Bradford County property records are public files that show who owns each parcel of land, how much it is worth, and what taxes apply. The records are stored by three county offices in Starke, Florida: the Property Appraiser, the Clerk of the Court, and the Tax Collector.
Anyone can look up this data for free through online search tools or by visiting the offices in person.
How Bradford County Property Records Are Maintained
Bradford County sits in north central Florida. Its county seat is Starke. The county has roughly 28,000 residents and covers about 300 square miles. Three separate offices work together to track every parcel of land inside the county. Each office holds a different slice of the same property story.
The Bradford County Property Appraiser sets the value of every parcel each year under Florida law. The office assigns parcel numbers, tracks ownership changes, and files exemptions like homestead. Their office is at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091. The phone number is (904) 966-6216. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The website is bradfordappraiser.com.
The Bradford County Clerk of the Court holds the recorded documents. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and satisfactions all pass through this office. The Clerk stamps each document with a recording date and book and page number. The same address, 945 North Temple Avenue, houses the Clerk’s Recording Department on the first floor. The Clerk’s phone number is (904) 966-6280.
The Bradford County Tax Collector sends tax bills and collects payments. This office also sells tax certificates when a property owner falls behind on taxes. The Tax Collector is at 945 North Temple Avenue, Suite B, Starke, FL 32091. The phone is (904) 966-6240.
Bradford County Property Appraiser Online Search
The Property Appraiser’s website offers a free search tool. You can look up any parcel by owner name, property address, or parcel number. The search opens a detailed record card that lists ownership, sales history, building details, land size, and exemption status.
Step-by-step use of the search tool:
- Go to bradfordappraiser.com
- Click the “Property Search” link on the top menu
- Pick a search type: name, address, parcel ID, or subdivision
- Type the name, address, or number into the search box
- Press “Search” to see matching records
- Click any result to open the full parcel card
Each parcel card shows the owner’s full name, mailing address, parcel ID, legal description, land use code, acreage, and building square footage. The card also shows the latest assessed value, the just value, the taxable value, and any exemptions on file. A separate tab shows the full sales history going back many years.
Searching Bradford County Property Records by Name
Searching by name is the most common way to look up a property owner. Type the last name first, followed by the first name. Use a partial last name if the spelling is unclear. The search will pull up all parcels where that name appears in the current owner field.
The result list shows every parcel tied to that owner in Bradford County. People who own multiple lots, rental homes, or land in different townships will see each parcel listed separately. Click any parcel to open the full record card with valuation and tax data.
Common name search issues include common last names, name changes after marriage, and properties held in a trust or LLC. For trust-owned properties, the trust name appears in the owner field. For LLC-owned properties, the company name appears in the owner field. The same parcel can also show prior owners under the sales history tab.
Searching Bradford County Property Records by Address
Address search works well for any current property. Type the house number and street name. Avoid using directional prefixes like N, S, E, W at the start. The search accepts partial addresses. Typing “Main” will pull up every parcel on Main Street, Main Avenue, and Main Court in Bradford County.
For rural parcels without a regular street address, use the parcel ID or the subdivision name instead. Many rural Bradford County properties are identified by section, township, and range coordinates or by a parcel number alone.
The Property Appraiser also indexes properties by subdivision name. Bradford County has many platted subdivisions, including Starke city lots, Hampton, Lawtey, and Brooker. A search by subdivision name will list all lots inside that plat.
Searching by Bradford County Parcel Number
Every parcel in Bradford County has a unique parcel ID. The number follows a standard format that shows the township, range, section, and individual lot. The parcel number never changes, even when the property sells or the owner changes. This makes parcel number search the most accurate lookup method.
Parcel numbers in Bradford County look like this: 20-3S-22-0000-0000-0050. The first two digits show the section. The next group shows the township and range. The last groups show the lot or parcel block. The Property Appraiser accepts parcel numbers with or without dashes.
If you have a parcel number from an old tax bill or a deed, use that exact number for the fastest lookup. The search will return one result only, the matching parcel card.
What Bradford County Property Records Include
A standard parcel record from the Property Appraiser includes the following data fields:
- Owner name and mailing address
- Parcel ID number
- Property address
- Legal description from the recorded deed
- Subdivision, lot, and block
- Acreage and lot dimensions
- Land use code (residential, agricultural, commercial, vacant, etc.)
