Broward County Property Records
Property records for Broward County, Florida are official public documents recorded by the Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division, including deeds, conveyances, plats, and recorded liens. This guide explains how to search those records, the difference between unofficial and certified copies, and when to also check current tax status.
What Broward County Property Records Cover
In Broward County, Florida, official real-estate records are recorded and maintained by the Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division. These records document the ownership and encumbrance history of land and buildings within the county. Because they are public records, most can be searched by anyone without giving a reason.
Common document types recorded in the official record include:
- Deeds and conveyances (transfers of ownership between a grantor and grantee)
- Plats and subdivision maps that define parcel boundaries
- Mortgages and satisfactions of mortgage
- Recorded liens, including tax liens, abstracts of judgment, and mechanic's or construction liens where they are recorded
- Easements, restrictive covenants, and other agreements affecting title
This page keeps liens inside the property-records topic rather than treating them separately. For court case files such as civil judgments or foreclosures, see the separate Broward County Court Records page.
How to Search Official Records Online
The Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division provides an official records search. Most systems of this kind let you look up recorded documents using more than one method. Confirm the exact search fields and any date-range limits directly with the Records, Taxes and Treasury Division, because coverage for older documents can vary.
Grantor / Grantee search
A grantor/grantee search finds documents by the name of the party giving (grantor) or receiving (grantee) an interest. This is useful when you know a person's or business's name but not the parcel details. Names may be indexed by exact spelling, so try variations if you do not find a match.
Document-type search
You can also narrow results by the type of instrument — for example, a deed, mortgage, or lien — often combined with a name or a recording date range. If you are researching liens against a specific property, a document-type search combined with the owner's name is a good starting point.
Confirm hours of availability, any account or login requirements, and whether historical images are online with the recording agency before relying on the results.
Unofficial vs. Certified Copies
Documents you view or print from an online search are generally unofficial copies. They are fine for research and for reading the contents of a recorded instrument, but they are not certified.
A certified copy carries the recording office's seal or certification and is what you typically need for legal proceedings, refinancing, or resolving a title question. Certified copies usually involve a fee. The exact cost, accepted payment methods, and how to request a certified copy (in person, by mail, or online) must be confirmed with the Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division, because those details are not listed here.
Understanding Recorded Liens
A lien is a legal claim against property, often used to secure a debt. When a lien is recorded in the official record, it becomes part of the property's public history and can affect the owner's ability to sell or refinance. Types you may encounter in the Broward County record include:
- Tax liens — claims arising from unpaid taxes
- Abstracts of judgment — a recorded court judgment that attaches to property
- Mechanic's or construction liens — claims filed by contractors or suppliers for unpaid work, where recorded
You can search for recorded liens by name or document type, but the presence of a recorded document is a historical record, not legal advice. This page does not tell you how to clear or dispute a lien. For questions about releasing a lien or paying it off, contact the party that filed it or consult a licensed attorney.
When to Check Current Tax Status
The recording office maintains the recorded documents, but it does not perform title searches or calculate lien payoff amounts on your behalf. It also is not the source for confirming whether current-year property taxes are paid.
For current tax bills, balances, and payment status, the Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division handles tax collection functions for the county. Because a recorded tax lien reflects a point in time, always verify the current balance and status with the responsible tax office rather than assuming a recorded document is up to date. If you need a full title or lien picture for a purchase, many buyers use a licensed title company or attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Broward County property records free to search?
Online searching of the official records is generally available to the public. Certified copies and some services may carry fees. Confirm current fees and access rules with the Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division.
Does the recording office do title or lien-payoff searches?
No. The office records and provides access to documents, but it does not perform title searches or calculate lien payoff amounts. For those, use a licensed title company, attorney, or contact the lienholder directly.
What is the difference between an unofficial and a certified copy?
Unofficial copies are those you view or print from the online index and are suitable for research. Certified copies carry the office's certification for legal use and typically require a request and a fee.
Where do I check if property taxes are paid?
Check current tax status with the Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division, which handles tax collection. A recorded tax lien alone may not reflect the current balance.
Official & Public Resources
Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury
Official recorder for deeds, liens, and other recorded documents in Broward County.
https://www.broward.org/RecordsTaxesTreasury/Pages/default.aspx
Broward County Government
Official Broward County government website with links to county services and records.
