Hillsborough County property records are public files kept by the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the Hillsborough County Tax Collector. These records show who owns a property, how much it is worth, what taxes apply, and what legal documents have been recorded.
Anyone can look up this data online or in person. The records cover more than 480,000 parcels in the Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace, and unincorporated areas of the county.
What Are Hillsborough County Property Records
Property records are official papers and digital files that hold facts about land and buildings in Hillsborough County. They include the owner’s name, the legal description, the parcel number, the building size, the land size, the value, and the tax history. The records also show sales going back many years, plus any liens, deeds, or mortgages that have been recorded.
Florida law treats property records as public. Florida Statutes Chapter 119 gives the public the right to see them. The records help buyers, sellers, lawyers, real estate agents, title companies, and homeowners check on a property’s status and history.
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser
The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser is the elected office that sets the value of every property in the county for tax purposes. Bob Henriquez has served as Property Appraiser since 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. The office handles the annual tax roll, exemption applications, and parcel data.
The Property Appraiser’s office is at 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, 14th Floor, Tampa, Florida 33602. You can reach the office at (813) 272-6100. The official website is hcpafl.gov. The office works under Florida Statutes Chapter 193, which sets the rules for property assessment across all 67 Florida counties.
The office keeps the Master File, a digital record of every parcel in the county. Each parcel has a folio number, which works like a unique ID. The folio number is used by the Tax Collector, the Clerk of Court, and other agencies to link different records to the same property.
Hillsborough County Property Search Methods
The Property Appraiser’s website has a free search tool that anyone can use. You can search by owner name, property address, parcel folio number, or subdivision name. The search returns a summary of the property with links to the full record.
The search tool works for all property types: single-family homes, condos, mobile homes, vacant land, commercial buildings, industrial sites, and agricultural parcels. The results include the current assessed value, the previous year’s value, exemption status, and sales history.
You can also search for tax-delinquent parcels through the Property Appraiser’s website. This tool shows properties that have unpaid taxes going back several years. Tax certificate auctions are held each year for these properties.
Hillsborough County Parcel Search and Parcel Numbers
A parcel number, called a folio number in Hillsborough County, is a unique code assigned to each piece of land. The format is XX-XXX-XXXX.XXXX with a four-part structure that shows the township, range, section, and subdivision. Every parcel has one folio number, and no two parcels share the same number.
You can find the folio number on the Property Appraiser’s search results page. The number also appears on the TRIM notice sent each August, on the tax bill from the Tax Collector, and on any deed or mortgage recorded with the Clerk of Court.
Knowing the folio number gives you the fastest path to the full record. Type the number into the search bar at hcpafl.gov and the property record loads in one click. This method works better than searching by name when the owner is a company, trust, or LLC.
Hillsborough County Property Owner Search by Name
You can search for a property by the owner’s name. The search works for individuals, businesses, and trusts. Type the last name first, then add the first name to narrow the results. The search returns a list of properties owned by people with that name.
Keep in mind that common names return many results. A search for “Smith” or “Garcia” can return hundreds of parcels. Add a first name or a middle initial to narrow the list. The records show the owner’s full legal name as it appears on the deed, not a nickname.
When you click a name in the results list, you see a summary of all properties linked to that owner. The summary shows the property address, the folio number, the assessed value, and the tax year. Click any parcel to see the full record.
Hillsborough County Property Card Search
A property card is a one-page summary of a parcel. It shows the owner’s name and mailing address, the property’s location, the folio number, the legal description, the year built, the building size, the land size, the last sale date and price, the just value, the assessed value, and the taxable value. Property cards are also called “property record cards” or “PRC” in the office’s filing system.
You can pull up a property card through the Property Appraiser’s website. The card is a PDF that prints on one page. The card changes each January when the new tax roll is filed, so a card from last year shows different values than the current card.
Builders, appraisers, and real estate agents use property cards to compare similar parcels in a neighborhood. The cards show the building’s construction type, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the presence of a pool, and the central heat and air setup. Each feature is listed with a code that matches the office’s data dictionary.
Hillsborough County GIS Property Map
The Hillsborough County GIS property map is an online map that shows parcel boundaries, street lines, and ownership data. The map runs on the same database as the Property Appraiser’s search tool. You can zoom in to see a single lot or zoom out to see the whole county.
The GIS map shows flood zones, zoning, future land use, school attendance zones, and voting precincts. Each layer can be turned on or off. Click any parcel on the map to see a pop-up window with the owner’s name, the address, the folio number, and a link to the full property record.
The GIS map is hosted at gis.hcpafl.org. The map works on phones, tablets, and desktop computers. You can measure distances, draw shapes, and print map images. The map updates weekly with new data from the Property Appraiser and the Planning Commission.
