Daytona Beach city deed records are public files that show who owns property inside the city limits of Daytona Beach, Florida. These records are created and stored by the Volusia County Clerk of the Circuit Court, because Florida law places all deed recording duties at the county level, not the city level.
Anyone can look up these records online, by mail, or in person to check ownership history, confirm a sale, or pull a copy for legal work. This page explains exactly where to search, what forms of deeds exist, what fees apply, and how to get a certified copy.
How Daytona Beach City Deed Records Work
Florida state law gives each county clerk the job of recording every deed that transfers land inside that county. Daytona Beach sits inside Volusia County, so the Volusia County Clerk runs the official records system for every parcel within the city. The clerk’s office files the original deed, gives it a book and page number or instrument number, and stores the scanned image in a public database. The city of Daytona Beach handles permits, zoning, and planning, but it does not record deeds.
Volusia County Clerk as the Record Holder
The Volusia County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the legal custodian of all Daytona Beach city deed records. The main recording office sits at 101 North Alabama Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32724, and a branch office operates at 125 East Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114. Both offices accept deed filings, answer public questions, and issue certified copies. The clerk also runs the online search portal at volusiaclerk.org, which allows free name and date searches of every recorded deed in the county.
Florida Recording Law (Chapter 695)
Florida Statutes Chapter 695 sets the rules for recording deeds and other land documents. The law requires that every deed be in writing, signed by the grantor, and acknowledged before a notary public. Two witnesses must also sign the deed for it to be valid for recording. The clerk must record the deed in the official records and return the original or a copy to the buyer after recording. These rules apply to every deed in Daytona Beach, whether the property is a single-family home, a condo on the beachside, or vacant land.
Public Access Rules (Chapter 119)
Florida Statutes Chapter 119 declares that all public records, including Daytona Beach city deed records, must be open for viewing and copying by any member of the public. The clerk may charge a fee for copies, but cannot deny access based on who is asking or why the records are needed. Certain personal data, such as Social Security numbers, must be redacted before public release. The public access rule is the reason every deed recorded in Volusia County can be searched online without an account or login.
Search Methods for Daytona Beach City Deed Records
There are four main ways to search Daytona Beach city deed records. Each method works best for a different type of search. Knowing the method that matches your goal saves time and reduces the chance of pulling the wrong document.
Online Official Records Search
The Volusia County Clerk website offers a free online records search through its Official Records search page. Users can search by name, date range, document type, and book and page. The portal returns an index entry that includes the recording date, grantor, grantee, legal description, and instrument number. From the index, the user can view a scanned image of the deed for a small fee per page. The system updates new recordings within one business day after the clerk accepts the document.
Grantor and Grantee Name Search
A grantor is the person selling or giving the property. A grantee is the person receiving it. Searching by either name returns every deed that names that person inside Volusia County. To narrow results, combine the name with an approximate recording date or with the property address. Common name searches often return many hits, so adding even a five-year date window cuts the list down to a manageable size.
Book and Page Instrument Search
Older Daytona Beach deeds are filed using a book and page system. The clerk assigns each recording a book number and a starting page number. The book number refers to the physical or scanned binder, and the page number is where the deed begins. A book and page search jumps straight to the right image without searching names. Many title companies and law firms still use book and page references on older title searches.
Parcel Number and Address Lookup
Every parcel in Volusia County carries a unique parcel ID number, also called a property identification number. Entering the parcel number into the clerk’s search tool pulls every deed tied to that land parcel from the first recording forward. If you do not know the parcel number, the Volusia County Property Appraiser website at vcpafl.org lets you look it up using a street address. The appraiser’s parcel search is free and returns the legal description, owner name, and tax history for the property.
Types of Deeds Recorded in Daytona Beach
Florida law recognizes several deed types, and each appears in the Daytona Beach official records under its own document code. Knowing the type you need helps you pick the right search filter and avoids pulling the wrong instrument.
Warranty Deed
A warranty deed is the most common deed type used in standard home sales. The grantor promises that the title is clear of liens, claims, and other defects, and agrees to defend the buyer against any future challenge. Most Daytona Beach residential sales recorded by title companies use a statutory warranty deed form. The instrument code for this type in Volusia County is usually labeled “Warranty Deed” in the index.
Quitclaim Deed
A quitclaim deed transfers whatever ownership the grantor has without any promise about the title. Quitclaim deeds are common in family transfers, divorce settlements, name corrections, and tax deed assignments. The buyer receives only the exact interest the grantor held, which may be nothing. Quitclaim deeds do not give the buyer any protection against title defects. In the Volusia County index, these instruments are labeled “Quitclaim Deed.”
