St Johns County, FL Property Records

    St. Johns County, located in northeastern Florida, is home to more than 330,000 residents. The county's population went up by about 4% in two years, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The typical home value in St. Johns County is $ 482,749, down 3.9% from the previous year and well above the statewide average of $370,000.

    Properties in the county stay on the market for about 79 days, and about 6% sell above list price. This indicates a more balanced market, with buyers gaining more negotiating power as prices decline. According to the Federal Reserve Economic Data, over 28% of St. Johns County households are still cost-burdened. These residents spend over 30% of their income on housing, leaving less income available for essentials such as groceries and medical care.

    The St. Johns County Property Appraiser determines how much a property is worth for tax purposes. It also keeps official records of property details, including ownership information, parcel numbers, building characteristics, land size, and sales history. Meanwhile, the Tax Collector manages all tax-related records.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Recording Division of the Clerk of Circuit Court is responsible for maintaining official land records for St. Johns County. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, subdivisions, and other instruments tied to real property. You can review or obtain copies of these records by contacting the office directly or by using their online search platform. The contact details and direct link to the search tool are listed below:

    • Clerk's Recording Division: 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084

    • Phone: (904) 819-3600, Records Search

    • Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    • Coverage: All municipalities in St. Johns County, including St. Augustine and Marineland.

    What St. Johns County Property Records Include

    St. Johns County property records include official documents that describe real estate ownership and any claims that may affect properties throughout the county. These records include the following instruments:

    • Deeds

    • Assignments

    • Lis pendens filings

    • Mortgages

    • Liens and Judgments

    • Releases or discharges

    • Covenants and Easements

    • Restrictions

    • Agreements

    • Subdivisions

    • Plat maps

    The Clerk's Recording Division, in line with Florida's recording standards, operates a single recording system for all land records. The recorder indexes all real estate documents by the names of the parties involved and assigns each document an official instrument number. Once recorded, the document becomes part of the county's permanent public record. St. Johns County property records are available in both digital and physical formats.

    How to Access St. Johns County Property Records

    Use any of the following methods to access St. Johns County property records.

    Online Access

    The St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court provides an Official Records Search portal for users to search property documents such as deeds, liens, mortgages, and more. To find land records, select a search option and enter basic details, such as the owner's name or instrument number, where necessary. Searching is free, and you can view document details directly on the site. You can also order certified copies online through the county-approved vendor.

    In Person

    In-person research and copy requests are available at any of the following recording offices:

    • County Courthouse: 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084

    • Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    • Julington Creek Annex: 725 Flora Branch Boulevard, St. Johns, FL 32259

    • Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Appointment Required)

    • Ponte Vedra Annex: 151 Sawgrass Corners Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

    • Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Appointment Required)

    When requesting copies, you must provide details such as the property addresses, party names, or parcel IDs. You may be required to pay applicable fees for either standard copies or certified copies.

    By Phone or Email

    You can contact the Circuit Clerk's Office to ask about how to access property records, recording requirements, and the fees for processing land documents at (904) 819-3600 or by email at recording@stjohnsclerk.com.

    By Mail/Overnight

    You may also request copies of property records by mailing a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office. Be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the records and the required fees. In addition, provide specific information about the property, such as the grantee's or grantor's name, property address, or parcel ID. Payment can be made by check or money order, payable to the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    St. Johns County supports electronic recording of real estate documents through approved third-party vendors. The officially recognized vendors include File and Go, Corporate Service Company (CSC), Indecomm, eRecording Partners Network (ePN), and Simplifile. These vendors submit your property documents, and the clerk's staff then reviews and records them in the official records.

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

    In St. Johns County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains all land documents, while property assessment details are handled at the Property Appraiser's Office. Online tools provided by the county appraiser allow you to view property classifications, building characteristics, lot size, sales history, market and assessed values, and maps showing parcel boundaries.

    The St. Johns County Tax Collector is responsible for sending property tax bills and collecting payments each year, while the Building Department handles land use approvals and building permits for new construction or property changes.

    At the state level, the Florida Department of Revenue oversees property tax laws and ensures counties follow statewide assessment and taxation standards.

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

    You can pull a deed online in St. Johns County using the following steps:

    • Visit the Landmark Web Official Records Search.

    • Select any of the following search options:

      • Name

      • Case number

      • Book and page

      • Parcel ID

      • Record date

      • Clerk file number

    • Enter the required identifying information in the spaces provided.

    • Select ‘Deed' in the Document type section

    • Submit your request

    • Click the desired document from the results.

    • You may view, download, or order certified copies online.

    Cities & Towns in St. Johns County (and Their Registry Districts)

    The Recording Division of the Circuit Court Clerk in St. Johns County manages property title records for all the communities within its boundaries, including the following:

    • St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Marineland, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, Flagler Estates, Fruit Cove, Hastings, Nocatee, Palm Valley, Sawgrass, Vilano Beach, World Golf Village, Armstrong, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, Summer Haven, Switzerland, and Vermont Heights

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Property assessments and tax information in the county are managed by the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices. To check a property's assessed value, use the qPublic Real Property Search on the Property Appraiser's website. You can search by owner name, parcel number, property address, or legal description. To review payment history or current tax bills, use the online Property Tax Search system provided by the Tax Collector.

