Taylor County, FL Property Records

    Taylor County has a population of about 21,800 people, reflecting a 0.35% growth rate over the past year. With this population, it currently ranks as Florida's 54th-largest county. Home values in the county average around $182,469, down 2.6% from last year and roughly 51% below the statewide average of $369,996.

    Properties listed for sale typically stay on the market for about 100 days. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, roughly one in four households is still cost-burdened. This means they spend at least 30% of their income on housing expenses, including mortgage or rent. Despite a median household income of about $49,073, housing affordability continues to be a challenge for many residents.

    The Taylor County Property Appraiser is responsible for identifying and valuing real property within the county for tax assessment purposes. The office maintains property records that generally include ownership information, parcel maps, legal descriptions, and assessed values used to prepare the annual tax roll and administer exemptions. These records are available to the public and may be accessed through the official online property search portal.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the custodian of all official land documents within the county. It records and maintains public records related to real estate, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, subdivision plats, and other documents that affect property titles. You can access these records either by visiting the Clerk's Office in person or by using the official online records search portal.

    The county clerk's contact details and online search tool are provided below:

    • Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller: 108 North Jefferson Street, Perry, FL 32347

    • Phone: (850) 838-3506, Records Search

    • Coverage: All municipalities within Taylor County, including Perry (the county seat and only incorporated city), Steinhatchee (a census-designated place), and other unincorporated communities.

    What Taylor County Property Records Include

    Property records in Taylor County provide an account of real estate ownership and any associated claims, interests, or restrictions on land across the county. These records generally include the following:

    • Deeds

    • Mortgages

    • Liens and Judgments

    • Assignments

    • Lis pendens filings

    • Releases

    • Covenants and Easements

    • Restrictions

    • Agreements

    • Subdivisions

    • Plat maps

    Taylor County uses a centralized system for all recorded land documents. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller ensures that property-related documents are properly recorded in the official records. These documents are publicly accessible in both digital and physical formats, allowing anyone to review property ownership and other details affecting real estate.

    How to Access Taylor County Property Records

    In Taylor County, property records are managed by two main county offices with different responsibilities. The Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office maintains official land documents, such as deeds and mortgages. Meanwhile, the Property Appraiser's Office handles parcel records and property assessment data.

    People may access these records online through their respective offices' official search tools. Users may also review these records in person at the appropriate office or request copies by mail.

    Online Access

    The Taylor County Clerk of Court offers an official records search portal where you may access recorded documents related to real estate, including deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats, and other instruments. Users can search by name, document type, instrument number, or book and page reference. Accessing property records online is often the easiest option.

    Similarly, the Taylor County Property Appraiser's Office provides a searchable portal for information on property ownership and assessments. This portal covers all municipalities in the county. You may search by owner name, legal description, property address, or parcel number. Additionally, there is an interactive map resource on the system through which users may locate properties directly.

    In Person

    If individuals are unable to locate a property record online or need access to older documents, they may visit the Taylor County Clerk of Court's Office in person at 108 North Jefferson Street, Suite 102, Perry, FL 32347. Public access terminals are available at the office, where visitors can search and review such records on site. Providing details such as the property owner's name, address, or book and page reference typically accelerates the search process. Likewise, you may request copies of official records.

    The Property Appraiser's Office is also available for in-person visits to review parcel records. These records usually include ownership information, land details, building characteristics, assessed values, sales history, and property use classifications.

    Additionally, property-related documents can be recorded directly at the Clerk's Office. Bring the original signed and notarized document, and the staff will verify if it meets the formatting requirements and collect any applicable recording fees before officially entering it into the public records.

    By Phone or Email

    For general information or inquiries about property records in Taylor County, you may contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court at (850) 838-3506. In addition, for questions related to property ownership or parcel information, you may contact the county's Property Appraiser's Office at (850) 838 -3511 or by email at shawna@taylorpa.org.

    By Mail/Overnight

    If you need copies of property records, you can send a written request to the Clerk's Office by mail. In your request, describe the document as clearly as possible and include the appropriate copy fees. Adding a self-addressed envelope with prepaid postage helps ensure the copies are returned without delay. Likewise, providing details such as the property owner's name, parcel identification number, or the book and page reference usually makes it easier for staff to locate the correct record.

    People may also submit documents for recording with the Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller by mail. When doing this, include the appropriate recording fees as required by law, since the clerk will not process their documents without the required payment. After a document is recorded, it is usually returned via the U.S. Postal Service, so be sure to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. This will help individuals avoid unnecessary delays in receiving their recorded copy.

    Mail the request to the clerk's mailing address at P.O. Box 620, Perry, FL 32348. For courier or overnight deliveries, use the physical office address at 108 North Jefferson Street, Perry, Florida 32347. Payments for both recording and copy requests may be made by check or money order payable to the Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Taylor County accepts electronic recording of real estate documents. Through this service, documents are submitted online using approved third-party eRecording vendors. According to the Clerk's official website, you may submit your documents for recording electronically through CSC Global. Once received, the Clerk's staff reviews the documents to ensure they meet statutory formatting and payment requirements before officially recording them in the public records.

    Contact the Clerk's Office at (850) 838-3506 for current recording fees and to verify whether any additional e-recording vendors are approved.

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

    The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller in Taylor County manages the county's official land records, including deeds, mortgages, plats, releases, and other legal documents. These records show a property's legal history (past ownership transfers) and any recorded liens or claims. However, they do not include details about the property's physical features or taxable value.

    The Property Appraiser's Office handles information about a property's structure, land use, exemptions, and assessed value. The appraiser determines the taxable value and maintains parcel records, most of which can be viewed through the office's online search system.

    Meanwhile, the Tax Collector's Office administers tax billing and collection. This office processes payments, maintains tax account records, and manages matters such as delinquent taxes and tax certificate sales.

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

    You can pull up a Taylor County deed online by taking the steps outlined below:

    • Go to the official records search tool on the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's website.

    • Enter the information you have in the appropriate search fields. You can search by party name, document type (such as deed), legal description, book and page number, or a date range covering when the deed was recorded. Use the filter option to narrow down the search.

    • Review the list of results and select the one that matches the deed being sought. Typically, the results will show document titles or dates to help you identify the correct deed.

    • Open the document to view it online. You may download or print an uncertified copy directly from your browser.

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

    The Taylor County Clerk of Court is the custodian of all public records, including documents relating to real estate transactions. The office maintains and preserves land records for properties located in both incorporated and unincorporated communities.

    These communities include:

    • Athena, Bucell Junction, Clara, Dekle Beach, Eridu, Fenholloway, Finland, Fish Creek, Foley, Hampton Springs, Iddo, Keaton Beach, Lake Bird, Perry, Salem, Shady Grove, Steinhatchee, and Tennille.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    In Taylor County, property assessments and tax matters are handled by two separate offices, each with its own responsibility. The Property Appraiser's Office determines the assessed value of every parcel in the county. The Tax Collector's Office handles tax billing and collection by sending annual tax bills, processing payments, maintaining account records, and addressing delinquent taxes, including tax certificate procedures when necessary.

    Property owners may review parcel information through the Property Appraiser's online search tool. By entering a street address, owner name, or parcel identification number, users can access assessment data and related property details that are publicly available. On the other hand, the Tax Collector provides an online platform where taxpayers may search their accounts, review current tax balances, confirm payment history, and explore available payment options.

    Taylor County-Specific Nuances

    Taylor County, FL, has several distinctive features that may influence the way property research is conducted in the county:

    • The Taylor County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller records deeds, mortgages, plats, and other land instruments for every property in the county, whether the property lies within a city or in an unincorporated area.

    • The Clerk's Office manages a wide range of county records, including recorded land instruments, court filings, and probate documents. When you submit a document for recording, the clerk adds it to the official records and indexes it for public access.

    • Two separate offices oversee property valuation and tax administration in the county. The Property Appraiser's Office assesses property values and maintains parcel data for taxation. Meanwhile, the Taylor County Tax Collector's Office issues tax bills, processes payments, maintains payment records, and addresses delinquent accounts, including tax certificate sales when required.

    • Taylor County also accepts electronic recording. This allows you to submit certain real estate documents electronically through approved vendors, provided they meet Florida's recording requirements.

