Official Records

PUBLIC NOTICE: NEW OFFICIAL RECORDS RECORDING REQUIREMENTS EFFECTING JANUARY 1, 2024 

Starting January 1, 2024, certain documents recorded in Citrus County’s Official Records must include the post office address of each witness in addition to the witness’s name. Because of changes to section 695.26 of the Florida Statutes, the Clerk’s office will not be able to accept documents submitted for recording without the required witness address information.

What documents are affected?

The new requirement applies to any “instrument by which the title to real property or any interest therein is conveyed, assigned, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of.” In plain English, this means deeds and other documents that affect the ownership of real estate.

All deeds and easements notarized in Florida require witness names, so these documents will now also require witness addresses. Other documents “by which title to real property or interest is conveyed, assigned, encumbered or disposed of” may or may not have witnesses, but an address is required if a witness is included. If there are no witnesses on these other documents, then no addresses are required. 

What is new that I need to include?

The post office address of each witness must be legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped on these documents.

 Can I use an email address instead of a mailing address?

No, the witness address must be a physical address or PO Box.  It cannot be an email address.  

 Our company uses standard forms for deeds or other affected documents. What should we do?

You will need to update your forms to include the witness address prior to January 1, 2024.

 What happens if I try to record a document without the required witness address?

The Clerk’s office must reject documents that do not include information required by section 695.26 of the Florida Statutes.

 Documents Requiring Witness Addresses Effective January 1, 2024

These documents will require witness addresses if witnesses are found on the document. All deeds and easements notarized in Florida require witnesses.

 Affidavit – Affidavit of Sufficient Funds, Scriveners Affidavit, Affidavit of Lost Assignment, Affidavit of Notice of Interest

• Affidavit Taxable
• Agreement for Deed
• Agreement Taxable
• Assignment (Including Assignment Taxable)
• Claim of Lien
• Deed
• Other Deeds (Deed of Trust, Curative Notice, Etc.)
• Deed of Assumption
• Deed Mortgage
• Easement
• Modification of Mortgage
• Mortgage (Including Documentary Stamp Exempt, Intangible Tax Exempt, Exempt from Both, Fully Taxable)
• Notice of Commencement
• Note with Real Property
• Partial Release of Lien or Mortgage
• Release or Satisfaction of Lien or Mortgage
• Termination of Notice of Commencement
• Waiver of Release of Lien
• Mobile Home Retirement or Affixation
• Notice of Contest of Lien (Construction or HOA)
• Notice of Interest in Land
• Notice of Bond
• Notice of Homestead
• Notice of Contest of Claim Against Payment Bond
• Request for Release of Transfer of Lien to Security

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE RIGHT OF ANY AFFECTED PARTY TO REQUEST REMOVAL OF CERTAIN CHAPTER 119 INFORMATION OR RECORDS

 Any person has a right to request that a county recorder remove, from a publicly available Internet website, information made exempt from inspection or copying under s.119.071 or an image or copy of a public record, including an official record, if that image or copy is of a military discharge; death certificate, or a court file, record or paper relating to matters or cases governed by the Florida Rules of Family Law, the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, or the Florida Probate Rules. However, grantor, grantee or party names may not be removed from the Official Records index. Requests must be notarized, state the statutory basis for removal, and confirm the individual’s eligibility for the exemption. To make a request contact the clerk’s office by mail or in person at 110 N. Apopka Ave. Inverness, FL 34450 or submit your request online. 

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE RIGHT OF ANY AFFECTED PARTY TO REQUEST THE ADDITION OF INFORMATION TO A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INTERNET WEBSITE

 Any affected person has a right to request that a county recorder or clerk of the court add information to a publicly available Internet website if that information involves the identity of a respondent against whom a final judgment for an injunction for the protection of a minor under s. 741.30, s. 784.046, or s. 784.0485 is entered, unless the respondent is a minor. The request must be in writing and contain the case number. To make a request contact the clerk’s office by mail or in person at 110 N. Apopka Ave. Inverness, FL 34450 or submit your request online.