Union County deed records are the official files that show who owns land, homes, and buildings inside Union County, Florida. These records list the names of the people who sold and bought the property, the date the deed was signed, the book and page number where the deed sits in the public files, and a full legal description of the land.
Anyone can look at these records because Florida law keeps them open to the public at all times. People search Union County deed records to confirm ownership, research the history of a property, prepare for a real estate purchase, settle a family estate, solve a title problem before closing a sale, or check for liens and encumbrances that could affect a transfer.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Union County records and stores all real estate documents filed in the county. Recording a deed places it in the public files so anyone can read it. This public record system helps protect buyers, sellers, and lenders by giving them a way to trace ownership from one owner to the next. The same office also keeps mortgages, liens, satisfactions, plats, easements, and many other land-related papers that work side by side with Union County deed records to build a clear picture of every parcel in the county.
Office That Keeps Union County Deed Records
Union County deed records sit inside the county courthouse with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. This office is the only place where original land documents get filed for Union County. The Clerk’s Recording Department reviews each document, gives it an official number, and stores the original paper or digital image in the official files. After the deed is recorded, the public can view it through an online search tool or by visiting the office in person during regular business hours.
Where the Recording Office Stands
The Union County Clerk of Court sits inside the Union County Courthouse in Lake Butler, Florida. The street address is 55 West Main Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054. The recording window is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Florida state holidays. You can reach the recording department by calling (386) 496-3711. The Clerk also runs an online portal that lets you search Union County deed records from a home computer or phone at any hour of the day or night.
Florida Statutes That Guide Recording
Florida state law gives the Clerk of Court the power to record deeds and other land papers. Chapter 28 of the Florida Statutes sets up the official records system that every Florida county must follow. Chapter 695 lists the rules for how a deed must be written, signed, witnessed, and acknowledged before it can be filed. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says these records belong to the public and must stay open for viewing by any person. Because of these laws, Union County deed records follow the same rules as records held by any other county in Florida.
How to Search Union County Deed Records
A solid search for Union County deed records begins with the county’s online portal and can also use statewide tools when extra help is needed. The Union County Clerk of Court offers a free public search that lets you look up documents by name, parcel number, date range, or document type. The search results show the book and page number, the recording date, the names of the grantor and grantee, and a link to view the scanned image of the deed. Each search tool works best when you already know a few details about the property or the people listed on the deed.
Search by Owner Name
Searching by name is the most common way people look up Union County deed records. You can type the last name of the grantor or grantee into the search box. The system pulls up every deed where that name appears as a party. The portal works best when you search the grantor name because grantors are the people who sold or gave the property. If you know both a first and last name, type them in to narrow the results. The search returns a list of documents sorted by recording date so the newest entry sits at the top of the list.
Search by Parcel Number
Every parcel of land in Union County carries a unique parcel identification number assigned by the Union County Property Appraiser. The parcel number gives you the most accurate results when you search Union County deed records because it points directly to one piece of land. You can find the parcel number on the annual property tax bill, on the Property Appraiser’s website, or on a previous deed recorded for the same property. Type the parcel number into the search box to pull up every deed, mortgage, lien, and satisfaction tied to that parcel.
Search by Address or Legal Description
If you do not know the owner’s name or the parcel number, you can search by the street address of the property. The Union County portal accepts a full street address and returns matching parcels. For vacant land or properties with no street address, you can search by the legal description shown on a previous deed. The legal description lists the subdivision name, block, lot, section, township, and range that identify the land. A legal description search works well for old records and rural parcels where street addresses may have changed over time.
Search by Document Type and Date Range
The Union County search portal also lets you filter results by the type of document and the date it was recorded. This filter helps when you only need warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, or liens. You can set a start date and an end date to focus the search on a narrow window of time. The date range filter cuts down the number of results and speeds up the search. It also helps when you need to check whether a specific document was recorded within a set period, such as during a real estate closing or a probate case.
