which the title to real estate is conveyed, created, encumbered, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, the name and address of the person who prepared the instrument should be given legibly.
* For all documents pertaining to real property, include a legal description of the property.
* Signatures in the document should agree with all printed names, and should be legible and spelled correctly. Underneath all signatures, the name should be printed, typed, or stamped.
* For documents evidencing a transfer of property, the signatures should be attested by two witnesses.
* Documents must have an acknowledgment of the person executing the instrument.
* A notary public seal expiration date and commission number are required.
* On the top right hand corner of the first page, there should be a 3 x 3 inch space. This is reserved for the clerk of court. On each subsequent page, there should be a 1 x 3 inch space in the top right corner.
* Conveyances should be in writing, signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses by the party granting, creating, or conveying interest in real property. The names of both witnesses must be legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped immediately beneath the signatures.