    Typical Contents of a Taylor County Property Record

    A Taylor County property record provides a detailed account of legal transactions and claims associated with land or other real estate in the county. These records are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and generally include the following:

    • Deeds (transfer of ownership and change of title)

      • Names of grantor (seller)and grantee (buyer)

      • A legal description of the property

      • Date of conveyance and execution

      • Notarial acknowledgement

      • Any reservations, exceptions, or easements

      • Reference to prior recorded deed (book and page or instrument number)

      • Statement of consideration (amount paid or value)

    • Mortgages and assignments (property loans and payoffs)

      • Names of borrower and lender

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

      • Assignment of mortgage (if the loan is transferred)

      • Release or satisfaction of mortgage (when the lien is paid off)

      • Recording date, page, or instrument reference

      • Marginal notations showing liens discharged or assigned

    • Plans, Surveys, and Plats

      • Survey or plan reference number

      • Subdivision plats with lot and block identifiers

      • Dimensions or boundary lines

      • Official approval or endorsement markings

    • Encumbrances (legal claims and restrictions)

      • Tax liens or judgments filed against property

      • Restrictive covenant or conservation easements

      • Lis pendens (notice of pending litigation affecting title)

      • Rights of way or shared access agreements

    • Other recorded documents

      • Declarations affecting title

      • Affidavits related to ownership or correction

      • Notices of settlement or estate matters

      • Tax deed or sale certificates

      • Corrective or confirmatory deeds

      • Powers of attorney related to real estate transactions

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    In Taylor County, any change that affects a property's title needs to be recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. This may include new deeds, mortgages, releases or satisfactions of mortgages, assignments, and other documents that affect ownership. Once the clerk records a document, it becomes part of the county's public records, giving notice to the public that the transaction took place. This protects the new owner's interest from future claims.

    Before you submit the documents, ensure that they comply with Florida recording requirements, which generally include:

    • Proper signatures

    • Notarial acknowledgement

    • A legal description of the property

    • Clear identification of the grantor and grantee

    • Any required witness signatures

    • Payment of applicable notary fees

    You may file your documents in person at the Clerk's Office, send them by mail along with the appropriate recording fees, or electronically through a county-approved e-recording vendor. Recording is usually handled during normal business hours on weekdays, excluding county holidays. For detailed information on current fees, formatting requirements, or electronic submission procedures, contact the Clerk's recording department directly.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    The following checklist can be used as a guide to conduct effective property research in Taylor County, FL:

    Confirm ownership and title - Review recorded deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, and other documents affecting the property title to confirm current ownership and identify existing liens or claims.

    • Check property taxes - Use the Taylor County Tax Collector's online portal to see if taxes are paid. You can search by owner name or parcel number. You may also visit the office in person to confirm the property's tax status.

    • Review parcel information with the Property Appraiser's office - Visit the Property Appraiser's Office online to confirm parcel details, assessed values, building characteristics, and exemptions. Make sure this information matches what is listed in recorded documents.

    • Trace the chain of title - Look back at prior ownership transfers using the Clerk's records so as to ensure that each transfer was properly recorded. This helps to establish a clear chain of titles.

    • Search for liens and judgments - Check for any recorded liens, like those for construction work or code enforcement, along with court judgments or other claims on the property. Unresolved liens or judgments can stay with the property even after it changes ownership if they have not been properly cleared.

    • Record reference numbers - As you review property documents, note the instrument number, parcel ID, or book and page references. Recording these details makes it easier to find the documents again.

    • Check planning and land use. Contact the Taylor County Planning Division to confirm the permitted uses for the property. Review development history, permits, building codes, and zoning regulations that could affect how the property may be used.

    • Identify environmental concerns - Check the flood map feature on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's official online portal for flood hazard zones. You may also review environmental records from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for wetlands and contamination.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Taylor County

    Taylor County, Florida, includes one incorporated city, one census-designated place, and several unincorporated communities.

    • Incorporated city: Perry

    • Census-designated place: Steinhatchee

    • Unincorporated Communities:

    Athena, Bucell Junction, Clara, Dekle Beach, Eridu, Fenholloway, Fish Creek, Foley, Hampton Springs, Iddo, Keaton Beach, Lake Bird, Finland, Salem, Shady Grove, and Tennille

    These communities are not governed by their own municipal government. Instead, they fall under the administration of the county and are mainly recognized for census and mailing purposes. (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals