Brevard County Property Search
Brevard County property records include information about a piece of land or real property situated locally, such as a property owner's name, a property's value, and its location.
Brevard County property records are generated from real estate transactions between private individuals and businesses; these transactions are typically documented at the county recorder's office. Individuals may search property records as part of due diligence before finalizing a real estate deal. Potential real estate buyers may also look up real estate documents to discover if there are liens, claims, or any other encumbrances on a property.
Other reasons for looking up property records include:
- Resolving land boundary disputes
- Confirming easement rights
- Gathering evidence for lawsuits involving real estate
Different agencies maintain property records in Brevard County. Per Section 28 of the Florida Statutes, the Circuit Court Clerk is the official recorder of all instruments required by law to be recorded in Brevard County. The Clerk maintains deeds, liens, satisfaction of mortgages, and other property-related documents.
Additionally, other government agencies retain property-related records for their primary functions. An example is the Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office (BCPAO), which is responsible for maintaining records related to the assessment of all local properties, among other duties.
Are Brevard County Property Records Public?
Yes, Brevard County property records are available to members of the public. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes (Florida's Open Records Law), any record that a public agency produces, receives, or maintains in the course of their official business must be provided to any interested member of the public for inspection or copying.
Information exempt from public disclosure under the state public records law includes:
- Social security numbers
- Bank account details
- Debit, charge, or credit card numbers
Other exemptions are highlighted in Florida Statutes 28.2221 and 119.071 (4) (5).
What Do Brevard County Property Records Contain?
Brevard County property records comprise various documents created from property dealings, including:
- Deeds
- Leases
- Liens
- Mortgages
- Tax assessment records
- Subdivision plats
- Surveys
- Bills of sale
- Satisfactions and releases
The details found in a property record depends on the type of transaction and the custodian that maintains the record. For example, a property records search at the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office yields the following details:
- Owner's full name
- Cross party
- Record date
- Book/page
- Clerk file number
- Consideration
- First legal description
However, property record searches at the Office of the Brevard County Property Appraiser include additional information like:
- Taxing district
- Parcel ID
- Property use
- Sale/transfer information
- Sub-areas
Where to Perform a Brevard County Property Lookup
Individuals who wish to perform a Brevard County property lookup have the following options:
- Call or fax the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office at (321) 637-2004 or (321) 264-5246, respectively
- Email the Clerk's office at LandRecordsAdminEmails@brevardclerk.us
- Access the Clerk's Official Records Search Portal
- Request copies via the Brevard County Clerk of Courts' Research & Copy Request Center
Alternatively, one may visit one of the Circuit Clerk's office locations during official business hours to conduct an in-person search.
Viewing a property record is generally free, but the Clerk imposes a fee on anyone requiring copies of records, regardless of the request method. Also, requesters must have specific details to facilitate the search, such as a property owner's name, the clerk file number, book & page number, and document type.
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in Brevard County
To find a property owner in Brevard County, a person can visit any of the Circuit Clerk's official locations to search property documents that contain legal ownership information (for example, deeds). Other options highlighted above may also be explored to find a property owner in Brevard County.
Individuals may also utilize online databases provided on the Brevard County Property Appraiser's website to locate the owner of a property.
How to Find Brevard County Property Records Online
Looking up Brevard County online often involves searching official and third-party repositories. Several third-party websites have web applications that individuals can leverage for a property search. These websites are typically accessible with a name or address—some provide records for free, and others require payment or a subscription.
On the other hand, a person searching official sources can access the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Official Records Search portal (accessible through the Clerk's Public Records Search page). A user can hover their mouse over "Official Records" at the top menu to access the search parameters. For instance, individuals can click "Simple Search" to conduct a property lookup by selecting from a list of generic search options, including one that allows the user to search all documents tied to a specific name.
Another official resource for finding Brevard County property records online is the Circuit Clerk's Research and Copy Request Center. However, researchers must register to use the service. After registration, the user can select the "Official Records" category to fill out a form displayed in a new window. Completing the form generates a Request ID number as proof that the user's request has been saved. Every requester will receive an email confirmation when their request reaches the clerk's office for processing. Instructions for using the system are also available in a helpful guide.
Lastly, individuals can find Brevard County property records online using the Brevard County Property Appraiser's Property Search application.
How to Find Property Owner by Address for Free
One way to find a property owner by address for free in Brevard County is to access the Brevard County Property Appraiser's Property Search application. One can input a property address into the "Site Address" field on the app's homepage and click "Search" to obtain results. The search results include various property information, such as a property owner's name.
Brevard County Property Tax Lookup
Members of the public search property tax records for varying reasons, including:
- Confirming tax compliance
- Performing due diligence before a sale or other real estate transaction
- Budgeting taxes
- Appealing property taxes
The Office of the Brevard County Tax Collector is the local tax office and custodian of tax records. Individuals who require tax information can contact the records custodian at:
400 South Street, Suite 6A
Titusville, FL 32780
Phone: (321) 264-6930
A person can also obtain public property tax records by completing a request form on the collector's Public Records Requests page. They may also look up a property tax account online on the Brevard County Tax Collector's website using a property owner's name, address, or account number. Search results include:
- Property owner's information
- Real estate account number
- Amount due
- Account history
How to Find Brevard County Property Appraiser
A property appraiser is a certified professional specializing in providing real estate value estimates. Individuals and institutions employ property appraisers for different purposes, including:
- Determining a property's fair market value
- Obtaining an independent and unbiased opinion on a property's value to save on property taxes
- Confirming that the value of a property matches a loan amount
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is responsible for licensing and regulating different professions in the state, including real estate appraisers. The DBPR also maintains a database of licensed professionals that members of the public can search to find real estate appraisers in Brevard County.
To find a Brevard County property appraiser, an individual may follow these steps:
- Navigate to the DBRP's Verify a License portal.
- Select "Search by City or County," then click "Search".
- Select "Brevard" from the County drop-down menu and complete the "License Category" and "License Type" fields.
- Click "Search".
The system returns a list of real estate appraisers, which includes names, license types, license numbers, and statuses (current/active or null/void).
Brevard County Property Assessor
The Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office takes on duties similar to that of the Office of the Property Assessor in other U.S. counties. These duties include:
- Estimating the current market value of real and tangible property for tax purposes
- Preparing and maintaining an approvable tax roll in compliance with state standards
The Brevard County Property Appraiser can be contacted by telephone at (321) 264-6700 or by email at appraiser@bcpao.us. Alternatively, individuals can send mail to:
Brevard County Property Appraiser
P.O. Box 429
Titusville, FL 32781-0429
One can also stop by any of the Brevard County Property Appraiser's office locations.