    The St. Johns County Building Department issues building permits and rules for properties in unincorporated areas. Major cities such as St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach manage their own building permits and inspections through their local offices. For statewide tax rates, millage tables, and public finance reports, you can visit the Florida Department of Revenue website.

    St. Johns County-Specific Nuances

    St. Johns County, FL, has several unique features that may influence property research:

    • The Clerk of Circuit Court (Recording Division) serves as the official record custodian for recorded property documents across St. Johns County.

    • The county uses a single, centralized Official Records system, which means all deeds, mortgages, liens, and related documents are recorded in one location at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

    • Most recorded land documents from 1775 to date are available online as scanned images through the Clerk's Official Records Search portal.

    • The Property Appraiser and Tax Collector also provide online search systems that allow users carry out property-related research remotely.

    • Subdivision plat maps are recorded by the clerk, but can also be viewed through GIS for visual reference.

    • Properties located within city limits, such as St. Augustine or St. Augustine Beach, may be subject to additional municipal zoning or permit requirements.

    • Coastal and waterfront properties may be subject to special flood zone rules, which can be reviewed through county GIS tools and FEMA flood maps.

    • The county experiences strong population growth, which has led to frequent new subdivisions, re-plats, and development-related filings that appear in the Official Records.

    Typical Contents of a St. Johns County Property Record

    St. Johns County property records give a full picture of who owns the property and what legal or financial matters affect it. You will find the following details in a typical property record in the county:

    • Deeds (documents that transfer ownership)

      • Name of the seller/buyer

      • Buyer's mailing address

      • Legal description of the property

      • Sale price or transfer amount

      • Homestead filing reference

      • Name and address of the person who prepared the document

      • Reference to the previous deed

      • Notary signature and seal

    • Mortgages (loan records)

      • Name of the lender

      • Name of the borrower

      • Loan amount and interest rate

      • Date the document was recorded

      • Details showing the loan was paid off or released

    • Plats and Surveys (property maps)

      • Survey or plat number

      • Subdivision name or reference

      • Lot size and layout

      • Approval or signature references

      • Registered land plan details, if it applies

    • Claims and Restrictions on the Property

      • Easements or shared access areas

      • Use restrictions or neighborhood rules

      • Notices of pending lawsuits

      • Lease agreements

      • Liens or unpaid debt claims

      • Rights of way or shared driveway agreements

    • Other Documents

      • Sworn statements or affidavits

      • Boundary line agreements between neighbors

      • Property maps linked through GIS

      • Corrected or re-recorded deeds

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    All changes that affect property title in St. Johns County, such as new deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, and assignments, must be recorded with the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court to become part of the official record. The document you intend to record must meet the county's recording standards and must be notarized.

    Submissions may be filed in person, by mail, or electronically through approved vendors. Recording services are available at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours on weekdays. The clerk's website provides detailed information on eRecording procedures and a list of authorized vendors.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    Searchers may follow this checklist to conduct effective property research in St. Johns County, FL:

    • Gather necessary information - Before researching a property, users must have basic details such as the address, owner's name, parcel identification number, and document number.

    • Confirm the property's location - Open the St. Johns County Map and enter the property's address to verify if and where it is located within the county.

    • Locate the recent deed - Visit the Clerk's Landmark Web system to search for real estate filings, including the recent deeds. Review the current deed to confirm ownership, legal description, and collect the prior references they will need to trace the title backward.

    • Record reference numbers - As people research, note down additional details related to the documents. This information may be necessary to access related records later.

    • Trace the ownership history - Each deed lists a reference to the previous deed. Use that reference to find the earlier transfer. Keep going back step by step to confirm there are no gaps in ownership. You may contact the recording division if you notice errors or gaps.

    • Verify tax and assessment data - Use online tools provided by the Appraiser and Tax Collector to confirm valuations, parcel IDs, and tax status.

    • Maintain a record of findings - Keep a clear list of every book/page, instrument number, and recording date so you can build an accurate chain of titles.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in St. Johns County

    St. Johns County has three incorporated communities and several unincorporated municipalities, including the following.

    • Cities and Towns: St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, and Marineland

    • Unincorporated Communities and Census-Designated Places*: Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, Flagler Estates, Fruit Cove, Hastings, Nocatee, Palm Valley, Sawgrass, Vilano Beach, World Golf Village, Armstrong, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, Summer Haven, Switzerland, Vermont Heights, Bakersville, Elkton, Julington Creek Plantation, Mill Creek, and Spuds

    *These communities do not have independent governments. They exist only for mailing or statistical purposes. (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals