Palm Beach County Property Records
What Is Palm Beach County Property Records
Palm Beach County property records are official documents that contain detailed information about real estate properties within Palm Beach County, Florida. These records are maintained by the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office and include information such as property ownership history, legal descriptions, sale prices, mortgage details, liens, and other relevant property information.
The records serve as the official history of real property ownership and transactions in the county, providing transparency and legal documentation for property-related matters. They are essential for real estate transactions, property research, title searches, and legal proceedings related to real estate.
Are Property Records Public Information In Palm Beach County?
Yes, property records in Palm Beach County are considered public information under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This means that most property records are accessible to anyone who wishes to view them, with certain exceptions for confidential information.
The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office maintains these public records and makes them available through both in-person visits and online platforms. While most information is publicly accessible, certain personal information may be redacted for privacy and security reasons.
Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office, 301 North Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
How To Search Property Records in Palm Beach County in 2025
To search property records in Palm Beach County in 2025, you have several options:
-
Online Search: Use the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Official Records Search system to access property records digitally.
-
In-Person Visit: Visit the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office in person to request and view property records. Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office, 301 North Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
-
Property Appraiser's Website: The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's website offers property information including ownership details, property values, and tax information. Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, 301 North Olive Avenue, 5th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
-
Third-Party Services: Various private companies offer property record search services, often with additional features and compiled reports for a fee.
When searching, you'll typically need information such as the property address, owner's name, or the property's parcel identification number (PIN) to locate specific records.
How To Find Property Records in Palm Beach County Online?
Finding property records online in Palm Beach County is straightforward:
-
Visit the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Official Records Search website at https://erec.mypalmbeachclerk.com/
-
Create a free account if you plan to access records regularly (optional for basic searches).
-
Choose your search criteria:
- Name search (property owner)
- Property address
- Book and page number
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Document number
-
Enter the relevant information and execute your search.
-
Review the search results and select the document you wish to view.
-
Download or print the document as needed (fees may apply for certain documents).
Alternatively, you can use the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's website (https://www.pbcgov.org/papa/) for property information including ownership details, property characteristics, and assessed values.
Can You Look Up Palm Beach County Property Records for Free?
Yes, you can look up Palm Beach County property records for free through several official channels:
-
Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Website: Basic searches of the Official Records Database are free, though there may be fees for printing or downloading certain documents. Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office, 301 North Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
-
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's Website: Provides free access to property information including ownership details, property characteristics, and tax assessment information. Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, 301 North Olive Avenue, 5th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
-
In-Person at Government Offices: You can visit the Clerk & Comptroller's Office or Property Appraiser's Office in person to view records at no cost, though copying fees may apply.
While basic searches are free, there may be nominal fees for certified copies, extensive research assistance, or bulk data requests.
What's Included in a Palm Beach County Property Record?
Palm Beach County property records typically include:
-
Ownership Information: Names of current and previous property owners.
-
Property Details: Legal description, parcel identification number, property address, and lot size.
-
Transaction History: Sale dates, prices, and terms of previous property transfers.
-
Mortgage Information: Details about mortgages, refinancing, and satisfaction of mortgages.
-
Liens and Encumbrances: Any liens, judgments, or other claims against the property.
-
Tax Information: Property tax assessments and payment history.
-
Plat Maps and Surveys: Official drawings showing property boundaries.
-
Easements and Restrictions: Rights granted to others for specific uses of the property and deed restrictions.
-
Building Permits: Information about construction, renovations, and improvements (typically found through the Building Department). Palm Beach County Building Division, 2300 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33411
-
Zoning Information: Current zoning classification and permitted uses.
How Long Does Palm Beach County Keep Property Records?
Palm Beach County maintains property records permanently. As official government documents, property records are preserved indefinitely to maintain a complete chain of title and history of ownership for all properties within the county.
The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office has digitized many historical records, with some dating back to the late 19th century when the county was established in 1909. Older records may be stored in different formats (microfilm, physical documents, etc.) but are still maintained and accessible.
This permanent retention ensures that a complete history of property ownership and transactions is always available for legal purposes, historical research, and property transactions.
How To Find Liens on Property In Palm Beach County?
To find liens on property in Palm Beach County:
-
Official Records Search: Use the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Official Records Search system at https://erec.mypalmbeachclerk.com/
- Search by property owner's name or property address
- Filter results by document types such as "Lien," "Judgment," "Notice of Commencement," etc.
-
In-Person Search: Visit the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office to request a lien search. Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office, 301 North Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
-
Tax Collector's Office: Check for tax liens through the Palm Beach County Tax Collector's website or office. Palm Beach County Tax Collector, 301 North Olive Avenue, 3rd Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
-
Title Company: Hire a title company to perform a comprehensive title search that will reveal all liens and encumbrances.
-
Professional Lien Search Service: Use a professional lien search service that specializes in identifying all types of liens against properties.
Common types of liens you might find include tax liens, mechanic's liens, homeowners association liens, judgment liens, and code enforcement liens.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Palm Beach County?
The "Property Owner Rule" in Palm Beach County refers to regulations that govern property ownership rights and responsibilities. While there isn't a single rule with this specific name, several important property ownership principles apply in Palm Beach County:
-
Homestead Exemption: Florida's homestead laws provide tax benefits and creditor protection for primary residences. Property owners must apply through the Property Appraiser's Office. Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, 301 North Olive Avenue, 5th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
-
Disclosure Requirements: Property owners must disclose certain conditions when selling property, including known defects and environmental issues.
-
Property Tax Responsibilities: Owners are responsible for paying property taxes assessed by the county. Palm Beach County Tax Collector, 301 North Olive Avenue, 3rd Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
-
Zoning Compliance: Property owners must comply with local zoning ordinances and land use regulations. Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning and Building Department, 2300 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33411
-
Homeowners Association Rules: Many properties in Palm Beach County are subject to HOA regulations that may restrict certain activities or modifications.
-
Public Records Access: As a property owner, information about your property becomes part of the public record, though certain personal information may be protected.
Lookup Property Records in Palm Beach County
For comprehensive access to Palm Beach County property records, the following resources are available:
-
Search Records - Access a comprehensive search system for various records including court records, official records, tax deeds, and special assessments.
-
Landmark Web Official Records Search - Search and access the Official Records Database, which includes deeds, mortgages, judgments, liens, and marriage licenses.
-
Privacy & Confidential Information - Learn about what information may be removed or redacted from Official Records and access related forms.
These resources provide the tools needed to research property records, verify ownership, check for liens, and access other important property-related documents in Palm Beach County.