Broward County deed records are public files that show who owns real estate in Broward County, Florida. These records are kept by the county clerk and open for anyone to view.
You can search them online, by mail, or in person to check property ownership, transfer history, and legal details about a piece of real estate.
What Are Broward County Deed Records
Broward County deed records are official papers that prove who owns a property. They are recorded at the county office so the public can see the history of each piece of land. Each deed has the names of the buyer and seller, a description of the property, and the date it was signed.
Types of Deeds Recorded in Broward County
Several types of deeds are recorded in Broward County. A warranty deed is used when the seller promises the property has no problems. A quitclaim deed is used to transfer ownership without any promises. A special warranty deed only covers problems during the seller’s time of ownership. Other recorded documents include mortgages, satisfactions of mortgage, liens, and tax deeds.
Who Records Deeds in Broward County
The Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division handles deed recording. This office is part of the county government and follows Florida state rules. The clerk’s office stores the original paper deeds and creates digital copies for online viewing. All real estate deeds in Florida must go through the county recorder where the property sits.
Florida Laws That Govern Deed Recording
Florida state laws set the rules for deed recording in Broward County. Chapter 695 of the Florida Statutes covers recording requirements for real property documents. Section 28.222 explains the duties of county recorders. Chapter 119 covers public access rights to these files. Knowing these laws helps you understand what a deed must include and who can view it.
The page shown below is the main source people use when they need Broward County deed records or recording instructions.
How to Search Broward County Deed Records Online
You can search Broward County deed records online through the county’s official website. The search tools let you look up documents by name, parcel number, book and page, or instrument number. Online searches are free to run, but you may pay a fee to view or print full document images.
Using the Broward County Official Records Portal
The Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division runs the official records search portal. You can reach it through broward.org/RecordsTaxesTreasury/Records. This portal lets you search by party name, document type, recording date, and book and page number. You can also browse by legal description or parcel ID for a more exact match.
Searching by Name (Grantor and Grantee)
A name search looks for deeds where a person was either the grantor (seller) or grantee (buyer). Type the full name into the search box. Use exact spellings when you can. Common last names may return many results, so add a first name to narrow the list. Match the year of transfer with the recorded deed to confirm the right document.
Searching by Parcel Number or Legal Description
A parcel number search is the most exact way to find deeds for one property. You can get the parcel number from the Broward County Property Appraiser website. Type the parcel ID into the records search to see every deed tied to that land. A legal description search uses the wording from the deed itself, such as lot and block numbers from a subdivision.
Searching by Book and Page Number
Old deeds are filed by book and page number. If you already know the book and page, you can pull up the image right away. This is common when you get a title report or a property profile that lists prior deeds. Book and page numbers are still used today along with instrument numbers for newer filings.
Searching by Instrument Number
Newer deeds have an instrument number assigned by the recording office. The instrument number is printed on the top of each recorded page. If you have the instrument number from a prior search, you can pull up the full image right away. This is the fastest way to find a single recorded document.
Using MyFloridaCounty Official Records Portal
MyFloridaCounty.com is a statewide search portal run by Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers. It links you to every county’s records search page. If the Broward portal is slow or down, you can use this site to jump straight to the Broward County search page. The statewide site lists each county’s mailing address and phone number.
Broward County Recording Fees and Document Costs
Fees for Broward County deed records depend on the type of document and the service you need. The clerk’s office charges a base fee per page and extra fees for certified copies. Florida collects documentary stamp taxes on most property transfers.
Standard Recording Fees for Deeds
The clerk charges a set fee for each page of a recorded deed. Broward County charges an extra fee for indexing each named party. If your deed names more than two parties, you will pay extra. Check the current fee list on the Broward County website before you record to know the exact total.
Documentary Stamp Tax on Deeds
Florida charges a documentary stamp tax on most deeds that transfer real property. The tax is based on the sale price or value of the property. For Broward County, the tax rate is set by state law and includes a county surtax. The seller usually pays the tax, but the buyer can agree to pay it in the contract.
Certified Copy Fees
A certified copy of a deed carries the clerk’s seal and signature. It has the same legal power as the original. The clerk charges a fee per page for a certified copy, plus a small fee for the certification itself. Mail requests add a postage and handling fee.
eRecording and Online Fee Payment
Many Florida counties, including Broward, accept eRecording through approved vendors. Simplifile and CSC (eRecording.com) are two common vendors used by Florida counties. eRecording lets you submit deeds and pay fees online. It speeds up the recording process and avoids trips to the clerk’s office.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Broward County Deed
You can get a certified copy of a Broward County deed three ways: in person, by mail, or online. Each method has its own steps and fees. A certified copy is often needed for legal matters, title transfers, and court filings.
In-Person Certified Copy Requests
You can visit the Broward County Records office during open hours to ask for a certified copy. Bring the book and page number, instrument number, or party name so the clerk can find the record. Pay the per-page fee and certification fee at the counter. The clerk will print the certified copy while you wait or give you a pickup time.
Mail-In Certified Copy Requests
You can mail a written request to the Broward County Records office. Include the deed details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the fees. Write a return address on the envelope. The clerk will mail the certified copy back to you. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits.
Online Certified Copy Requests
Some documents can be ordered as certified copies through the online portal. You pay the fee by credit card and the system pulls the document image. Not every record can be ordered online, so check the portal first. Online requests often arrive by email or mail within a few business days.
