The Short Answer

In Florida, county land records are generally maintained in the county’s “Official Records,” typically by the Clerk of the Circuit Court acting as the county recorder. Fees for recording and for copies/certifications are set by statute, but the exact process (online vs. in-person, turnaround times, accepted payment methods) varies by county.

What Florida Law Says

Florida law requires the county recorder to record certain real-estate-related instruments (like deeds and mortgages) in a single series called “Official Records,” and those records must remain open to the public for inspection and copying (with statutory service charges). The clerk is also authorized to charge specific, capped service charges for recording and for providing copies and certifications.

The Statute

The primary law governing this issue is Fla. Stat. § 28.222.

This statute establishes that the clerk (as county recorder) records instruments affecting property in the county’s “Official Records,” and that the public may inspect and copy those records, subject to service charges.

For the actual dollar amounts, the key fee schedule is in Fla. Stat. § 28.24, which includes (among other items):

• Recording (most instruments): $5.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page, plus additional statutory per-page charges that apply to many Official Records instruments. See Fla. Stat. § 28.24(13).
• Copies: commonly $1.00 per page for photographic copies of standard-size pages. See Fla. Stat. § 28.24(6).
• Certified copies: fees vary depending on whether the instrument is treated as a “court record” or not, and may be charged per page. See Fla. Stat. § 28.24(4).

If your question is coming up in a probate context (for example, confirming title, locating deeds, or preparing for a transfer after death), you may also find this helpful: What paperwork do I need to update a deed after inheriting property under a will in Florida?

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

While the statutes set the general framework and fee caps, applying them to your situation is rarely simple—especially when property records are being retrieved or recorded as part of a probate or inheritance issue. Legal outcomes often depend on:

• Strict Requirements for Recordability: A document that is missing required elements (or is the wrong instrument for the situation) may be rejected for recording, delaying a sale, refinance, or probate administration.
• Burden of Proof / Title Issues: In probate, you often need to prove who has authority to act (personal representative, trustee, surviving joint owner, etc.) and whether the record chain supports the transfer.
• Exceptions and Hidden Problems: Prior liens, unreleased mortgages, homestead issues, or an unrecorded deed can change what should be filed and what additional court authority may be needed.

Trying to handle this alone can lead to rejected filings, clouded title, or expensive clean-up work later—often at the worst possible time (like right before closing).

Get Connected with a Florida Attorney

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Florida law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.