A commissioner of deeds is a public officer appointed by the Florida Secretary of State for a term of four years, who is authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments relating to timeshare estates located within the State of Florida. A commissioner of deeds may only exercise his or her duties outside the geographical boundaries of the 50 United States and within any territorial limits to his or her jurisdiction.
Florida Commissioners of Deeds live and work all over the world, representing the State of Florida in U.S. territories, foreign countries, and even international waterways.
The office was created in Florida on January 28, 1831, and originally, commissioners were appointed to serve in a particular state or country and were required to actually reside in the state or country to which they were appointed. Such commissioners were also authorized to "notarize" any document to be used or recorded in Florida. In 1998, that office was abolished, and replaced by the current form of "Timeshare Commissioner of Deeds."
Effective July 1, 2024, the authority to appoint commissioners of deeds was transferred from the Governor to the Secretary of State. Those seeking appointment (or renewal of appointment) as a commissioner of deeds can download the application form here. Your completed application should be submitted to the Florida Division of Corporations. Ultimately the appointment of a commissioner of deeds is up to the discretion of the Secretary of State. An appointment is a privilege, not a right.