Florida Notice of Commencement Forms & Templates
Use the correct form, fill it out completely, and record it before work starts. Here's everything you need.
Key Takeaways
- Florida Statute § 713.13 provides the statutory form — but many counties require or prefer their own version.
- Always use the most current version; outdated forms may be rejected at recording.
- The form must be notarized and recorded — downloading a template is just the first step.
- File & Go's platform pre-fills required fields and reviews for recordability before submission.
The Statutory Form (§ 713.13, F.S.)
Florida Statute § 713.13 includes a statutory NOC form template that can be used statewide, but be aware that some counties add required fields (like contractor license number or permit number) that aren't in the statutory template.
Key Fields in the Florida Statutory NOC Form
- Legal description of the property
- General description of the improvement
- Owner(s) name and address + ownership interest
- Fee simple title holder (if other than owner)
- General contractor name, address, phone, license number
- Surety company (if bond posted)
- Construction lender name and address (if applicable)
- Person designated for service of process in Florida
- Expiration date
- Owner signature + notarization
File and Go
Our guided form builds a county-compliant Florida NOC in minutes. No template hunting, no formatting errors, no rejected filings.
Required Fields Checklist
| Field | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal description of property | ✅ Yes | Full legal description from deed — not just address |
| General description of improvement | ✅ Yes | E.g., "New single-family residence" or "Kitchen remodel" |
| Owner name and address | ✅ Yes | All owners; use legal entity name if LLC/Trust |
| Owner's interest in the property | ✅ Yes | E.g., "Fee simple" |
| General contractor name/address/phone | ✅ Yes | License number required by many counties |
| Construction lender (if any) | ✅ If applicable | Required if financed |
| Surety bond (if any) | ✅ If applicable | Bond number, surety company name/address |
| Expiration date | ✅ Yes | Default = 1 year from recording |
| Owner signature + notarization | ✅ Yes | Must be notarized |
| Permit number | Varies by county | Miami-Dade, Broward, others often require |
County-Specific Form Notes
| County | Additional Requirements | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Broward County | Contractor license number, permit number, 3-inch top margin | Broward Guide → |
| Miami-Dade County | Folio number, permit number, contractor license, 3-inch top margin | Miami-Dade Guide → |
| Orange County | Permit number strongly recommended; submit to Comptroller (not Clerk) | Orange County Guide → |
| All other counties | Statutory form generally accepted; confirm with local Clerk | — |
How to Fill Out the Form: Field-by-Field
Legal Description: Copy exactly from the property deed or county property appraiser's record. Do not paraphrase. Even minor differences can cause rejection.
General Description of Improvement: Be specific but not overly detailed. Example: "Construction of single-family residence per plans on file with building department."
Owner Name and Address: If owned by an LLC, use the LLC's full legal name (e.g., "123 Main Street LLC, a Florida limited liability company"). Use the registered address.
General Contractor: Use the full name matching the contractor's state license. Include the state license number (CGC-, CBC-, CRC- prefix format).
Expiration Date: If you leave this blank or write "1 year from recording," the NOC expires one year from the recording date per statute. For longer projects, you may need to extend before expiration.
How File and Go Helps With Forms
Guided Form Builder
Answer simple questions; we build the NOC with all required fields for your county.
Or Upload Your Own
Already have a form? Upload it and we'll review for recordability.
Review + Correct
We flag missing or incorrect fields before they cause a county rejection.
eRecord + Deliver
We submit electronically and deliver your recorded copy with instrument number.
Common Form Mistakes
- Abbreviated legal description: "Lot 5, Block 3" without the full subdivision name and county is insufficient.
- Wrong owner name: Using an individual's name when property is in an LLC or trust.
- Missing contractor license number: Required in most South Florida counties.
- Forgetting the lender: If you have a construction loan and leave the lender blank, the NOC may be defective.
- Using an outdated form: County forms are updated periodically. File & Go always uses current versions.