Bradford County deed records are public files kept by the county clerk. These records show who owns land in the county.
They also show past sales and transfers. Anyone can search them. You can look up a deed by name, parcel number, or recording date. The clerk office holds these files in paper books and in a digital system. The digital system lets you search from home. This page covers how to search, what you can find, and how to get a copy.
The clerk records deeds for every city and town in Bradford County. This includes Starke, Lawtey, Brooker, and Hampton. It also covers rural land outside city limits. The state of Florida sets strict rules about how deeds must be filed. The clerk follows these rules for every deed that comes into the office. If you need proof of ownership for any reason, the deed record is the place to start.
What Bradford County Deed Records Show
Bradford County deed records give a full picture of property ownership. Each record lists the seller, the buyer, and the legal description of the land. It also lists the date the deed was signed and the date it was recorded. The clerk stamps the recording date on the page. This stamp starts the clock on legal rights tied to that deed. Anyone who reads the record can trace the chain of ownership back in time.
Types of Deeds Recorded in Bradford County
Several kinds of deeds show up in the official records. A warranty deed is the most common type. It promises that the seller holds clear title to the property. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the seller has. It does not promise clear title. A special warranty deed only covers the time the seller owned the land.
- Warranty deeds for normal sales
- Quitclaim deeds for family transfers or title fixes
- Special warranty deeds from banks and lenders
- Trustee deeds from estate sales and auctions
- Tax deeds for land sold at auction for unpaid taxes
Information Found in Each Deed Entry
Each deed entry in the index shows the same core facts. You will see the grantor name and the grantee name. You will see the recording date and the instrument number. You will see the legal description of the land. You will see the document type and the book and page numbers. Some deeds also list the parcel ID number. Some list mortgage details or lien releases tied to the same transfer.
Bradford County Clerk of Court Office
The Bradford County Clerk of Court records and stores every deed. This office runs the Official Records system. The clerk also issues certified copies of any filed deed. The clerk serves as the recorder for all real estate filings in the county. If a deed affects land in Bradford County, it must pass through this office to be valid.
Office Location and Hours of Operation
The clerk office sits at 945 North Temple Avenue in Starke, Florida. The office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM on weekdays. The office stays closed on state holidays. You can walk in during these hours to file a deed or to request a certified copy. Plan to arrive before 4:30 PM if you need same-day service on a recorded document.
Contact Phone and Website
The main phone line for the clerk office is (904) 966-6280. Staff can answer questions about recording fees and copy costs. The county website at bradfordclerk.com holds search links and forms. You can also reach the state portal at myfloridacounty.com to jump straight to the Bradford County records search. Email and online contact forms appear on the clerk website for non-urgent questions.
How to Search Bradford County Deed Records
You can search Bradford County deed records from home or at the clerk office. The county runs an online index that anyone can use. The state portal also connects you to the Bradford County system. If you know the names of the buyer or seller, you can pull up a list of matching deeds. If you have a parcel ID, you can pull up the full chain of title for that parcel. A small fee may apply for full document images.
Search the Official Records Online
The Bradford County Official Records search opens from the clerk website. You start by picking a search type. The choices include name, parcel ID, recording date, and document type. After you pick a type, you fill in the boxes and run the search. The result page lists every deed that matches your criteria. Click any entry to see the scanned image of the deed page. Free searches show the index only. Paid searches give you a printable image.
Search by Name or Parcel Number
A name search works best when you know the exact spelling. Florida law lets clerks redact some personal data from online records. You may see initials or partial year of birth instead of full dates. A parcel search gives the cleanest results. The parcel ID ties to a specific piece of land. Enter the parcel ID and you will see every deed tied to that land. This includes past owners, current owners, mortgages, and liens.
Use the Statewide Records Portal
The state portal at myfloridacounty.com lets you search all Florida counties. Pick Bradford County from the list. The portal opens the same search tools used on the local site. This helps when a property sits on a county border. It also helps when you need to search several counties at once. The statewide clerk directory at flclerks.com lists phone numbers and websites for all 67 county clerks.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Deed
A certified copy has the clerk stamp and signature. Courts and title companies ask for certified copies. Banks and mortgage lenders also ask for certified copies. A regular printout from the online system is not certified. You must request a certified copy through the clerk office. You can order by mail, in person, or through an online request form on the clerk website.
Copy Fees and Accepted Payments
The clerk charges set fees for each certified copy. The first page of a deed copy costs $10.00. Each extra page costs $2.00. A certified stamp adds another $2.00 per document. A search fee of $2.00 applies if staff must pull the record for you. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards in person. Online orders use credit cards only. Mail orders use checks or money orders.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy, first page | $10.00 |
| Certified copy, each extra page | $2.00 |
| Certification stamp | $2.00 |
| Clerk search fee | $2.00 per year searched |
| Plain copy, per page | $1.00 |
In Person and Mail Request Steps
For in person visits, bring the deed details and a valid photo ID. Go to the recording desk on the first floor. Tell the clerk you want a certified copy of a specific deed. Pay the fee and wait while the clerk pulls and stamps the document. For mail requests, send a written request with the grantor name, grantee name, recording date, and book and page numbers. Include a check for the total fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Gather the deed details (name, date, book and page).
- Write a request letter or use the clerk form.
- Calculate the fee using the fee table.
- Include a check or money order payable to the clerk.
- Mail the request to 945 N Temple Ave, Starke, FL 32091.
- Allow 5 to 10 business days for delivery by mail.
Florida Laws That Cover Bradford County Deeds
Florida state laws control how deeds get recorded and who can see them. Bradford County follows the same rules as every other county. The clerk office applies these rules to every document filed. Knowing the rules helps you file deeds without errors. It also helps you know what the clerk can and cannot share with the public.