- Year built for improved parcels
- Living area in square feet
- Construction type (frame, concrete block, etc.)
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Pool, garage, and outbuilding data
- Just value (full market value)
- Assessed value (capped for homestead)
- Taxable value after exemptions
- Exemptions on file
- Sales history with dates and prices
The assessed value is the figure used to calculate property taxes. The just value is the market value estimate as of January 1 each year. The taxable value is the assessed value minus any approved exemptions.
Bradford County GIS Property Map
The Property Appraiser runs a GIS (Geographic Information System) map at bradfordappraiser.com. The map shows every parcel in the county outlined in color. You can pan, zoom, and click any parcel to open its record card. Layer options include aerial photography, road names, and parcel boundaries.
The GIS map helps with several common tasks:
- Find parcel boundaries and dimensions
- Check lot size and shape
- See neighboring parcels and ownership
- Locate flood zones and wetlands
- Identify school district and voting precinct
For surveys and boundary disputes, the GIS map is a starting point but not a legal survey. Licensed surveyors use the recorded plat maps from the Clerk’s office, not the GIS layer, for legal descriptions.
Bradford County Deed Records and Official Records Search
Deed records in Bradford County live at the Clerk of the Court’s office. The Clerk runs the “Official Records” system under Florida Statute Chapter 28. Every deed, mortgage, lien, judgment, and release gets recorded here. The records are public and can be searched online at bradfordclerk.com.
Types of documents in the Official Records:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions
- Mechanic’s liens and releases
- Judgment liens
- Lis pendens filings
- Plats, surveys, and subdivision maps
- Declarations of condominium
- Notice of commencement for construction
The Clerk’s search tool accepts grantor name, grantee name, document type, recording date, and book/page number. Most documents from 1990 to today have free PDF scans. Older documents may have index entries only and require an in-person visit to view the paper file.
For certified copies of a recorded deed, contact the Clerk’s Recording Department. The fee is $1 per page for regular copies and $2 per page for certified copies, plus a $2 certification fee. Payment can be cash, check, money order, or credit card. Documents can be mailed upon request with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Bradford County Tax Records and Tax Collector Services
The Tax Collector’s office at 945 North Temple Avenue, Suite B, Starke, FL 32091, handles all property tax payments. The office accepts payments in person, by mail, or online at bradfordtax.com. Tax records show the current year bill, last year bill, payment history, and any delinquent amounts.
The annual tax cycle in Bradford County follows the standard Florida schedule. TRIM notices go out in August. Tax bills go out in November. Discounts apply for early payment: 4% in November, 3% in December, 2% in January, 1% in February. Full taxes are due by March 31. After April 1, the bill becomes delinquent.
Delinquent taxes lead to a tax certificate sale. The Tax Collector holds the sale each June. Investors buy certificates that earn interest. If the owner does not pay back taxes within two years, the certificate holder can apply for a tax deed and take ownership of the property. Tax deed sales take place online through bradfordtax.com and RealAuction.
Bradford County Homestead Exemption
Homeowners who live in their Bradford County property as a permanent Florida residence on January 1 can apply for a homestead exemption. The exemption cuts the taxable value by up to $50,000. The application deadline is March 1 each year. Late applications can be filed up to two years late if filed before the taxes are paid.
Required documents to file homestead:
- Florida driver’s license or state ID with the property address
- Voter registration showing the same address
- Social Security numbers for all owners and spouses
- Recorded deed showing ownership
- Residency affidavit for all owners
After the first year of homestead, the Save Our Homes cap kicks in. The cap limits the annual increase in assessed value to 3% or the CPI change, whichever is lower. Long-time Bradford County homeowners with the cap often have assessed values well below market value. When the property sells, the cap resets to market value for the new owner.
Portability lets homeowners move their accumulated Save Our Homes savings to a new homestead in Florida. The deadline to apply for portability is March 1 of the year after the new property is homesteaded. Bradford County residents moving from one Florida county to another can transfer up to $500,000 in capped value difference.
Other Bradford County exemptions include:
- Additional $25,000 senior exemption for owners 65 and older with limited income
- Disability exemption for total and permanent disability
- Veteran exemption for honorably discharged veterans with service-related disability
- Surviving spouse exemption for spouses of deceased first responders or veterans
- First responder exemption for paramedics, police, and firefighters
- Widow or widower exemption of $500
- Blind exemption of $500
Contact the Property Appraiser’s exemption department at (904) 966-6216 for full eligibility rules on any of these exemptions.
