Wakulla County property records are public files that show who owns every parcel in the county, how much each property is worth, and what taxes apply. These records are kept by three county offices in Crawfordville, Florida.
Anyone can search them for free online or visit the offices in person during business hours.
Wakulla County sits in the Florida Panhandle, just south of Tallahassee. The Gulf of Mexico forms its southern border. The county has a mix of forests, wetlands, rural homes, and small neighborhoods. The Property Appraiser tracks around 28,000 parcels, and the population is roughly 33,000 people.
Wakulla County Property Records Quick Facts
Wakulla County is part of the Tallahassee metropolitan area. The county seat is Crawfordville, an unincorporated community. No incorporated cities sit inside the county, so all property data flows through the county offices listed below.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | About 33,000 |
| County Seat | Crawfordville |
| Total Parcels Tracked | About 28,000 |
| Homestead Filing Deadline | March 1 |
| Maximum Homestead Reduction | $50,000 |
| Annual Assessment Date | January 1 |
| TRIM Notice Mailed | August |
| Tax Bills Mailed | November |
Which Offices Maintain Wakulla County Property Records
Three county offices handle all property data in Wakulla County. Each office keeps a different part of the record. The Property Appraiser sets the value, the Clerk of Courts records legal documents, and the Tax Collector handles tax payments.
The Wakulla County Property Appraiser is the main source for ownership, value, and exemption data. The office sits at 3115-A Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327. The phone number is 850-926-0500. The website is wakullapa.com. The current Property Appraiser is William “Bill” Pease. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Florida law under Chapter 193 of the Florida Statutes requires the Property Appraiser to assess all real property at just value as of January 1 each year. Just value means what the property would sell for on the open market on that date. The Property Appraiser’s office tracks ownership transfers, parcel sizes, building details, and exemption status for every parcel in the county.
The Wakulla County Clerk of Courts keeps the Official Records. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other legal documents that affect property. The Clerk’s office sits at 3056 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327. The phone is 850-926-0905. The website is wakullaclerk.com.
The Wakulla County Tax Collector handles property tax payments and tax certificates. This office sits at 202 Ochlockonee Street, Crawfordville, FL 32327. The phone is 850-926-3371. The website is wakullataxcollector.com. The Tax Collector can confirm whether taxes are current on any parcel.
How to Search Wakulla County Property Records Online
The fastest way to search Wakulla County property records is through the Property Appraiser’s website. Go to wakullapa.com and click the search link at the top of the page. The site lets you look up parcels by owner name, parcel number, or street address.
To search by owner name, type the last name first and then the first name. The site shows every parcel with that owner’s name. To search by address, type the house number and street name. To search by parcel number, type the full ID number. The site returns a list of matching parcels, and each one links to a full detail page.
Wakulla County uses a parcel number system based on the Public Land Survey System. The first four digits show the township. The next two digits show the range. The next two digits show the section. The remaining digits identify the specific parcel within that section. Every parcel has a unique number under this system.
If a search returns no results, try a different spelling or a partial name. For address searches, try leaving out the street suffix like Street, Avenue, or Road. For rural properties, the address may include a highway number or a road name. The Property Appraiser’s staff can help with hard-to-find parcels by phone at 850-926-0500.
What Each Wakulla County Property Record Shows
Each parcel record from the Wakulla County Property Appraiser includes ownership, value, and building data. Here is a list of what you will see on a typical parcel detail page:
- Owner of record and mailing address
- Parcel number and legal description
- Land use code (residential, agricultural, commercial, etc.)
- Zoning district
- Lot size in acres
- Year built and total living area
- Construction type and number of stories
- Just (market) value as of January 1
- Assessed value (may be lower than just value for homestead properties)
- Taxable value after exemptions
- All exemptions on file (homestead, senior, veteran, etc.)
- Full sales history with dates and prices
Wakulla County has many rural parcels used for timber, hunting, or farming. These large tracts often have simple records with no building data. The sales history for rural land can go back many years. The history shows the most recent transfer and the price paid, which is useful for tax appeals or sale negotiations.
For residential parcels, the record includes building details like the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the type of heating and cooling system. The Property Appraiser updates the building data when permits are pulled for new construction or major renovations. Older homes in Wakulla County often show additions or remodels from past decades.
Homestead Exemption in Wakulla County
The Florida homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a primary home by up to $50,000. To get the exemption, the owner must live in the home as their main residence on January 1 of the tax year. The owner must also be a Florida resident. The deadline to apply is March 1. Late applications cannot be used for the current year.
Wakulla County homeowners file the homestead application with the Property Appraiser. You can apply online at wakullapa.com, in person at 3115-A Crawfordville Highway, or by mail. The form asks for your name, parcel number, the date you started living at the property, and proof of Florida residency (like a driver’s license or voter registration card).
