St. Lucie County Property Records
What Is St. Lucie County Property Records
St. Lucie County property records are official government documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property within the jurisdictional boundaries of St. Lucie County, Florida. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout the county. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 695.01, all conveyances, transfers, and encumbrances of real property must be properly recorded to provide constructive notice to the public.
Property records in St. Lucie County fulfill several essential functions:
- Establish legal ownership and chain of title
- Provide public notice of property interests
- Protect property rights of owners and lienholders
- Facilitate real estate transactions
- Support property tax assessment and collection
- Enable mortgage lending and title insurance
The St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains the official repository of property records as mandated by Florida law. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property interests. The recording system creates a chronological chain of title that can be traced from the original land grant to the current owner.
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court
201 South Indian River Drive
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
(772) 462-6900
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court
Are Property Records Public Information In St. Lucie County?
Property records in St. Lucie County are public information and accessible to all citizens under Florida law. The Florida Public Records Act, Chapter 119, establishes that all government records, including property records, are open for inspection by any person. Additionally, Florida Statutes § 28.222 specifically mandates that the Clerk of Circuit Court maintain public records of all instruments relating to the title of real property.
The legal basis for public access to property records includes:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public access to provide constructive notice
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Public records promote market efficiency and prevent fraud
Any member of the public may access property records without demonstrating a specific interest or providing a reason for the request. This open access policy reflects Florida's strong commitment to government transparency and public right to information. The only exceptions to public access involve certain personal information that may be redacted for security or privacy reasons as specified in Florida Statutes.
How To Search Property Records in St. Lucie County in 2026
St. Lucie County offers multiple methods for searching property records. Members of the public may utilize the following procedures to access these documents:
Online Search Method:
- Visit the St. Lucie County Clerk's Official Records Search portal
- Select the desired search parameters (name, document type, date range)
- Enter the relevant search criteria
- Review the search results list
- Select specific documents to view, download, or print
In-Person Search Method:
- Visit the Official Records Department at the St. Lucie County Courthouse
- Complete a records request form available at the public service counter
- Provide specific search criteria to the records clerk
- Wait while staff retrieves the requested records
- Review documents at designated public viewing stations
- Request copies of relevant documents (fees apply)
Mail or Email Request Method:
- Download and complete the Public Records Request Form
- Specify the records being requested with as much detail as possible
- Include contact information and preferred delivery method
- Submit the form via mail or email to the Clerk's Office
- Pay applicable fees for research and copies
- Receive documents via mail or electronic delivery
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court - Official Records Department
201 South Indian River Drive
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
(772) 462-6926
St. Lucie County Clerk's Office
Public counter hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
How To Find Property Records in St. Lucie County Online?
St. Lucie County maintains comprehensive digital systems that allow for efficient online property record searches. The county currently provides two primary online platforms for accessing property records:
-
Clerk of Circuit Court Official Records Search
- Navigate to the Official Records Search portal
- Search by name, document type, book/page, or date range
- Access records dating back to 1978 (with some historical records available)
- View, download, and print document images
- No user account required for basic searches
- Advanced search features may require registration
-
Property Appraiser's Property Search
- Visit the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser's website
- Search by owner name, property address, or parcel ID
- Access property assessment information, tax values, and physical characteristics
- View property maps, aerial photographs, and land use designations
- Examine sales history and comparable property data
- No registration required for public access
For the most comprehensive property research, users are advised to utilize both systems, as they contain complementary information. The Clerk's records provide legal documents affecting title, while the Property Appraiser's records offer detailed property characteristics and valuation data.
St. Lucie County Property Appraiser
2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
(772) 462-1000
St. Lucie County Property Appraiser
How To Look Up St. Lucie County Property Records for Free?
St. Lucie County provides free access to property records through several channels in accordance with Florida's public records laws. Residents and interested parties may utilize the following free methods to access property information:
Free Online Access:
- The St. Lucie County Clerk's Official Records Search provides free basic searching and viewing of recorded documents
- The St. Lucie County Property Appraiser's website offers free property information searches
- The St. Lucie County Tax Collector's website provides free access to tax payment records and property tax information
Free In-Person Access:
- Public access terminals are available at the Clerk's Office for free document searching and viewing
- The Property Appraiser's Office provides free public terminals for researching property information
- The St. Lucie County Library System offers free internet access for online property searches
While basic access to property records is free, certain services may incur fees:
- Document copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $2.00 per document plus $1.00 per page
- Research assistance: $20.00 per hour (first 30 minutes free)
- Subscription services for high-volume users: Varies
St. Lucie County Main Library
2410 Morningside Boulevard
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
(772) 337-5632
St. Lucie County Library System
What's Included in a St. Lucie County Property Record?
St. Lucie County property records encompass a comprehensive collection of documents and information related to real property within the county. These records are maintained by multiple county offices, each responsible for different aspects of property documentation. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 695.26, certain requirements must be met for documents to be properly recorded.
Types of Property Records:
-
Ownership Documents
- Warranty Deeds
- Quitclaim Deeds
- Special Warranty Deeds
- Trustee Deeds
- Tax Deeds
-
Financial Instruments
- Mortgages
- Mortgage Satisfactions
- Assignments of Mortgage
- Financing Statements
- Tax Liens
-
Judgments and Liens
- Construction Liens
- Judgment Liens
- Federal Tax Liens
- State Tax Warrants
- Lis Pendens
-
Miscellaneous Documents
- Easements
- Covenants and Restrictions
- Plats and Surveys
- Condominium Declarations
- Powers of Attorney
Information Typically Included:
- Legal description of the property
- Names of grantors and grantees
- Date of transaction
- Consideration amount (purchase price)
- Property identification numbers
- Notarization and witness information
- Documentary stamp tax information
- Recording information (book/page numbers)
- Property dimensions and boundaries
- Encumbrances and restrictions
The St. Lucie County Property Appraiser maintains additional property information including assessed value, tax exemptions, physical characteristics, and land use classifications. This information complements the legal documents maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court.
How Long Does St. Lucie County Keep Property Records?
St. Lucie County maintains property records permanently in accordance with Florida's records retention requirements. The Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services establishes retention schedules for government records, including property documents. Under Florida Administrative Code Rule 1B-24.003, property records are classified as permanent records that must be preserved indefinitely.
The retention periods for various property-related documents include:
- Deeds and conveyances: Permanent
- Mortgages and satisfactions: Permanent
- Liens and releases: Permanent
- Plats and surveys: Permanent
- Property tax rolls: Permanent
- Building permits: Life of structure + 10 years
- Zoning changes: Permanent
- Property appraisals: 3 fiscal years
St. Lucie County employs multiple preservation methods to ensure the longevity of property records:
- Digital imaging and electronic storage
- Climate-controlled physical storage for original documents
- Microfilm backup for disaster recovery
- Regular migration to new storage technologies
- Redundant backup systems in multiple locations
The county's records management program complies with state mandates while ensuring that property records remain accessible to future generations. Historical property records dating back to the county's formation in 1905 have been preserved and many have been digitized for easier public access.
How To Find Liens on Property In St. Lucie County?
Locating liens on property in St. Lucie County requires searching multiple official records databases. Liens represent legal claims against property that must be satisfied before title can be transferred. The following procedure enables members of the public to conduct comprehensive lien searches:
Step 1: Search the Clerk of Circuit Court Records
- Access the Official Records Search on the Clerk's website
- Search by property owner name or property address
- Filter results by document types:
- Construction Liens
- Judgment Liens
- Tax Liens
- Lis Pendens
- Code Enforcement Liens
- Review all documents that may affect the property
Step 2: Check Tax Collector Records
- Visit the St. Lucie County Tax Collector's website
- Search by property address or parcel ID
- Review for:
- Delinquent property taxes
- Tax certificates sold
- Special assessment liens
Step 3: Search Municipal Records
- Check City of Port St. Lucie or City of Fort Pierce records for:
- Code enforcement liens
- Utility liens
- Special assessment liens
Step 4: Verify Federal Tax Liens
- Return to the Clerk's Official Records Search
- Search specifically for federal tax liens filed against the property owner
For the most comprehensive results, property owners may wish to obtain a professional title search or lien search from a licensed title company. These services provide certified reports of all recorded liens affecting a specific property.
St. Lucie County Tax Collector
2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
(772) 462-1650
St. Lucie County Tax Collector
What Is Property Owner Rule In St. Lucie County?
The Property Owner Rule in St. Lucie County refers to the legal framework governing property ownership rights and responsibilities within the county. This framework is established through a combination of state statutes, county ordinances, and case law. Property owners in St. Lucie County are subject to specific regulations that define their rights and obligations.
Key elements of the Property Owner Rule include:
Ownership Rights:
- Fee simple ownership conveys complete legal title to real property
- Property owners have the right to use, possess, and dispose of their property
- Ownership rights extend to airspace above and reasonable depth below the property
- Property owners may exclude others from their property
- Rights are subject to government regulations and private restrictions
Ownership Responsibilities:
- Payment of annual property taxes by April 1 each year
- Compliance with zoning regulations and land use restrictions
- Adherence to building codes and permit requirements
- Maintenance of property in accordance with county codes
- Disclosure of property conditions during sales transactions
Legal Basis:
The Property Owner Rule is primarily governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 689, which addresses real property conveyances, and St. Lucie County Land Development Code, which establishes local property regulations.
Property owners should be aware that their rights may be limited by:
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Homeowners' association rules
- Environmental regulations
- Historic preservation designations
- Eminent domain powers of government
St. Lucie County property owners seeking to understand their specific rights and responsibilities should consult the county's comprehensive plan, land development code, and applicable state statutes.