Broward County Property Search
Broward County property records are legal documents containing pertinent information relating to the legal ownership, value, and specifications of lands and buildings within the county’s jurisdiction. In Broward County, Florida, these records are necessary for validating ownership, conducting research, determining property tax assessments, and highlighting any issues that might impact the property's value long-term.
Persons who wish to obtain property records or perform a Broward County property search may visit the specific record custodian in charge of the document of interest. Since property records are categorized as Broward County public records, custodians must disseminate these documents to interested and eligible persons. These include the Broward County Property Appraiser's Office, the Broward County Clerk of Courts, and the Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division. Each office holds property records that may possess varying information, necessitating thorough inquiries with each office to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the property in question.
Is Broward County Property Records Public?
Yes. Broward County property records are public. According to Chapter 119 of Florida state statutes, property records of the county are generally considered public information and are therefore available for public inspection and copying. However, there are exceptions.
Florida law requires that records related to the ownership, transfer, or encumbrance of real property be maintained by the county's circuit court clerk. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents related to real estate transactions. Florida law also requires that these records be made available to the public upon request, either in person or through electronic means.
However, some property records are exempt from public disclosure under certain circumstances, such as those that contain personal identifying information, such as the following:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Credit card numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Passport numbers
- Medical information
- Personal email addresses.
Additionally, some property records may be sealed or redacted by court order to protect privacy or confidentiality concerns. For example, a court may order that personal identifying information or confidential business information be redacted or sealed in a property record to protect the privacy of individuals or companies.
What Do Broward County Property Records Contain?
Broward County offers various property records to the public. Some of the types of property records available in Broward County are:
- Deeds: A deed is a legal document that transfers the ownership of a property from one person or entity to another. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all deeds and provides access to them online or in person.
- Mortgages: A mortgage is a loan taken out by a property owner to purchase or refinance a property. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all mortgages, including the amount borrowed, the interest rate, and the terms of repayment.
- Notices of Commencement: A Notice of Commencement is a document filed by a property owner or contractor to indicate the start of construction work. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all Notices of Commencement.
- Liens: A lien is a legal claim on a property for unpaid debts or taxes. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all liens, including those filed by contractors, creditors, and the government.
- Declarations of Condominium: A Declaration of Condominium is a legal document that establishes a condominium property and its ownership structure. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all Declarations of Condominium.
- Declarations of Domiciles: A Declaration of Domicile is a legal document that establishes an individual's primary residence in Broward County. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all Declarations of Domiciles.
- Final Judgments: A Final Judgment is a court order that concludes a legal case. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all Final Judgments issued by the courts in Broward County.
- Probate documents: Probate is a legal process used to settle the estate of a deceased person. Relevant probate documents include wills, trusts, and estate inventories. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all probate documents.
- Satisfaction of Mortgage: A Satisfaction of Mortgage is a legal document that indicates the full repayment of a mortgage loan. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all Satisfactions of Mortgage.
- Court Papers: Court papers refer to various legal documents filed with the courts in Broward County, including pleadings, motions, and orders. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all court papers related to legal matters arising over real estate or personal property.
- Plats and Maps: A plat is a map that shows the layout and boundaries of a property. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all plats and maps filed with the county.
The components of the different types of records listed above may vary depending on the type of record. The general information that may be included in property records includes:
- Property information: This includes information about the property, such as the address, legal description, and parcel number.
- Ownership information: This includes information about the current and previous owners of the property, including their names and addresses.
- Transaction information: This includes information about any transactions related to the property, such as sales, mortgages, and liens.
- Legal description: This includes a detailed description of the property's location and boundaries.
- Tax information: This includes information about the property's assessed value, taxes owed, and tax payment history.
- Building and zoning information: This includes information about any buildings on the property, zoning restrictions, and permits for construction or renovations.
Where to Perform a Broward County Property Lookup
Broward County property lookup may be conducted through any of the following appropriate channels:
- Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division: This office holds a wide range of property-related documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other legal documents. Inquirers may leverage this avenue to perform a Broward County Property Lookup.
- Broward County Clerk of Courts: The Broward County Clerk of Courts is another resource for accessing property records in Broward County. Inquirers may look up property records such as foreclosures, judgments, and other legal documents.
- Broward County Property Appraiser: The Broward County Property Appraiser is another channel for accessing property records such as ownership information, assessment data, and tax history in Broward County.
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in Broward County
There are a couple of ways to perform a property owner lookup in Broward County, Florida. Below are a few options:
Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division
By using Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division Official Record Search channels. The office maintains a records search page that interested individuals can use to view and obtain free copies of recorded documents. Interested persons may perform a property lookup using various search parameters. The site supports searches with parameters like Name, Book/Page, Document type, Instrument, Case, Consideration Amount, Date Recorded, Simple Search, and Parcel ID of the property. Additionally, interested persons may view and obtain copies of recorded documents in person by visiting the physical location at:
Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division
115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 114
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Images of the documents up to 1978 can be viewed online, while earlier images up to 1915 are available on other media types located in the Search and Copy section. Copy and certification services provided by the Search and Copy section require payment of fees.
