RECORDING SERVICES/OFFICIAL RECORDS: The Clerk of the Circuit Court is the County Recorder and is responsible for recording all of the Official Records of Pinellas County, Florida. In addition, the Recording Department indexes, and maintains archives of all the Official Records from 1912 to the present date. The Official Records index contains the type of document recorded, date of recordation, the official record's book and page and a name reference. In addition to our duties as the County Recorder, the Clerk's Recording Services/Official Records' responsibilities include issuing marriage licenses, performing marriage ceremonies, conducting tax deed sales and serving as an official passport application acceptance agent.
RECORDING SERVICES CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE:
Effective October 19, 2009, transfers of real property generated from the Probate Court area will now be indexed as PROBATERP - Probate Real Property within the Official Records. PROBATERP document images are not available on a publicly available internet website for general public display per Florida Statute 28.2221 (5)(a).
Effective February 17, 2009, documents will
be processed and recorded at the Clearwater and St. Petersburg courthouse locations.
For your convenience, documents may be dropped off at the North County and Clerk's Tyrone Branch offices, to be forwarded
to the Clearwater and St. Petersburg courthouse locations for recording. Location addresses and contact information. Please include a self-addressed
envelope with your documents.
Effective April 14, 2008, the Pinellas County Clerk's
Office will require customers to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope of sufficient size with proper
postage with all documents submitted to be recorded. All recorded documents will be returned to the customer in the
self-addressed, stamped envelope provided by the customer.
Return to top of page.
TAX DEED SECTION:
This section processes the sale of property for non-payment of real estate taxes
and performs the recordation of real estate subdivision plats.
TAX DEED SALES - Online Listing
A tax deed sale is a public auction conducted by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, during which real property is sold to the highest bidder in order to recover delinquent (unpaid) property taxes.
The Clerk advertises tax deed properties to be sold and the auction dates in a local newspaper once each week for four consecutive weeks. A deputy clerk conducts the sale or public auction, in accordance with Florida Statutes, in the main lobby of the Clearwater Courthouse, 315 Court St., Clearwater, Fla., 33756, beginning at 11 a.m.
The highest auction bidder must report to the Tax Deed Department, Room 163, immediately after the sale. The highest bidder must also post a NON-REFUNDABLE CASH DEPOSIT of $200.00 at the time of the sale. This deposit will be applied to the sale price upon receipt of full payment.
Payment:
If payment of the final bid, plus taxes and recording fees is not made within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, the non-refundable deposit will be used to pay to re-advertise the sale.
Payment of the high bid amount may only be made by cash, cashier’s check or money order (no personal checks).
Payment for documentary stamps and recording fees must be a separate payment.
All sales are final and no refunds will be issued.
All properties sold at a tax deed auction/sale qualify under “buyer beware.”
Bidders are encouraged to do their own research and/or seek professional advice before bidding.
When lands are sold for nonpayment of taxes, the title may not be a marketable title.
More Important Information:
Tax Certificate information can be obtained from the Tax Collector's Office, located at
315 Court Street, 3rd Floor, Clearwater, Florida 33756. Contact: 727-464-7777 or www.taxcollect.com
Structural information and physical address of the property may be obtained from the Property
Appraiser's Office located at 315 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Clearwater, Florida 33756. Contact: 727-464-3207 or www.pcpao.org
Additional information is available from the Tax Deed Office: 727-464-3424.
Return to top of page.
Declaration of Domicile
A Declaration of Domicile is a sworn statement which states that you reside
in and maintain a place of abode in Pinellas County. It also states that you
intend to maintain this county as your permanent residence.
If you are an American citizen, you will need to bring:
A valid form of identification such as
a driver's license or a Florida issued identification card. An out-of-state driver's license is
acceptable.
Your previous address and your present address.
If you are not an American citizen, you will need to bring proof of your PERMANENT
alien status issued to you by Immigration in addition to those items listed above.
Forms are available in the Clerk's Office for Declaration of Domicile.
Fees are established by legislative action and are subject to change. Refer to a current
"Schedule of Service Charges"
available in any Clerk's Office location, or online, for applicable fees.
Return to top of page.
OFFICE LOCATIONS
RECORDING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
315 Court Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Telephone: (727) 464-7000
NORTH COUNTY BRANCH OFFICE
29582 U.S. 19 North
Clearwater, FL 33761
Telephone: (727) 464-7000
CLERK'S TYRONE BRANCH OFFICE
1800 66th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Telephone: (727) 464-7000
ST. PETERSBURG BRANCH OFFICE
545 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Telephone: (727) 464-7000
