Quick answer
Get a certified copy from the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller in Tavares, then send it to us — we file it in person in Tallahassee. $220, 5–7 business days.
- Certified copy from
- Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- County seat
- Tavares
- Clerk website
- lakecountyclerkfl.gov
- Lake County government
- lakecountyfl.gov
- Florida state fee
- $20 — included in $220
- Electronic certified copies
- The Clerk sells electronically certified (eCertified) documents online.
- How to send
- Online order + FedEx from Tavares
- Turnaround
- 5–7 business days, filed in person
Where to get a certified property deed in Lake County
In Lake County, the certified copy comes from the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller in Tavares. The Clerk's Records & Administrative Services processes documents recorded into the Official Records of Lake County, including deeds and mortgages.
The Clerk sells electronically certified (eCertified) documents online. An official electronic certified copy, printed exactly as delivered, can be used for the apostille — send us a photo first if you're unsure.
From Lake County: order online and drop the prepaid FedEx envelope at any FedEx location in or near Tavares. We file in person in Tallahassee.
What the copy must look like
A certified copy of the recorded deed with the custodian's certification and seal, or the clerk's official electronic certification printed complete with its verification page, including every recorded page and exhibit. The original deed returned after closing, free online search copies and notarized photocopies can't be apostilled.
State fee: $20 — included in our $220. Fees the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller charges for the certified copy are not included.
Why property deeds get rejected
- Original deed returned after recording, with no certified-copy certification
- Watermarked or uncertified online printout
- Notarized photocopy of the deed
- Missing exhibit with the legal description
$220 per document, $380 for two and $160 each for three or more — the state fee, request form, in-person filing in Tallahassee and FedEx shipping inside the U.S. are included. Shipping the finished apostille is a flat $100 per order.
Not included: whatever the issuing office charges for the certified copy or certificate, and notarization (online notarization is $40 for the first document — $10 notarization fee + $30 technology platform fee — and $20 for each additional one).