Special Warranty Deed
A special warranty deed limits the grantor’s promise to the period during which the grantor owned the property. The grantor only defends the title against claims that arose during their own ownership, not against older defects. Commercial transactions and bank-owned sales (REO properties) often use special warranty deeds. The clerk’s index labels these as “Special Warranty Deed.”
Trustee’s Deed
A trustee’s deed transfers property from a trust to a buyer or beneficiary. The trustee signs on behalf of the trust, and the deed shows the trust name, the trustee’s name, and the recording reference for the trust agreement if filed. Trustee’s deeds often appear in probate, real estate contract closings, and foreclosure-related transfers. The index code reads “Trustee’s Deed.”
Recording Requirements and Fees in Volusia County
Every deed recorded for Daytona Beach property must meet Florida standards and must include the right fees at the time of submission. Files that skip a step get rejected and sent back without being recorded.
Document Submission Standards
Deeds submitted to the Volusia County Clerk must meet Florida Document Standards under administrative rules adopted by the Florida Department of State. Each deed must be on letter-size paper (8.5 by 11 inches), use a font size of at least 12 points, leave a one-inch top margin for the recording stamp, and have the first page labeled “This Instrument Prepared by” with the preparer’s name and address. A cover sheet is required for documents longer than one page. The clerk will reject any deed that does not meet these standards.
Documentary Stamp Tax on Deeds
Florida charges a documentary stamp tax on every deed that transfers real property. The current rate is $0.70 per $100 of the sale price for deeds recorded in Volusia County. The seller usually pays the tax at closing, but the law allows the parties to agree otherwise. The stamp is printed on the deed or on an attached page before the clerk records it. A deed missing the correct stamp tax will be rejected. The rate and surtax can change by state law, so check the Florida Department of Revenue website before each closing.
Recording Fee Schedule
The Volusia County Clerk charges a base recording fee for the first page of each deed and an additional fee for each extra page. As of 2026, the first page fee is around $10 for standard documents, with extra charges for additional pages, indexing, and certified status. Certified copies carry a higher fee than plain copies because they carry the clerk’s raised seal and signature. Tax deed and lis pendens recordings follow a different fee table. Always confirm the exact fee on the clerk’s fee schedule page before sending payment.
eRecording Options for Daytona Beach Deeds
Title companies, law firms, and individuals can submit Daytona Beach deeds through approved eRecording vendors such as Simplifile, CSC, and eRecording Partners. Electronic recording is faster than paper and reduces rejection errors. The clerk’s office accepts eRecorded documents 24 hours a day, but indexes them during business hours. Documents submitted after 5:00 p.m. are processed the next business day. Recording confirmation is sent back through the same vendor portal.
Requesting Certified Copies of Daytona Beach Deeds
A certified copy is a stamped and sealed duplicate of a recorded deed that carries the same legal weight as the original. Banks, courts, and title companies often require certified copies instead of plain scans. The Volusia County Clerk issues certified copies at both the DeLand main office and the Daytona Beach branch office. Walk-in customers can request a certified copy in person and receive it the same day in most cases. Mail requests take longer because the clerk prints, seals, and mails the copy. A certified copy fee is higher than a plain copy fee and depends on the number of pages. The clerk also charges a per-page fee for any attachments or exhibits.
Information Needed for a Certified Copy Request
To get a certified copy from the Volusia County Clerk, provide the recording date, instrument number (or book and page), grantor name, and grantee name. The clerk’s staff uses this data to pull the right document and certify it. Without enough detail, the request may match the wrong deed or be rejected. Always include a contact phone number and mailing address if you send the request by mail.
Daytona Beach Property Research Tools
Deed records tell you who owns a property and how it moved between owners, but other public tools fill in the gaps. Combining deed data with tax records, planning files, and building permits gives a complete view of a Daytona Beach parcel.
Volusia County Property Appraiser Parcel Search
The Volusia County Property Appraiser maintains a parcel search tool at vcpafl.org. Users can search by owner name, address, or parcel ID. The site shows the current owner, the legal description, the property’s tax assessed value, sales history, building sketch, and photo. The sales history section lists each deed transfer by date, party, and instrument number. Clicking the instrument number links directly to the recorded deed in the clerk’s online records system.
City of Daytona Beach Planning and Building Records
The City of Daytona Beach Building Department, located at 950 South Beach Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, holds permits and inspection records for properties inside the city limits. The Planning Department handles zoning, land use, and annexation files. These records help when a deed search shows a transfer that lines up with a known redevelopment or lot split. The Building Department can be reached at (386) 671-8120, and the Planning Department at (386) 671-8130. City offices operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on weekends and city holidays.