Chapter 695 Recording Rules
Florida Statute Chapter 695 sets the rules for recording instruments that affect real property. The chapter lists what a deed must contain to be valid. It covers signature rules, witness rules, and notarization rules. It also covers the order in which the clerk must process filings. A deed that does not meet these rules can be rejected by the clerk. The full text lives at leg.state.fl.us under Chapter 695.
Chapter 119 Public Records Law
Florida Statute Chapter 119 gives the public the right to see government records. Deed records fall under this rule. Any person can ask for a copy of any deed on file. The clerk can redact certain personal data for safety. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s names. The full text lives at leg.state.fl.us under Chapter 119.
Section 28.222 Clerk Duties
Florida Statute Section 28.222 lists the recording duties of county clerks. The section names what must be recorded. It also names the index fields the clerk must keep. The clerk must maintain a single Official Records series for each county. The clerk must also keep older records open to the public. The full text lives at leg.state.fl.us under Section 28.222.
Common Reasons to Search Deed Records
People search Bradford County deed records for many reasons. Each reason calls for a slightly different search. Knowing your reason helps you pick the right search type. It also helps you know what facts to record once you find the right deed.
Property Title and Ownership Checks
A title check confirms who owns a piece of land right now. A title check also lists past owners. Buyers run title checks before closing on a property. Lenders run title checks before issuing a mortgage. The deed index shows every transfer going back to the original patent. Title companies build full chains of title from these records.
Heir and Estate Property Research
Heirs search deed records when a family member passes away. The deed shows who held title at the time of death. It also shows if the person held the land as tenants in common or joint tenants with right of survivorship. Probate lawyers use this data to settle estates. Family historians use this data to trace land through generations.
Mortgage and Lien Verification
Lenders and buyers search for liens tied to a property. A lien is a claim against the land for unpaid debt. Mortgages, tax liens, and contractor liens all show up in the records. A clear lien search shows that no one else has a legal claim on the land. Title insurers require this search before they issue a policy.
Cities and Communities in Bradford County
Bradford County covers about 300 square miles in north central Florida. The county has four cities and several unincorporated communities. Every parcel of land in these places falls under the Bradford County clerk for deed recording. City halls do not record deeds. Only the county clerk records deeds in Florida.
Starke Florida Records
Starke is the county seat of Bradford County. Most land transfers in the county involve Starke addresses. The Starke city hall handles zoning and permits, but not deed records. Deeds for Starke land are recorded at the Bradford County Clerk of Court on North Temple Avenue. The same online search tools cover all Starke parcels.
Lawtey Florida Records
Lawtey sits in the eastern part of Bradford County. The city covers about 1.5 square miles. Land owners in Lawtey file deeds at the county clerk office. A Lawtey address on a deed still means the official record lives at the Bradford County Official Records system. The same search steps apply.
Brooker and Hampton Records
Brooker and Hampton are the other two cities in the county. Brooker sits near the western border. Hampton sits in the southern part of the county. Both cities record deeds through the same clerk office in Starke. Rural land outside these cities also files at the same clerk office. The county clerk covers every parcel of land within county lines.
Bradford County Florida Contact Card
The Bradford County Clerk of Court serves as the main point of contact for deed records. You can reach the office by phone, mail, or in person. The clerk website offers search links and forms. Use the contact details below for recording and copy requests.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Bradford County Clerk of Court |
| Street Address | 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091 |
| Phone Number | (904) 966-6280 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Official Website | bradfordclerk.com |
| State Portal | myfloridacounty.com |
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section answers common questions about Bradford County deed records. Each answer covers a specific point that users ask most often. Use these answers to plan your search or copy request. If your question goes beyond these answers, call the clerk office during business hours for direct help.
How do I find out who owns a property in Bradford County?
Search the Bradford County Official Records by name or parcel ID. Enter the owner name into the name search box. Or enter the parcel ID into the parcel search box. The search returns a list of deeds tied to that owner or parcel. Click any deed to see the image and confirm current ownership. The clerk office can also run a verbal search by phone for a small fee.
Are Bradford County deed records free to view?
The index search is free. You can see names, dates, and document types without paying. A small fee applies to see the full image of the deed. A certified copy carries higher fees. The fee table on this page lists the exact costs. Online payments accept credit cards. In person payments accept cash, check, or card.
Can I search for older deed records from the 1800s?
Yes. The clerk keeps records going back to the founding of the county. Older records may sit in paper books rather than the digital system. The clerk staff can pull these books for a search fee. Some older books have been scanned and added to the online system. Call the office to check on a specific old deed.
What is the difference between a warranty deed and a quitclaim deed?
A warranty deed promises that the seller holds clear title to the land. The seller covers any title defects that came before the sale. A quitclaim deed transfers only what the seller owns. The seller makes no promise about title quality. Quitclaim deeds are common for family transfers and for fixing title errors.
How long does it take to record a new deed in Bradford County?
Most deeds get recorded within 1 to 3 business days after the clerk office receives them. Simple deeds with no errors record faster. Deeds with missing signatures or wrong legal descriptions get rejected and sent back. E-recording through approved vendors can speed up the process. Ask the clerk office about current turnaround times.
Can I use a Bradford County deed record as proof of ownership?
The deed record serves as proof that a transfer was filed. Courts and title companies treat a recorded deed as the starting point for proof of ownership. A recorded warranty deed combined with a title search gives strong proof. For court cases, you may need a certified copy stamped by the clerk. A regular printout does not carry the same weight.
What happens if a deed was never recorded in Bradford County?
An unrecorded deed still passes title between the buyer and seller. The buyer may not be able to enforce rights against third parties. Florida law gives recorded deeds priority over later claims. The fix is to record the deed as soon as possible. Late recording can lead to title disputes. A title company can help you sort out the issues.