Santa Rosa County, FL Property Records

    Santa Rosa County is the 29th most populous county in Florida, with a population of about 188,000, according to recent U.S. census data. An average home in the county costs around $340,085, a 1.4% decline from the previous year and about 8% below the state average of $369,996.

    Listings in Santa Rosa County typically sell within 46 days, with approximately 12.7% selling above the listed price. The county's real estate market is a buyer's market, characterized by a significant housing surplus, with two-thirds of houses selling below their listed price.

    Recent data from the Federal Reserve Economic Data reveal that the median household income in Santa Rosa County is about $88,354, and approximately 23.7% of households are cost-burdened, spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs. This implies that less than a quarter of households in the county face housing affordability pressures, but the majority are financially stable.

    In Santa Rosa County, property assessment and parcel inventories are handled at the county level by the Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser's Office. The office provides information on properties, including ownership details, property maps, property tax data, and valuation data for municipalities in the county.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court is responsible for maintaining official land records for the county. These records include mortgages, deeds, liens, subdivisions, and other property-related instruments. You can contact the office directly to inspect and copy these records or use their online platform.

    The contact details and direct link to the search tool are provided below:

    • Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court - Official Records Search

      • Clerk's Office: Santa Rosa County Courthouse, 4025 Avalon Boulevard, Milton, FL 32583

    • Phone: (850) 983-1966

      • Administration Center (Official Records): 6495 Caroline Street, Suite K, Milton, FL 32570

      • South End Service Center (Recording and Research): 5841 Gulf Breeze Parkway, FL 32563

      • Public Records/Archives (Historical Records): 6816 Caroline Street, Milton, FL 32570

    • Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    • Coverage: All municipalities in Santa Rosa County

    What Santa Rosa County Property Records Include

    Santa Rosa County property records consist of official documents that provide information about property ownership and any encumbrances affecting real estate within the county. These records include the following:

    • Deeds

    • Lis pendens filings

    • Assignments

    • Mortgages

    • Liens and Judgments

    • Releases or discharges

    • Restrictions

    • Covenants and Easements

    • Agreements

    • Subdivisions

    • Plat maps

    • Surveys

    Santa Rosa County operates a single recording system for land records. All documents related to property title, such as deeds and mortgages, are entered into the Official Records of the county by the Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Official land records in Santa Rosa County are available in both digital and physical formats.

    How to Access Santa Rosa County Property Records

    You can access Santa Rosa County property records through online portals, in-person visits, or by mail.

    Online Access

    Santa Rosa County property records can be accessed online for free by visiting the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Official Records Search portal. You can search with various criteria, including party name, document type, instrument number, book and page number, and date range. Once users have the search result, they can view, download, or print copies of the record free of charge.

    Alternatively, you can use the Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser's Office's Search Property portal to access property records from all municipalities in the county. You can search by owner's name, property address, parcel number, book and page number, subdivision, or business name. The result can be viewed, saved, or printed.

    In Person

    You can visit the Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court's office to access property records. Basic information about the property, such as the owner's name, address, or book and page number, is required for successful in-person requests. To obtain copies of official property records, you may be required to complete prescribed forms, and certain fees may apply.

    Certified copies of property records can be obtained at the Administration Center, while self-research can be done at the South End Service Center using the public access terminals on the premises. Historical property records can be obtained at the Public Records/Archive Center.

    Furthermore, people can record their documents in person at the Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court's Administration Center at 6495 Caroline Street, Suite K, Milton, FL 32570, or the South End Service Center at 5841 Gulf Breeze Parkway, FL 32563. The clerk's staff will guide you on the format for completing the documents and the required fees.

    By Phone or Email

    You can make inquiries about Santa Rosa County property records over the phone or through email using the following details:

    By Mail/Overnight

    In Santa Rosa County, you can access property records or record property documents by mail or overnight delivery at the Clerk of the Circuit Court. For a record request, be sure to provide details about the property, such as the owner's name, property address, book/page number, or parcel number, in the written request. You must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of the records and appropriate copy fees.

