Okaloosa Public Records /Okaloosa County Property Records

Okaloosa County Property Records

What Is Okaloosa County Property Records

Okaloosa County property records constitute the official documentation of real estate ownership, transactions, and characteristics within Okaloosa County, Florida. These records are maintained by various county departments and serve as the authoritative source of property information for administrative, legal, and public reference purposes. Property records in Okaloosa County typically include:

Deeds and title documents
Property tax assessment information
Parcel identification numbers
Property boundaries and surveys
Building permits and inspection records
Zoning classifications
Code enforcement actions
Liens and encumbrances

The primary custodians of property records in Okaloosa County include the Property Appraiser's Office, the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller, and the Growth Management Department. Each entity maintains specific aspects of property records in accordance with Florida Statutes Chapter 119, which governs public records.

Okaloosa County Property Appraiser's Office
302 N Wilson Street, Suite 201
Crestview, FL 32536
(850) 689-5900
Okaloosa County Property Appraiser

Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
101 E James Lee Blvd
Crestview, FL 32536
(850) 689-5800
Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts

Are Property Records Public Information In Okaloosa County?

Property records in Okaloosa County are public information pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This statute establishes that all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for inspection, unless specifically exempted by law. The Florida Constitution and the Public Records Law establish a right of access to records made or received in connection with official government business.

Members of the public may access Okaloosa County property records through several methods:

In-person visits to county offices
Online databases maintained by county departments
Written requests submitted to the appropriate records custodian
Public records requests submitted through official channels

Certain limited information within property records may be exempt from public disclosure under specific provisions of Florida law. These exemptions typically relate to:

Personal identifying information of certain protected classes (e.g., law enforcement officers, judges)
Security-related information
Confidential business information as defined by statute

The custodian of public records for the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners may be contacted for specific inquiries regarding exemptions:

Okaloosa County Records Management
302 N Wilson Street, Suite 203
Crestview, FL 32536
(850) 689-5000
Public Records Request

How To Search Property Records in Okaloosa County in 2025

Searching property records in Okaloosa County in 2025 involves utilizing several resources maintained by different county departments. The county has implemented enhanced digital systems to facilitate public access to property information. Individuals seeking property records may employ the following methods:

The Okaloosa County Property Appraiser's Office maintains the primary database of property ownership and valuation information. Users may search by:

Property owner name
Physical address
Parcel identification number
Subdivision name
Tax account number

For official recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, and liens, the Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains the Official Records database. This system allows searches by:

Name of grantor or grantee
Recording date
Document type
Book and page number
Legal description

The Okaloosa County Growth Management Department provides access to:

Building permit information
Zoning classifications
Land development records
Code enforcement actions

For geographic and spatial property data, the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Department offers interactive mapping tools that display:

Property boundaries
Flood zones
Evacuation zones
Land use designations
Infrastructure information

Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, agencies may charge a reasonable fee for the actual cost of duplication of records. Special service charges may apply for extensive use of agency resources.

How To Find Property Records in Okaloosa County Online?

Okaloosa County provides comprehensive online access to property records through several digital platforms maintained by county departments. These resources enable efficient retrieval of property information without requiring in-person visits to county offices. The following online systems are available for public use:

The Okaloosa County Property Appraiser's website offers a searchable database that includes:

Property ownership information
Assessed values
Tax exemptions
Building characteristics
Sales history
Property photographs

The Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains an online Official Records search portal where users can access:

Recorded deeds
Mortgages
Liens
Judgments
Plats
Other official documents

The Okaloosa County Growth Management Department provides online access to:

The Okaloosa County GIS portal offers interactive mapping tools that allow users to:

View property boundaries
Identify flood zones
Check evacuation zones
Examine land use designations
Access aerial imagery

For specialized property information related to short-term rentals, the county maintains a dedicated portal with registration requirements and compliance information.

Users should note that while basic property record searches are available at no cost, fees may apply for certified copies or extensive research assistance in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.07(4).

Can You Look Up Okaloosa County Property Records for Free?

Okaloosa County provides free access to basic property records through various online platforms in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law. The county has implemented user-friendly systems that allow members of the public to conduct standard property record searches without incurring fees. The following free resources are available:

The Okaloosa County Property Appraiser's online database offers complimentary access to:

Property ownership information
Assessed values
Tax exemption status
Building characteristics
Recent sales data

The Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court provides free online access to:

Basic document index information
Limited document viewing capabilities
Case docket information

The Okaloosa County GIS portal offers free access to:

Interactive property maps
Parcel boundaries
Flood zone information
Evacuation zone designations
Land use classifications

The Growth Management Department provides free online access to:

While basic searches are free, fees may apply in the following circumstances:

Requests for certified copies of documents
Extensive research requiring substantial staff time
Large volume document reproduction
Specialized data compilation

Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07(4), the county may charge a reasonable fee for duplication costs and special service charges for requests requiring extensive use of information technology resources or clerical assistance.

What's Included in a Okaloosa County Property Record?

