Martin County deed records are public files that show who owns land in Martin County, Florida. These records are kept by the Martin County Clerk of Court & Comptroller.
Anyone can look at them online, by mail, or in person. They include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land transfer papers. This page shows you exactly how to search, read, and request these records in 2026.
How Martin County Records and Stores Deeds
Martin County follows the same recording rules as every other Florida county. The Clerk’s Office is the legal keeper of all land papers that get filed in the county. Once a deed is recorded, it becomes part of the public record for everyone to see.
The Office Behind the Records
The Martin County Clerk of Court & Comptroller handles all deed recording. This office is part of Florida’s statewide clerk system. Their main office sits in downtown Stuart. They keep paper books from many decades ago and a full digital index of newer records.
What Gets Recorded in Official Records
Many types of land documents get recorded. These include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, mortgages, satisfactions of mortgage, liens, easements, and plats. Court records tied to land also appear here. Florida law lists all of these under the official records series.
Florida Recording Law Basics
Florida Statute Chapter 695 sets the rules for recording real estate documents. It states what makes a deed valid and how it must be signed. Florida Statute Section 28.222 gives county clerks the duty to keep these records. Florida Statute Chapter 119 gives the public the right to view them.
Search Tools and Online Access
Martin County gives free and paid tools to search deeds. Most people start online because it is faster. You can search by name, parcel number, book and page, or recording date. Statewide tools also help when local searches hit a wall.
Martin County Official Records Portal
The county’s own portal lives on the Clerk’s website at martinclerk.com. The search tool lets you look up records by name, date range, document type, and book/page number. You can view images of older deeds for a small fee. Newer records often have free previews.
Statewide Search Tools
Florida offers a statewide search at MyFloridaCounty.com. This tool jumps directly to any county’s official records page. The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers site at flclerks.com gives county office contacts. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection runs BTLDS, which helps track public land records.
Other Florida County Deed Lookups
People searching across the state also use county portals like Orange County, Miami-Dade County, Hillsborough County, Broward County, Duval County, Palm Beach County, and Pinellas County. Each county keeps its own index, but the search fields look similar. Knowing how to use one county tool helps you use all of them.
What Information You Can Find in a Deed Record
A Martin County deed record contains key facts about a land transfer. Knowing what to look for saves you time. Each deed has parts that show who sold, who bought, what was sold, and when it was filed.
Grantor and Grantee Details
The grantor is the person selling or giving the property. The grantee is the person receiving it. Both names must match what is printed on the deed. The grantor/grantee index lets you search either name to find linked documents.
Property Description and Parcel Data
Every deed includes a legal description of the land. This may be a lot and block number from a subdivision, a metes and bounds description, or a parcel ID number. The Martin County Property Appraiser’s website lets you match the parcel number to the full legal description.
Recording Dates and Document Numbers
The recording date is the day the Clerk’s Office officially accepted the deed. The clerk then assigns a recording number, also called an instrument number. Florida also uses a book and page number for older records. These numbers make future lookups fast.
The page shown above is the main entry point for Martin County deed records searches through the Clerk’s Office.
Types of Deeds in Martin County
Different deeds serve different purposes. Florida law recognizes several common deed types. Each one gives a different level of protection to the buyer.
Warranty Deeds
A warranty deed is the strongest deed for a buyer. The seller promises the property has no hidden liens or ownership problems. If a problem shows up later, the seller must fix it. Most home sales use a warranty deed.
Quitclaim Deeds
A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the seller has, with no promises. It does not protect the buyer from title problems. Quitclaim deeds are common in family transfers, divorce settlements, and adding a spouse to a title.
Special Warranty Deeds
A special warranty deed only covers the time the seller owned the property. It does not cover problems from before the seller bought it. These deeds appear in some commercial sales and bank-owned property sales.
Fees, Copies, and Certified Records
The Clerk’s Office charges set fees for copies and certified records. As of 2026, the standard rates apply across most Florida counties. Knowing the cost helps you plan your request.
Standard Copy Costs
A regular copy of a recorded deed costs a small fee per page. Online images often cost $1 to $2 each. Printed copies in person may cost a similar amount plus any search fee. The Clerk’s website lists current rates before you order.
Certified Copy Costs
A certified copy carries the Clerk’s seal and a signature. Banks, courts, and title companies often require certified copies. The fee is higher than a regular copy. As of 2026, certified copies in Martin County follow the standard Florida fee schedule set under Section 28.24.
Payment Options
The Clerk’s Office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards in person. Online orders take credit or debit cards. Mail orders must include a check or money order. Some services may add a small processing fee for card payments.
How to Request Records Step by Step
You can get Martin County deed records three ways: online, in person, or by mail. Each method works for different needs. The steps below explain each path clearly.
Online Search Method
Step one: open the Martin County Clerk website at martinclerk.com. Step two: click the Official Records search link. Step three: pick a search type, such as name or book and page. Step four: enter your search data. Step five: view results and buy any images you need.
