Union County, FL Property Records

    Union County is the smallest county in North Central Florida by area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has more than 15,000 residents. An average home in Union County is valued at around $258,948, up 1.2% over the previous year. Compared with the state's statewide average of $369,996, there are more affordable homes in Union County.

    According to the Federal Reserve Economic Data, approximately 23% of households in Union County spend above 30% of their income on housing. This puts serious strain on their finances.

    Property assessments and parcel data in Union County, FL, are managed at the county level. The Property Appraiser's Office is responsible for determining the market value of all real and tangible personal property within the county.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains official land records in Union County. It also provides information on upcoming tax deed sales as a service to the public. You can contact the clerk's office at:

    • Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office: 55 West Main Street, Room 103, Lake Butler, FL 32054

    • Phone: (386) 496-3711, Record Search

    • Coverage: All municipalities in Union County

    What Union County Property Records Include

    The Union County Clerk of Court is the official recorder and custodian of all official land and property documents. The official records are a repository of documents that relate to real estate transactions. These documents may include deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, affidavits, subdivision plats, easements, contracts, foreclosure notices, and judgments.

    Union County, Florida, uses the Recorded Land System, where deeds and land records are filed with the county clerk of courts. However, the system does not guarantee a title. You should conduct an official title search or contact a title insurance company for title verification.

    You may search and access Union County property records online for documents recorded from June 7, 1948, to the present. Offline records are accessible in physical formats (paper and microfilm) at the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office.

    How to Access Union County Property Records

    In Union County, property records are subject to inspection by the public. You may access the records by visiting the office in person, using the online portal, or submitting a request through other methods.

    Online Access

    Use the Official Records Search system to access Union County property records. You can look up property information using criteria such as full name, recorded date, instrument number, parcel ID, consideration amount, instrument type, legal description, and book/page number. Online copies can be viewed and downloaded free of charge. Likewise, you may purchase certified copies of the records via the shopping cart.

    In Person

    Physical copies, especially paper-certified documents, are available at the clerk's office. You can contact the office at:

    • Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office: 55 West Main Street, Room 103, Lake Butler, FL 32054

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

    When visiting the office, bring the property address, parcel identification number, or owner's name to help the staff locate the correct records. For current copy fees, contact the clerk's office.

    By Phone or Email

    For help locating property records, contact to the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office at (386) 496-3711 or publicrecords@unionclerk.com.

    By Mail/Overnight

    For those unable to visit the clerk's office in person, Union County accepts mail requests for property records. This process requires submitting a written request with specific property information, along with payment for copying fees and postage. You should also include property details such as the owner's name, property address, parcel ID, and book and page number to ensure document retrieval.

    Mail the documents, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, to the Union County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, 55 West Main Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    E-recording is a secure online method of submitting land documents to the Union County Clerk of Courts office for recording in the official records of the county. It eliminates the need for professionals such as banks, attorneys, and real estate agents to mail land documents or visit the clerk's office. The clerk's office partners with File and Go as its authorized e-recording vendor for land documents in the county. Other third-party vendors include eRecording Partners Network and CSC.

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

    Some records essential for thorough property research are maintained by other agencies apart from the County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Such records include property assessments, payment records, tax rates, and zoning classifications.

    The property appraiser handles property assessments, parcel cards, property tax exemptions, GIS data, and parcel maps in Union County. Information is available at the property appraiser's website or at their office. For information on ad valorem taxes, non-ad valorem taxes, and sales tax in Union County, contact the tax collector's website or office.

    For zoning classification, contact the Union County Planning and Development Department or the local zoning or planning departments in the municipality where the property is located. These offices can provide information on zoning ordinances, maps, and property restrictions that apply to a specific parcel in the county.

    The current tax rates for Union County are published on the tax collector's website. You may also access the official tax rates from the Florida Department of Revenue's Property Tax Data Portal.

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

    You can take the following steps to pull up a Union County deed online:

    • Visit the Union County website and choose the “clerk of circuit court & comptroller” from the government section.

    • Visit the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller website and choose the “records search” option.

