Palm Coast city deed records are filed and stored at the Flagler County Clerk of Court, since Florida deed recording runs through the county office rather than the city government. The city of Palm Coast handles permits, planning, and zoning, but the legal ownership documents for every property inside the city limits live in the county recorder system.
This page covers how to search those records, what types of deeds get filed, how much recording costs, and how to request a certified copy from the right office.
How Palm Coast City Deed Records Work
Deed recording in Florida follows a county-based system set by state law. Every time someone buys, sells, grants, or transfers property in Palm Coast, the signed deed must be recorded with the county clerk where the property sits. Flagler County is the official record holder for all Palm Coast parcels, and the county clerk maintains the index, stores the original document, and provides public access to copies.
Who Records Deeds in Palm Coast
The Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court records all deeds for properties in Palm Coast. This office operates under Florida Statute Chapter 28, which gives county clerks the duty to record legal documents and keep an index open to the public. The clerk does not verify ownership or check the validity of a deed. The clerk only records the document, assigns a recording number, and stores it for future reference.
Why Deeds Are Recorded With the County
Recording a deed with the county creates public notice that a property transfer took place. Without recording, a buyer could sell the same land to two different people, and the second buyer would have no way to know about the first sale. Florida’s recording statute protects later buyers who record first by giving them priority over earlier unrecorded transfers. Recording also helps lenders check for existing liens before issuing a mortgage.
What Florida Law Says About Recording
Florida Statute Chapter 695 sets the rules for recording deeds and mortgages. The law lists which documents must be recorded, how they must be signed, and what makes a recording valid. Florida Statute Section 28.222 gives county clerks the power to maintain an official records system and charge fees for copies and recordings. Florida Statute Chapter 119, the Public Records Act, makes those recorded documents open to public view with limited redactions for personal data.
How to Search Palm Coast City Deed Records
Searches for Palm Coast deed records start at the Flagler County Clerk online records portal. Users can search by owner name, property address, parcel number, recording date range, or document type. The clerk’s search tool returns a list of matching documents with a recording number, book and page reference, and a link to view the scanned image. Most deeds recorded since 1990 have digital images online.
Search by Owner Name
The name search field accepts full names and last-name-only entries. For best results, search using the exact name shown on the deed, middle names, and initials. Common names may return many results, so narrowing the date range helps. The system searches grantor (the person selling or giving) and grantee (the person receiving) fields, so one search covers both sides of the transfer.
Search by Property Address
The address search works for street addresses within Palm Coast city limits. Users type the house number and street name without city, state, or zip code. The system pulls every recorded instrument tied to that parcel, including deeds, mortgages, satisfactions of mortgage, liens, and easements. Older records may show the lot and block number from a subdivision plat instead of a street address, so a parcel number search works better for those.
Search by Parcel Number
Every parcel in Flagler County has a unique parcel control number assigned by the property appraiser. Searching by parcel number returns every recorded document tied to that exact piece of land, including past parcel splits or mergers. The property appraiser website lists the parcel number for any Palm Coast address, and the clerk’s search accepts that number in the standard format used throughout the county.
Search by Book and Page Number
Older Palm Coast deeds recorded before 1990 use a book and page reference system. The clerk’s index maps each book and page to the document image. Users who already have a book and page number from a prior title search can pull the image directly. This method skips name or address matching and gives the exact document on the first click without sorting through unrelated results.
Types of Deeds Recorded in Palm Coast
Florida recognizes several deed types, and each one transfers ownership in a different way. The deed type affects what warranties the grantor gives, what claims the grantee can make later, and what title insurance covers. Palm Coast property transactions use the deed type chosen by the parties based on the relationship between buyer and seller and the source of the title.
Warranty Deed Records
A warranty deed is the most common deed type for traditional home sales. The grantor guarantees clear title to the grantee and agrees to defend against any claims, even from before the grantor owned the property. Title companies and lenders typically require a warranty deed for financed purchases, since the broad protection reduces title risk. Most resale homes in Palm Coast transfer through warranty deeds.
