Walton County, FL Property Records

    Walton County is located in the Florida Panhandle on the Emerald Coast in Northwest Florida. According to reports by the United States Census Bureau, it is a growing county with an estimated population of 86,000, representing 0.4% of Florida's population. The average home value in Walton County is $636,690, down 4.7% from the previous year but still significantly higher than the state average of $369,996.

    In Walton County, the average home may stay on the market for 100 days before it is sold, and 3% sell over the listing price. This indicates a buyer's market defined by high inventory and significant negotiation leverage. According to the Federal Reserve Economic Data, over 30% of households in Walton County spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

    In Walton County, FL, property assessments and parcel data are handled at the county level by the Property Appraiser's Office. The office is responsible for identifying, locating, and fairly valuing all real and tangible personal property within the county for tax purposes. Visit the property appraiser's website for additional information or contact their office in person for assistance.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The official custodian of land records in Walton County, FL, is the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. The clerk's office offers an electronic notification service that alerts subscribers via email every time a land records document is recorded with a requested name. The clerk's contact address, record portal, and service area are listed below:

    • Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office: Main Office, 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

    South Walton Annex: 31 Coastal Center Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

    • Phone: (850) 892-8115; (850) 267-3066, Record Search

    • Coverage: All municipalities in Walton County

    What Walton County Property Records Include

    The Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's office oversees the registration and archival of property instruments. These include deeds, liens, mortgages, plats, trust deeds, leases, easements, releases, foreclosure notices, and liens.

    Land ownership in Walton County, FL, can be tracked using the Recorded Land System. With this system, you can access the notice of property ownership claims. The system does not guarantee title, so you need to conduct a title search or contact a title insurance company to confirm the property ownership.

    You may search online for Walton County property records that are recorded from 1971 to the present. Offline records and physical formats are available at the clerk of the court's office.

    How to Access Walton County Property Records

    To access Walton County property records, you can use online portals, in-person visits, or other request methods.

    Online Access

    Use the Landmark Web Official Records Search to search for Walton County property records. You can search the portal by using criteria such as name, document, record date, book & page, consideration, and instrument number. You can view and download the document information for free.

    In Person

    You may visit any of the Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Offices below in person to access property records:

    • Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's Office: 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433

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

    • Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's Office: 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Suite 500, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

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

    When you visit the office in person, ensure you have the owner's name, the property address, and the parcel identification number. While record inspection is free, copies are available for $1 per page and certifications for $2 per document.

    By Phone or Email

    You may contact the Walton County Clerk of Court and Comptroller's Office for property records and fee information using the contact information below:

    By Mail/Overnight

    To obtain Walton County property records by mail, you must send a written request to the clerk of courts & comptroller's office. Provide as many details as possible, including the owner's name, address, parcel ID, and the book & page number. Include payment and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to ensure the documents are returned to you.

    Mail the written request along with other documents to the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller, P.O. Box 1260, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Electronic recording provides a secure platform for the online submission of land records to the Walton County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's office. The platform is available for professional agencies, such as financial institutions, law firms, and real estate companies. Documents for e-recording must be submitted through a third-party vendor between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    The Walton County Clerk of Court and Comptroller offers e-recording services through three vendors: CSC, EPN, and Simplifile.

    What's Not at the Registry (But Matters for Property Research)?
    When conducting property research in Walton County, relying solely on the clerk of court (registry) can leave significant gaps. The registry only shows recorded documents. To get the full picture, you must look for other records kept by other agencies. Such records include building permits, tax rates, assessments & parcel details, payment records, and zoning records.

    The Walton County Building Division keeps records of building permits (open or expired) in the county. Information about property assessment and parcel cards is maintained by the county property appraiser. The Tax Collector's Office serves as the collector of property taxes in Walton County. You can visit its website for payment records or contact their office for assistance. To verify zoning information in Walton County, FL, contact the Department of Planning and Development Services.

    Use the Florida Department of Revenue's Tax Data Portal to access official tax-rate data for property in the county.

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

    Follow these steps to find a Walton County deed online:

    • Visit the Walton County Clerk of Court's official website and locate the “official records” section.

    • From the official records page, choose the “official records search” option.

    • Use the official records search to find deeds.

    • Accept the disclaimer.

    • You can search the platform by using name, document type, book & page, consideration, record date, or instrument number.

    • Identify the required deed or document image from the list of matching results returned.

    • View or download document images from the results list for free.

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

    The county Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is the only property records registry that serves the municipalities in Walton County. Towns and cities served in the county include DeFuniak Springs (county seat), Freeport, and Paxton.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Consult the property appraiser's website for property class, assessed value, exemption fraud, and abatement information. You can conduct a real property search on the appraiser's website using the owner's name, property address, parcel number, legal information, or subdivision name as the search criterion. More detailed information is available at the property appraiser's office in DeFuniak Springs or Santa Rosa Beach. The notice of proposed property tax, popularly known as TRIM, is also available on the property appraiser's website.

    The county tax collector provides an online platform where you can search for or pay property taxes. Likewise, you can contact the tax collector's office in person for additional information. For local property tax information and financial data, visit the Florida Department of Revenue's website.

    Walton County-Specific Nuances

    Certain features, unique to Walton County, FL, are important for conducting thorough property research:

    • There is only one Recorder's Office in Walton County. There are no separate recorders at the municipal level.

    • Both the property appraiser's office and the clerk of court's office occupy the same building in Walton County. This scenario provides a convenient one-stop location for all land-related transactions in the county.

    • The clerk maintains an Alpha Index Search for deed documents dating back to 1890 and official records from 1971 to 1977. Physical copies of all land documents are available at the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

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

    • No specialized “Land Court” exists in Walton County, FL. Instead, the First Judicial Circuit Court handles all land-related legal matters in the county.

    Typical Contents of a Walton County Property Record

    You can find the following information in Walton County property records:

    • 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

    • Notarization and signature details

    • Easements, restrictions, and mortgage details

    • Assignments, releases, affidavits, and powers of attorney

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    To record any change to a property title in Walton County, FL, you must submit a new deed (either a warranty deed or a quit claim deed). Prepare a new document that shows the changes to the old documents. The new document should be signed by the grantor in the presence of two witnesses and a notary public. It should also contain a full, accurate legal property description of the property.

    State the name and address of the person who prepared the document. Ensure the document includes the printed names and mailing addresses of both the grantor and the grantee. Fees are due at the time of recording. So pay the recording fees, indexing fee, documentary stamp tax, and any additional fees. Make payment by check to the Walton County Clerk of Courts.

    You can submit the new deed in three ways:

    • Electronic recording: Use a third-party e-recording vendor listed on the clerk's website.

    • In-person submissions: Visit the clerk of the circuit court & comptroller's office to submit the documents. You must submit the documents between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, except on holidays.

    • By mail: Send the documents, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller, P.O. Box 1260, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435. The clerk's office will use the self-addressed stamped envelope to return the original document to you.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    Follow the checklists listed below to conduct effective property research in Walton County, FL.

    • Identify the correct registry or county office - The Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all property records in the county. Check the clerk of court's website or visit their office for details on how to find property records.

    • Gather all essential information for the specific property - Collect all essential data, including the owner's name, property description, book/page number, recording date, or instrument number, for the specific property.

    • Review ownership and title records - Use the Walton County official records search to find recorded deeds and property documents. Verify the current ownership of the property by using the property search tool on the appraiser's website.

    • Examine property tax information - Check the county tax collector's website for property tax information, or visit the office at any location in Walton County.

    • Confirm parcel data with the Assessor's Office - You can easily check parcel details for any property online through the Walton County property appraiser's website. In-person assistance is also available at the appraiser's office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Check the county map portal for a visual search of parcel boundaries and satellite imagery.

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

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Walton County

    Walton County, FL, has three municipalities comprising three cities*.

    • Cities: DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, and Paxton

    *Walton County also has a census-designated place and other unincorporated communities. However, they exist only for mailing or census purposes. They are legally part of the larger city or town they are located in, with no government or official boundaries separate from the municipality. (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals

    • Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller

      • Main Office:

      • South County Annex:

        • Address: 31 Coastal Center Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

        • Phone: (850) 267-3066

        • Fax: (850) 267-1335

    • Walton County Property Appraiser

      • Main Office:

      • South County Annex:

        • Address: 31 Coastal Center Boulevard, Suite 600, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459.

        • Phone: (850) 267-4500

        • Fax: (850) 267-1911

    • Walton County Tax Collector

      • North Walton Office:

      • South Walton Office:

        • Address: 31 Coastal Center Boulevard, Suite 100, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

      • Freeport Office:

        • Address: 842 State Highway 20 East, Suite 122, Freeport, FL 32439

    • Walton County Department of Planning and Development Services

    • Florida Department of Revenue

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