The Broward County Property Appraiser
The Broward County Property Appraiser is another source for accessing property records in Broward County, Florida. Here's a brief overview of how to look up property records through the Property Appraiser:
- Access the Broward County Property Appraiser website: The Property Appraiser website provides access to property-related records, such as ownership information, assessment data, and tax history.
- Search for the property by address or parcel ID: To start a property record search, inquirers should click on the “Property Search” button on the menu tab then enter the address or parcel ID in the search bar provided on the website. They can also search by owner name or other criteria to narrow down their search.
- Review the search results: After entering the search criteria, the website will return a list of results that match the search. Searchers can then click on the link on any of the results to view the details of the property record.
- View the property record details: The website will provide a detailed view of the property record, including information about the owner, assessment data, tax history, and property characteristics. Inquirers can also view the property's plat map and other related documents.
The Broward County Clerk of Courts
Interested persons may obtain court documents on cases involving real estate or personal property from the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Here's a brief overview of how to look up property records through the Clerk of Courts:
- Access the Broward County Clerk of Courts website: The Clerk of Courts website provides access to court records related to property, such as foreclosures, judgments, and other legal documents.
- Search for the property by entering the property's owner’s name or case number in the search bar provided on the website. Requesters can also search by business name to narrow down their search.
- Review the search results: After entering the search criteria, the website will return a list of results that match the details provided.
- View the property record details: By clicking the link of interest, the website will provide a detailed view of the property record, including information about the case type, filing date, parties involved, and any fees associated with the document. Requesters can also view the document directly by clicking on the "view document" button.
It is recommended to check multiple resources to get a comprehensive view of the property records, as none of the sources may not have all the information needed to complete a thorough property record search.
How to Find Broward County Property Records Online
Aside from getting records from the county’s official agency sources, interested individuals can also use third-party aggregate databases to get property records online. These third-party aggregate sites offer an efficient and convenient way to search for county property records online. This is possible because they provide a centralized location for users to access property records from multiple sources, including official government websites, county clerk of courts websites, and other public record databases.
To use a third-party aggregate database, users typically begin by visiting the website and entering the address or parcel ID of the property they are searching for. The database will then search its sources and compile a list of relevant property records. Users can often refine their search results by using various filters such as property type, owner name, or property value. Additionally, some databases may provide more advanced features, such as the ability to view interactive maps, create custom alerts for new property records, or access historical data.
One of the main advantages of using a third-party aggregate database is the time saved by not having to search multiple sources separately. This can be especially helpful for individuals or businesses that regularly need to access property records.
However, it's important to be cautious when using third-party databases and verify any information obtained through them with official government sources. Additionally, some third-party databases may charge fees for certain types of property records or advanced features, so it's important to review the terms and conditions before using the service.
Overall, third-party aggregate databases can be a valuable tool for quickly and easily accessing county property records online. By using these services, users can save time and potentially find records that might have been missed by searching through individual sources.
How to Find Property Owner by Address Free
To find the property owner by address for free in Broward County, inquirers can start by visiting the Broward County Property Appraiser website. Once on the website, the searcher may use the property search tool by entering the property address. The search results should include information about the property, including the owner's name.
Another option is to visit the Broward County Clerk of Courts website and use their public records search tool. This tool allows users to search for records related to real estate, including deeds and mortgages, which may contain information about the property owner.
Broward County Property Tax Lookup
An individual can obtain property tax information in Broward County by visiting the website of the Broward County Property Appraiser. On the website, they should navigate to the Property Search tool and enter the property address or owner name. The search results should include information about the property, including its assessed value, taxable value, and current and previous tax bills.
Another option is to visit the Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division website and use their tax payment and property record search tool. This tool allows users to view and pay their current tax bill or search for tax history by property address or folio number.
A tax lookup may be necessary for situations such as when a property owner wants to dispute their property's assessed value, check for errors on their tax bill, or determine if they are eligible for any exemptions or discounts. Additionally, a tax lookup may be needed by potential homebuyers who want to estimate their future property tax liability or by investors who want to evaluate the potential return on investment for a property.
How to Find Broward County Property Appraiser
Finding property appraisers in Broward County can be done by visiting the website of the Broward County Property Appraiser. On the website, by navigating to the "Contact Us" page, interested persons will find the Appraiser's Office phone number, email address, and physical address. Alternatively, inquirers can search for "Broward County property appraiser" online to find the contact information.
In Broward County, the appraiser is responsible for determining and elucidating the value of all real estate properties within the county for tax purposes. Their primary services include:
- Property valuation
- Exemptions and discounts
- Assessment appeal process
- Property ownership information
- Mapping and GIS services
Broward County Property Assessor
In Broward County, the assessor is also referred to as the appraiser. The tasks performed by the Property Appraiser's office in Broward County include:
- Identifying properties that are subject to taxation and determining their owners.
- They also calculate the taxable value of each property based on property taxation laws,
- They create a comprehensive assessment roll that details the assessed values of all properties in the county.
- They apply any applicable legal exemptions to eligible properties.
The Broward County Property Assessor may be contacted at the address below:
Broward County Property Appraiser's Office
Broward County Governmental Center
115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 111
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 357-6830