Tax Deeds
Tax Deed File Search
In May 2021, the Clerk’s Office changed Tax Deed management systems. Please use the links below to review Tax Deed files from the respective systems.
Current Tax Deeds System
All Sales after May 2021
Sales prior to May of 2021 on our previous system
Sales Before May 2021
General Information
Tax Deed sales are governed by Chapter 197 of the Florida Statutes. Sales occur after the Tax Collector issues tax certificates for non-payment of the annual property taxes. Tax Deeds are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit and County Court to the highest bidder, and the property owner then forfeits all rights by default.
The Clerk's Office cannot guarantee clear title to these properties. All parcels are sold in "as-is" condition. It is the bidder's responsibility to search the title for any liens that may be recorded against the property. Governmental liens and judgments will survive the Tax Deed sale. No guarantees are made about a parcel's condition, title quality, accessibility, or size. Professional services, such as title searches or filing "quiet-title" suits are the responsibility of the buyer, as are the charges for these services.
Properties that are not paid for by the high bidder will be advertised for one time only, and a re-sale will be conducted no later than 30 days after the original sale date.
Deeds will be recorded in the name provided by the bidder on the Real Auction website under the name on the title. Please verify this information at the time of full payment to ensure that it is correct. It will be the bidder’s responsibility to make any corrections after the deed has been recorded. There is a $1.00 per-party indexing fee for deeds with more than four people or entities listed as titleholder. Please keep in mind that bidders with cash transactions over $10,000 will be required to fill out IRS form 8300.
Redemption
It is important to understand that properties can be redeemed any time before the clerk has received full payment for the Tax Deed. The redemption amount can be obtained and payment may be made at any branch of the Tax Collector’s office. Please understand that the Clerk’s Office does not provide this information nor do we accept payments for the redemptions of properties from the sale. You can reach the Tax Collector’s Office at (904) 255-5700, option 4.
Tax Deed Sale Rules
This is a “buyer-beware” situation. The bidding for each property will start with the opening bid, which consists of the delinquent taxes and fees associated with the sale.
In accordance with Section 197.542(2), Florida Statutes, the high bidder will be asked to post with the clerk a non-refundable deposit of five percent of the bid or $200, whichever is greater. The deposit will be applied to the sale price at the time of full payment. This deposit must be placed no later than 4:00 p.m. the day BEFORE the sale.
Winning bidders must pay their bid amounts and all fees for filing their deeds by 4:00 p.m. the next business day after the sale. Payments may be made by cashier’s check, certified check, bank wire, or money order in the Tax Deeds Department located in the Duval County Courthouse. Failure to do so will result in being banned from future Tax Deed auctions and a forfeiture of your deposit.
List of Lands Available
The List of Lands Available for taxes shows properties that were offered at a Tax Deed sale but were not purchased. Ninety (90) days after the sale, any person or governmental unit may purchase the land for the opening bid, plus the omitted years’ taxes.
Please understand that these properties are sold “buyer beware:” Any property that is the subject of a Tax Deed sale is sold on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind or character, express or implied, regarding the property. This includes, but is not limited to, warranties or representations as to matters of title; land use; zoning; tax consequences; physical or environmental conditions; availability of access, ingress or egress; valuation; governmental approvals; governmental regulations; or any other matter or thing relating to or affecting the property.
Without limiting the foregoing, there are no warranties or representations concerning: (a) the ownership of the property; (b) whether the property is subject to any liens, easements or restrictions; (c) the land use, zoning, value, condition, merchantability, marketability, profitability, suitability or fitness for a particular use or purpose of the property; (d) whether any improvements, including buildings or mobile homes, are located on the property, or the value thereof; (e) the manner or quality of the constructions or materials incorporated into any part of the property; (f) the manner, quality, state of repair, or lack of repair of the property, or of any improvements thereon; or (g) whether utilities are available to the property.
If you would like the current-month purchase amount, please complete the Request for Statement form and then email the completed form to ask.taxdeeds@duvalclerk.com. Lands Available Statements are processed and verified as soon as possible. Please note that Lands Available statements will not be calculated during auction week, but they can be requested.
