Lee Clerk announces new requirements for buyers and sellers when filing property deeds
The new requirement is a result of HB 1419, a bill aimed at preventing property fraud
Lee County Clerk Kevin Karnes is announcing a new requirement for filing a property deed. Beginning Aug. 1, government-issued photo identification will be required for filing deeds in-person or by mail in Lee County.
The new requirement is a result of HB 1419, a property fraud prevention program initiated by Karnes and state lawmakers to make it harder to file fraudulent deeds in Lee County which was chosen to be the state’s pilot location for the new program.
“Criminals shouldn’t be able to steal your property,” Karnes said. “Our goal is to make sure we know who is filing the deeds, so we can turn over that information to law enforcement if the deed is thought to be fraudulent. I’m hopeful this new ID requirement will drastically cut down on property fraud in Lee County.”
The new property fraud prevention program requires all persons listed on a deed to provide a government-issued photo ID before the deed is processed. This will make it easier for law enforcement to verify the identity of the parties engaged in a property-related transaction and investigate fraudulent activity.
The Clerk is rolling the program out in phases. E-Recorded deeds, typically submitted by property professionals and title agencies, are not impacted at this time. Identification requirements for e-recorded deeds will be implemented after technical updates are applied to our systems. The most up-to-date requirements will be posted on leeclerk.org/deeds.
Property owners are also encouraged to sign up for the Lee Clerk’s free Property Fraud Alert service, which notifies property owners when a deed, mortgage or other document with their name has been recorded. To learn more and register, visit leeclerk.org/fraudalert.
ABOUT THE CLERK’S OFFICE
The Florida Constitution established the Clerk of the Circuit Court as a public trustee, responsible for safeguarding public records and public funds. Clerk Kevin Karnes is directly elected by and accountable to Lee County residents. In addition to the role of Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Clerk is the County Recorder and Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, and the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Auditor for Lee County.
Source: Lee County Clerk’s office