TRIM Notice and Property Value Challenge
The Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice arrives each August from the Property Appraiser. The notice shows the proposed assessed value, exemptions on file, and the proposed millage rates from Bradford County, the City of Starke, the school board, and any special districts. Florida law requires the notice at least 25 days before the public hearing on the budget.
If a property owner disagrees with the assessed value on the TRIM notice, the owner can file a petition with the Bradford County Value Adjustment Board (VAB). The petition form is on the Clerk’s website and must be filed within 25 days of the TRIM notice mailing date. Filing fees are $15 for residential parcels and $25 for other parcels.
The VAB process includes an informal meeting with the Property Appraiser’s office and a formal hearing before a special magistrate. Owners can appear on their own or hire a licensed tax agent. Most residential petitions get a value reduction when the owner shows comparable sales or evidence of physical issues like foundation cracks or roof damage.
Bradford County Property Valuation Process
The Property Appraiser values every parcel each year as of January 1. Florida law requires the just value to equal the market value. The Property Appraiser uses three approaches to value:
- Cost approach: Replacement cost minus depreciation
- Sales comparison approach: Recent sales of similar properties
- Income approach: Net income for rental or commercial properties
For residential parcels in Bradford County, the sales comparison approach is the most common. The Property Appraiser pulls sales from the past 12 to 24 months, adjusts for size, condition, location, and features, and applies the adjusted value to the subject parcel. The mass appraisal system values all parcels at once using a computer model calibrated against recent sales.
Land valuation in Bradford County considers location, road frontage, timber value, agricultural use, and access to utilities. Rural parcels in the county are often valued based on agricultural use, which is much lower than market value. Owners of agricultural land must file an agricultural classification with the Property Appraiser to keep the lower value.
Property valuation appeals follow the same VAB process as any other challenge. Owners should gather recent comparable sales, photos of any defects, and the closing documents from their purchase. A licensed appraiser or tax consultant can help with larger or commercial parcels.
Bradford County Historical Property Records
Older property records in Bradford County are stored at the Clerk’s office and the Bradford County Public Library. Records before 1990 may be only in paper form. The Clerk’s office has index books going back to the 1800s. Many of these older books have been scanned and uploaded to the Clerk’s online system.
For deed records from the 1800s and early 1900s, the Clerk’s vault holds the original bound volumes. These volumes show hand-written entries with grantee name, grantor name, acreage, and consideration paid. Researchers and genealogists use these records to trace family land ownership in Bradford County history.
The Bradford County Property Appraiser’s sales history online only goes back to the early 1990s for most parcels. For older sales, use the Clerk’s Official Records system or visit the Clerk’s office in person. The Clerk’s staff can pull bound volumes for research on a case-by-case basis.
Bradford County Property Information for Buyers and Sellers
Before buying property in Bradford County, a thorough records check protects the buyer. The following steps cover the most important records to review:
- Pull the Property Appraiser parcel card for the current value, exemptions, and tax status
- Search the Clerk’s Official Records for the last deed, mortgage, and any liens
- Check the Tax Collector’s website for any delinquent taxes
- Review the VAB records for any pending or recent value challenges
- Order a title search from a licensed title company or attorney
A title search protects the buyer from past liens, easements, and ownership claims. Title insurance covers issues the search missed. Most lenders require title insurance as a condition of the mortgage.
For sellers in Bradford County, a pre-listing records check helps avoid surprises during escrow. Sellers should pull their own parcel card, check for any open permits, and confirm their homestead exemption status. Errors on the parcel card can be corrected by contacting the Property Appraiser’s office before the closing date.
Mapping and Survey Records in Bradford County
Survey records in Bradford County are held at the Clerk’s office under the plat index. Subdivision plats, right-of-way maps, and individual survey maps are all recorded here. Many older surveys are tied to the original General Land Office plats from the 1800s. Newer subdivisions have their own plat books at the Clerk’s office.
For boundary disputes, the Clerk’s recorded plat is the legal starting point. A licensed surveyor can retrace the original lot lines from the plat and mark the corners in the field. The survey costs $300 to $800 for a typical residential lot in Bradford County. Larger parcels can cost more based on acreage, terrain, and tree cover.
