Researching Mortgage Records: Palm Beach County Guide

The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County, is the custodian of public records. The Clerk's website provides free access to its Official Records Database, which includes recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens, and marriage licenses. The database contains records filed since January 1, 1968, and users can view and print images from these records. However, the Clerk does not guarantee the accuracy of the information retrieved and it should not be used for official matters. For additional information on obtaining records, individuals can contact the Clerk's office by mail or phone. The Palm Beach County Recorder also offers free fraud monitoring for property, alerting individuals when documents related to their name or business are recorded.

Palm Beach County Clerk's website

The Palm Beach County Clerk's website provides access to a range of services and information related to official records, including mortgages. The website is located at mypalmbeachclerk.com.

The Clerk's office is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in Palm Beach County. This includes mortgages, deeds, judgments, liens, marriage licenses, and other official records. The website offers a search function to access these records, with digital images available for documents dating back to 1968.

To search for mortgage records, you can use the parcel identification number, also known as the parcel control number (PCN) or tax folio number, without the hyphens. This number can be found in the top right corner of the recorded document.

The website also provides information on how to obtain copies of official records. Uncertified copies of most official records can be printed for free from the website, while certified copies can be purchased online or by mail. If you are requesting a large number of documents, you may need to email your request to [email protected].

Additionally, the Clerk's website offers free fraud monitoring for property owners. You can register to receive alerts when documents, such as mortgages or deeds, are recorded with your name or business name. This service can help protect you from potential criminal activity.

How to obtain document copies

To obtain document copies of mortgage records in Palm Beach County, you can follow the steps outlined below:

Online

You can access the Official Records Database online by visiting the Clerk's Website. Here, you can search and order certified copies of Palm Beach County's court judgments, deeds, liens, marriage licenses, mortgages, plats, tax deeds, and more. To access the database, you must first review and accept the Disclaimer and User Agreement.

Electronic certified copies cost $8 per document, including a $2 statutory fee and a $6 service fee. There is also a 3.5% payment processing fee for transactions made via credit or debit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. You can download your documents immediately after purchase, and they will be available for 30 days.

In-Person

If you require an unredacted certified copy, you must visit the Records Service Center in the Main Courthouse (Room 4.2500) or any of the branch locations. Certified Exemplified Copies are also available for purchase in person or by mail, but they cannot be provided on the same day.

By Mail

You can mail your request for the book and page number, along with the required fees, to the following address:

> Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller

> P.O. Box 4526

> West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4526

By Phone

You can call (561) 355-2932 for additional information on ordering certified copies or to request a search.

It is important to note that the Clerk's office provides access to scanned images of records presented to the Recording office before party indexing verification. Digital images of documents are available dating back to 1968, with marriage license listings going back to 1909 and plat and right-of-way maps to the late 1800s.

Online records search

The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's Office in Palm Beach County, Florida, maintains official records, including court judgments, deeds, mortgages, liens, marriage licenses, plats, and tax deeds. These records are available for public search and viewing online, with digital images of documents dating back to 1968.

To access the Official Records Database, users must first review and accept the Disclaimer and User Agreement, which includes consent to administrative monitoring and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Users can then search the database using broad search parameters and name variations to locate relevant documents.

Uncertified copies of most official records can be printed for free from the Official Records search. Certified copies of official records and court records can be purchased online and are sent via email soon after the purchase. The cost of certified copies is $2.00 per instrument plus $1.00 for the cover page, which includes a unique code and QR code for authentication.

For those unable to certify documents online, requests can be emailed to [email protected], and additional information can be obtained by calling (561) 355-2932. Requests can also be mailed to:

Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller

P.O. Box 4526

West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4526

It is important to note that the Clerk's office does not guarantee the accuracy of the information retrieved from the Official Records Database, and it should not be used for official matters, including those concerning legal title to real property, satisfaction of mortgages, and liens.

Official Records Database

The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's Office in Palm Beach County, Florida, maintains an Official Records Database. This database includes records of deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens, marriage licenses, and more. The Recording Department of the Clerk/Comptroller's Office is responsible for recording and maintaining these records.

The Official Records Database can be accessed online through the Clerk's website. However, users must first review and accept the Terms and Conditions, which include consent to administrative monitoring and a disclaimer regarding the accuracy of the information. Once users have accepted these terms, they can search the database and view and print images of Official Record documents filed since January 1, 1968. If a document image is unavailable online, it can be viewed on microfilm in room 4.25 of the Main Courthouse in West Palm Beach.

To obtain copies of Official Records, users can print uncertified copies for free from the Official Records search. Certified copies can be purchased online and will be sent via email. Alternatively, copies can be purchased in person at the Clerk's office or by mail. The amount of time required to receive copies by mail will depend on the specific request. Copies of plats and records on film or in physical books are only available at the Main Courthouse but can be sent to branch locations for pickup.

It is important to note that the Clerk's Office does not warrant the accuracy of the information in the Official Records Database, and it should not be used for official matters such as those concerning legal title to real property or satisfaction of mortgages and liens. Additionally, effective January 1, 2024, certain documents recorded in Palm Beach County's Official Records must include the post office address of each witness, in addition to the witness's name.

Ordering certified copies

To order certified copies of mortgage records in Palm Beach County, you can follow the steps outlined below:

First, visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's website for Palm Beach County. Here, you can access their online services to search and view many records, including deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens, and marriage licenses. You can also print uncertified copies of most records for free.

If you are looking for a specific record, it is recommended to have the parcel identification number (also known as the parcel control number or tax folio number) of the property handy. This number can be found in the top right corner of the recorded document.

If you are unable to find the record you are looking for online, you can request a search by mail. To do this, fill out the Records Service Transmittal Form and provide the following information:

• The exact name and time period you wish to be searched
• Your name
• A self-addressed, stamped envelope
• Case number, if applicable
• Appropriate fees

If you are requesting a large number of documents, you may be unable to certify them online. In this case, you can email your request to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call the office at (561) 355-2932 for more information.

When ordering certified copies, there is an additional cost of $2.00 per instrument, plus $1.00 for the cover page, which provides a unique code and QR code to authenticate the copy. Copies of plats and records on film or in physical books are only available for pickup at the Main Courthouse, but they can be sent to branch locations upon request.

Frequently asked questions