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Preparation Instructions for Instruments of Recording


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Department of Revenue
Statewide Official Records


Recording Requirements

Intangible Tax, Class "C", on Real Estate Mortgages
This tax must be paid before the Clerk can accept any mortgage for record, and applies only to mortgages, agreements or contracts for deed, deeds of trust or other liens pertaining to real property.
  1. Rate of 2 mills (.002) per dollar on the amount of the mortgage or the amount financed (i.e. $2.00 on mortgage of $1,000).
  2. Amount is computed to the nearest cent (i.e. $1.51 tax on $752.63).

State Documentary Tax Stamps
The proper amount of state tax stamps must be affixed to an instrument before it can be recorded. Space for Documentary Stamps and the Clerk's time stamp should be provided in the body of the instrument.
 
Note: Effective June 1, 2008, the DR-219 form (Return Transfers of Interest in Real Property) will no longer be required when presenting any document transferring interest in real property for recording. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE.
  1. Documentary Stamp Tax Rate (F.S. 201.02)
    • .70 per $100 consideration applies to the full consideration; this includes existing mortgages. A minimum tax of .70 is required on all deeds.
    • By law you must furnish a Transfer of Interest form with each deed to the recording clerk. (F.S. 201.022)
  2. State stamps on Mortgages, Assumptions, Chattel Mortgages, Financing Statements, Security Agreements, Promissory Notes, Written Obligations to pay money (F.S. 201.08).
    • Rate of Tax: .35 per $100, or fraction thereof, on the TOTAL amount of the note or obligation. However, on installment notes, tax is computed on the amount financed.
    • On Agreements and Contracts for Deed, Conditional Bills of Sale, Title Contracts, etc., the stamps are computed at .35 per $100, or fraction thereof, on the UNPAID BALANCE remaining after down payment. However, no stamps are required on an Agreement for Deed if it has provision that the seller will look only to the land itself for payment on the balance of the purchase price.
    • A deed transferring an interest in Florida real property between a husband and wife, including when a spouce's name is added to a deed, is subject to documentary stamp tax.  In most cases, the amount of tax is based on half of the amount of the unpaid balance of any mortgages.  However, documentary stamp tax is not due if the marital home is transferred within a year of a divorce and the transfer occurs on or after July 1, 1997.
    • Stamps must be affixed to all instruments except Financing Statements. Documentary stamps on financing statements are paid directly to the Department of Revenue.
    • For more information on documentary stamps contact the Department of Revenue at:

Department of Revenue
1991 Main Street, Ste 240
Sarasota, FL 34236-5934
(941) 361-6001


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