Hendry County, FL Property Records

    Hendry County boasts untouched, natural beauty and welcoming communities in Southern Florida. Its county seat is LaBelle. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county's population is estimated at approximately 47,000. The average home value in Hendry County stands at $271,856, representing a 3% year-over-year decrease, and it is also lower than Florida's average of $369,996.

    According to the Federal Reserve Economic Data, over 29% of households in Hendry County spend more than 30% of their average $57,691 income on housing. Such households face housing affordability pressure, leaving little funds for essentials such as food, education, and healthcare.

    In Hendry County, FL, property assessments and parcel data are handled at the county level. The Property Appraiser's Office maintains an equitable tax roll that covers all real and personal property in the county. Additional information is available on the property appraiser's website or office.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the official recorder and custodian of all documents placed in the Hendry County Official Records. The Official Records contain all documents that relate to real estate transactions in Hendry County, FL. All records filed with the clerk's office are available for public inspection during normal business hours.

    The clerk's contact addresses, record portal, and service area are listed below:

    • Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office:

    • Main Office: 25 East Hickpochee Avenue, LaBelle, FL 33935

    • Phone: (863) 675-5217

    • Clewiston Office: 1100 South Olympia Street, Suite 502, Clewiston, FL 33440

    • Phone: (863) 983-1464, Record Search

    • Coverage: All municipalities in Hendry County

    What Hendry County Property Records Include

    The Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the custodian of property records. It maintains records related to land ownership, including deeds, mortgages, liens, trust deeds, leases, easements, releases, plats, and foreclosure notices. To help you find records quickly, the office organizes them alphabetically using information from each document.

    You can track land ownership in Hendry County, FL, through the Recorded Land System. This system displays the notice of property ownership claims to the public. It does not guarantee title, so you should conduct an official title search or contact a title insurance company to verify the property ownership.

    Online access to unofficial copies of Hendry County property records is available for documents recorded from October 1980 to the present. For offline records and physical or paper copies, visit the clerk's office.

    How to Access Hendry County Property Records

    You can access Hendry County property records through several ways, including online portals, in-person visits, or other request methods.

    Online Access

    Use the Official Records Search to search for unofficial copies of Hendry County property records. Search the portal by name, legal description, document type, date range, book and page number, or instrument number. All document images are free to view and print. Use the e-certification website to obtain certified copies of property records.

    In Person

    You may visit any of the Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Offices below in person to access property records:

    • Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's Office: 25 East Hickpochee Avenue, LaBelle, FL 33935

    • Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Mondays through Fridays (excluding holidays)

    • Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's Office: 1100 South Olympia Street, Suite 502, Clewiston, FL 33440

    • Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Mondays through Fridays (except holidays)

    Typically, you will be required to provide the owner's name, the property address, and the parcel identification number. You may also visit the courthouse to inspect and copy the paper records.

    By Phone or Email

    You may contact the Hendry County Clerk of Court and Comptroller's Office at (863) 675-5203 or (863) 983-1464 for guidance on how to access property records.

    By Mail/Overnight

    Individuals may obtain a copy of Hendry County property records by mailing a written request to the clerk of courts & comptroller's office. Include property details such as the owner's name, address, parcel ID, and the book & page number. Pay the copy fees and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so people's documents can be returned to them.

    Mail the written request along with other documents to the Hendry County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller at P.O. Box 1760, LaBelle, FL 33975.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Electronic recording of land documents is available to professional agencies, including financial institutions, real estate companies, and law firms, in Hendry County. Through e-recording, these agencies can submit land documents for recording from the convenience of their office.

    The process is fast and reliable. In Hendry County, e-recording services are available through Corporation Service Company, eRecording Partners Network, and Simplifile.

    What's Not at the Registry (But Matters for Property Research)?

    Some records essential to property research are not available at the clerk of court's office. Examples of the records include property assessments & parcel details, tax rates, payment records, and zoning records.

    The property appraiser keeps records of all property assessments, exemptions, GIS maps, and parcel data in Hendry County. The Tax Collector's Office keeps payment records of all property taxes in the county. More information is available at its website or offices. To verify zoning information, contact the Hendry County Planning and Zoning Department. You can look up any property's zoning classification by address.

    Visit the Florida Department of Revenue's Tax Data Portal to retrieve official property tax rate data for Hendry County.

    Step-by-Step: How to Pull a Deed Online

    The following steps outline how to find a Hendry County deed online:

    • Visit Hendry County's website and locate the “clerk of circuit court” under the other government agencies section.

    • From the clerk of circuit court webpage, choose the “official records” option.

    • From the official records page, choose the “official records search.”

    • Use the official records search to find recorded deeds.

    • You can search the portal by using the party name, legal description, document type, instrument type, date range, and book & page number.

    • Identify the required deed or document image from the list of matching results returned.

    • View or print document images from the results list for free.

    Cities & Towns in Hendry County (and Their Registry Districts)

    The County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is the only property records registry that serves the cities of LaBelle and Clewiston in Hendry County.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Information about property class, assessed value, exemption fraud, and abatement information is available on the property appraiser's website. You can conduct a real property search on the website. Search the portal by using criteria such as the owner's name, location address, parcel number, legal information, neighborhood, or subdivision name. You can contact the property appraiser's office in LaBelle or Clewiston for additional assistance. Downloadable forms are also available on the appraiser's website.

    You can submit your property tax payment online through the tax collector's website. Information about tax certificates and tax deeds is available to the public on the tax collector's website. For additional inquiries, contact the tax collector's office in person.

    For local property tax information and financial data, visit the Florida Department of Revenue's website.

    Hendry County-Specific Nuances

    Hendry County, FL, has some unique features that are vital to thorough property research:

    • There is only one Recorder's Office in Hendry County. There are no separate recorders at the municipal level.

    • Hendry County's Property Appraiser and Clerk of Court are housed together, making it easy to handle property records and related transactions in one place.

    • The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller has an Official Records Archive that enables you to access deeds recorded from 1923 to 1953. Physical copies of land documents are available at the clerk's office.

    • Via the Recorded Land System, you can track property ownership in Hendry County.

    • There is no Land Court in Hendry County, FL. The Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court oversees property-related legal matters in the county.

    Typical Contents of a Hendry County Property Record

    You will find the following in a typical Hendry County, FL, property record:

    • Owner names (grantor/grantee)

    • Deeds, leases, and notices of completion

    • Trust deeds, reconveyances, and notices of default

    • Subdivision maps, parcel maps, and surveys

    • Mining claim records

    • Homestead declarations

    • Mechanics' liens and tax liens (county, state, and federal)

    • Recording dates, instrument numbers, and book/page references

    • Declarations of condominium and domicile.

    • Transfer tax amounts

    • Notarization and signature details

    • Easements, restrictions, and mortgage details

    • Assignments, releases, affidavits, and powers of attorney

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    To record a change to a property title in Hendry County, Florida, you must file a new deed with the Hendry County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller. Prepare a new document that shows the changes to the old documents. Ensure the grantor's signature is notarized and witnessed by two independent people. Include the full legal names and addresses of both the grantor and grantee in the document.

    Most documents require the full legal description of the property (it is commonly found on the property appraiser's website or on the old deed). A 3x3 inch blank space in the top right corner of the document's first page is reserved for the clerk's recording stamp. The name and address of the person who prepared the document are usually placed in the top left corner of the first page for reference.

    Recording fees depend on the document type, page count, number of names, and any required notary or certification services. To confirm the total cost, reach out to the clerk's office at (863)-675-5217 or (863)-983-1464 during office hours.

    You may submit the documents in person at any of the clerk's offices during business hours on weekdays, except on holidays. Alternatively, mail submission is also allowed at the clerk's office.

    Attach a self-addressed stamped envelope and mail the documents to the Hendry County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller, P.O. Box 1760, LaBelle, FL 33975. E-recording submission is also available via third-party vendors. After recording the deed, notify the Hendry County property appraiser for tax and homestead exemption purposes.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    When researching property in Hendry County, Florida, consider working with the following checklist:

    • Identify the correct registry or county office - Property records in Hendry County are available through the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. Use their website or visit their office to retrieve documents.

    • Gather all essential information for the specific property - Obtain essential property information such as the owner's name, address, book/page number, recording date, or instrument number.

    • Review ownership and title records - Search for Hendry County recorded deeds and property records through the official records portal. Verify property ownership via the property appraiser's website.

    • Examine property tax information - To obtain property tax information, check the tax collector's website or visit one of their office locations.

    • Confirm parcel data with the Assessor's Office - Check the Hendry County property appraiser's website for parcel details or visit the office for additional assistance. The office also provides GIS data for visual search of parcel boundaries and satellite imagery.

    • Review all documents. Ensure that the chain of title is unbroken and free from liens, omissions, judgments, and encumbrances.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Hendry County

    Hendry County, Florida, is home to two incorporated cities*.

    • Cities: LaBelle and Clewiston.

    *Hendry County also has census-designated places and other unincorporated communities. However, they exist only for mailing or census purposes. They are legally part of the larger city or town in which they are located, with no government or official boundaries separate from the municipality. (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals

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