In Person Visit
Step one: visit the Clerk’s Office at 100 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994. Step two: ask for the Official Records department. Step three: fill out a records request form at the counter. Step four: pay the fee. Step five: receive your copies or certified copies the same day in most cases.
Phone and Mail Requests
For mail, send a written request with the deed details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check for the fee. Mail it to the Clerk’s Office address. Phone requests work for simple lookups. You can call (772) 288-5576 during business hours for help with record searches.
Recording a New Deed in Martin County
If you need to record a new deed, the Clerk’s Office handles that too. Recording makes your deed part of the public record. It also protects your ownership rights against later claims.
Required Documents
You must bring the original deed with proper signatures. The deed must include the legal description, parcel ID, grantor and grantee names, and the mailing addresses for both parties. Two witness signatures are required for most Florida deeds. A notary must also sign and seal the deed.
Formatting and Signature Rules
Florida law requires specific formatting. Margins must be at least one inch on all sides. The first page must list the return address. Print must be at least 12-point font. Names must be typed or printed below each signature. Documents that do not meet these rules get rejected.
eRecording Options
Martin County accepts electronic recording through approved vendors. Common vendors include Simplifile and CSC (eRecording.com). eRecording is faster than paper and gives instant confirmation. It cuts down on mail time and errors.
Common Reasons People Search Deed Records
People search Martin County deed records for many reasons. Some need to clear up a title issue. Others want proof of ownership. A few need history for tax or estate work.
Title Search Before Purchase
Buyers and title companies search deeds before closing a sale. They check who owned the property, what liens exist, and what easements affect it. A clean title search protects the new owner from surprise claims.
Property History and Ownership
Researchers and curious owners often want a full ownership chain. Each recorded deed adds to that chain. Old deeds may go back many decades. The Clerk’s Office keeps books and images of every deed ever recorded in the county.
Estate and Probate Matters
When someone passes away, heirs must sort out property. Deed records show who owned what at the time of death. Probate courts also file death-related documents in the same records system. Heirs need certified copies to settle the estate.
Martin County Clerk Contact and Location
The Martin County Clerk of Court & Comptroller serves as the official record keeper for all deeds in the county. Use the contact details below for in person, phone, or mail requests.
Office: Martin County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Address: 100 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994
Phone: (772) 288-5576
Website: https://www.martinclerk.com/
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on weekends and federal holidays
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people have similar questions about Martin County deed records. The answers below cover the most common ones. Each answer reflects Florida law and current Clerk’s Office practice as of 2026.
Are Martin County deed records free to view?
Yes, basic index data is free to view on the Martin County Clerk’s official records portal. You can see grantor and grantee names, recording dates, document types, and book/page numbers without paying. Images of actual deeds cost a small fee per page, usually $1 or $2 each. Certified copies cost more because they carry the Clerk’s seal. Free searches let you confirm a record exists before paying for the full image.
How far back do Martin County deed records go?
Martin County deed records go back to the county’s founding in 1925. Earlier records from the original Martin County area may appear in St. Lucie County or Palm Beach County records. The Clerk’s Office has microfilm and scanned images of older books. Many of these older records are now available online through the Clerk’s archive search.
Can I search Martin County deeds by address?
Yes, you can search by property address on the Clerk’s portal, but the most accurate way is by parcel ID number. The Property Appraiser’s website gives you the parcel ID for any Martin County address. Using the parcel ID in the deed search avoids problems from similar street names or spelling differences. Address searches work better as a starting point than a final match.
What is the difference between a warranty deed and a quitclaim deed?
A warranty deed promises the seller owns the property free of liens and will fix any title problems from the past. A quitclaim deed transfers only whatever interest the seller has, with no promises at all. Warranty deeds protect buyers more. Quitclaim deeds are common in family transfers, divorce cases, and adding or removing a spouse from title. The Clerk records both types the same way.
How long does it take to record a new deed in Martin County?
Paper deeds mailed or dropped off typically take 5 to 10 business days to record. Walk-in recordings at the counter are usually processed the same day. eRecording through approved vendors like Simplifile or CSC often records within hours or even minutes. After recording, the Clerk’s Office returns the original deed by mail if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Can I get a copy of a deed if I am not the owner?
Yes, anyone can request a copy of a Martin County deed. Florida’s public records law, Chapter 119, gives the public access to recorded land documents. You do not need to be the owner, a relative, or a lawyer. You only need the basic deed details, such as names, recording date, or book and page number, to start your search.
What if I cannot find the deed I need in the online system?
If the online search returns no results, try changing your search fields. Check spelling of names, widen your date range, or search by book and page number if you have it. If the record still does not appear, contact the Clerk’s Office by phone at (772) 288-5576 or visit in person. Staff can run a manual search using microfilm or older index books for records not yet digitized.