After the homestead is on file, the Save Our Homes cap takes effect the second year. This rule limits yearly increases in the assessed value to 3% or the Consumer Price Index change, whichever is lower. In Wakulla County, where home prices have risen over the past decade, long-time owners often have assessed values well below current market values. When the property sells, the cap resets to the new market value.
Portability lets a homeowner move their Save Our Homes savings to a new homestead in Florida. To use portability, the owner must file an application at the new county within two years of giving up the old homestead. Wakulla County also offers extra exemptions for seniors (age 65 and older), disabled veterans, total disability, and widows or widowers. Call the Property Appraiser at 850-926-0500 for details on eligibility and amounts.
Official Records at the Wakulla County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts records and indexes all legal documents that affect property in Wakulla County. These documents are called Official Records and form the legal chain of title for every parcel. Recording a deed at the Clerk’s office gives the public notice of who owns the property.
Key document types in the Wakulla County Official Records include:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions
- Mechanic’s liens and releases of lien
- Judgment liens
- Lis pendens notices (pending lawsuits)
- Easements and right-of-way grants
- Declarations of condominium or homeowners association
- Plats and replays of subdivisions
You can search the Official Records online at wakullaclerk.com. The search tool lets you look up records by grantor name (the person giving the property), grantee name (the person receiving it), or by document type and date range. You can also search by book and page number if you have those details from a prior document.
When the Property Appraiser’s sales history shows a transfer, the Official Records entry will list the book and page of the recorded deed. That deed shows the full sale terms, any conditions, and the legal description. Most records are available as free PDF downloads. Certified copies have a per-page fee set by Florida law.
TRIM Notice and Property Tax Timeline
Wakulla County mails TRIM notices every August. TRIM stands for Truth in Millage. The notice shows the proposed assessed value for each parcel, all exemptions on file, and the proposed tax rates from each taxing authority.
The taxing authorities in Wakulla County include the Board of County Commissioners, the Wakulla County School Board, the Wakulla County Sheriff, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, and any municipal service taxing units. Each rate is listed separately on the TRIM notice, so owners can see exactly what each authority is charging.
The TRIM notice is not a tax bill. It is a preview of the bill that will arrive in November. If an owner thinks the assessed value is too high, they have 25 days from the date on the TRIM notice to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board (VAB). The VAB holds hearings and rules on disputes about property values and denied exemptions.
After September budget hearings, tax bills are mailed in November. The early payment discount schedule is 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January, and 1% in February. Full payment is due by March 31. After April 1, unpaid taxes earn interest, and the county can sell a tax certificate on the property to collect the debt.
GIS Maps and Parcel Search for Wakulla County
Wakulla County has a GIS (Geographic Information System) map that shows every parcel in the county. The map displays property lines, road names, and parcel numbers over an aerial photo. You can use the map to see the exact shape and size of any parcel.
The GIS map is on the Property Appraiser’s website at wakullapa.com. Click the GIS link on the home page. The map lets you search by parcel number, owner name, or address. You can zoom in to see building outlines and lot lines. You can also measure distances and print map views.
For rural parcels, the GIS map is very useful. Many large tracts in Wakulla County are irregularly shaped with curved boundaries along wetlands or creeks. The map shows the legal boundaries, road frontage, and access points. Buyers and owners use the map to check acreage, easements, and flood zones before a sale.
Building Permits and Property History
Wakulla County issues building permits through the Building Department. The office sits at 3093 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327. The phone is 850-926-7636. The website is mywakulla.com under the Building Department section.
Building permits are public records. You can search the permit database to see what work has been done on a property. This includes new construction, additions, roof replacements, electrical work, plumbing work, and mobile home setups. The permit record shows the type of work, the contractor, the cost, and the date.
For older homes in Wakulla County, the permit history can show past renovations or additions. Some rural properties have had mobile homes, sheds, or pole barns added over the years. Permit records give a clear picture of what structures sit on a parcel and when they were built.
Wakulla County Property Records Contact Information
Here is the contact data for the three offices that handle Wakulla County property records. All three offices sit in Crawfordville, and all accept walk-ins during business hours.