Types of Deeds in Union County Records
Union County deed records include many different kinds of deeds. Each type of deed carries its own wording and legal effect. The most common deeds recorded in Union County are warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, special warranty deeds, trustee deeds, and tax deeds. Knowing the type of deed on file tells you what kind of ownership promise the grantor made to the grantee at the time of the transfer.
Warranty Deeds
A warranty deed is the most common type of deed in Union County. It carries a full promise from the grantor that the title is clear of all liens and encumbrances. The grantor also promises to defend the grantee against any future claim that challenges the title. Warranty deeds are used in most regular sales between strangers and between family members. They give the buyer the strongest level of title protection under Florida law. Most residential and commercial sales in Union County close with a warranty deed recorded at the courthouse.
Quitclaim Deeds
A quitclaim deed is a simpler deed that passes only whatever interest the grantor holds in the property at the time of the transfer. The grantor makes no promise about clear title. Quitclaim deeds often show up in Union County deed records when family members move property between relatives, when spouses add or remove a name from the title after marriage or divorce, or when a property owner clears up a cloud on the title. Quitclaim deeds move faster and cost less to record, but they offer the buyer the lowest level of title protection.
Special Warranty, Trustee, and Tax Deeds
Special warranty deeds promise clear title only for the time the grantor owned the property. Trustee deeds transfer property out of a trust or out of a court-ordered sale, such as a foreclosure. Tax deeds pass title to buyers who paid the back taxes at a public auction. Union County deed records also include corrective deeds that fix errors in an earlier deed, personal representative deeds that pass title from an estate, and affidavits of heirship that confirm inheritance when no will exists. Each of these deed types serves a different purpose in the chain of title.
Costs, Copies, and Recording Fees
Florida law sets the recording fees that every county clerk must charge. The base fee covers the first page of a document, and each extra page carries a smaller add-on charge. Union County deed records also charge extra fees for special services such as certified copies, extra copies, and online search access. Most fees are listed on the Clerk’s website and on the Florida Department of Revenue’s fee schedule for county recording offices.
Standard Fees and Page Charges
The standard recording fee in Union County follows the Florida state schedule. The first page of a deed or other recordable document costs a set base fee. Each additional page costs a smaller fee per page. Indexing fees, a records retention fee, and other small charges may also apply. Documentary stamp tax and intangible tax on the deed are charged at the time of recording based on the sale price shown on the deed. The Clerk’s office collects these taxes at the same time it records the deed and sends them to the Florida Department of Revenue.
| Service | Standard Fee Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recording first page | Set state base fee | Charged for every recorded document |
| Each additional page | Smaller add-on fee | Charged per page beyond the first |
| Indexing entries | Set per name fee | Charged for each grantor and grantee name indexed |
| Certified copy | Higher fee per page | Carries the Clerk’s official seal and signature |
| Plain copy (image) | Lower fee per page | No seal; used for reference only |
| Documentary stamp tax | Based on sale price | Set by Florida tax law at the time of recording |
| Intangible tax (mortgages) | Based on loan amount | Applies to mortgages and deeds of trust |
Certified Copies vs Regular Copies
A certified copy of a deed carries the Clerk’s official seal and the signature of the Deputy Clerk. Banks, title companies, and courts usually require a certified copy as proof of ownership. A regular copy is just a printout of the scanned image without the official seal. Regular copies work for research, title tracing, and personal use. When you request a certified copy from the Union County Clerk, the office needs the book and page number or the instrument number, the names of the parties, and the type of document you need.
E-Recording Submission Options
Union County accepts electronic recording of deeds through approved vendors. The Clerk works with e-recording companies such as Simplifile and CSC eRecording. Title companies, law firms, and banks can submit deeds and mortgages electronically through these vendors. E-recording cuts down on mail time, paper handling, and processing delays. Documents submitted by e-recording usually post to Union County deed records on the same business day or the next business day. Walk-in and mail-in recording are also still accepted at the recording window.
Official Contact and Office Hours
The Union County Clerk of Court Recording Department is the official source for Union County deed records. The office sits inside the Union County Courthouse in Lake Butler. You can visit the office in person, call during business hours, or use the online search portal at any time. The recording window accepts new deeds for filing, processes certified copy requests, and answers questions about the recording process. Visitors should bring a photo ID and the book and page number or instrument number when possible to speed up any in-person search or copy request.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Department | Recording Department, Official Records |
| Address | 55 West Main Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054 |
| Phone | (386) 496-3711 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Holidays Closed | Florida state holidays |
| Online Search Portal | Available 24 hours through the Clerk’s website |
| E-Recording Vendors | Simplifile and CSC eRecording |
Common Questions About Union County Deed Records
This section answers real questions that come up when people search Union County deed records. The answers below cover free search options, name search accuracy, parcel lookups, certified copy requests, e-recording, older deed history, and what to do when a recorded deed has an error. Each answer pulls from current Florida recording rules and the way the Union County Clerk’s office handles daily requests.
Can I Search Union County Deed Records for Free?
Yes. The Union County Clerk of Court offers a free public search portal that lets anyone look up deeds without paying. You can search by name, parcel number, document type, or date range. The portal shows the book and page number, recording date, names of the parties, and document type. Viewing the scanned image of the deed is also free. Fees apply only when you need a printed or certified copy mailed to you, or when you need extra search help from the Clerk’s office.
How Accurate Is a Name Search?
A name search works well when the name on the deed matches the spelling you typed. Older deeds in Union County deed records sometimes show names spelled in unusual ways. Handwritten entries, faded scans, and name changes through marriage or court order can change the spelling over time. If your search returns no results, try a partial name, swap the first and last name, or search by parcel number. The Property Appraiser’s website can also confirm the current owner’s name tied to a parcel.
How Do I Find a Deed by Parcel ID?
Start at the Union County Property Appraiser website and search by the owner’s name or street address to find the parcel identification number. Copy the parcel ID number into the Union County Clerk’s online search portal. The portal returns every recorded deed, mortgage, lien, and satisfaction tied to that parcel. A parcel ID search gives you the most accurate results and removes the guesswork that can come with a name search.
How Long Does a Certified Copy Request Take?
Certified copy requests submitted in person at the Union County Clerk’s office are often processed the same day. Mailed requests take longer because the office needs to receive your signed request, locate the document, prepare the certified copy, and mail it back to you. Online requests for certified copies through the Clerk’s approved vendor may take one to three business days. Always include the book and page number, instrument number, document type, and your return address to avoid delays.
Can I Record a Deed Electronically?
Yes. The Union County Clerk accepts electronic recording of deeds and mortgages through approved vendors such as Simplifile and CSC eRecording. A title company, attorney, or bank can submit a deed for you through these vendors. E-recording cuts down on mail time and helps the deed post to Union County deed records on the same business day or the next business day. Walk-in and mail-in recording remain open for anyone who cannot use an e-recording vendor.
How Far Back Do the Deed Records Go?
Union County was created in 1921, so Union County deed records go back to that year. Older records were kept in handwritten books and later bound and indexed. The Clerk’s office has scanned many of these older books, and the scanned images show up in the online search portal alongside newer records. Some very old books may need an in-person visit to read, and the Clerk’s office can help you locate the right book and page number for early records.
What Should I Do If a Recorded Deed Has an Error?
You can file a corrective deed to fix an error in an earlier recorded deed. A corrective deed lists the original deed’s book and page number, describes the error, and gives the correct wording. The grantor must sign the corrective deed and have it acknowledged before recording. Once recorded, the corrective deed becomes part of Union County deed records and works with the original deed to show the correct information. A title company or real estate attorney can prepare a corrective deed if the error affects the legal description, the names, or the parcel data on the original deed.