Putnam County deed records are public files stored by the Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Palatka, Florida. These records show who owns land, who sold it, and when each transfer was filed.
You can look up a deed by name, parcel number, or address through the county’s online records portal. This page explains how to search, what each document means, what fees apply, and how to order a certified copy.
What Are Putnam County Deed Records
Putnam County deed records are written proof of every real estate transfer that happens inside Putnam County, Florida. The Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps these files under Florida Statute 28.222, which sets the rules for county recording offices. Each deed is given a unique instrument number and stored in the county Official Records system. These records help buyers, sellers, title agents, and researchers confirm ownership and past sales.
Definition and Purpose
A deed is a legal paper that moves property from one person to another. The person who sells or gives the property is called the grantor. The person who receives the property is called the grantee. The county records this paper so the public can see the new owner. Records also help settle boundary questions, tax issues, and family property claims.
Types of Documents in the Index
The Putnam County Official Records index covers more than deeds. It also holds mortgages, liens, satisfactions, easements, and judgments. Each document type carries a code so staff can group files. Common codes include WD for warranty deed, QCD for quitclaim deed, and MTG for mortgage. Knowing the code helps you narrow your search faster.
Who Maintains These Records
The Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court records and stores every deed. The Clerk also runs the Official Records search portal used by the public. The Property Appraiser handles parcel values and tax rolls. The two offices share data, but only the Clerk holds the original recorded deed images.
How to Search Putnam County Deed Records Online
Online searches are free and open to anyone. The county portal lets you search by name, date range, document type, and parcel number. You can view document images and print copies for a small fee. The portal is run by the Clerk’s Office and links to the State of Florida recording network.
County Clerk Official Records Portal
Start your search at the Putnam County Clerk’s Official Records page. The portal is hosted on the Clerk’s website at putnamclerk.com. From the main page, click Official Records under the County Recorder menu. The search page accepts names, business names, and instrument numbers. Results show the recording date, book and page, and document type.
The official portal link is https://putnamclerk.com/county-recorder/official-records/.
Grantor and Grantee Name Search
A name search looks for any person listed on a deed as grantor or grantee. Type the last name first, then the first name. Wildcards like an asterisk can help when you are not sure of the spelling. Results show every document tied to that name in the index. Click a record to see the scanned image.
Search by Parcel Number or Address
If you know the parcel ID from the Putnam County Property Appraiser, you can search by that number. The portal accepts both the full parcel number and the shorter alternate key. You can also search by street address in the Address search field. Parcel searches return a clean list tied to one piece of land.
Book and Page Index Search
Older Putnam County deeds were filed by book and page before modern instrument numbers. If you have a citation from a lawyer or title search, enter the book number and page number. The portal will pull up the scanned page from the archive. This method works for deeds filed before 1995.
Florida Recording Requirements for Deeds
Florida law lists what each deed must include to be recorded. Chapter 695 of the Florida Statutes sets the rules for any instrument that affects real property. A deed must name the grantor and grantee, give a legal description of the land, and carry the grantor’s signature. Two witnesses must also sign. Notarization is required by Chapter 117.
Required Information on a Florida Deed
Every deed filed in Putnam County must contain certain facts. Missing items can cause the Clerk to reject the filing. The required items are:
- Grantor’s full legal name and mailing address
- Grantee’s full legal name and mailing address
- Complete legal description of the property
- Parcel identification number from the Property Appraiser
- Granting clause, like “grants and conveys”
- Signature of the grantor
- Signatures of two witnesses
- Notary acknowledgment with stamp and seal
- Documentary stamp tax amount paid to the Clerk
Documentary Stamp Tax in Florida
Florida charges a documentary stamp tax on every deed that transfers real property for money. The tax rate is set by state law and applies to the purchase price. For 2026, the tax on a deed is $0.70 per $100 of consideration. The grantor usually pays the tax on the deed, and the Clerk collects it at recording. Quitclaim deeds between family members for $0 consideration pay a flat $0.70 tax under current rules.
Homestead and Trust Deed Rules
Florida homestead deeds record the use of the homestead exemption on a primary residence. Putnam County keeps these deeds in the same Official Records index. Trust deeds record the transfer of property into a living trust or out of a trust. The legal description and trustee name must match the trust document. A homestead deed does not change the owner of record but protects the home from certain creditors.
Recording Fees and Page Charges
The Clerk charges a recording fee for each page of a document. The fee schedule is set by Florida Statute 28.24. Current charges in Putnam County are:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page of a deed | $10.00 |
| Each additional page | $8.50 |
| Documentary stamp tax | $0.70 per $100 |
| Indexing per entry over 5 | $1.00 |
| Certified copy per page | $1.00 |
| Certification fee | $2.00 |
Getting Certified Copies of Putnam County Deeds
A certified copy of a deed carries the Clerk’s stamp and seal. Banks, courts, and title companies often ask for certified copies. Plain printouts from the online portal do not carry the same legal weight. To get a certified copy, you must ask the Clerk’s Office through one of the official channels.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk Office
You can order a certified copy at the Recording Department window in the Putnam County Courthouse. Bring the instrument number or book and page if you have it. The clerk will pull the document, certify it, and give you a copy the same day. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, and most cards.
Online and Mail Order Requests
The Clerk’s Office accepts certified copy requests by mail. Send a written request with the instrument number, names, and document type. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for the fees. Online requests can be made through the official records portal for select documents. Processing times for mail orders are usually three to five business days.
Fees for Certified Copies
Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. If you need a copy of the recording cover sheet, that counts as one page. Most deeds are three to five pages long, so the total cost is usually between $5 and $9. Rush requests may carry an extra fee. Always check the latest fee schedule on the Clerk’s website before sending payment.
eRecording and Document Upload Options
eRecording lets lawyers, title companies, and banks submit deeds to the Clerk online. The system removes the need to mail paper documents. Putnam County accepts eRecording through approved third-party vendors. Each vendor charges its own service fee.