    You may also record property documents by mail in the county. Ensure the documents are prepared in adherence to the county's document standards, and they are duly signed in the presence of a notary public. Include the appropriate recording fees in the package.

    Contact the Clerk's office by phone at (850) 983-1966 to confirm the exact cost before mailing. Payment can be made by check or money order, and it should be made payable to the Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Mail the complete package to the Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Official Records Division, P.O. Box 472, Milton, FL 32572.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    The Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court supports electronic recording of real estate documents through approved third-party vendors. Electronically recording your document in Santa Rosa County significantly reduces filing errors and shortens overall processing time.

    Authorized vendors in the county include CSC, Indecomm, and Simplifile. These vendors submit your property documents in the county-recommended format for a fee, while the Circuit Court Clerk's staff verifies and records the documents.

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

    Although the Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains most land records, including titles, mortgages, maps, discharges, and plans, it does not have some important property-related information necessary for in-depth research.

    The Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser's Office assesses properties in the county and maintains parcel cards that display building attributes. Additionally, property tax-related data, including annual property taxes, tax defaults, and tax history, is handled by the Santa Rosa County Tax Collector's Office.

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

    You can pull up Santa Rosa County deeds online by taking the following steps:

    • Visit the Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court's Official Records Search platform.

    • Search for the deed using the owner's name, parcel number, instrument number, date range, or book and page number as search criteria.

    • Review the results and open the matching entry. Confirm that the names and property details are correct.

    • Users can click the document link to view the deed. People may also download or print an uncertified copy directly from their browser for free.

    Cities & Towns in Santa Rosa County (and Their Registry Districts)

    The Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the official recorder and custodian of all property-related documents in the county. The office is responsible for the property records of all municipalities in the county (incorporated and unincorporated).

    These municipalities include:

    • Gulf Breeze, Milton, Jay, Allentown, Avalon, Bagdad, Berrydale, Brownsdale, Chumuckla, Cobbtown, Dickerson City, Dixonville, East Milton, Fidelis, Floridatown, Garcon Point, Harold, Holley, Midway, Mount Carmel, Mulat, Munson, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Oriole Beach, Pace, Pea Ridge, Pine Level, Point Baker, Roeville, Springhill, Tiger Point, Wallace, Whitfield, and Woodlawn Beach.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    The following departments are critical to property assessment and taxes in Santa Rosa County:

    • The Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser's Office oversees detailed property information, including assessed values, exemptions, abatements, and land characteristics. It provides a direct, searchable property records portal (Property Search platform) that can be used to view real estate information in the county.

    • Similarly, the Santa Rosa County Value Adjustment Board (VAB) handles property assessment appeals for the county. Assessment petitions must be filed with the Board within 25 days of receiving the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes.

    • The Santa Rosa County Tax Collector's Office is responsible for tax billing and collection, as well as maintaining payment histories and managing delinquent accounts for all properties in the county.

    Santa Rosa County-Specific Nuances

    Santa Rosa County, FL, has some distinctive features that may influence property research:

    • Santa Rosa County operates a single registry. Properties from both incorporated and unincorporated municipalities are registered at the county level.

    • The Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all property records in the county.

    • Santa Rosa County uses a unified land title system. Recording a property in the county is the same as registering the property.

    • Property records in the county have been digitized and can be accessed on multiple platforms, including the Circuit Court Clerk's Official Records Search portal and the Property Appraiser's Search Property platform.

    • The county's Property Appraiser's Office is responsible for property assessment, while the county's Tax Collector's Office oversees property tax collection.

    • The county supports e-recording of property documents through approved vendors.