Volusia County Clerk Contact and Location
For in-person deed record requests, certified copies, or recording questions, visit the Volusia County Clerk’s recording office. The Daytona Beach branch office of the Clerk of Court is the closest location for most Daytona Beach residents and is where many local deed recordings and searches are handled.
Official Website: https://www.volusiaclerk.org/
Recording Office Address: 101 N. Alabama Avenue, DeLand, FL 32724
Daytona Beach Branch: 125 E. Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Recording Phone: (386) 736-5914
Daytona Beach Branch Phone: (386) 257-6000
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed on weekends and federal holidays)
Map of the Volusia County Clerk Recording Office
Daytona Beach City Deed Records Image Reference
The image below shows the Florida official records portal that links to county deed search systems, including the Volusia County portal used for Daytona Beach city deed records.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Daytona Beach Deed Searches
Most delays in deed record searches come from small errors. Knowing the common traps ahead of time helps you avoid them.
Searching the Wrong Name Spelling
Deed grantor and grantee names often appear with middle initials, suffixes (Jr., Sr., III), or shortened versions of full legal names. Searching “John Smith” may miss a deed recorded under “John A. Smith” or “Jonathan Smith.” Always check tax records or prior deeds for the exact name used at recording. If the seller ever changed their name through marriage or court order, search both names.
Ignoring the Documentary Stamp Surtax
Some Florida counties collect an extra documentary stamp surtax above the state rate. Volusia County has applied this surtax in past years. The rate can change without notice when state or county law updates. Pulling the current rate from the Florida Department of Revenue website before closing avoids short payments and recording delays.
Using Only One Search Method
Some Daytona Beach properties carry both a book and page reference from older recordings and a modern instrument number from newer filings. Searching with only one system can miss documents filed under the other. Run both searches or confirm which reference system the clerk uses for your target date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common legal and procedural points raised by Daytona Beach property buyers, sellers, heirs, and researchers. Each answer reflects current Florida statutes and Volusia County Clerk practice as of 2026.
How far back do Daytona Beach city deed records go?
Volusia County official records go back to county formation in 1854. The clerk’s online system includes scans from the late 1800s onward, with index entries covering every year of county existence. Older records that are not yet scanned can still be viewed on microfilm at the clerk’s office in DeLand. Researchers can order certified copies of any deed recorded since 1854, though older records may take longer to retrieve because staff must pull microfilm reels.
Are Daytona Beach deed records free to view online?
The index search on the Volusia County Clerk website is free. Viewing the actual scanned deed image costs a small fee per page, paid through the clerk’s payment portal. The fee covers the cost of the clerk providing a digital copy. Certified copies cost more because they include the clerk’s raised seal and signature.
Can I find the owner of a Daytona Beach property without their name?
Yes. Use the Volusia County Property Appraiser website at vcpafl.org and search by street address. The appraiser’s site returns the current owner’s name, mailing address, parcel ID, legal description, and sales history. You can then take the owner’s name into the clerk’s records portal to pull the most recent deed image.
What is the difference between a warranty deed and a quitclaim deed in Florida?
A warranty deed promises the grantor owns the property free of liens and will defend the buyer if a claim arises. A quitclaim deed transfers only whatever interest the grantor has, with no promise at all. Quitclaim deeds are common in family transfers, divorce, and tax deed assignments. Warranty deeds are the standard form for arm’s length home sales. Title insurance companies usually require a warranty deed for financed purchases.
How long does it take to record a deed in Volusia County?
Deeds submitted electronically are typically indexed within one business day. Paper deeds mailed to the clerk’s office take longer because the clerk must open the envelope, scan, and index the document before recording. Walk-in paper deeds are usually recorded the same day if submitted before 4:00 p.m. The clerk’s office processes recordings in the order received. Delays can occur during heavy filing periods such as the end of the month.
Can a deed be removed from the public record once recorded?
No. Florida law does not allow removal of a recorded deed. If a deed was recorded by mistake or fraud, the party harmed must record a corrective deed, a release, or seek a court order. The original deed remains in the official records but is marked by the corrective instrument. Anyone searching the records will see both the original and the correction.
Do I need a lawyer to record a deed in Daytona Beach?
Florida law does not require a lawyer to record a deed. Many homeowners and investors record quitclaim deeds and warranty deeds themselves using standard Florida Bar form deeds. However, any deed involving a trust, mortgage payoff, or tax issue benefits from a lawyer’s review. Recording an improperly drafted deed can create title defects that take years to correct.