Approved eRecording Vendors
Putnam County works with two main eRecording vendors. Simplifile and CSC eRecording are both connected to the county system. A submitter must set up an account with the vendor before sending the first document. The vendor checks the document format, collects fees, and forwards the file to the Clerk for review and recording.
Document Standards for eRecording
Documents sent by eRecording must follow the same rules as paper filings. Pages must be on letter-size paper, 8.5 by 11 inches. Margins of at least one inch are required on all sides. Font size must be at least 10 points. Documents that fail formatting checks are rejected by the vendor before reaching the Clerk.
Common Document Types in Putnam County Records
Putnam County records cover many kinds of property documents. Each type carries a code and serves a different legal purpose. Knowing the type helps you pull the right file when doing a title search.
Warranty Deeds
A warranty deed is the most common deed used in home sales. The grantor promises the property is free of liens and that the grantor has the right to sell it. The buyer receives clear ownership. Warranty deeds carry the strongest legal protection for buyers. The deed code in Putnam County records is usually WD or WAR.
Quitclaim Deeds
A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor has in the property. No promise is made about clear title. Quitclaim deeds are often used between family members, in divorce settlements, and to fix title errors. The instrument code is QCD or QC. They do not offer the same buyer protection as warranty deeds.
Mortgage and Satisfaction Documents
Mortgages are recorded in the same Official Records index as deeds. When a loan is paid off, the lender records a satisfaction of mortgage. Satisfaction documents clear the lien from the public record. Putnam County mortgages use the MTG code, and satisfactions use the SAT or STM code. A title search always checks for open mortgages and unreleased satisfactions.
Chain of Title and Historical Records
A chain of title is the list of every owner of a piece of land from the first record to today. Title agents build a chain to check for breaks, errors, or unpaid claims. Putnam County keeps historical records dating back many decades. Older files may be on microfilm or in archive boxes stored at the Courthouse.
Building a Property History
To build a chain, start with the current owner and work backward. Pull each deed by grantor name. Confirm the legal description matches every time. Note any gaps, errors, or missing witnesses. Florida courts follow the Marketable Record Title Act, Chapter 712, which can clear old claims after 30 years. A title agent uses this act to cure minor breaks in the chain.
Accessing Older Records and Archives
Deeds filed before 1995 may sit in older archive indexes. The Clerk’s Office staff can pull these files by book and page. Some older records have been scanned and added to the online portal. Records not yet scanned can be viewed in person at the Courthouse. A small pull fee may apply for staff time on older lookups.
Putnam County Clerk Contact and Office Details
The Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court runs the recording office. The office is open Monday through Friday during business hours. Closed days include state and federal holidays. The Clerk’s Office accepts phone calls, walk-in visits, and written mail requests.
Office: Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Recording Department
Address: 410 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177
Phone: (386) 326-7600
Website: https://putnamclerk.com/county-recorder/official-records/
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Map Location: Putnam County Courthouse, corner of St. Johns Avenue and 4th Street, downtown Palatka, Florida
For statewide searches, the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site lists every county office. MyFloridaCounty at https://www.myfloridacounty.com/official_records/index.html acts as a direct jump point to any Florida county records system.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions cover common topics about Putnam County deed records. Each answer is based on Florida law, current Clerk fee schedules, and standard recording practice. Use these answers as a quick reference before placing an order or starting a search.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Putnam County?
Recording a deed in Putnam County costs $10 for the first page and $8.50 for each extra page. Documentary stamp tax adds $0.70 per $100 of the sale price. A typical one-page deed with a $200,000 sale price costs about $10 in recording fees plus $1,400 in documentary stamp tax. The Clerk collects both fees at the time of filing.
Can I search Putnam County deeds for free?
Yes. The Putnam County Clerk offers a free online search through the Official Records portal. You can look up names, parcel numbers, and document types at no cost. Viewing document images is also free. You only pay when you download a copy or ask for a certified copy with the Clerk’s seal.
What is the difference between a warranty deed and a quitclaim deed?
A warranty deed is a sale document. The grantor promises the property has clear title and no liens. A quitclaim deed is a transfer document. The grantor passes whatever interest they have, with no promises about liens or ownership. Quitclaim deeds are used for family transfers, divorce, or title fixes. Warranty deeds are used for most home sales.
How long does it take to record a deed in Putnam County?
Paper deeds filed at the recording window are usually entered into the index the same day. Mailed documents take one to three business days after arrival. eRecording submissions are processed within 24 hours if all formatting checks pass. A recorded deed receives an instrument number and a recording date that becomes the legal time stamp.
Can I look up the owner of a property by address?
Yes. The Putnam County Property Appraiser site lets you search by address and shows the current owner. The Clerk’s Official Records portal also accepts an address search and returns deeds tied to that property. For full owner history, run a grantor name search in the Clerk’s portal and pull every deed linked to the parcel.
What is a documentary stamp tax and who pays it?
Documentary stamp tax is a Florida tax on documents that transfer property or create a mortgage lien. The tax on a deed is $0.70 per $100 of the sale price. The tax on a mortgage is $0.35 per $100 of the loan amount. The grantor pays the deed tax. The borrower pays the mortgage tax. The Clerk collects both at recording.
Are old Putnam County deeds available online?
Many older Putnam County deeds have been scanned and added to the online portal. These records are searchable by book and page. Deeds filed before 1970 may still sit in paper archive boxes. Those records can be viewed in person at the Courthouse or pulled by staff for a small fee. The Clerk’s Office can guide you to the right archive box.