The purchase amount is payable by certified check, cashier's check or money order. You will be responsible for paying recording fees of $10.00 for the first page, $8.50 for each additional page and documentary stamps at $0.70 per hundred dollars. The recording fees and documentary stamps may be paid by certified check, cashier’s check, or money order. When we receive the funds to purchase a property from the list of Land Available for Taxes, we will issue a Tax Deed, as requested.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deposits can be made conveniently on the RealAuction website using the ACH (Electronic Check) payment wizard. Cashier’s checks, money orders, and certified checks are also accepted, but please keep in mind that these forms of payment must be delivered to the Clerk’s Office in Room 1046 of the Duval County Courthouse. Also please note that deposits must be made by 4:00 p.m. the day before the sale. Bank wires are also accepted, but must be deposited in the Clerk's Office bank account by 4:00 p.m. as well.
Payments can be made in the Tax Deed Department by cashier’s check, money order, or certified check, made payable to the Duval County Clerk of Court. A second method is also available within RealAuction called "Deposit Payment" which will only display if the bidder has sufficient funds to cover the remaining balance.
Final payments must be made by 4:00 p.m. the day after the sale. Please go to RealAuction for Bank Wire instructions.
If you are the successful bidder on a piece of property, your required non-refundable deposit will be automatically deducted from your online account, and the balance of your bid must be paid by 4:00 p.m. the following day. You may make this payment in person at the Tax Deeds dpearmtent in the Duval County Courthouse. The balance must be paid by cashier’s check, certified check, or money order, made payable to the Duval County Clerk of Court. We will also accept a bank wire, which is also due by 4:00 p.m. the day following the sale.
If you are the successful bidder, you will also be required to pay Recording, Proof of Publication and Documentary Stamp fees. The Recording fee is $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. Proof of Publication fee is $18.50. Documentary Stamps are based on the high bid. They will be calculated for you and should be included in the email sent to you by RealAuction. There is a $1.00 per-party indexing fee for deeds with more than four people or entities listed as titleholder
Deeds will be recorded in the name provided by the bidder on the Real Auction site under the name on the title. We ask that you please verify this information when you make full payment to ensure that it is correct. It will be the bidder’s responsibility to make any corrections after the deed has been recorded. Please note that deeds are recorded seven to ten business days after the sale.
No, they can’t. Bids are treated confidentially.
That depends. You see, Tax Deed properties are sold on a “buyer-beware” basis. The clerk will issue a Tax Deed to transfer ownership to the successful bidder, but it is not a guarantee of clear title. It is the bidder’s responsibility to determine whether there are any liens or other encumbrances that will survive the Tax Deed sale. The buyer should also investigate whether additional taxes may be due or if further legal action is necessary. To obtain clear title, you will have to file a “Quiet-Title” suit in the Civil Court system. The fees required to file this suit are above and beyond the bidder’s purchase price.
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 many things, the purchaser of a Tax Deed should have a “buyer-beware” attitude. If the former owner disputes the sale and takes the case to court, the judge will decide the ownership of the property. It’s always best to consult an attorney regarding the purchase of any property.
It’s also a good idea to check the property thoroughly prior to the sale so you’ll know exactly what you are getting. The clerk is unable to make any warranty or representation regarding the quality or character of the title you receive. We hope you’ll understand that matters such as land use, access to the property, zoning, physical and environmental conditions, and the suitability of the lot for building are outside the scope of the duties and responsibilities of the Clerk’s Office. These and many other matters are issues that the high bidder accepts responsibility for. The obligation to resolve, investigate or determine them are not considered the duty of the clerk.
Unused deposit money may be used to pay for winnings by clicking on “Make Payment” and following the steps indicated. A refund may be requested by clicking on “Request Refund” from the Home Page, under the Funds Transfer menu category. During this process you will select the refund method (ACH or check).
Refunds for deposits not made by ACH will be in the form of a paper check mailed from the Clerk's Office to the bidder's registered name and address. Requests for refunds are turned in once a week to the Finance Department. Please allow approximately 20 business days for the processing of refunds.
To request a refund, simply click “Request Refund.” That’s all you have to do. And please remember that funds on deposit are returned only when requested.
If the applicant is a person or company and there are no bids, the property will be offered to the applicant. They will be responsible for paying the Recording, Proof of Publication and Documentary Stamp fees. If the applicant is the City of Jacksonville, the City will have 90 days to purchase the property. If the City does not purchase the property, it will then be placed on the List of Lands Available.
Tax Deeds Documents
Office Information
Tax Deed Department
Office Hours
Monday through Friday (excluding holidays): 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Mailing Address
Duval County Clerk of Courts
Attn: TAX DEED DEPARTMENT
501 West Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone
(904) 255-1916