Real Estate Title Search Florida
A real estate title search in Florida checks the public records on a house, condo, lot or piece of land before it changes hands. It tells you who legally owns the property and whether anything is attached to it: mortgages, liens, judgments, unpaid taxes, open permits, HOA claims or easements. Title Company of Florida orders and reviews real estate title searches for buyers, sellers, investors, Realtors and lenders across Northeast Florida.
Order a Real Estate Title Search FloridaCall 904-938-4853
What a Real Estate Title Search Florida Buyers Need Actually Covers
A property title search follows the chain of ownership through the county Official Records and checks the other public sources that can affect who owns the property and what is owed on it. A typical search reviews:
- Vesting and chain of title: who holds title now, and whether each past transfer (deeds, probate, divorce, trust transfers) was recorded properly.
- Open mortgages: any loan that was never satisfied of record, including old refinances.
- Liens and judgments: contractor (construction) liens, code enforcement liens, HOA and condo association liens, IRS liens and court judgments against current owners.
- Property taxes: unpaid real estate taxes and any outstanding tax certificates.
- Municipal and permit issues: open or expired permits and utility or special assessment liens, where a municipal lien search is ordered.
- Easements, restrictions and legal description: recorded easements, plat restrictions and whether the legal description matches the property being sold.
Anything the search turns up is listed as a requirement or exception on the title commitment, so it can be paid off, released or corrected before closing.
Property Title Search Florida by Address or by Owner Name
Most people start a property title search in Florida by address or by the owner’s name. Here is how that works:
- By address: look up the address on the county Property Appraiser site to get the parcel ID, legal description and current owner of record.
- By owner name: search the county Clerk of Court Official Records by grantor/grantee name to pull deeds, mortgages, liens and judgments.
- Check taxes: confirm current and delinquent taxes with the county Tax Collector.
County record sites in our area: Duval Clerk, St. Johns Clerk, Nassau Clerk and Flagler Clerk.
Free Property Title Search in Florida vs. a Professional Search
Florida’s public records are open, so you can do a free look-up yourself. That is useful for a quick check, but it has limits. Name searches miss misspellings and name variations, liens can be indexed under a prior owner, and municipal liens and open permits are usually not in the Official Records at all. A free search also does not come with title insurance. When money is changing hands, a professional real estate title search tied to a title commitment is what lenders require and what protects the buyer. Our guide on how to do a title search in Florida walks through the do-it-yourself steps, and how to check for liens on a property in Florida covers liens in more detail.
How Much Does a Title Search Cost in Florida?
The cost depends on the property and how far back the search goes. A standard search for a purchase closing is usually part of the title and closing fees, while stand-alone searches (for example an owner and encumbrance report before listing or before buying at auction) are quoted separately. Municipal lien searches are often an added line item. We quote the search up front so there are no surprises. For a full estimate of title insurance and closing costs, try our Florida title insurance calculator or request a title quote.
Who Pays for the Title Search in Florida?
It depends on the county custom and the purchase contract. In much of Northeast Florida, including Duval, St. Johns, Nassau and Clay counties, the seller customarily pays for the owner’s title policy and the search that goes with it, but this is negotiable and can be changed in the contract. Your Realtor or our closing team can confirm what your contract says.
When to Order a Real Estate Title Search
- Buying a home or land: ordered as soon as the contract is signed.
- Selling: an early search before listing can surface old liens or probate issues while there is still time to clear them.
- Investors: before bidding at a foreclosure or tax deed auction, before a wholesale or double closing, or before buying from an estate. See our investor title services.
- Refinancing: your lender will require an updated search.
- For sale by owner: an independent search protects both sides. See FSBO title services.
Order a Real Estate Title Search Florida Closings Can Rely On
We handle real estate title searches, title insurance and closings throughout Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Yulee and Palm Coast. Our Jacksonville office is at 9428 Baymeadows Rd, Suite 140, and remote and mobile closings are available elsewhere. Jump back to what a real estate title search Florida buyers need covers. For more background, see our Title Search Florida overview and our Florida title search process for buyers.
Order Your Title SearchCall 904-938-4853
Real Estate Title Search FAQs
How long does a real estate title search take in Florida?
Most residential searches come back within a few business days. Municipal lien searches and properties with complicated history can take longer.
Can I search a Florida property title by name for free?
Yes. The county Clerk of Court Official Records can be searched by name at no cost. A professional search goes further and is backed by a title commitment and policy.
Does a title search cover mobile homes?
If the mobile home has been made part of the land (retired title, real property), yes. If it still has a vehicle-style title, that title is handled by FLHSMV.
Is a title search the same as title insurance?
No. The search finds problems in the records. Title insurance protects you from covered problems that the search could not find, like forgery or an unknown heir.