    • From the records search page, select the “search for official records” link.

    • Accept the disclaimer.

    • Use the official records search to find recorded deeds.

    • Search the platform by using name criteria such as full name and recording date. You may also search the portal by using instrument criteria, including legal description, book/page number, instrument number, document type, parcel ID, and consideration value.

    • Once the search results appear, select the deed that matches your specified criteria.

    • Export the index (deed) as a PDF so you can download or print it.

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

    The clerk of the circuit court and comptroller handles property records in Union County municipalities, including Lake Butler, Worthington Springs, and Railroad.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    The property appraiser's office provides a portal that allows you to search for sales reports, GIS maps, and property information. Details about property tax exemptions are also available at the property appraiser's website.

    Visit the Union County tax collector's website to access information on tax certificates and payment of delinquent taxes. For help understanding tax terms, refer to the tax glossary on the website. You can pay property taxes online. For further inquiries, contact the county offices by phone, email, or in person.

    The local property tax information and financial data are available at the Florida Department of Revenue's website.

    Union County-Specific Nuances

    To ensure thorough property research in Union County, Florida, take note of the following specific features.

    • The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the only official recorder and custodian of property records in Union County. No other recorders exist at the municipal level.

    • When visiting Union County for property or tax services, you can find the property appraiser, clerk of the circuit court, comptroller, and tax collector in one location. This scenario facilitates easy access to property-related transactions in one place.

    • When searching for Union County property records online, be aware that records are available from June 7, 1948, through the present. For historical records and offline documents, visit the clerk of the circuit court and comptroller's office in person.

    • The Recorded Land System is the only means of tracking property ownership in Union County.

    • Union County, FL, has no specialized Land Court. Instead, all property-related legal matters are handled at the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court.

    • Be aware that the county may charge a fee for records requests that require more than 30 minutes of staff time to compile.

    Typical Contents of a Union County Property Record

    In a typical Union County property record, you can find the following details:

    • 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

    • Bills of sale

    • Notarization and signature details

    • Easements, restrictions, and mortgage details

    • Assignments, releases, affidavits, and powers of attorney

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    To record changes to a property title in Union County, file a new deed with the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. Prepare a quitclaim or warranty deed that reflects the changes to the prior document. Ensure that the deed includes an accurate legal property description, details of the grantor and grantee, and proper notarization with two witnesses.

    Include the full consideration, preparer's name and address, and grantee's mailing address. Leave a 3x3 inch blank space at the top right corner of the first page for the clerk's recording stamp.

    You can contact the clerk's office during business hours to confirm recording fees and associated charges, such as documentary stamp tax and indexing fees. Pay all applicable fees to the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

    Once you have prepared the documents, submit them online, by mail, or in person. You may submit the documents in person during weekday business hours (excluding holidays). If you choose to submit the documents by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail the documents to the Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, 55 West Main Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054. E-recording is also available through third-party vendors like File and Go, E-Recording Partners Network, and CSC.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    For comprehensive property research in Union County, FL, follow the checklist listed below:

    • Identify the correct registry or county office - The Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the recorder of property records in the county. Check their website for information or visit their office for inquiries.

    • Gather all essential information for the specific property - To ensure proper research, either at the county offices or websites, know the parcel ID number and the owner's name. You may also need property information such as property address, book/page number, recording date, consideration, and instrument number.

    • Review ownership and title records - Search for current property ownership through the property appraiser's website. For title records, search for Union County property records through the official records search system.

    • Examine property tax information - Visit the tax collector's website for property tax information or visit their office location to inquire for more information.

    • Confirm parcel data with the Assessor's Office - Through the Union County property appraiser's website, you may search for parcel details. Additional information, including sales reports and GIS data, is also available on the website. For further inquiries, visit the county property appraiser's office.

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

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Union County

    Union County has three incorporated municipalities that comprise one city and town.

    • City: Lake Butler (county seat)

    • Towns: Worthington Springs and Raiford

    • Unincorporated Areas: Johnstown and Rylander

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals