Okaloosa County, FL Property Records

    Okaloosa County is the third-most populous county in northwestern Florida, with over 220,000 residents, according to recent estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau. The median home value in the county is $342,751, down 2.9% in recent years, and slightly below the statewide average of $369,996.

    In Okaloosa County, property listings typically secure purchase offers in about 68 days, with 10.7% of them selling over the list price. This reflects a slower-paced real estate market with reduced competition for the majority of homes over recent years. However, Federal Reserve Economic Data designates approximately 33.3% of Okaloosa households as cost-burdened households (spending 30% or more of their income on housing expenses), highlighting rising affordability issues.

    The Okaloosa County Property Appraiser's Office handles assessments for all properties across the county's cities and towns. The office also maintains parcel data through a searchable database, which you can access to check for property ownership information, valuation details, building information, sales history, sketches, and detailed property cards.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller is responsible for keeping official land records in the county. It records and indexes deeds, mortgages, and descriptions of all real and personal property located within the county.

    You can access these records by contacting the Clerk's Office. The following are the office's addresses, contact details, and a direct link to the county's official records search portal:

    • Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller (County Courthouse): 101 East James Lee Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536, Official Records Search

    • Phone: (850) 689-5000

    • Coverage: All municipalities

    • Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller (Courthouse Annex Extension): 1940 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547

    • Phone: (850) 651-7200

    • Coverage: All municipalities

    What Okaloosa County Property Records Include

    Okaloosa County property records include official records relating to the ownership, transfer, and encumbrance of real and personal properties located within the county. These records include deeds, mortgages, assignments, leases, covenants, satisfactions, homestead declarations, liens, foreclosure notices, and other related instruments.

    Users can visit the Clerk of Court's official records search portal to access recorded property documents dating back to January 1775. Individuals can also view and obtain copies of older property records in person at the courthouse.

    How to Access Okaloosa County Property Records

    The Okaloosa County Clerk of Court provides access to property records through several channels, including online access, in-person visits, and mail.

    Online Access (Free)

    You can access property records online in Okaloosa County by visiting the Clerk of Court's Official Records Search portal. Documents accessible on the portal are indexed from January 1775 to the present. You can search for these documents by party name, recording date range, document number, book/page, subdivision information, and document type.

    In Person

    You can obtain copies of property records in Okaloosa County in person by visiting either of the Okaloosa County Clerk of Court's office locations during the hours of operation:

    • Okaloosa County Clerk of Court's Office (County Courthouse): 101 East James Lee Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536

    • Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays

    • Okaloosa County Clerk of Court's Office (Courthouse Annex Extension): 1940 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547

    • Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays

    Fees for obtaining records at the office include $1 per page, with an extra $2 for certification. You can pay with a credit/debit card. The clerk does not accept personal checks as a form of payment.

    By Phone or Email

    To request property records in Okaloosa County, contact the Clerk of Court via phone or email using the following information:

    By Mail/Overnight

    It's possible to submit a written request for property records by mail to the Okaloosa County Clerk of Court. The request should include relevant details about the documents sought, such as the document number, party name, book/page, or recording information. Enclose the request in a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the document to be returned.

    You can send the request along with applicable fees to either of the Clerk of Court's office locations. A copy of a property record costs $1 per page, with an additional $2 for certification.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Okaloosa County facilitates the online submission of documents to be recorded in its official records index. You can record property documents electronically in the county by contacting one of the following authorized e-recording vendors listed on the Clerk of Court's website:

    You can electronically submit documents for recording at any time. However, the Clerk's Office records documents in the order they are received and cannot guarantee that electronically submitted documents will appear in the official records index on the same day.

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

    The Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller's Office keeps property records, such as deeds, mortgages, and liens, but not all property records/information are under its custody. The Okaloosa County Property Appraiser's Office is typically responsible for maintaining comprehensive assessment details and parcel information for all properties across the county. This data generally includes ownership details, valuation history, property descriptions, sales history, permits, sketches, and property cards.

    The Office of the Okaloosa County Tax Collector also maintains information regarding property taxes for all county municipalities and offers a public records portal for accessing such details.

    The Florida Department of Revenue provides oversight and assistance to local officials, including property appraisers and tax collectors. You can use the resources on the department's website to access local and statewide property tax data.

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

    You can follow these steps to look up Okaloosa County deeds online:

    • Visit the Okaloosa Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Official Records Portal.

    • Select the “Document Search and Copies” option to search for deed records.

    • Enter the relevant details in the available criteria, including party name, recording date range, document number, book and page, document type, legal description, and subdivision information (lot, block, tract, and unit).

    • Individualscan narrow their search by inputting/selecting “deed” in the dropdown box of the document type search criteria.

    • Search results will include a list of deeds that match your search. You can click the “View Document” icon for more information on a deed, including images of the document. Deeds can also be printed by clicking the “Print Document” icon.

    • Download free copies of deeds directly to your browser by adding the document to the cart and completing the checkout process. You must create an account or log in to complete this process.

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

    The Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's Office serves all municipalities in Okaloosa County, including the following:

    • Okaloosa County Incorporated Municipalities: Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Laurel Hill, Mary Esther, Niceville, Valparaiso, Cinco Bayou, and Shalimar

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    In Okaloosa County, the Appraiser's Office is responsible for valuing all county properties through assessments. The office also offers a Property Search portal for searching assessments and other records under its custody by property owner name, address, parcel number, legal information, subdivision, or business name.

    Your search will return information such as the parcel summary, property ownership details, assessed values, homestead exemption, sales history, land description, sketches, and property cards. Alternatively, you can switch to the map search feature on the online portal to locate parcels in the county using the interactive map.

    You can access Okaloosa County property tax information, including payment and tax history, through the Public Records Portal provided by the Office of the Tax Collector. The portal allows you to search by name, address, or account number. Additionally, the Florida Department of Revenue provides resources to access statewide property tax data on its website.

    Okaloosa County County-Specific Nuances

    Okaloosa County, FL, has several important features you should note for your property research:

    • You can access property records affecting real or personal property in Okaloosa County at the county level. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office records and indexes these documents online and at its offices.

    • The Property Appraiser's Office is responsible for valuing properties and maintaining assessment records in Okaloosa, while the Tax Collector maintains property tax information.

    • The Clerk of Court makes property records available online through its official records search portal, with the index dating back to January 1775. You can search, download, or print unofficial copies of records at no cost. If you need certified copies, you can purchase them online through the Clerk's E-Certify portal.

    Typical Contents of an Okaloosa County Property Record

    Okaloosa County property records are official documents and information relating to the ownership, transfer, or encumbrance of real or personal property located within the county's boundaries. You will typically find the following details when checking these records:

    • Deeds (proof of ownership transfer)

      • Grantor and grantee names and mailing addresses

      • Witnesses names and addresses

      • Preparation statement

      • Legal description of the property

      • Consideration (sale price)

      • Book and page number

      • Signature and notarization

    • Mortgages and Discharges (evidence of debt)

      • Mortgages and mortgagee names

      • Mortgage servicer (if applicable)

      • Loan amount and repayment terms

      • Recording date

      • Satisfaction or release certificate details

    • Plans (visual maps)

      • Survey or plan number

      • Subdivision references

      • Lot dimensions and layout

      • Zoning information and permits

      • Sketches

      • Aerial images

    • Encumbrances (claims and restrictions)

      • Easements

      • Restrictions or covenants

      • Leases

      • Lis pendens notices

      • Rights-of-way or shared access agreements

    You can find more details in other property-related documents, such as affidavits, property agreements, amendments, and power of attorney filings.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    If you wish to update property titles in Okaloosa County, including removing or adding names to the property or transferring ownership, you must record such changes with the Clerk of Court's Office. These include new conveyances, deeds, mortgages, and other related instruments.

    Documents may be submitted for recording electronically, by mail, or in person at either of the clerk's office locations. You can submit documents at the office locations on Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you submit the documents for recording by mail, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return.

    Recording fees are typically $10 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. You can visit the Okaloosa County Clerk of Court's website for more information on the county's recording process, document standards, fees, recording guidelines, and approved eRecording vendors.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    You can follow this checklist to conduct thorough property research in Okaloosa County, FL:

    • Visit/contact the County Clerk of Court and Comptroller's Office to make inquiries: You can begin your research in Okaloosa by contacting the Clerk of Court to inquire about obtaining property records. Staff at either office location can assist you through the research process.

    • Search and note reference numbers: You can note the unique identifiers of the desired records for your property research, such as parcel ID, document number, and book/page.

    • Search for records on the county's official search portal: The clerk maintains an official records search portal for recorded documents dating back to 1775. Visit the portal and search the index by name, recording date, document type, or other criteria.

    • Trace the chain of title: To trace the chain of title, search the property on the Property Appraiser's online portal to view its sales history. Click the book/page number for a prior sale to view the deed on the clerk's records search portal.

    • Review plans and encumbrances: Review plans and other encumbrances, such as liens, leases, covenants, and restrictions, that may restrict how you use the property.

    • Verify parcel data with the Property Appraiser's Office: You can contact the Okaloosa Property Appraiser's office or use its online property search portal to verify parcel data and related property information, including assessed values, building descriptions, ownership details, and parcel maps.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Okaloosa County

    Okaloosa County, FL, has nine incorporated municipalities: seven cities and two towns*.

    • Cities: Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Laurel Hill, Mary Esther, Niceville, and Valparaiso

    • Town: Cinco Bayou and Shalimar

    *There are also several unincorporated communities and census-designated places located in Okaloosa County

    (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals

    • Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller

    • Okaloosa County Property Appraiser's Office

      • Okaloosa Property Search

      • Address (Shalimar Office): 1250 Eglin Parkway North, Second Floor, Suite 201, Shalimar, FL 32579

      • Address (Crestview Office): Brackin Building, Second Floor, 302 Wilson Street, Suite 201, Crestview, FL 32536

      • Phone: (850) 651-7240

      • Website: https://www.okaloosapa.com/

    • Okaloosa County Tax Collector

      • Public Records Portal

      • Address (Shalimar Office): 1250 North Eglin Parkway, Suite 101, Shalimar, FL, 32579

      • Address (Crestview Office): 302 Wilson Street North, Crestview, FL, 32536

      • Address (Destin Office): 4012 Commons Drive W, Suite 122, Destin, FL, 32541

      • Address (Niceville Office): 701 East John Sims Parkway, Niceville, FL, 32578

      • Phone: (850) 651-7300

      • Website: https://www.okaloosatax.com/

    • Florida Department of Revenue (Tax Rates and Finance Data)