Effective 1/1/15 Florida Supreme Court mandates space for recording, date and time stamps on documents

The following information comes from the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller’s office:

The Florida Supreme Court has mandated that starting January 1, 2015, all documents filed with the court must have:

• one-inch margins on all sides
• a blank 3-inch by 3-inch space on the top right of the first page
• a blank 1-inch by 3-inch space on the top right of all subsequent pages.

Documents that do not comply with these rules shall be resubmitted.

Please see Florida Supreme Court Order SC14-721 for complete details.

View a stamp template for filings (PDF)

P.S. – the most common question I have had regarding this Order is “this ONLY applies to pleadings filed with the Supreme Court, right?” NO.

PLEASE NOTE: I am getting conflicting information from folks whether the 3×3 space is required on ALL documents or only some. The blurb from the Palm Beach Clerk says “all documents filed with the court must have….”… but the Order says “which are to be recorded in the public records of any county”….. Please see below but as always, please read and familiarize yourself with the actual language of the rule which is on Page 4 and 5 of the order and discuss with your attorney if necessary.

(d) Recording Space and Space for Date and Time Stamps.

(1) On all papers and documents prepared and filed by the court or by any party to a proceeding which are to be recorded in the public records of any county, including but not limited to final money judgments and notices of lis pendens, a 3-inch by 3-inch space at the top right-hand corner on the first page and a 1-inch by 3-inch space at the top right-hand corner on each subsequent page shall be left blank and reserved for use by the clerk of court.

(2) On all documents filed with the court, a 1-inch margin on all sides must be left blank for date and time stamps.

(e) Exceptions to Recording Space. Any papers or documents created by persons or entities over which the filing party has no control, including but not limited to wills, codicils, trusts, or other testamentary documents; documents prepared or executed by any public officer; documents prepared, executed, acknowledged, or proved outside of the State of Florida; or documents created by State or Federal government agencies, may be filed without the space required by this rule.