Okeechobee County Property Records are the official files that show who owns land and buildings in Okeechobee County, Florida. These records also show the value of each property, the taxes paid on it, and any legal claims tied to it.
The records are open to the public. Any person can look at them online or in person. This page explains how the system works, where to look, and what each record means.
The office that runs property records in Okeechobee County is the Property Appraiser. The current Property Appraiser is Mickey Bandi. The office keeps track of every parcel of land in the county. A parcel is a single piece of land with its own ID number. Each parcel has its own record. The Property Appraiser’s office sits at 307 NW 5th Avenue, Suite A, Okeechobee, FL 34972. The phone number is 863-763-4422.
This content will help you search for a property by name, address, or parcel ID. It will help you read a property record and know what each field means. It will help you look up the deed for any property, apply for a homestead exemption, check property tax records, and learn who to call for each type of record.
What Are Okeechobee County Property Records
Okeechobee County property records are public files. They list every parcel of land in the county. They show who owns the land. They show how much the land is worth for tax reasons. They also show any legal claims on the land, like a mortgage or a lien.
Florida state law says these records must be open to the public. This rule is in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Chapter 119 is also called the Public Records Law. Any person can ask to see them. There is no fee to look at most of them online. There may be a small fee for a printed or certified copy.
The records come from two main offices. The Property Appraiser holds the assessment and ownership files. The Clerk of the Circuit Court holds the deeds, mortgages, and liens. Both offices work together to keep the system up to date.
The records are used for many reasons. Buyers check them before they buy a home. Sellers check them before they list. Lawyers check them for title searches. Appraisers check them for value. Homeowners check them to make sure their own data is correct.
How the Okeechobee County Property Appraiser Manages the Records
The Okeechobee County Property Appraiser is Mickey Bandi. His office is the main source for property records in the county. The office sits at 307 NW 5th Avenue, Suite A, Okeechobee, FL 34972. The main phone number is 863-763-4422.
The Property Appraiser’s office does several jobs each year:
- Sets the value of every parcel in the county for tax reasons
- Tracks the owner of every parcel
- Processes exemption applications, like the homestead exemption
- Keeps maps and parcel data for the county
- Publishes the annual tax roll
The office does not collect taxes. Tax bills and payments go through the Okeechobee County Tax Collector. The Property Appraiser only sets the value. The Tax Collector sends the bill.
The Property Appraiser updates the records when:
- A property sells
- A new building permit is filed
- An owner applies for an exemption
- A court order changes ownership
- Land is split or joined with another parcel
How to Search Okeechobee County Property Records Online
The Property Appraiser’s office runs a public search tool on its website. The tool lets you look up a parcel in several ways. You can search by:
- Owner name
- Property address
- Parcel ID number
- Map search using an interactive GIS map
Each search gives you a parcel detail page. The page shows all the key data for that one property in one view. You can see the owner, the value, the building details, and the sales history. You can also see the legal description of the land.
The search tool is free to use. You do not need to sign up. You do not need to log in. You can run as many searches as you need. The tool runs on the Okeechobee County Property Appraiser’s website.
For deeds and mortgages, you need a different tool. Those records are held by the Okeechobee Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Clerk’s office runs its own online search called Official Records Search. The Clerk’s tool lets you look up a document by name, instrument type, or Official Record Book and Page number.
What Each Okeechobee County Property Record Contains
Each parcel record shows several kinds of data. Here is a list of the main fields and what they mean.
| Field | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Parcel ID | A unique number the county gives each parcel |
| Owner Name | The person or company that owns the land |
| Mailing Address | Where tax bills get sent |
| Site Address | The location of the land |
| Assessed Value | The value the Property Appraiser sets for tax reasons |
| Taxable Value | The value used to figure the tax bill after exemptions |
| Exemptions | Any tax breaks applied to the parcel |
| Land Use | How the land is being used, like residential or farm |
| Building Data | Year built, square footage, number of units |
| Sales History | Past sales of the parcel with prices and dates |
| Legal Description | The written description of the land from the deed |
| Book and Page | The reference number to look up the deed at the Clerk’s office |
The assessed value is set by the Property Appraiser each year. Florida law requires the Property Appraiser to look at market value as of January 1. The taxable value is the assessed value minus any exemptions. Most homeowners in Okeechobee County have a homestead exemption that lowers the taxable value.
The sales history shows past transfers of the property. Each line shows a date, a price, and a code that shows if it was a real market sale or a non-market transfer, like a gift or an inheritance.
The legal description is the text from the deed. It describes the exact shape, size, and location of the land. It uses metes and bounds, which means distances and directions from a starting point.
The Book and Page number is the link to the actual deed. You can take that number to the Clerk’s online tool and pull up the scanned image of the deed.
