Next Sales

The Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Records Department presents the information on this web site as a service to the public. We have tried to ensure that the information contained in this electronic search system is accurate. Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Records Department makes no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content at this site or at other sites to which we link. Assessing accuracy and reliability of information is the responsibility of the user. The user is advised to search on all possible spelling variations of proper names, in order to maximize search results.

The Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Records Department Department shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for any damages in connection with the use of the information contained herein. If you choose not to accept the conditions stated above please exit this search application.

Our Tax Deed files have moved to electronic-only versions.
You may view our electronic files here.

 Tax Deeds Online Auction

 Tax Deeds Electronic Files

Above you can navigate through gathering information in concerns to the Tax Deeds and processes. There are two tabs one labeled “Tax Deeds Online Auction” and the other “Tax Deeds Electronic Files”. As of November 2015, all of our files are kept electronically. You would want to use these tabs to navigate to our files and also view the calendar for any upcoming auction/sales.  Both systems linked above contain several different options to assist you in what may be needed, should you wish to participate in an auction as well as past view sale.

If you are unable to locate any of the information, and it has been a while since you have visited our website, please relaunch our website and double check as we are always updating our case files and receiving updates from our Technology Partners to better serve our constituents.

Should you need any assistance navigating the Tax Deed systems, please do not hesitate to contact our office and we will be glad to walk you through any of the steps needed for you to retrieve the information needed.   Our phone number is (386) 313-4375 for the Tax Deed line and our Records office phone number is (386) 313-4360.

General Information

The information presented below is for general information purposes only. It is not to be taken as advice or used as guidelines for any kind. For complete information regarding tax collection, sales and liens refer to the Florida Statutes Chapter 197.

Questions and Answers

1. WHAT ARE TAX CERTIFICATES?

The Tax Collector offers tax certificates as a means of collecting County ad valorem taxes when property taxes are delinquent. A portion of the cost of the tax certificate is used to pay said delinquent taxes. The purchaser earns a bid rate of interest on the tax certificate. For further explanation, see the tax collector, Suzanne Johnston, who is located on the 1st floor of the Flagler County Government Services Building, or refer to Florida Statutes, Chapter 197.

2. IF I HAVE PURCHASED TAX CERTIFICATES HOW DO I BRING THE PROPERTY TO SALE?

The process for bringing the property to sale begins with at least two years passing from the date a certificate is sold. The formal procedure starts in the office of the Flagler County Tax Collector. The Tax Collector will lead you through the process and advise you of what is required. Tax Certificate holders are advised that if they elect to bring the property to sale, they will be required to pay all outstanding certificates plus delinquent taxes as a pre-requisite to the sale process commencing. Also, the tax certificate holder should understand that requesting the property be sold carries with it the understanding that the certificate holder may be the purchasers and receive a deed to the property, if there are no other bidders. Therefore it is recommended that the tax certificate holder consider the financial investment being made in bringing the property to sale and the possible outcome of becoming the tax deed recipient before commencing these procedures. Tax deed certificate holders are also reminded that after 7 years, their tax certificates are cancelled if not redeemed or if the property is not put up for sale

3. HOW IS THE AMOUNT OF THE OPEN BID DETERMINED?

If the property is not homestead property the amount of the opening bid equals the total amount paid to the Tax Collector, added to the total amount paid to the Clerk of Court, plus any interest, which has been earned on the tax certificate. If the property is homestead property, the opening bid shall be a sum of money equal to one half of the assessed value of the property plus an amount equal to the sum required to pay all the outstanding taxes, interest thereon, plus all costs and fees related to said sale.

As of July 1, 2011, if tax certificates exist or if delinquent taxes accrued subsequent to the filing of the tax deed application, the amount required to redeem such tax certificates or pay such delinquent taxes must be included in the opening bid. Therefore, the redemption amount and the opening bid are subject to change without notice.

4. HOW IS THE DATE OF THE TAX DEED SALE DETERMINED?

The date of a tax deed sale is determined by the time it takes to process the tax certificates, which have been received for sale by the Clerk of Court. After the Clerk’s Office receives the certificates from the certificate holders, and all required fees have been paid to the Clerk, it takes up to 3 months to process for sale.

5. WHAT ABOUT LIENS AGAINST THE PROPERTY?

Some liens are dischargeable and others are not. It is best to seek legal advice before making a bid. For further information regarding liens, see Florida Statutes, Chapter 197.

6. WHAT HAPPENS IF AT THE TAX DEED SALE I AM AWARDED THE HIGHEST BID ON THE PROPERTY?

At the time you are awarded the highest bid, a deposit of five(5%)of the bid or $200.00 whichever is greater is due immediately and the balance including documentary stamp tax and recording fees is due by 9:00 am the following day.

7. ARE PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED?

No. We accept cash, certified checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders. For deposit requires prior to the sale, please see the FAQ on our auction website. 

8. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE THE TAX DEED?

Once the Clerk’s Office receives payment in full for the property, including all recording fees and documentary stamp tax, we prepare the tax deed and it is sent to the Recording Department. The Recording Department records the deed in the Official Records of the County and returns the Deed to the Tax Deed Clerk. The Tax Deed Clerk then mails the tax deed to the purchaser.

