New recording requirements for official records to begin January 1, 2024

Angela Vick
Clerk of the Circuit Court
and Comptroller
Ctrus County, Florida

Starting January 1, 2024, section 695.26 of the Florida Statutes requires certain documents recorded in a county’s Official Records must include the physical address or post office address of each witness in addition to the witness’ printed name. The Citrus County 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. These applicable documents notarized in Florida require witnesses to print their names under their signature, so these documents will now also require that witness addresses be printed under their signature. If there are no witnesses on these applicable documents, then no addresses are required.

Documents Requiring Witness Addresses Effective January 1, 2024. These documents will require witness addresses if witnesses are found on the document:
   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

Please note, all deeds and easements notarized in Florida currently require witnesses to be recorded.