Quitclaim Deed Records
A quitclaim deed transfers only the grantor’s current interest in the property, with no warranty about the title. Quitclaim deeds appear in Palm Coast records for transfers between family members, divorce settlements, adding or removing a spouse from title, or correcting a prior deed error. Title insurers often charge extra or require holdbacks for quitclaim transactions because of the lack of title warranty.
Special Warranty Deed Records
A special warranty deed limits the grantor’s warranty to the time the grantor owned the property. The grantor does not guarantee against claims arising before that period. Commercial transactions in Palm Coast often use special warranty deeds, especially for properties sold by investors or businesses that never lived at the property. Lender policies on special warranty deeds vary by company.
Tax Deed Records
A tax deed transfers ownership of a property to a buyer at a tax deed auction after the owner failed to pay property taxes. The Flagler County Clerk handles tax deed auctions under Florida Statute Chapter 197. Palm Coast tax deed records show the original tax certificate holder, the auction date, the winning bid, and the resulting deed. Buyers at auction take the property subject to most prior liens, so research before bidding matters.
Palm Coast Recording Fees and Costs
Recording fees in Florida are set by state law and apply the same way in every county. The Flagler County Clerk charges a base fee for the first page of a recorded document and a smaller fee for each additional page. Indexing fees, extra names over four, and special document types add to the total. The clerk’s fee schedule lists every charge, and the recording officer calculates the cost before recording.
Standard Recording Fee Schedule
The base recording fee for a single-page deed in Florida is set by statute and updated periodically. Each additional page carries a smaller per-page fee. Documents with more than four grantor or grantee names pay an extra indexing fee per name beyond the fourth. Documentary stamp tax, calculated on the purchase price, is a separate Florida tax collected by the clerk and sent to the state.
Certified Copy Fees
A certified copy of a recorded deed carries a higher fee than a plain copy. The certification page, clerk seal, and signature verify the copy as a true duplicate of the recorded original. Title companies, courts, and government agencies require certified copies for closings, legal filings, and probate matters. The standard certified copy fee in Florida covers one document, and additional fees apply for larger record groups.
eRecording Platform Fees
Electronic recording through an approved eRecording vendor charges a service fee set by the vendor. The vendor charges are separate from the clerk’s recording fee. The clerk does not control or collect vendor fees. Common approved vendors include major national eRecording networks, and their fee schedules are posted online for users to compare before uploading documents.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Palm Coast Deed
Certified copies of Palm Coast deeds come from the Flagler County Clerk’s office. Plain copies work for general research, but any legal use requires a certified copy with the clerk’s seal. The clerk offers in-person, mail, and online options for certified copy orders. Each method has different turnaround times and fee structures.
In-Person Certified Copy Request
Walk-in customers visit the Flagler County Clerk office at 1769 East Moody Boulevard, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The recording counter accepts certified copy requests Monday through Friday during posted business hours. Customers fill out a request form with the book and page or recording number, pay the fee, and receive the certified copy the same day in most cases. Photo ID is required at the counter.
Mail Request for Certified Copy
Mail requests work for users who cannot visit in person. The requester sends a signed letter with the document reference, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the certified copy fee. The clerk processes mail requests in the order received, and turnaround averages several business days. Mail requests should include a phone number for any clarification calls during processing.
Online Certified Copy Order
The Flagler County Clerk online portal allows users to order certified copies of deeds through the records search system. Users locate the document, select the certified copy option, and pay by credit card. The clerk mails the certified copy by U.S. mail or holds it for pickup. Online orders save travel time for users outside Flagler County and provide a written record of the request.
Common Uses for Palm Coast Deed Records
Deed records serve many practical purposes for Palm Coast property owners, buyers, researchers, and legal professionals. The same document may answer questions about ownership history, existing liens, easements, or past sales. Below are the most common reasons people pull Palm Coast deed records from the county clerk.
Title Searches Before Property Purchase
Title searches before closing check the chain of ownership, verify the legal description, and surface any recorded liens or encumbrances. The title examiner pulls every deed recorded against the parcel going back to the prior title policy, typically 30 years or more. Title insurance underwriting depends on this search, and any unreleased lien or break in the chain can delay a closing.