How to Search by Owner, Address, or Parcel ID
The Property Appraiser’s search tool works with three main input types. Each one is best for a different situation.
Search by Owner Name
Type the last name first. If you know the first name, add it. The tool will return a list of parcels owned by people with that name. You can click each result to see the full record.
If the owner is a company, type the company name. The tool will look for matches in the business name field. If the company is a trust or LLC, type the full name as it appears on the deed.
Search by Address
Type the house number and street name. Do not add the city or zip code unless the tool asks. The tool will return the parcel at that address. If the address is a unit, like an apartment, the tool may return the main parcel first.
Search by Parcel ID
This is the most exact method. The parcel ID is a number the county gives each piece of land. The ID has a format like 1234-567-89-0000. If you have the parcel ID, you will get the exact parcel with no extra steps.
The parcel ID is on every tax bill. It is also on any document filed with the Clerk, like a deed or a mortgage.
Okeechobee County GIS Property Map
The Property Appraiser’s office runs a GIS map. GIS stands for Geographic Information System. The map shows every parcel in the county on a satellite or road view.
You can use the map to:
- Look up a parcel by location
- See the shape and size of a piece of land
- See the parcels next to the one you are looking at
- See the road, water, and other features near a parcel
To use the map, click on any parcel. A pop-up window will show the parcel ID and owner. Click the link in the pop-up to go to the full record.
The map is a good tool when you know where a property is but do not know the address. It is also good for looking at a whole neighborhood at once. In a rural county like Okeechobee, the map helps you locate large parcels that may not have a clear street address.
Deed Records and Official Records at the Clerk’s Office
Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other legal papers are filed with the Okeechobee Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Clerk’s office is the official keeper of these records under Chapter 28 of the Florida Statutes.
The Clerk runs an online tool called Official Records Search. The tool lets you look up a document by:
- Name of a party on the document
- Type of document, like deed or mortgage
- Official Record Book and Page number
- Date range
- Parcel ID
The tool shows a scanned image of the original document. You can see the signatures, the legal description, and any riders or add-ons.
A certified copy of a deed is a copy the Clerk stamps with a seal. A certified copy is often needed for legal or lending reasons. The Clerk charges a fee for each certified copy under Chapter 28. The fee depends on the number of pages.
An uncertified digital copy is often free or lower cost. You can download it and print it for your own use. Most title searches and property research only need an uncertified copy.
Homestead Exemption in Okeechobee County
Florida has a homestead exemption for primary residents. The exemption lowers the taxable value of a home. The lower the taxable value, the lower the tax bill.
The first $25,000 of the exemption applies to all tax levies. That includes school taxes. The second $25,000 applies to all tax levies except school taxes. For a homeowner in Okeechobee County, this means up to $50,000 off the taxable value of the home.
To get the exemption, you must:
- Own the home
- Live in the home as your main, permanent residence
- Have a Florida driver’s license or ID with the home address
- Not claim a similar exemption in another state
- Apply by the deadline
The deadline to apply for the homestead exemption in Florida is March 1 of the tax year. If you miss the deadline, the exemption will start the next year.
You can apply in person at the Property Appraiser’s office. You can also apply by mail. You will need:
- A Florida ID with the home address
- Your Social Security number
- Proof of ownership, like a deed
- A recorded deed or a tax bill
After you get the exemption, it stays on the home as long as you own it and live in it. When you sell the home, the exemption goes away. The new owner must apply for the exemption on their own.
Florida also has the Save Our Homes cap. The cap limits the yearly increase in the assessed value of a homestead property to 3% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. Long-time homeowners may have an assessed value much lower than the market value since of this cap.
Portability lets you take a Save Our Homes benefit from a prior Florida homestead to a new one. You have three years from the date you gave up the old homestead to use the benefit on the new one.
Property Tax Records and the Tax Collector
The Okeechobee County Tax Collector handles tax bills and payments. The Tax Collector’s office is in the county seat of Okeechobee.
The Property Appraiser sets the value. The taxing districts set the rate. The Tax Collector puts the two together and sends the bill. The Tax Collector also collects the payment.
Tax bills come out in November each year. Florida gives a discount for early payment. The discount drops each month:
| Month | Discount |
|---|---|
| November | 4% |
| December | 3% |
| January | 2% |
| February | 1% |
| March | 0% |
| After March 31 | Delinquent |
After March 31, the tax is late. The Tax Collector may sell a tax certificate on the property to cover the unpaid amount. A tax certificate gives the buyer the right to collect the tax plus interest from the owner. A tax deed sale can follow if the tax stays unpaid for years.
Most property owners in Okeechobee County pay their tax bill in November to get the full 4% discount.
TRIM Notice and Property Tax Calendar
Every August, the Property Appraiser mails the TRIM notice. TRIM stands for Truth in Millage. The notice is not a bill. It is a notice that shows the proposed value and the proposed tax rate for each taxing district that covers the property.
The TRIM notice shows:
- The proposed assessed value
- The proposed taxable value
- The proposed tax rate from each taxing district
- The estimated total tax for the year
You have 25 days from the date the TRIM notice is mailed to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) if you disagree with the value. Filing a petition is free. You can file it yourself or hire a tax agent or lawyer.
The VAB hears petitions and issues a decision before the final tax roll is certified in September or October. The tax bill then comes out in November based on the final roll.
How to Challenge a Property Assessment
If you think the value on your TRIM notice is too high, you can file a petition with the Okeechobee County Value Adjustment Board. The petition is free.
You have 25 days from the date the TRIM notice was mailed. The petition must be in writing. It must list the parcel ID, the address, and the reason you think the value is wrong.
Common reasons for a challenge:
- The value is higher than the recent sale price of a similar home
- The property data is wrong, like square footage or number of rooms
- The property has damage not reflected in the value
You can file the petition by mail or in person. You can hire a Florida-licensed tax agent or attorney to file for you. Many agents work on a contingency fee, which means they only get paid if they lower your value.
Okeechobee County Property Records Contact Information
Property records in Okeechobee County are split between a few offices. Here are the main offices you may need.
Okeechobee County Property Appraiser
Mickey Bandi
307 NW 5th Avenue, Suite A
Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: 863-763-4422
This office handles ownership, assessed value, exemptions, and parcel data. The Property Appraiser’s office is the first stop for most property record searches in the county.
Okeechobee County Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Clerk’s office handles deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents. The Clerk also runs the Official Records online search. Florida law requires the Clerk to keep these records open to the public.
Okeechobee County Tax Collector
The Tax Collector sends the tax bill and collects the payment. The Tax Collector’s office is in Okeechobee. Florida law caps the fees the Tax Collector can charge for certain services.
Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office
504 NW 4th Street
Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: 863-763-3117
The Sheriff handles civil process service, like serving a notice of a lien. The Sheriff does not handle property records but is a useful office for legal papers tied to property.
Okeechobee County Supervisor of Elections
304 NW 2nd Street, Room 144
Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: 863-763-4014
The Supervisor of Elections handles voter registration, not property records. The office is included here since it sits at the same address as many other county offices.
Office hours for the Property Appraiser follow standard county business hours, Monday through Friday, with the office closed on county holidays. Call the office at 863-763-4422 to confirm hours before you visit.
Map to Okeechobee County Property Appraiser:
Frequently Asked Questions About Okeechobee County Property Records
Below are the most common questions people ask about Okeechobee County Property Records. The answers cover ownership searches, deed copies, exemptions, liens, parcel IDs, tax payments, and value challenges. Each answer is based on Florida state law and the rules used by the Okeechobee County Property Appraiser and the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
How do I check who owns a property in Okeechobee County?
Go to the Okeechobee County Property Appraiser’s website. Use the search tool to look up the parcel by name, address, or parcel ID. The parcel detail page will show the current owner of record. The owner of record is the person or entity shown on the last deed filed with the Clerk.
If you only have a name, search by the last name first. The tool will return a list of parcels owned by people with that name. Click each result to see the full record. If the owner is a company, type the company name. The tool will look for matches in the business name field.
For a deeper check, pull the deed from the Clerk’s Official Records tool. The deed shows the full chain of ownership for the past transfers. The Property Appraiser only shows the current owner. The Clerk’s tool shows the full history.
If you cannot locate the owner through the online tool, call the Property Appraiser’s office at 863-763-4422. Staff can help you run the search over the phone. You will need the address or parcel ID for a fast answer.
How do I get a copy of a deed in Okeechobee County?
Go to the Okeechobee Clerk of the Circuit Court’s website. Use the Official Records Search tool. Search by name, document type, or Book and Page. You can download an uncertified copy for free or pay a fee for a certified copy. A certified copy has the Clerk’s seal and is accepted for legal use.
The Clerk’s tool shows a scanned image of the original document. You can see the signatures, the legal description, and any riders or add-ons. The legal description is the text that describes the exact shape, size, and location of the land.
A certified copy is often needed for legal or lending reasons. Lenders, title companies, and courts usually require a certified copy. The Clerk charges a fee for each certified copy under Chapter 28 of the Florida Statutes. The fee depends on the number of pages.
An uncertified digital copy is often free or lower cost. You can download it and print it for your own use. Most title searches and property research only need an uncertified copy.
How do I apply for a homestead exemption in Okeechobee County?
Pick up an application at the Property Appraiser’s office or call 863-763-4422. Bring a Florida ID with the home address, your Social Security number, and proof of ownership, like a deed. The deadline to apply is March 1 of the tax year.