Accessing Bradford County Property Records in Person
All three Bradford County property offices are open to the public during regular business hours. The Property Appraiser, Clerk, and Tax Collector all share the Bradford County Courthouse complex at 945 North Temple Avenue in Starke. Free parking is available on site. Visitors should bring a photo ID and be ready to fill out a public records request form for any large pulls.
Office locations and hours:
- Property Appraiser: 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091. Phone: (904) 966-6216. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Clerk of the Court: 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091. Phone: (904) 966-6280. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Tax Collector: 945 N. Temple Ave., Suite B, Starke, FL 32091. Phone: (904) 966-6240. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Official websites (not clickable):
- Property Appraiser: bradfordappraiser.com
- Clerk of the Court: bradfordclerk.com
- Tax Collector: bradfordtax.com
Bradford County Property Records Map
Frequently Asked Questions About Bradford County Property Records
The following questions cover the most common requests for Bradford County property records. Each answer gives a clear, direct path to the right office and tool for the request.
How do I find out who owns a property in Bradford County?
The fastest way to find the current owner of any Bradford County property is the Property Appraiser’s online search at bradfordappraiser.com. Type the owner’s name, the property address, or the parcel number into the search box. The search will return the current owner of record along with the mailing address, the parcel ID, and the latest assessed value. The data updates weekly based on deeds recorded at the Clerk’s office. For ownership going back many years, use the sales history tab on the parcel card or run a deed search in the Clerk’s Official Records system at bradfordclerk.com. Past owners are listed in the grantor-grantee index of the Clerk’s records.
Are Bradford County property records free to search?
Yes, online searches are free through the Property Appraiser, Clerk, and Tax Collector websites. The Property Appraiser’s parcel search, the Clerk’s Official Records search, and the Tax Collector’s bill lookup are all free public services. In-person record pulls may have a per-page copy fee. Certified copies of recorded documents cost $2 per page plus a $2 certification fee at the Clerk’s office. Bulk record requests can be submitted through the public records request form on the Clerk’s website.
How do I find Bradford County property tax records?
Tax records are available at the Tax Collector’s website, bradfordtax.com. Search by parcel number, owner name, or address to see the current tax bill, payment history, and any delinquent amounts. The Tax Collector’s office also has printed records going back many years. For older tax history, contact the Tax Collector’s office at (904) 966-6240. Tax certificate sale records are also public and are posted on the Tax Collector’s website before each June sale.
Can I look up a Bradford County property by its legal description?
Yes, the Property Appraiser’s search accepts legal descriptions in the property address field. Type the full legal description as it appears on the deed, including section, township, range, and lot numbers. The Clerk’s Official Records search at bradfordclerk.com also supports legal description searches for older documents. If the legal description is too long for the search box, contact the Property Appraiser’s mapping department at (904) 966-6216 for help locating the parcel.
What is the difference between assessed value and market value in Bradford County?
Market value, called just value under Florida law, is the price a property would sell for on January 1 of the tax year. Assessed value is the value used to calculate the tax bill. For properties with the Save Our Homes homestead exemption, the assessed value is capped at 3% growth per year or the CPI change, whichever is lower. The cap makes the assessed value lower than market value for long-time owners. When the property sells, the cap resets to the new market value. Non-homestead properties are assessed at full market value each year with no cap.
How do I get a copy of a deed in Bradford County?
Deed copies are available from the Bradford County Clerk of the Court. Free PDF scans of deeds recorded after 1990 are on the Clerk’s online system at bradfordclerk.com. For certified copies, contact the Recording Department at (904) 966-6280. The cost is $2 per page for certified copies, plus a $2 certification fee. The Clerk’s office can mail certified copies upon request with a self-addressed stamped envelope and prepayment. Walk-in customers can get copies on the spot at the recording window on the first floor of the courthouse.
How long does it take for a new deed to show up in Bradford County records?
New deeds recorded at the Bradford County Clerk’s office appear in the online Official Records system within one to two business days of recording. The Property Appraiser’s parcel card updates within one to two weeks after the Clerk records the deed. The Tax Collector’s system updates based on the annual tax bill cycle and the TRIM notice in August. For time-sensitive matters like a pending closing, contact the Clerk’s Recording Department to confirm the recording date and the document number for the new deed.