9. CAN I BUILD ON THE PROPERTY OR SELL IT?

Title obtained by a tax deed is not generally acceptable and contains certain risks. It is best to consult an attorney or title insurance company regarding what steps should be taken before you build on or sell the property, even though the property is recorded in your name as the tax deed purchaser.

10. CAN THE FORMER PROPERTY OWNER GET THE PROPERTY BACK EVEN AFTER IT IS SOLD AT A TAX DEED SALE?

The short answer is yes. As with anything the purchaser of a tax deed should have a “buyer beware” attitude. If the former owner should dispute the sale and takes the case to court, the judge will decide the ownership of the property. It is best to consult an attorney regarding purchase of any property.

Buyer’s Due Diligence

It is wise to check the property thoroughly prior to sale, to know exactly what you are getting. Tax Deeds are one of the few types of deeds that the old principal of “buyer beware” still apply to. There are no warranties or representations made by the Clerk as to the quality or character of the title you receive. Such matters as access to the property, zoning, and whether the lot is a buildable lot are outside the scope of the duties and responsibilities of the Clerk. These matters as well as many others are issues that the high bidder accepts responsibility for and the obligation to resolve and are not considered or the duty of the Clerk to resolve, investigate, or determine.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Tax Deed Department
386-313-4375

Ground Rules for Tax Deed Sale

Per Florida Statute 197.542

1. Bidding starts at the amount needed to pay the outstanding taxes, interest thereon, plus all costs related to said sale. Please note: As of July 1, 2011, If tax certificates exist or if delinquent taxes accrued subsequent to the filing of the tax deed application, the amount required to redeem such tax certificates or pay such delinquent taxes must now be included in the opening bid. Therefore, the redemption amount and the opening bid are subject to change without notice. If there are no higher bids, the land shall be struck off and sold to the certificate holder, who shall pay to the Clerk the documentary stamp tax and recording fees due, and a tax deed shall thereupon be issued and recorded by the Clerk.
2. The high bidder shall post with the Clerk a non-refundable cash deposit of 5 percent of the final bid or$200 whichever is greater at the time of the sale, to be applied to the sale price at the time of full payment. The high bidder is required to have a deposit on file with the Clerk prior to the auction for electronic sales. Please see the FAQ on our auction website for more information. 
3. The Clerk may refuse to recognize the bid of any person who has previously bid and refused, for any reason, to honor such bid.
4. If full payment of the final bid and of documentary stamp tax and recording fees is not is not made within 24 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays, the Clerk shall cancel all bids, readvertise the sale as provided in this section, and pay all costs of the sale from the deposit. Any remaining funds must be applied toward the opening bid.
5. Payment must be made in the form of a cashier’s check, certified check, money order, or cash. Personal checks or business checks will not be accepted.
6. Valid Photo ID will be required for all bidders.
7. If these requirements are not met, the sale will be rescheduled no later than 30 days from the original sale date and will be published in the following Wednesday’s Issue of the Flagler-Palm Coast News Tribune.

Surplus Funds

Please search our Electronic Tax Deed Files for surplus balances. All surplus amounts are estimates and various factors can effect the final remaining surplus.

To find cases with potential surplus amounts, filter your search to select only Active Cases in the Case Status field.

 Tax Deeds Electronic Files

List of Lands Available for Taxes

The List of Lands Available for Taxes is maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The list is comprised of properties that were auctioned at a Tax Deed Auction and did not sell.

There are two separate ways that property can be placed on the List of Lands Available.

1. When the County of Flagler forces their tax certificates to auction and there are no bids, the property is placed on the list. If after 90 days, the County does not purchase the property for the opening bid, the property can then be sold to any person or governmental unit for the opening bid amount.

2. If an individual certificate holder forces a certificate to auction that is on a homesteaded property and there is no bid, the Certificate Holder has the right to pay half the assessed value, plus recording fees and may purchase the property. If the Certificate Holder does not want to purchase the property, they can then force the property to sale at a second auction. If at that second auction there are no bids, the Certificate Holder is then offered the property a second time. If at this time they still do not want to purchase the property, they can ask for the property to be placed on the List of Lands Available for Taxes.

These are the only two(2) ways that property can be placed on the List of Lands Available for Taxes as prescribed by the Florida Department of State, Administrative Code 12D-13.064.

If you are interested in purchasing one of the properties, it is your responsibility to do your due diligence in researching the property. The amount shown on the list is the opening bid amount.

The purchase price is as follows:

The opening bid, plus interest of 1.5% per month (as prescribed by the Florida Department of Revenue), plus any omitted taxes, plus recording fees and Florida documentary stamp tax on the total purchase price.

If you are interested in any of the properties you may contact the Tax Deed Department and they will provide a total purchase price. Please be advised that the Tax Deed Department cannot give legal advice pertaining to these properties. If you have legal questions regarding the properties, it is best to seek advice from an Attorney or Abstract & Title company. Again, this is a buyer beware situation.