Chain of Title Research
Chain of title research traces every recorded transfer of a property from one owner to the next. A clean chain shows a clear path from the original grant to the current owner with no gaps. Gaps may indicate a clerical error, an unrecorded transfer, or a foreclosure. Chain of title issues can block a sale until corrected by a quitclaim deed or court action.
Mortgage and Lien Checks
Deed records show mortgages, liens, and satisfactions recorded against a property. A pending mortgage shows as a recorded mortgage; a paid-off mortgage shows as a recorded satisfaction or release of mortgage. Judgment liens, construction liens, and tax liens appear in the index. Lenders require a payoff statement in addition to the recorded mortgage before releasing funds at closing.
Easement and Right-of-Way Research
Easements granting utility, drainage, or access rights appear in deed records under various names. Buyers and title insurers need to know about easements because they affect how the owner can use the land. Easement research pulls every recorded easement on a parcel and reviews the language for scope, location, and duration.
Foreclosure and Tax Deed Research
Foreclosure filings and tax deed transfers both appear in the Flagler County official records. Foreclosure deeds transfer ownership to the lender after a court judgment. Tax deeds transfer ownership to the auction buyer after years of unpaid property taxes. Research on these records helps buyers at foreclosure auctions assess title risk and confirm the final recorded transfer.
Palm Coast Property Research Beyond Deeds
Deed records answer ownership questions, but other records fill in property history, tax status, and physical details. Combining deed records with property appraiser data, city planning files, and state land records gives a full picture of any Palm Coast parcel.
Flagler County Property Appraiser Data
The Flagler County Property Appraiser maintains parcel maps, ownership records, building sketches, and assessed values for every parcel in the county, including city parcels. The appraiser site lists the parcel control number, legal description, sales history, and current owner mailing address. Cross-checking the appraiser data against the deed record confirms whether the recorded transfer has been processed by the appraiser.
City Building and Planning Records
The Palm Coast city building and planning departments hold permit records, site plans, subdivision plats, and zoning information. These records show when structures were built, what permits were pulled, and whether the property sits in a special zoning district. The Palm Coast Building Department and the Palm Coast Planning Department both publish records online for public review.
Florida State Land Records
State-owned land records, including sovereign submerged lands and conservation easements, are filed through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The state title and land records system holds information on state lands that may overlap with private parcels. State land records add context for waterfront parcels and conservation areas.
eRecording for Palm Coast Deeds
eRecording allows title companies, attorneys, and individuals to submit deeds for recording through an approved electronic platform instead of paper delivery. The Flagler County Clerk accepts eRecorded documents from approved vendors. eRecording speeds up turnaround and reduces rejections from missing pages or signature errors.
How eRecording Works
The submitter uploads a PDF of the signed deed, pays the recording fees, and sends the package through the vendor to the county clerk. The clerk reviews the document for compliance with recording requirements, including margins, signatures, and notary information. Once accepted, the clerk assigns a recording number and returns the recorded image to the submitter through the vendor portal.
Approved eRecording Vendors
Florida county clerks accept eRecordings from vendors that meet state standards for security, image quality, and indexing. Major national vendors operate in Flagler County, and the clerk’s office lists the current approved vendors on its website. Title companies typically have vendor accounts set up; individuals without an account can use a vendor’s public submission portal.
Document Requirements for eRecording
eRecorded deeds must meet the same standards as paper deeds, plus image-specific rules. Documents must be legible PDFs, scanned at a minimum resolution, with margins that leave room for recording stamps. Signatures and notary seals must be clearly visible. Documents that fail the review come back unrecorded with a rejection note for correction.
Flagler County Clerk Contact and Office Hours
The Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the official record holder for all Palm Coast property deeds. The main office is located in Bunnell, Florida, and operates during standard business hours. Recording and certified copy services are available during those hours. Phone, mail, and online channels provide additional access for users who cannot visit in person.
Office Location and Phone
The Flagler County Clerk office sits at 1769 East Moody Boulevard, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The main phone line for recording questions is (386) 313-4360. Visitors can ask about recording status, certified copy orders, fee calculations, and document requirements at the counter or by phone during business hours.
Recording Hours and Public Access
Recording hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding posted holidays. Documents received before the close of business are recorded the same day in most cases. Public access terminals in the clerk lobby allow free in-person search of official records using the clerk’s search system.
Official Resources and Links
The Flagler County Clerk official records and eRecording page is the primary hub for Palm Coast deed searches. The statewide jump page at MyFloridaCounty routes users to the right county portal. The Florida Clerks association site supports office lookup across all 67 counties. Florida Statute Chapter 695, Section 28.222, and Chapter 119 provide the legal framework behind every deed transaction in the state.
- Flagler County Clerk Official Records and eRecording: flaglerclerk.gov/records/official-records/erecording/
- MyFloridaCounty Official Records: myfloridacounty.com/official_records/index.html
- Florida Clerks Association: flclerks.com
- Florida Statute Chapter 695: leg.state.fl.us/Statutes (Chapter 695)
- Florida Statute Section 28.222: leg.state.fl.us/Statutes (Section 28.222)
- Florida Statute Chapter 119: leg.state.fl.us/Statutes (Chapter 119)
- Florida DEP BTLDS: prodenv.dep.state.fl.us/DslBtlds/public/welcome
- Palm Coast Building Department: palmcoast.gov/departments/building-department
- Palm Coast Planning Department: palmcoast.gov/departments/planning-department
The image below shows the Flagler County Clerk official records page used to search Palm Coast deed records and submit eRecorded documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section answers common questions about Palm Coast deed records. Each answer covers a specific topic users ask about when searching the Flagler County Clerk system or recording a new deed in Palm Coast, Florida. The answers below reflect Florida recording law, county clerk procedures, and current practice as of 2026.
Where Are Palm Coast City Deed Records Kept?
Palm Coast sits within Flagler County, Florida. The Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court records every deed transfer for properties in Palm Coast city limits. The clerk’s office at 1769 East Moody Boulevard, Bunnell, Florida 32110 stores the original paper deeds recorded before the digital system started, the digital images recorded since 1990, and the searchable index linking owner names, parcel numbers, recording dates, and document types to each deed image. The clerk does not verify the validity of any deed at the time of recording. Recording only provides public notice that a document was filed. The city of Palm Coast does not store deed records. The Palm Coast city departments handle permits, zoning, planning, and code enforcement, not property ownership records. Searches for Palm Coast deeds must go through the Flagler County Clerk online portal, by mail, or in person at the recording counter. Phone calls to the clerk’s recording office at (386) 313-4360 can confirm whether a specific deed has been recorded, what the recording number is, and how to order a certified copy.
How Much Does It Cost to Record a Deed in Palm Coast?
Florida recording fees are set by state statute and apply equally in every county clerk office, including Flagler County. The clerk charges a base fee for the first page of a document, a smaller fee for each additional page, and extra indexing charges when a deed lists more than four grantor or grantee names. Documentary stamp tax, a separate Florida tax calculated on the total purchase price, is also collected by the clerk at the time of recording and remitted to the Florida Department of Revenue. Documentary stamp tax rates are set by statute and may change with legislative action. Certified copy requests carry higher fees than plain copies, with separate charges for each document. eRecording submissions through approved vendors include a vendor service fee on top of the clerk’s recording fee. The clerk’s website lists the current fee schedule, and the recording counter calculates the exact total before accepting a document for recording. Fees are paid at the counter in person, by mail via check, or online via credit card through the eRecording vendor.
Can I Search Palm Coast Deed Records for Free?
Yes. The Flagler County Clerk online records portal lets anyone search Palm Coast deed records without charge. The portal offers search fields for owner names, property addresses, parcel control numbers, recording date ranges, and document types. Free search results show the recording number, the book and page reference, the document type, the grantor and grantee names, and the recording date. Free users can view the scanned deed image directly through the portal without a fee. Fees only apply when ordering a certified copy, requesting a printed copy mailed by the clerk, or ordering bulk data exports. In-person public access terminals at the clerk’s office in Bunnell provide the same free search service for walk-in users. The statewide jump page at MyFloridaCounty routes users to the right county portal for searches across Florida counties. Florida Statute Chapter 119 makes official records open to public view, with limited redactions for protected personal data, so the free search and free online viewing are part of the state’s public records commitment. No registration or login is required to view documents already indexed in the system.
How Long Does Recording a Deed in Palm Coast Take?
Paper deeds submitted in person at the Flagler County Clerk recording counter are recorded the same day in most cases, when submitted before the close of business at 4:30 p.m. Mailed deeds take longer because of postal delivery time on the way to the clerk plus processing time before the recording officer assigns a number and returns the original by mail. Electronic recordings through approved vendors typically complete within hours, with the recorded image returned to the submitter through the vendor portal after the clerk’s review. The clerk’s review checks for compliance with recording requirements, including margins, signatures, notary information, and correct indexing data. Documents failing the review are returned unrecorded with a rejection note listing the issues to fix. Rejections and resubmissions can add several business days to the total turnaround. Same-day recording is not guaranteed for documents submitted late in the day or on the eve of a holiday. Title companies and closing agents typically submit deeds well before closing dates to allow for any resubmission delays.
What Is the Difference Between a Deed and a Title?
A deed is the legal document that transfers ownership of real property from one party to another. Title refers to the legal right of ownership itself, supported by the chain of recorded deeds. Recording a deed gives public notice of the transfer, but title depends on the validity of every prior deed in the chain. A clear title means the recorded chain runs cleanly from the original grant to the current owner with no breaks, liens, or competing claims. Gaps in the chain may indicate a clerical error, an unrecorded transfer, or a foreclosure. Title companies issue title insurance based on a title search of the recorded chain, and any break in the chain, unreleased lien, or competing claim can prevent issuance of a policy. A deed alone does not guarantee clear title. A buyer can take a deed and still face a title claim from a prior owner. Title insurance protects against hidden title defects that a deed search does not surface, including forgery, fraud, and unknown heirs.
Do Palm Coast Deed Records Show Mortgages?
Yes. Mortgages, deeds of trust, and satisfactions of mortgage all show up in the Palm Coast deed records index. The grantor-grantee search on the Flagler County Clerk portal pulls mortgages tied to a specific owner or parcel control number. Mortgage records list the lender, the loan amount, the recording reference, and the legal description of the property securing the loan. Paid-off mortgages appear as recorded satisfactions or releases of mortgage, which clear the lien from the public record. A title examiner searches the mortgage history before closing to confirm the prior loan was satisfied and the lien was released. Judgment liens, construction liens, federal tax liens, and homeowners association liens appear in the same index, depending on filing type. The clerk’s index covers all recorded instruments tied to a parcel, not just deeds. Buyers and lenders review the full instrument history to confirm the property is free of unwanted liens before completing a sale. Lender payoff statements confirm the exact amount needed to release a mortgage at closing, since the recorded satisfaction may take weeks or months after payoff to appear in the index.
Can I Remove Personal Info From Palm Coast Deed Records?
Florida Statute Chapter 119 protects certain personal data from public display in official records. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and identifying information for specified persons, including judges, law enforcement, and domestic violence victims, can be redacted at the time of recording. Documents already on record may be removed from public display on the online portal through a separate redaction request to the clerk. The original document remains part of the official record, but the public version can show redactions where sensitive data appeared. Federal drivers’ privacy protections under the Drivers Privacy Protection Act limit display of personal information pulled from driver records. Property owners concerned about identity theft can request redaction of certain personal data at the time of recording or after the document is recorded. The clerk’s office guides property owners through the redaction request process, the required forms, and the supporting documents needed. Forms are available on the clerk’s website and at the recording counter. Processing time varies depending on the volume of redaction requests in the queue. Redactions do not remove the recording itself from the official record, only certain identifying details from the public display version.