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FSBO Closings

Deed Preparation & Recording for FSBO Sales

The deed is what actually transfers ownership. We draft it correctly, execute it properly, and record it with the county — usually the same day as closing.

☎ (561) 396-2692
Where Ownership Actually Transfers

The Deed Is the Whole Point

Closings produce a lot of paperwork — settlement statements, affidavits, lender disclosures, title affidavits — but only one document actually conveys ownership of the property: the deed. Get the deed right and the buyer becomes the legal owner of record. Get it wrong and you have a defective transfer that can require costly curative work years later, sometimes by heirs who never knew the original deed had a problem.

Atlantic Title Firm prepares warranty deeds, special warranty deeds, and quit claim deeds for FSBO transactions across all 67 Florida counties. Every deed we draft includes the legally required elements — proper grantor and grantee names, a verified legal description from the title search, correct vesting language, witness lines, notarial acknowledgment, and the preparer information Florida law requires.

Sameday
E-Recording in Most Counties
3
Common Deed Types
67
FL Counties
2
Witnesses Required by FL Law
Florida warranty deed preparation for FSBO sale
Florida Deed Types

Which Deed Does Your Sale Need?

General Warranty Deed

The strongest deed type. Seller warrants clear title against any defect — past or present. Standard for arm's-length Florida residential sales.

Special Warranty Deed

Seller warrants only against title defects that arose during their ownership. Common for trust sales, estate sales, and some investor deals.

Quit Claim Deed

No warranties at all — transfers whatever interest the grantor has, if any. Used in family transfers, divorces, and certain distress situations.

Legal Description Verified

Every deed pulls its legal description from our title search — never copied blindly from a prior deed that might contain errors.

Proper Vesting Language

For couples, LLCs, trusts, or tenants-in-common, we draft vesting language that matches the buyer's intended ownership structure.

Same-Day E-Recording

In counties with e-recording (most of Florida), the executed deed is electronically transmitted to the clerk and recorded within hours of closing.

Florida county recording deed FSBO
Why Recording Matters

An Unrecorded Deed Is a Future Problem

A deed that is signed but never recorded is legal between buyer and seller — but it is invisible to the rest of the world. Anyone searching the public record after the closing would still see the seller as the owner. That creates real risk: undiscovered subsequent liens against the still-record owner, complications at the buyer's eventual resale, and serious problems if the seller passes away before the deed is recorded.

Florida recording is governed by the state's race-notice statute, which generally protects the first party to record without notice. Atlantic Title Firm records every deed with the county clerk promptly after closing — the same day where e-recording is available. Once recorded, we deliver the recorded copy back to the new owner with the official book and page (or instrument number) clearly marked.

Our Process

How Your Deed Gets Recorded

1

Draft from Title Search

We pull the legal description from our title search and draft the deed type the contract calls for.

2

Internal Review

A second set of eyes confirms grantor names, vesting, legal description, and preparer information are correct.

3

Execute at Closing

Seller signs in front of two witnesses and our notary. Florida statutory requirements satisfied on the spot.

4

Record & Deliver

E-recorded same day with the county clerk, doc stamps paid, recorded copy returned to new owner.

Common Questions

Deed Prep & Recording FAQ

What type of deed is used in a Florida FSBO sale?
The standard deed for an arm's-length Florida residential sale is the general warranty deed, in which the seller guarantees clear title and warrants against title defects. Some FSBO transactions use a special warranty deed (warranting only against defects during the seller's ownership) or, in family or distress sales, a quit claim deed. Atlantic Title Firm prepares the deed type the contract calls for and explains the differences if you are unsure.
Who prepares the deed in a Florida FSBO sale?
In Florida, deeds for real estate closings are typically prepared by the title company acting as the closing agent — that is part of the standard closing service. Deeds can also be prepared by a Florida real estate attorney. They cannot be prepared by an unlicensed third party or downloaded from a generic template without risking defects.
What does Florida law require on a recorded deed?
At minimum a recordable Florida deed must identify the grantor and grantee, include a legal description of the property, contain proper granting language, be signed by the grantor in the presence of two witnesses, be notarized, and include the preparer's name and address. We make sure every recordable element is present before the deed leaves our office for recording.
How are Florida documentary stamps paid on a deed?
Florida documentary stamp tax on a deed is calculated at $0.70 per $100 of consideration in most counties, and $0.60 per $100 in Miami-Dade County (with an additional Miami-Dade surtax in some cases). The stamps are collected at closing and remitted to the Florida Department of Revenue when the deed is recorded. Atlantic Title Firm handles the calculation and remittance.
How quickly is a deed recorded after a Florida closing?
In most Florida counties — all 67 Florida counties — we e-record the deed with the county clerk the same business day as closing (often within hours). Paper recording in counties without e-recording can take 1–3 business days. We send the recorded deed back to the new owner once the clerk returns it.
Will I receive a copy of the recorded deed?
Yes. Once the county clerk records and returns the deed, we deliver a copy to the new owner showing the official book and page (or instrument number). The original recorded deed is typically held by the new owner; we keep a copy in your closing file.
Related FSBO Services

Round Out Your FSBO Closing

Deed prep is the final mile. Upstream we handle contract review, closing disclosure preparation, and buyer/seller coordination. See the FSBO closing page for the full picture, or contact us to start.

Make It Official

Get the Deed Done Right

Whether it is a warranty, special warranty, or quit claim deed, we prepare and record it correctly the first time.

Contact Us → ☎ (561) 396-2692
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