Florida Property Records
Table of Contents
What are Florida Property Records?
Property records are public information in the state of Florida. This means that anyone can request them, and they will be provided either free of charge or for a small fee. The records include information on ownership, sales history, mortgages, and other liens.
Like other public records, they can be used for various purposes, such as researching a new home purchase, finding out how much a neighbor's house sold for, or checking on the status of a mortgage.
Where to Find Florida Property Records
The state of Florida does not have a central repository for property records. Instead, they are maintained by the county where the property is located. This can make finding them a bit more challenging, but it is still possible to do so with some effort.
If you cannot find the records you need in your county, you may want to try contacting the Florida Secretary of State. They may be able to provide you with information on where to find the records you are looking for. Their website has a database of all public records in the state, which may be helpful. You can also get Florida public records through InfoTracer.
Once you have located the records you need, you can go back to the county and request them in person, by mail, or online. It depends on the county, but most will have some or all of these options available.
What Information Can You Find in Florida Property Records?
A deed is the most common type of public record used to transfer property ownership. It includes information on the buyer, seller, and property being transferred.
In most cases, you will be able to find a deed going back to the original owner of the property. This can be useful for tracing the history of a property or finding out who owned it before you.
Some of the other types of information that may be available in property records include:
- Sales history
- Mortgage information
- Liens against the property
- Deed restrictions
- Easements
- Name of the current owner
- Property Taxes
- Assessment information
- Zoning Information
- Size of the property
- Property boundaries
Keep in mind that not all of this information will be available in every case. It depends on the county and what type of records they keep. However, you should be able to find most of the basic information listed above.
Florida Property Tax Records
Each county's tax assessor maintains property tax records. They include information on the assessed value of a property and its taxes.
You can easily search for property tax records online. The Florida Department of Revenue has a database that automatically redirects you to the correct county website.
The average real estate tax rate in Florida is 0.98%, lower than the national average of 1.08%. $1,773 is the median property tax paid in the state, which is lower than the national median of $2,471. In fact, according to Kiplinger, Florida is the fourth most tax-friendly state.
Hillsborough County has the highest property taxes in the state, with a median rate of 1.09%. This is followed by Broward County (1.08%), Alachua County (1.05%), and Lee County (1.04%).
Meanwhile, the lowest property taxes can be found in Franklin County, where the median rate is 0.41%. Walton County comes next with a median tax rate of 0.42%. Dixie County follows with a rate of 0.51%, and Monroe County joins the club with a rate of 0.52%.
Keep in mind that property taxes are just one factor to consider when buying a home. Homebuyers and investors should also look at the cost of living, crime rates, and schools in the area before deciding.
Florida Registry of Deeds Offices
The Florida Registry of Deeds maintains records on all property transactions in the state. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other ownership-related paperwork.
Listed below are some of the county offices where you can find property records:
Miami-Dade County Recorder of Deeds
73 West Flagler Street
Miami, Florida, 33130
Phone: 305-275-1155
https://www.miami-dadeclerk.com/clerk/official-records.page
Broward County Recorder of Deeds
115 South Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33301
Phone: 954-831-4000
Fax: 954-357-7267
https://officialrecords.broward.org/AcclaimWeb
Palm Beach County Recorder of Deeds
PO Box 4526
West Palm Beach, Florida, 33402
Phone: 561-355-2996
https://www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/records/official-records/official-records-search
Martin County Recorder of Deeds
PO Box 9016
Stuart, Florida, 34995
Phone: 772-288-5551
https://www.martinclerk.com/252/Official-Records-Search
St Lucie County Recorder of Deeds
PO Box 700
Fort Pierce, Florida, 34954
Phone: 772-462-6900
Fax: 772-462-1283
https://www.stlucieclerk.com/public-search-gen/official-records-sum
Hillsborough County Recorder of Deeds
419 Pierce Street
Tampa, Florida, 33602
Phone: 813-276-8100
Fax: 813-276-2114
https://hillsclerk.com/
Sarasota County Recorder of Deeds
PO Box 3079
Sarasota, Florida, 34230
Phone: 941-861-7436
https://www.sarasotaclerk.com/records/recording-services
Collier County Recorder of Deeds
3315 Tamiami Trail East
Naples, Florida, 34112
Phone: 239-252-2646
Fax: 239-252-2755
https://app.collierclerk.com/records-search/official-land-records-search
St Johns County Recorder of Deeds
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, Florida, 32084
Phone: 904-819-3600
Fax: 904-827-5649
https://stjohnsclerk.com/online-research/
Polk County Recorder of Deeds
PO Box 9000
Bartow, Florida, 33831
Phone: 863-534-4000
Fax: 863-534-4584
https://www.polkcountyclerk.net/184/County-Recorder
Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court/Recorder of Deeds
350 East Marion Avenue
Punta Gorda, Florida, 33950
Phone: 941-637-2245
Fax: 941-637-2172
https://charlotteclerk.com/
Highlands County Recorder of Deeds
590 South Commerce Avenue
Sebring, Florida, 33870
Phone: 863-402-6564
Fax: 863-402-6768
https://highlandsclerkfl.gov/popular_services/official_records_search.php
The Orange County Comptroller's Official Records Department
109 East Church Street
Orlando, Florida, 32801
Phone: 407-836-5115
https://occompt.com/
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Property Records
How Do I Find Out Who Owns a Property in Florida?
You can find out who owns a property by searching the public records at the county recorder's office. The owner's name will be listed on the deed. It is essential that you know which county the property is located in before you begin your search. This way, you can be sure to go to the correct office.
If you don't have enough details about the property to narrow down its location, you can try searching the Florida Department of State's website. This will give you a list of all the counties in Florida. From there, you can contact the recorder's office in each county until you find the one that has the records you are looking for.
InfoTracer's powerful search engine tool can also help you find out who owns a property in Florida.
How Do I Find Property Details Online?
The majority of counties in Florida have an online database where you can search for property records. You will need to know the address or parcel number of the property to search for it.
From there, you should be able to find the deed, mortgage, lien, or other ownership-related paperwork that you are looking for.
If you can't figure out which website to use, the Florida Department of State's website may be a valuable resource for locating the appropriate site. InfoTracer also has a powerful search engine to help you find property records across Florida.
Where are Deeds Recorded in Florida?
All deeds must be recorded in the county where the property is located. You can find a list of county recorders' offices on the Florida Department of State's website. Requirements for recording a deed may vary from county to county, so it is advisable to contact the recorder's office in advance to find out what is needed.
Once the deed is recorded, it becomes a matter of public record, and anyone can access it.
How Do I Find Out About Florida Unclaimed Property?
The Florida Department of Financial Services is responsible for managing unclaimed property. You can search for unclaimed property in their database at https://www.fltreasurehunt.gov/. Here, you can check the status of your claim and see if any money is owed to you.
InfoTracer also has a database where you can search for unclaimed property.