Okaloosa County property records contain comprehensive information about real estate parcels within the county jurisdiction. These records serve multiple governmental functions and provide essential data for property owners, potential buyers, and other stakeholders. A typical Okaloosa County property record includes the following components:

Property identification information:

Parcel identification number (PIN)
Physical address
Legal description
Subdivision name (if applicable)
Section, township, and range coordinates

Ownership information:

Current property owner name(s)
Mailing address
Deed information
Purchase date
Purchase price

Valuation and tax information:

Assessed value
Taxable value
Exemptions (homestead, veteran, etc.)
Tax rates and amounts
Tax payment history

Physical characteristics:

Land area
Building size
Year built
Construction type
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Building features and amenities
Outbuildings and improvements

Land use information:

Zoning classification
Future land use designation
Development restrictions
Flood zone designation
Wetland status

Permit and code enforcement history:

Building permits
Inspection records
Code violations
Correction notices

Additional information may include:

Short-term rental registration status
Special assessments
Community Development District (CDD) fees
Utility connection information

These records are maintained in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.021, which requires public agencies to maintain records in a manner that protects their integrity while facilitating public access.

How Long Does Okaloosa County Keep Property Records?

Okaloosa County maintains property records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. These retention requirements ensure the preservation of essential property information while allowing for the appropriate disposition of obsolete records. The retention periods for various property records are as follows:

Permanent retention applies to:

Deeds and property title documents
Plats and surveys
Tax rolls
Property record cards
Historic preservation designations
Easements and rights-of-way

Long-term retention (typically 10-25 years) applies to:

Building permits for commercial structures
Major development plans
Variance approvals
Rezoning applications
Special exception permits

Medium-term retention (typically 3-10 years) applies to:

Building permits for residential structures
Minor development approvals
Temporary use permits
Routine inspection reports
Code enforcement cases after resolution

Short-term retention (typically 1-3 years) applies to:

Permit applications once processed
Routine correspondence
Temporary notices
Duplicate records

The Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court serves as the custodian of official recorded documents and maintains these records in perpetuity. The Property Appraiser's Office maintains property assessment records indefinitely, with historical data available for previous years.

Digital preservation initiatives have enhanced the county's ability to maintain property records beyond minimum retention requirements. The county's electronic document management systems provide for the long-term preservation of digitized property records while facilitating public access.

How To Find Liens on Property In Okaloosa County?

Liens on property in Okaloosa County are recorded in the Official Records maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court. These encumbrances represent legal claims against property that must typically be satisfied before title can be transferred. Members of the public seeking lien information may utilize several methods to identify existing liens on Okaloosa County properties:

The primary resource for lien research is the Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court's Official Records database, which contains:

Tax liens
Mortgage liens
Mechanic's liens
Judgment liens
Code enforcement liens
Homeowners' association liens
Federal tax liens

To conduct a comprehensive lien search, interested parties should:

Search by property owner name in the Official Records
Search by property address or legal description
Review the property's chain of title for encumbrances
Check for open code enforcement cases with the Growth Management Department
Verify tax status with the Tax Collector's Office
Examine court records for pending judgments

Professional title companies often provide lien search services that include examination of:

Recorded liens in Official Records
Unrecorded municipal liens
Special assessments
Pending litigation
Probate proceedings that may affect title

Pursuant to Florida Statute § 55.203, judgment liens are effective for an initial period of 10 years and may be extended for an additional 10 years. Tax liens and certain other governmental liens may have different duration periods as specified by applicable statutes.

For the most current and comprehensive lien information, interested parties may submit a public records request to the appropriate county department or consult with a licensed title professional.

What Is Property Owner Rule In Okaloosa County?

The Property Owner Rule in Okaloosa County refers to specific regulations and responsibilities that apply to property owners within the county jurisdiction. These rules are established through county ordinances, land development codes, and state statutes that govern property ownership and use. Property owners in Okaloosa County are subject to the following key provisions:

Property maintenance requirements:

Owners must maintain properties in compliance with county code standards
Vegetation must be controlled to prevent overgrowth
Structures must be maintained in safe condition
Debris and abandoned vehicles must be removed from properties
Stormwater management systems must be properly maintained

Disclosure obligations:

Sellers must disclose known material defects to potential buyers
Property in flood zones requires specific disclosures
Short-term rental properties must be properly registered and disclosed

Tax and assessment responsibilities:

Property owners must pay annual property taxes
Special assessments must be paid when levied
Homestead exemption applications must be filed by March 1 annually

Land use compliance:

Properties must be used in accordance with zoning designations
Building permits must be obtained for construction and renovations
Setbacks and building height restrictions must be observed
Coastal construction regulations apply in designated areas

The Okaloosa County Land Development Code establishes specific requirements for property development and use. The code is enforced by the Growth Management Department, which conducts inspections and investigates potential violations.

Property owners who violate county ordinances may be subject to code enforcement actions, including:

Warning notices
Citations
Administrative fines
Liens against the property
Court proceedings in severe cases

Property owners seeking guidance on compliance requirements may contact:

Okaloosa County Growth Management Department
1250 N Eglin Parkway, Suite 301
Shalimar, FL 32579
(850) 651-7180
Growth Management Information

Lookup Property Records in Okaloosa County

Online Forms for Property Information

Property Permit Search

Geographic Information Systems Maps

Public Records Request Portal

Short-Term Rental Property Information

Code Enforcement Records

Planning and Zoning Information

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