A fluid filter assembly (20) is designed to threadedly mount onto a mounting base (21) including an outer shell (27), a filtering element (25) positioned within the outer shell and defining an annular space (67) between the outer shell and the filtering element. A unitary nutplate (30) is assembled to the outer shell and provides a threaded portion (40) for attachment to the mounting base. The sidewall (70) which defines the threaded portion is free of any flow openings therethrough. An inner seal (29) is positioned between the nutplate and the filter element and an outer seal (31) is positioned between the mounting base and the nutplate. The nutplate and inner seal are designed to cooperate with each other so as to define a plurality of flow passageways (66a-66d) and extending between the nutplate and inner seal and providing a flow path from the mounting base to the annular clearance space.