    Typical Contents of a Santa Rosa County Property Record

    When reviewing a Santa Rosa County property record, you will typically find the following information:

    • Deeds conveying ownership and change of title

      • Grantor and grantee names

      • Legal description of the property

      • Date of conveyance and execution

      • Notarial certification

      • Habendum or warranty clauses

      • Reservations or exceptions, including easements

      • Prior book or page reference used to maintain the chain of title

      • Consideration or stated value

      • Assessed value

      • Homestead declarations (if applicable)

    • Mortgages and assignments (property loans and payoffs)

      • Borrower and lender names

      • Loan amount, interest rate, terms, and repayment period

      • Release or satisfaction entries, filed when a lien is paid

      • Recording date, page, or instrument number

      • Marginal notations related to discharges or assignments

      • Mortgage assignment

      • Endorsements or riders documenting modifications

    • Plans, Surveys, and Plats

      • Survey or plan number

      • Approval or endorsement stamp

      • Dimensions or boundary lines

      • Lot and block identifiers

      • Subdivision plats

      • Amendments or revisions noted on the plot

    • Encumbrances (claims and restrictions)

      • Lis pendens

      • Restrictive agreements or conservation easements

      • Judgments, or tax liens

      • Rights of way or shared access agreements

    Santa Rosa County property records may also include documents such as affidavits, declarations of trust, tax sale certificates, corrective or confirmatory deeds, power-of-attorney filings, and notices of settlement.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    Any modification to a property title in the county must be recorded with the Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Title changes may involve mortgages, property transfers, lien releases, homestead filings, and assignments. To record a change, you need to file a new deed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and pay the required recording fees.

    The new document must meet the county's recording standards and must be notarized. Submissions may be filed in person, by mail, or through electronic recording. Documents can be recorded at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, excluding public holidays.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    You can use this checklist to conduct effective property research in Santa Rosa County, FL:

    • Verify ownership and title - Perform a comprehensive title search through the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Official Records Search portal to identify any liens, encumbrances, or ownership disputes.

    • Record reference numbers - Note unique identifiers such as the instrument number, parcel number, or book/page number.

    • Trace the chain of title - Trace the chain of ownership backward to confirm that each transfer was completed and properly recorded.

    • Check for liens and judgments - Make sure there are no active government liens or judgments that can be carried over after the sale.

    • Confirm property taxes - Confirm the property's current tax status with the Tax Collector's office to ensure that all past and current taxes have been paid. Examine tax records covering the previous decade.

    • Review zoning and land use - Contact the Santa Rosa County Planning & Zoning Department to verify the property's current zoning classification and any restrictions affecting its use or development. Inquire about ongoing or proposed developments that may impact property values, and confirm that your intended use complies with existing zoning regulations.

    • Identify environmental concerns - Coordinate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to assess environmental risks, including wetlands, floodplain designations, surface water protection areas, and possible contamination history. Additionally, confirm the availability of key utilities such as water, sewer, electric, and gas services

    • Verify parcel data with the Property Appraiser's office - Cross-check your findings with the County Property Appraiser's Office to verify property characteristics, assessed value, and tax details. Ensure that the physical boundary lines align with the legal description and recorded title documents.

    • Maintain a record of findings - Keep copies of all documents and correspondence for future reference or legal review. Summarize your findings and store them in a safe location.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Santa Rosa County

    Santa Rosa County, Florida, has two incorporated cities, one town, and several unincorporated municipalities.

    • Cities: Gulf Breeze and Milton

    • Towns: Jay

    • Census-designated places: Allentown, Avalon, Bagdad, Berrydale, Brownsdale, Chumuckla, Cobbtown, Dickerson City, Dixonville, East Milton, Fidelis, Floridatown, Garcon Point, Harold, Holley, Midway, Mount Carmel, Mulat, Munson, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Oriole Beach, Pace, Pea Ridge, Pine Level, Point Baker, Roeville, Springhill, Tiger Point, Wallace, Whitfield, and Woodlawn Beach

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals

    • Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court

    • Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser's Office

      • Main Office: 6495 Caroline Street, Suite K, Milton, FL 32570

      • Phone: (850) 983-1880

      • South Service Center: 5841 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

      • Email: info@srcpa.gov

      • Website: https://srcpa.gov

    • Santa Rosa County Tax Collector (Tax data)

      • Address: 6495 Caroline Street, Suite E, Milton, FL 32570

      • Phone: (850) 983-1800

      • Fax: (850) 623-8655

      • Website: https://srctc.com

    • Florida Department of Environmental Protection (State-owned lands)

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