How Much Are Doc Stamps in Brevard County, Florida?

Documentary stamp tax, usually shortened to doc stamps, is a Florida state tax on documents that transfer real estate or secure a loan. It is set by Chapter 201 of the Florida Statutes, so the rate in Brevard County is the same as in every Florida county except Miami-Dade. The Florida Department of Revenue doc stamp page lays out the rates and examples, and the Brevard County Clerk of Court collects the tax at recording.

How are doc stamps calculated on a Brevard County home sale?

Take the full price, divide by $100, round any remainder up to the next whole unit, and multiply by $0.70. That gives the deed tax.

The "or portion thereof" wording in the law is why you round up. A $412,550 sale is 4,126 units of $100, so the deed tax is $2,888.20, not $2,887.85. The tax is based on the total consideration, which includes cash paid plus any mortgage the buyer takes over, so an assumed loan still counts.

What taxes come with a mortgage in Brevard County?

A financed purchase adds two more state taxes on the new loan: doc stamps on the note and mortgage at 35 cents per $100, and the nonrecurring intangible tax at 2 mills, which is 0.2 percent of the loan amount.

The intangible tax comes from section 199.133, Florida Statutes, and applies to loans secured by property in Florida. Cash buyers do not pay either of these, because there is no mortgage to record.

Here is how the math looks on example numbers. These are illustrations using the state rates, not a quote for your purchase.

Example purchase	Deed doc stamps ($0.70 per $100)	Mortgage doc stamps ($0.35 per $100)	Intangible tax (0.2%)
$300,000 price, $240,000 loan	$2,100	$840	$480
$400,000 price, $320,000 loan	$2,800	$1,120	$640
$600,000 price, $480,000 loan	$4,200	$1,680	$960
$850,000 price, cash	$5,950	None	None

For an exact figure on a specific document, the Brevard Clerk publishes an official records fee calculator that shows recording fees, document stamps, mortgage stamps, and intangible tax together. It does not include title company or lender charges.

Who pays doc stamps in Florida, the buyer or the seller?

Whoever the contract says. Florida law makes all parties to the document liable for the tax, but the purchase contract decides who writes the check.

In most Brevard resale contracts I see, the seller pays the doc stamps on the deed and the buyer pays the doc stamps and intangible tax on the new mortgage, along with the mortgage recording fees. That is a common default, not a law, so read the closing cost section of your contract before you sign. The Department of Revenue is clear on the liability point: if the agreed party does not pay, the state can still look to the others on the document.

• Sellers: deed doc stamps are often one of the larger line items on your net sheet after commission and loan payoff. On a $500,000 sale they come to $3,500.
• Buyers: mortgage stamps and intangible tax show up in your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure under taxes and government fees.
• New construction: builder contracts are written by the builder and can assign closing costs differently than a resale contract, so check who pays the deed tax before you commit. Get your own representation before your first visit, and contact me to set up the builder appointment so I am registered with you from the start.

Are any Brevard County transfers exempt from doc stamps?

A few, and they are narrower than most people expect. There is no general exemption for estate planning or family transfers.

The Department of Revenue lists examples that are generally not taxed, such as a deed between spouses of homestead property where the only consideration is the mortgage, certain transfers between former spouses of the marital home after a divorce, and a personal representative's deed under a probated will. A deed to a family member with no mortgage and nominal consideration owes the minimum tax of $0.70. Once a mortgage is on the property, the loan balance counts as consideration, so adding someone to the deed of a mortgaged home can trigger a larger bill. Talk with a Florida real estate attorney before recording that kind of deed.

How do doc stamps fit into total closing costs in Brevard?

They are one piece. Buyers also budget for title insurance, lender fees, prepaid insurance and property taxes, and escrow deposits, while sellers also cover payoff, prorated taxes, and any agreed credits.

My Space Coast buyer closing costs and cash to close guide walks through the full list. For the ongoing side of ownership, see whether Brevard property taxes stay the same after you buy and the homestead exemption and portability guide. You can also estimate the yearly tax bill with my Brevard property tax calculator.

A local note from Carrie

As a Brevard County and Space Coast Realtor, I find that doc stamps catch relocating buyers off guard more than local sellers, because many states call this a transfer tax and split it differently. Military buyers on a PCS to Patrick Space Force Base using a VA loan still see the mortgage stamps and intangible tax on their Closing Disclosure, so plan for them in your cash to close. If you are moving here and want the bigger picture on living in Brevard, start with the Brevard relocation guide.

FAQ

How much are doc stamps in Brevard County, FL?

Doc stamps on a deed are $0.70 per $100 of the price, rounded up to the next $100. A $400,000 sale owes $2,800. A new mortgage adds $0.35 per $100 of the loan in doc stamps plus a 0.2 percent intangible tax.

Who pays doc stamps in Florida?

The purchase contract decides. In many Florida resale contracts the seller pays the deed stamps and the buyer pays the mortgage stamps and intangible tax, but all parties to a document remain liable under state law.

Is there a cap on doc stamps for a mortgage in Florida?

There is a $2,450 cap on doc stamps for an unrecorded promissory note, but the Department of Revenue states there is no cap on the tax due on a recorded mortgage.

Do cash buyers pay doc stamps in Brevard County?

Cash buyers have no mortgage, so there are no mortgage stamps or intangible tax. The deed stamps are still due on the sale and are paid by whichever party the contract assigns.

Can a Brevard County Relocation Realtor help me estimate my closing costs?

Yes. I can walk through the contract, the closing cost split, and an estimated net sheet or cash to close with you. Call or text 256.479.2800, email carrieliotta@gmail.com, or book a call.