Florida law gives a homestead exemption to primary residents. The exemption lowers the taxable value of a home. The lower the taxable value, the lower the tax bill. The first $25,000 of the exemption applies to all tax levies, including school taxes. The second $25,000 applies to all tax levies except school taxes.
To get the exemption, you must own the home, live in the home as your main permanent residence, have a Florida driver’s license or ID with the home address, and not claim a similar exemption in another state. After you get the exemption, it stays on the home as long as you own it and live in it.
When you sell the home, the exemption goes away. The new owner must apply for the exemption on their own. Portability lets you take a Save Our Homes benefit from a prior Florida homestead to a new one. You have three years from the date you gave up the old homestead to use the benefit on the new one.
How do I check if a property has a lien in Okeechobee County?
Search the Clerk’s Official Records tool for the property. Look for any document coded as a lien, judgment, or mortgage. The Clerk’s tool lets you filter by document type. You can also check the Property Appraiser’s record for any flags that show taxes are owed.
Common lien types in Okeechobee County include:
- Mortgage liens from a lender
- Mechanic’s liens from contractors
- Judgment liens from a court case
- Tax liens from unpaid property taxes
- HOA liens from a homeowners’ association
The Clerk’s tool shows the date the lien was filed, the amount, and the party who filed it. You can pull the original document to see the full text. A lien stays on the property until it is paid and a release is filed with the Clerk.
A title search is the full check of all liens on a property. Title companies run title searches before a sale. You can also run one yourself using the Clerk’s tool. Pull every document tied to the parcel and review them one by one.
How do I look up the parcel ID for a property in Okeechobee County?
If you know the address, search by address in the Property Appraiser’s tool. The parcel ID is on the parcel detail page. If you only know the location, use the GIS map. Click on the parcel. The pop-up will show the parcel ID.
The parcel ID is a number the county gives each piece of land. The ID has a format like 1234-567-89-0000. The format is the same for all parcels in Okeechobee County. Each part of the ID stands for a smaller piece of the land description.
The parcel ID is on every tax bill from the Tax Collector. It is also on any document filed with the Clerk, like a deed or a mortgage. The Clerk’s Official Records tool will show the parcel ID on each document.
If you have the address but cannot locate the parcel ID, call the Property Appraiser’s office at 863-763-4422. Staff can look up the parcel ID for you. Have the full street address ready when you call.
How do I pay my property tax in Okeechobee County?
Pay the Okeechobee County Tax Collector. You can pay in person, by mail, or online. Pay in November to get the full 4% discount. The discount drops to 3% in December, 2% in January, and 1% in February. After March 31, the tax is late.
Tax bills come out in November each year. The Tax Collector puts the assessed value and the taxing districts’ rates together and sends the bill. The Tax Collector also collects the payment. The Property Appraiser only sets the value. The Tax Collector sends the bill.
You can pay in person at the Tax Collector’s office in Okeechobee. You can pay by mail with a check or money order. You can also pay online through the Tax Collector’s website. Online payment may have a small processing fee.
After March 31, the tax is late. The Tax Collector may sell a tax certificate on the property to cover the unpaid amount. A tax certificate gives the buyer the right to collect the tax plus interest from the owner. A tax deed sale can follow if the tax stays unpaid for years.
How do I challenge my property value in Okeechobee County?
File a petition with the Okeechobee County Value Adjustment Board within 25 days of the TRIM notice mailing date. The petition is free. You can file yourself or hire a Florida-licensed tax agent or attorney. Common reasons include wrong property data or a value higher than recent comparable sales.
The TRIM notice is mailed in August each year. The notice shows the proposed assessed value, the proposed taxable value, the proposed tax rate from each taxing district, and the estimated total tax for the year. The notice is not a bill. It is your chance to review and, if needed, challenge the proposed value before it becomes final.
You have 25 days from the date the TRIM notice was mailed to file a petition. The petition must be in writing. It must list the parcel ID, the address, and the reason you think the value is wrong. Common reasons for a challenge include a value higher than the recent sale price of a similar home, wrong property data like square footage or number of rooms, or damage to the property not reflected in the value.
You can file the petition by mail or in person. You can hire a Florida-licensed tax agent or attorney to file for you. Many agents work on a contingency fee, which means they only get paid if they lower your value. The VAB hears petitions and issues a decision before the final tax roll is certified in September or October.
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Meta Title: Okeechobee County Property Records – Official Search 2026
Meta Description: Search Okeechobee County property records by owner, address, or parcel ID. Access the Property Appraiser, GIS map, deed records, and tax records from official sources.
Suggested Internal Links: Okeechobee County Property Appraiser, Okeechobee County Tax Collector, Okeechobee County Clerk of Court, Okeechobee County GIS Map, Okeechobee County Homestead Exemption, Okeechobee County TRIM Notice, Okeechobee County Value Adjustment Board.