New Requirements Regarding Witness Signatures When Recording Deeds in Florida

An island of beautiful housesAnother positive step in preventing property fraud in Florida will be implemented in the new year when enhanced requirements for recording property deeds will go into effect. Currently, deeds require two witness signatures to be recorded, with the name of each witness to be legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped immediately below the signature. However, beginning January 1, 2024, the U.S. mailing address of each witness will also be required and must be legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped on the deed.

Therefore, effective January 1, 2024, paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 695.26, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

695.26 Requirements for recording instruments affecting real property.
(1) No instrument by which the title to real property or any interest
therein is conveyed, assigned, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of shall be
recorded by the clerk of the circuit court unless:
(c) The name of each witness to the instrument is legibly printed,
typewritten, or stamped upon such instrument immediately beneath the
signature of such witness and the post office address of each such person is
legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped upon such instrument.

Title Fraud Prevention Through Identity Verification Pilot Program

The witnesses’ addresses requirement is yet another layer protecting property owners in a fraud prevention pilot program. Lee County was chosen as the state’s pilot location for the program launched in 2023. The first phase of the Title Fraud Prevention Through Identity Verification Pilot Program required that all persons listed on a deed provide a government-issued photo ID before processing the deed.

These preventative measures when recording deeds will make it easier for law enforcement to investigate fraudulent property-related activity in Florida.

Property Fraud Alert Service

If you are a Florida property owner, you may sign up for the free Property Fraud Alert Service, which notifies you when a deed, mortgage or other document with your name has been recorded. Go to www.leeclerk.org/fraudalert to register.

Contact Our Florida Real Estate Attorneys

If you have questions about how to record deeds in Florida, contact one of the attorneys at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A. at (239) 649-6555.

Related post: New Identification Requirements When Recording Deeds in Lee County, Florida