Official Records FAQ

In order to record a Deed in the Official Records of Sumter County, Florida, the following requirements must be met:

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

Signatures of Grantors

Grantors’ names printed under their signatures

Complete Notary acknowledgment, including:

Names being acknowledged

Date acknowledgement taken

Signature of Notary

Name printed under signature

Commission expiration date

Stamp or seal

“Prepared by” statement (name and address of the person preparing the Deed)

Effective June 1, 2008, the Florida Department of Revenue form DR-219, previously required as a condition of recording for any document transferring an interest in real property, no longer exists. We request the consideration or sales price be placed on the deed or include it on a cover letter. It should be noted, however, that Florida law still has the same requirements that a transfer tax of $.70 per $100.00 of actual value or consideration be paid at the time of recording. Penalties and interest imposed by the Department of Revenue may be incurred if the correct documentary stamp taxes are not paid at the time of recording.

Three-inch square white space on the top right-hand corner of the first and each subsequent page of each document. This space is necessary for us to apply our recording label.

Must have two subscribing witnesses or a corporate stamp

The names of witnesses printed under witnesses’ signatures

Effective January 1, 2024, paragraph (c) of subsection (1) ofsection 695.26, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
695.26 Requirements for recording instruments affecting real property.

(1) No instrument by which the title to real property or any interest therein is conveyed, assigned, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of shall be recorded by the clerk of the circuit court unless:
(c) The name of each witness to the instrument is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped upon such instrument immediately beneath the signature of such witness and the post office address of each such person is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped upon such instrument;