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Recording Activity Notification

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1. What is the Recording Activity Notifications service?

A free public service offered by the Citrus County Clerk’s Office that can help you detect documents recorded with your name in the Clerk’s Official Records that may be fraudulent.

2. What does this service monitor?

The name you choose to subscribe (business name, maiden name, married name, etc) is the only criteria being monitored. If you have a common name, you may get multiple alerts since it doesn’t distinguish one name from another. If you have multiple variations of your names, such as Chris and Christopher, you may want to subscribe to both, but again, you may get multiple alerts for others with your common name.

3. How does this alert work?

Once you sign up for the service you will receive an alert, from that day forward, of any document recorded with your name in the Official Records. The alert you receive by email will contain a link to the document, along with the recorded date and name.  

4. Can I sign up even if I don’t own property in Citrus County?

Yes, in the event a document is recorded with your name, you will receive an alert.

5. How can I sign up for this service?

Anyone can sign up for the Recording Activity Notifications subscription service by clicking here to get started.

6. Does this subscription service alert me of documents being recorded in other counties?

No, this service only alerts its subscribers of documents being recorded in the Citrus County Official Records.

7. What if I have properties in other counties?

Many counties are looking into the possibility of providing this service to their citizens. You may contact the Clerk of the Court in the county of interest to see if they offer such service.

8. What will distinguish one John Doe from another?

There is nothing that will distinguish one name from another. Therefore, a person with a common name, like John Doe, will receive multiple alerts.

9. How are people committing fraud in this way?

Fraud can be committed in a number of ways by recording documents in public records. For example, someone can create a fraudulent document that will deed your home to them and then record that document in Official Records.

10. I received an alert. How can I view the document?

The alert email will provide you a link to view the document.

11. What should I do if I think I may be the victim of property fraud?

Contact the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 726-4488 and/or your attorney or legal advisor.

Neither the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Property Appraiser, or Tax Collector offices can take legal action on your behalf to reverse the fraudulent activity.

12. If a document is proven fraudulent, can it be removed from the Official Records?

No document can be removed from the Official Records without a court order. Therefore, citizens are urged to contact local law enforcement and/or an attorney for prompt, appropriate action if fraud is suspected.

13. Why do fraudulent documents get recorded?

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller must record all documents that meet the requirements outlined in the Florida Statues. The Clerk has no authority to refuse to record a properly prepared document, even if it may be fraudulent.

14. I’m not receiving alerts, but I see documents recorded with a name I signed up for.

You may contact the Clerk’s Office’s Information Technology Department via the Contact Us page if you’d like them to look into this further.

15. Is my Recording Notification Service registration subject to public records law?

Yes, email addresses and names used in registrations for the Recording Notification Service are subject to public disclosure per Florida public records law.

16. What documents do I need to gather before signing up for this service?

The only information you need to provide is your first and last name along with your email address. Nothing else is needed when signing up for the service.

17. What can I do to protect myself from property fraud?

• Check the Official Records using the Records Search to see what documents are recorded under your name and sign up for Citrus County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s free Recording Activity Notification service for automated email alerts when your name is added to the Official Records index.
• If your property is vacant, check often to make sure it is not occupied illegally.
• Ask someone you trust to look after your property if you are away for an extended period of time.
• Do not let mail pile up when out of town.
• Make sure the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices have the correct mailing address for you or the person who should receive notices about your property.