Consumer Alert via The City of North Port
Companies selling certified copies of property deeds by mail might charge more than you would pay at your local Clerk's Office
A notice from the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller
Posted Date: 8/22/2013
Sarasota County residents are being alerted to watch for solicitation letters from companies offering a copy of certified property deeds for a higher than normal fee--offering to provide a certified copy for $83.00, which includes location, retrieval, postage and handling.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller would like to remind residents that these documents are public record, and can be obtained directly from the Clerk of Court for a much more nominal fee.
You can obtain a certified copy of your property deed through the Clerk's Public Access Department for $1.00 per page, plus a $2.00 charge for document certification and mailing, if applicable. Most deeds are only a few pages long; accordingly, requests start at $3.00 for a certified copy, and are processed within 72 hours, or sooner.
Citizens can obtain a certified copy of their deed by visiting the Clerk's Main Office in Sarasota (2000 Main Street, Room 103, Sarasota) or at the Venice Branch Office (Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice).
Both offices have staff available to assist you from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
You may also order a certified copy of your deed by calling (941) 861-7425 and making payment by credit card.
Alternatively, a free, non-certified copy may be obtained by conducting an online records search at www.SarasotaClerk.com -go to Online Records, click on Public Records Search then on Official Records.