Flagler County Public Records /Flagler County Property Records

Flagler County Property Records

What Is Flagler County Property Records

Flagler County property records are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property within the jurisdictional boundaries of Flagler County, Florida. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout the county. Property records establish legal ownership through a documented chain of title, provide public notice of property interests, protect property rights, and facilitate real estate transactions.

Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 695.01, all conveyances, transfers, and mortgages of real property must be recorded in the official records of the county where the property is located to be valid against subsequent purchasers. The Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains these official records as mandated by state law.

Property records in Flagler County include:

Deeds (warranty, quitclaim, special warranty)
Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions
Liens and lien releases
Easements
Plats and surveys
Judgments affecting title
Tax certificates and tax deeds

The Flagler County Clerk & Comptroller serves as the official custodian of these records, maintaining them in a searchable format for public access. Property records provide essential information for property owners, potential buyers, real estate professionals, title companies, and government agencies.

Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building #1
Bunnell, FL 32110
(386) 313-4400
Flagler County Clerk & Comptroller

Are Property Records Public Information In Flagler County?

Property records in Flagler County are public information and accessible to all citizens under Florida law. The Florida Public Records Act, codified in Florida Statutes Chapter 119, establishes that all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for inspection by any person. This explicitly includes property records maintained by county officials.

The legal basis for public access to property records includes:

Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
Recording statutes require public access to provide constructive notice
Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
Public access facilitates real estate transactions and property research

Any person may access property records without demonstrating a specific interest or providing a reason for their request. However, certain limited exemptions exist under Florida Statutes § 119.071(4)(d) for specific individuals such as current or former law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, and other protected classes who may request confidentiality for their personal information in property records.

The Flagler County Property Appraiser and Flagler County Tax Collector maintain additional public property records related to assessments and taxation. These records are also accessible to the public through their respective offices and online platforms.

How To Search Property Records in Flagler County in 2026

Searching property records in Flagler County can be accomplished through several methods. The county provides comprehensive access to property records through both in-person and digital channels.

For online searches:

Visit the Flagler County Official Records Search portal
Select the appropriate search type (name, document type, book/page, etc.)
Enter the relevant search criteria
Review the search results
View, download, or request copies of documents as needed

For in-person searches:

Visit the Official Records Department at the Flagler County Courthouse
Request assistance from records staff
Provide search criteria (property address, owner name, etc.)
Review available records
Request copies of relevant documents (fees may apply)

The Flagler County Clerk's Office maintains public access terminals for self-service searching of property records. Staff members are available to assist with complex searches or to locate historical records that may not be available in digital format.

For property tax and assessment records:

Visit the Flagler County Tax Collector website
Navigate to the property records section
Enter the property address or parcel number
Review tax payment history, current assessments, and exemption status

Official copies of property records can be requested in person, by mail, or through the Clerk's online services portal. Standard fees apply for certified copies as established by Florida Statutes.

How To Find Property Records in Flagler County Online?

Finding property records online in Flagler County is a streamlined process through the county's digital resources. The primary online portal for accessing official property records is the Flagler County Official Records Search maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller.

To conduct an effective online search:

Access the official records search portal
Select from available search options:
- Name search (grantor/grantee)
- Document type search
- Book and page search
- Date range search
- Legal description search
- Consideration amount search

For property tax and assessment information, the Flagler County Tax Collector website provides a comprehensive database. Users can search by:

Property address
Owner name
Parcel identification number
Account number

The Flagler County Property Appraiser maintains additional property information including:

Current assessed value
Exemption status
Land use classification
Building characteristics
Sales history
Property maps and GIS data

For users requiring property tax address changes, the property tax address change portal allows property owners to update their mailing information electronically.

Advanced search features available through these online systems include:

Boolean operators for complex searches
Wildcard searching for partial name matches
Date range filtering
Document type filtering
Export capabilities for search results

Most records from 1980 to present are available in digital format, while older records may require in-person research at the Clerk's office.

How To Look Up Flagler County Property Records for Free?

Flagler County provides multiple avenues for citizens to access property records at no cost. Free access to property records is available through both online and in-person channels.

For free online access:

Visit the Flagler County Clerk & Comptroller website
Navigate to the "Records Search" section
Access the Official Records Search portal
Conduct searches by name, document type, or other criteria
View and download non-certified copies of documents at no charge

The Flagler County Tax Collector website offers free access to:

Property tax payment history
Current tax status
Tax certificate information
Tangible personal property tax records

For free in-person access:

Visit the Flagler County Courthouse during regular business hours
Use the public access terminals in the Official Records Department
Request assistance from staff for locating specific records
View records on-site at no charge

Flagler County Courthouse
1769 E. Moody Boulevard
Bunnell, FL 32110
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
(386) 313-4400

While viewing records is free, fees apply for obtaining certified copies or large quantities of printed documents. The current fee schedule, as established by Florida Statutes, is available at the Clerk's office and on their website.

Public libraries in Flagler County also provide free internet access for residents to use the county's online record search systems.

What's Included in a Flagler County Property Record?

Flagler County property records encompass a comprehensive collection of documents and information related to real and personal property within the county. These records are maintained by multiple county offices including the Clerk of Circuit Court, Property Appraiser, and Tax Collector.

Real property records typically include:

Ownership information (current and historical)
Legal description of the property
Deed information (type, date, consideration amount)
Mortgage details (lender, amount, terms)
Liens and encumbrances
Easements and restrictions
Plats and surveys
Homestead and other exemption status
Property tax information

Personal property records, maintained through the tangible personal property tax system, include:

Business equipment and fixtures
Leasehold improvements
Machinery and equipment
Computer equipment
Furniture and office equipment
Signs and billboards
Construction equipment

Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 695.26, property deeds must contain specific information to be eligible for recording, including:

Names of the grantor and grantee
Mailing address of the grantee
Legal description of the property
Preparation statement identifying the preparer
Proper acknowledgment by a notary public

Property tax records include assessment information, tax payment history, and any applicable exemptions. The exemptions and confidentiality request process allows certain individuals to request confidential status for their property records under specific statutory provisions.

The Flagler County Property Appraiser maintains additional property characteristics including:

Building size and features
Construction type and quality
Year built
Land characteristics
Zoning information
Market and assessed values
Recent sales data

How Long Does Flagler County Keep Property Records?

Flagler County maintains property records according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services. These retention periods ensure the preservation of important historical and legal documents while allowing for the disposition of records that no longer serve administrative, legal, fiscal, or historical purposes.

Key retention periods for property records include:

Deeds and other ownership documents: Permanent retention
Mortgages and satisfactions: Permanent retention
Liens and lien releases: Permanent retention
Plats and surveys: Permanent retention
Tax rolls and tax certificates: Permanent retention
Building permits: 10 years after issuance
Property appraisal records: 3 fiscal years

The retention of property records is governed by Florida Statutes § 119.021, which requires public agencies to comply with retention schedules established by the Division of Library and Information Services. The General Records Schedule GS1-SL and General Records Schedule GS11 specifically address retention requirements for county records.

Flagler County has implemented digital preservation strategies to ensure the long-term accessibility of property records. The Clerk's office maintains:

Digital backups of all recorded documents
Microfilm archives of historical records
Climate-controlled storage for original documents
Disaster recovery protocols for records protection

Records designated for permanent retention are preserved indefinitely and remain accessible to the public through the Clerk's office and online systems. Historical property records dating back to the county's formation in 1917 are maintained and available for research purposes.

How To Find Liens on Property In Flagler County?

Finding liens on property in Flagler County requires searching the official records maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court. Liens represent legal claims against property that must be satisfied when the property is sold or refinanced.

To search for liens on Flagler County property:

Access the Flagler County Official Records Search portal
Select "Name Search" or "Property Search" depending on available information
Enter the property owner's name or property information
Filter results by document type, selecting "Lien" or specific lien types
Review the search results for active liens

Types of liens that may appear in Flagler County property records include:

Tax liens (federal, state, local)
Judgment liens
Mechanic's liens
Homeowners Association (HOA) liens
Code enforcement liens
Child support liens
Construction liens

For in-person lien searches:

Visit the Official Records Department at the Flagler County Courthouse
Request a lien search from the records staff
Provide the property owner's name and/or property description
Review the search results with assistance from staff

Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building #1
Bunnell, FL 32110
(386) 313-4400
Flagler County Clerk & Comptroller

For tax liens specifically, the Flagler County Tax Collector maintains records of unpaid property taxes and tax certificates. These can be searched through the Tax Collector's website or by contacting their office directly.

Professional title companies and attorneys often conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of real estate transactions to ensure clear title. These searches may identify liens that are not immediately apparent in basic searches.

What Is Property Owner Rule In Flagler County?

The Property Owner Rule in Flagler County refers to the legal framework governing property ownership, recording requirements, and the rights and responsibilities of property owners within the county. This framework is established through Florida statutes and local ordinances.

Key components of the Property Owner Rule include:

Recording Requirements: Under Florida Statutes § 695.01, all conveyances, transfers, and mortgages of real property must be recorded in the official records to be valid against subsequent purchasers.
Notice Doctrine: Florida follows a "notice" recording statute, meaning that unrecorded conveyances are void against subsequent purchasers who record their interest without notice of the prior unrecorded interest.
Homestead Exemption: Florida's Constitution (Article X, Section 4) and statutes provide homestead protection for primary residences, limiting property tax assessments and providing creditor protection.
Property Tax Obligations: Property owners must pay annual property taxes as assessed by the Flagler County Property Appraiser and collected by the Flagler County Tax Collector.
Disclosure Requirements: Sellers must disclose known material defects that affect the value of residential property to potential buyers.
Tangible Personal Property: Business owners must file annual tangible personal property tax returns for business equipment and other taxable personal property.
Confidentiality Provisions: Certain property owners may request confidentiality protection for their personal information in property records under specific statutory exemptions.

Property owners in Flagler County are responsible for:

Maintaining accurate property records
Updating mailing addresses for tax notices
Paying property taxes by applicable deadlines
Applying for appropriate exemptions
Complying with land use regulations and building codes
Recording all documents affecting title to their property

The Property Owner Rule also encompasses regulations regarding property transfers, inheritance, and the establishment and enforcement of restrictive covenants and easements.