Broward County Property Records and Related Searches
Broward County deed records connect to many other public records. You can link a deed to tax records, property value data, and mortgage filings. These records together form a full picture of a property.
Broward County Property Appraiser Parcel Search
The Broward County Property Appraiser keeps the parcel database for the whole county. You can search by address, owner name, or parcel ID. The appraiser site shows the current owner, sale history, building data, and land value. You can use the parcel ID from this site to search for deeds in the clerk’s records.
Broward County Tax Records and Mortgage Records
Tax records show who pays property tax on each parcel. Mortgage records show liens held against a property. Both are recorded at the clerk’s office and show up in the same search index. A full title search pulls deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens, and tax records into one report.
Title Search and Ownership History
A title search is a full check of every recorded document tied to a property. It goes back many years and shows each owner transfer. Title companies, real estate attorneys, and home buyers use title searches before closing. You can do a basic title search yourself using the public records portal.
Redaction and Privacy Requests
Florida law lets you ask the clerk to remove certain personal details from online records. This is covered under Chapter 119. The clerk can hide phone numbers, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar data. You must file a written request and show that the data is exempt from public view under law.
Broward County Cities and Deed Recording
Deeds for properties in Broward County cities are still recorded at the county level. Cities do not handle deed recording. The county recorder office is the only legal place to file or search a deed, no matter which city the property sits in. This rule applies to every city listed below.
- Fort Lauderdale
- Pembroke Pines
- Hollywood
- Miramar
- Coral Springs
- Pompano Beach
- Davie
- Plantation
- Sunrise
- Deerfield Beach
- Tamarac
- Lauderhill
- Weston
- Margate
- Coconut Creek
Broward County Clerk Office Contact Details
The Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division is the main office for deed recording and search. The office is open to the public during posted business hours. You can visit, call, or mail requests to the office. The address and phone number are listed below for your use.
Office Address: Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-4000
Website: https://www.broward.org/RecordsTaxesTreasury/Records/pages/default.aspx
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed weekends and holidays)
Other Florida Counties for Deed Records Research
If you need to look up deeds in nearby Florida counties, each county has its own recorder office. The statewide portal MyFloridaCounty.com has links to every county. Here are nearby counties with public records portals you can use for cross-county research.
| County | Main City | Records Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | Miami | miami-dadeclerk.com |
| Palm Beach County | West Palm Beach | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
| Hillsborough County | Tampa | hillsclerk.com |
| Orange County | Orlando | myorangeclerk.com |
| Pinellas County | Clearwater | pinellasclerk.org |
| Duval County | Jacksonville | duvalclerk.com |
Frequently Asked Questions on Broward County Deeds
This FAQ section covers common questions about Broward County deed records. These answers cover recording times, fees, search methods, and privacy rules. If your question is not listed, contact the Broward County Records office during regular business hours.
How Long Does It Take to Record a Deed in Broward County?
Standard paper recordings in Broward County usually take 3 to 5 business days to be processed and returned. eRecording through vendors like Simplifile or CSC is faster and often returns within 1 to 2 business days. Delays can happen if the deed has errors, missing signatures, or unpaid fees. Always double-check your deed before submitting it to avoid extra delays. Same-day recording is rare but possible for emergency filings with an extra rush fee paid at the counter.
Can I View Broward County Deed Images for Free?
You can run a search and see basic index data for free on the Broward County portal. Viewing a full deed image or printing it usually costs a small fee per page. Some older deeds that are very small or hard to read may cost more to copy. If you only need the basic ownership facts, the free index search is often enough. The clerk’s office also offers free computer access at the public terminals inside the office during regular business hours.
Warranty Deed vs Quitclaim Deed: What’s the Difference?
A warranty deed is used when the seller gives a full promise about the property. The seller says there are no liens or title problems at the time of sale. A quitclaim deed only passes along whatever ownership the seller has, with no promises about clear title. Quitclaim deeds are common in family transfers, divorce settlements, and corrections to a prior deed. Title companies often prefer warranty deeds for sales, while quitclaim deeds work for non-sale transfers.
How to Correct an Error on a Recorded Deed
You must record a corrective deed to fix a mistake on a recorded deed. The corrective deed should clearly state what is being fixed and reference the original instrument number. Both the grantor and grantee sign the corrective deed. After recording, the corrected deed becomes part of the public record. Common corrections include wrong legal descriptions, misspelled names, missing tax ID numbers, and wrong marital status lines that were recorded in error.
Can I Remove Personal Info From Online Deed Records?
You can ask the clerk to hide certain personal data under Florida public records law. Exempt data includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar private details. You must file a written request with the clerk that lists the exact instrument numbers to be redacted. The clerk will remove the data from the online view but still keep the original paper record on file. This process can take several weeks to complete.
How to Find Historic Deed Records in Broward County
Older Broward County deeds are filed by book and page number. Many of these older deeds have been scanned and added to the online portal. If the image is not online, you can request a copy from the clerk’s office. Some very old records may only be on microfilm and require a visit to the records office. The clerk can pull microfilm records for a small fee during regular business hours.
Documentary Stamp Tax: Who Pays It in Florida?
A documentary stamp tax is a state tax on the transfer of real property. The tax rate is set by Florida law and includes a Broward County surtax. The seller usually pays the tax at closing, but the contract can say the buyer pays it. The tax is based on the sale price or the property value, whichever is higher. The clerk checks that the right tax amount was paid before recording the deed.