Charlotte County Recorder Information

About Charlotte County Recorder

Recording is the assignment of sequential "instrument" numbers to documents, as they are presented. Many different document types are recorded concerning real property mortgages, deeds, satisfactions, assignments, leases, etc., as well as documents from court cases and other sources. The recorded documents create the Official Records.

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).

When mailing documents in, envelopes should be addressed to the attention of the Recording Department. Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

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

* Use legible black print or typing in a font size of at least 12 point on white paper that is at least 8.5 x 11 inches and no larger than 8.5 x 14 inches. This is best for reproduction by microfilm or photographing. The images created and placed in the Official Records need to be legible and of the highest quality. The quality of images depends on the quality of documents presented for recording.

* Printing and typing should be legible and dark. Do not highlight text on the document, as color will show up as black on the scanned images.

* Provide a blank 3 x 3 inch space in the top right corner at the top of the first page. Subsequent pages should have a blank 1 x 3 inch space in the top right corner. These spaces are reserved for use by the clerk of court. All other margins should be at least 1 inch.

* The acknowledgment from the notary public must include the seal, expiration date, and commission number.

* The body of the instrument must be dated.

* Include the grantee's name and address.

* On the first page, affix the name and address of the person to whom the instrument will be returned after recording.

* Signatures throughout should agree with names in the body of the instrument and should be legible and correctly spelled. Corresponding names should be printed or typed beneath all signatures. Signatures must be attested by two witnesses.

* On all instruments by which the title to real estate or any interest therein is conveyed, created, encumbered, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, include the legible printed or typed name and address of the person who prepared the instrument. Instruments executed outside the state of Florida are exempt from this requirement. This information can be given in the following format: "PREPARED BY: name and address." This should be in the top left corner on the first page.

* The title of the document should be given after the preparer's information, centered on the first page.

* Provide a complete legal description of the real property, including the parcel identification number assigned to the property.

* The consideration or sale price of the real property must be noted on the deed presented for recording.