Wakulla County Property Appraiser
3115-A Crawfordville Highway
Crawfordville, FL 32327
Phone: 850-926-0500
Website: wakullapa.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wakulla County Clerk of Courts
3056 Crawfordville Highway
Crawfordville, FL 32327
Phone: 850-926-0905
Website: wakullaclerk.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Wakulla County Tax Collector
202 Ochlockonee Street
Crawfordville, FL 32327
Phone: 850-926-3371
Website: wakullataxcollector.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Map of the Wakulla County Property Appraiser Office
You can view the exact location of the Property Appraiser’s office using the map below. The office is on Crawfordville Highway, just east of the intersection with Arran Road.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wakulla County Property Records
These answers cover the most common questions about Wakulla County property records. They point to the right office, the right form, and the right tool for each task. Use them as a quick reference before calling or visiting any of the three county offices listed above. Each answer reflects the current Florida law and the latest office procedures.
How do I look up who owns a property in Wakulla County?
Go to the Property Appraiser’s website at wakullapa.com and use the search tool. Type the owner name, street address, or parcel number into the search box. The site shows the current owner of record, the mailing address on file, and the full parcel details. The search is free, open to the public, and requires no account or login. The data updates each time a new deed is recorded at the Clerk of Courts office. For older sales that predate the digital records, you can request a copy of the original deed from the Clerk. Certified copies have a per-page fee, but uncertified PDF copies are free to download from the Clerk’s website. You can also call the Property Appraiser’s office at 850-926-0500 for help locating a parcel that does not show up in the online search.
How do I find the parcel number for a Wakulla County property?
The parcel number appears on any TRIM notice, tax bill, or recorded deed. You can also look it up on the Property Appraiser’s website by searching the owner name or street address. Each parcel has a unique number based on its township, range, section, and division under the Public Land Survey System. The format is typically four digits, two digits, two digits, and three or four more digits. For example, a parcel might show as 01-2S-01-000-0000-0000 or a similar format. The GIS map also shows the parcel number next to each parcel boundary. If you cannot find the number online, the Property Appraiser’s staff can look it up for you with a phone call or a walk-in visit to the office on Crawfordville Highway.
Can I see the full sales history of a Wakulla County property?
Yes. The Property Appraiser’s parcel detail page lists every recorded sale with the date, price, and document type. The sales history goes back as far as the digital records. For very old sales from the 1960s or earlier, you may need to check the Official Records at the Clerk’s office for the full deed. The deed shows the legal description, any conditions, and the names of the grantor and grantee. You can view most old deeds as free PDF downloads from the Clerk’s website. If the sale you need is not online, the Clerk’s office can pull the microfilm record for a small fee. The Property Appraiser’s records show the price, and the Clerk’s records show the full legal transfer.
How do I apply for a homestead exemption in Wakulla County?
File the application with the Property Appraiser by March 1 of the tax year. You can apply online at wakullapa.com, in person at 3115-A Crawfordville Highway, or by mail. The form needs your full name, parcel number, the date you started living at the property, and proof of Florida residency. Acceptable proof includes a Florida driver’s license, a Florida voter registration card, or a sworn statement. The homestead exemption takes effect for the next tax bill if you file on time. Late applications process for the following year, not the current one. The exemption stays in place as long as you own the home and live there as your main residence. When you sell, the exemption ends, and the new owner must reapply if they qualify.
How do I appeal my property assessment in Wakulla County?
File a petition with the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) within 25 days of the date printed on your TRIM notice. The petition form is on the Clerk of Courts website at wakullaclerk.com. You can file online, by mail, or in person. The VAB schedules a hearing where you can present evidence that the assessed value is too high. Common evidence includes recent sale prices of similar homes, photos of needed repairs, or an independent appraisal. The Property Appraiser must attend the hearing and defend the assessment. A special magistrate hears the case and issues a recommendation. The full VAB then makes the final ruling. If you win, the assessed value drops, and your tax bill is reduced for the current year.
Are Wakulla County property records free to view online?
Yes. The Property Appraiser’s online search is free for every visitor. The GIS map is free. Viewing recorded documents at the Clerk’s website is free as PDF downloads. Tax payment status at the Tax Collector’s website is also free. The only fees apply to certified copies of recorded documents, which the Clerk charges a per-page fee under Florida law. Uncertified copies are always free. Bulk data downloads from the Property Appraiser are free in many cases, but some exports carry a small fee. For the full fee schedule, call the Property Appraiser at 850-926-0500 or the Clerk at 850-926-0905.
What happens if property taxes go unpaid in Wakulla County?
After April 1, unpaid property taxes earn interest at a rate set by Florida law. The county then sells a tax certificate at a public auction, usually held in May or June. Investors buy the certificate and pay the tax debt to the county. The certificate earns interest for the buyer at the rate bid at auction. If the property owner does not pay the tax and the certificate fees within two years, the buyer can file a foreclosure lawsuit. A court judgment can result in the sale of the property to satisfy the debt. To stop a tax certificate sale, the owner must pay all back taxes, interest, and certificate costs before the auction. The Tax Collector’s office can provide a payoff quote at any time.