What Hillsborough County Property Records Show
A full property record has several sections. The ownership section shows the current owner’s name, mailing address, and the date they took ownership. The location section shows the property’s street address, the subdivision name, the lot number, and the legal description from the deed.
The value section shows three numbers. The just value is the appraiser’s opinion of market value as of January 1 of each year. The assessed value is the just value after the Save Our Homes cap or other limits apply. The taxable value is the assessed value minus all exemptions.
The sales section lists every sale that the office has on file. Each sale has a date, a price, a transaction code, and a deed book and page reference. The deed book and page link to the recorded deed at the Clerk of Court’s office. The building section shows the year built, the square footage, the number of stories, the construction type, and the condition.
The land section shows the acreage, the land use code, the zoning, and any special classification. Agricultural parcels, for example, have a land use code that grants a lower assessed value based on the property’s farm or ranch use. The exemption section shows every exemption on file, including homestead, senior, veteran, widow, and disability exemptions.
Hillsborough County Tax Assessor and Tax Records
The Property Appraiser is the tax assessor in Florida. The terms mean the same office. The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser is responsible for placing every property on the tax roll each year. The office also handles all exemption applications and approves or denies them.
Tax records show the millage rate, the amount of taxes owed, the amount paid, and the payment history. The Tax Collector maintains the payment side of the records. The Property Appraiser maintains the value side. Both offices use the same folio number to link a property to its tax data.
You can look up tax records through the Tax Collector’s website at hillstax.org. The site accepts folio numbers, owner names, and street addresses. The site shows the current year’s tax bill, the previous years’ bills, and any delinquent amounts. You can also pay taxes online through the same site.
Hillsborough County Property Valuation Records
Property valuations in Hillsborough County use a mass appraisal system. The Property Appraiser’s office runs computer models that compare each parcel to recent sales of similar parcels. The models account for location, size, age, condition, and features. The results set the just value for the year.
Each year, the Property Appraiser files the tax roll with the Florida Department of Revenue. The roll becomes the basis for the next year’s tax bills. Property owners can see the valuation in the TRIM notice, which arrives each August. The notice shows the prior year’s value, the current year’s proposed value, and the exemptions on file.
Comparable sales, called “comps” in the trade, are stored in the Property Appraiser’s database. You can see recent comps for any neighborhood through the sales search tool on the website. The tool shows the address, the sale date, the sale price, the square footage, and the price per square foot of each comparable sale.
Homestead Exemption in Hillsborough County
Florida’s homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a primary residence by up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes. The second $25,000 applies to all property taxes except school district taxes. The exemption applies to the property owner’s main home as of January 1 of each year.
To file for homestead, you must own the property, live there as your permanent Florida residence, and file an application with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser by March 1. The form is available on the Property Appraiser’s website or at the office. First-time filers must provide a Florida driver’s license, a vehicle registration, and a voter registration, all showing the property’s address.
Additional exemptions include a $5,000 disability exemption for totally and permanently disabled residents, a $5,000 widow or widower exemption, an exemption for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and a senior exemption for residents 65 and older who meet income limits. The income limit is set each year by the Florida Department of Revenue.
Save Our Homes Cap and Portability
The Save Our Homes cap limits how much the assessed value of a homesteaded property can rise each year. The cap is 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. The cap stays in place for as long as the owner keeps the homestead exemption on the property.
Portability lets a homeowner move the savings from a previous homestead to a new homestead in Florida. The savings is the difference between the capped assessed value and the just value on the most recent tax roll. The cap is calculated at just three years. The savings can be applied to the new property’s assessed value for as long as the owner keeps the new homestead.
To use portability, file the Form DR-501T with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser within three years of buying the new property. The office will check the previous county’s records and apply the savings. The savings cannot raise the new property’s assessed value above the just value.
Property Tax Process and TRIM Notices
The annual tax cycle starts in August. The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser mails a Truth in Millage, or TRIM, notice to every property owner. The notice shows the proposed assessed value, the exemptions on file, the proposed millage rates from each taxing authority, and the dates of the public budget hearings.
After the TRIM notice, the taxing authorities hold public hearings in September. The Hillsborough County Commission, the School Board, the City of Tampa, and other special districts each set their final millage rates. The Tax Collector sends out tax bills in November.
Tax bills have a discount for early payment. A 4% discount applies in November, 3% in December, 2% in January, and 1% in February. The full amount is due March 31. After April 1, the bill becomes delinquent and starts earning interest. Tax certificates are sold at auction in May or June for any parcel with unpaid taxes.
Hillsborough County Deed Records at the Clerk of Court
The Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court records and stores all deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, easements, and other legal documents that affect real estate. The office runs under Florida Statutes Chapter 28. Cindy Stuart has served as Clerk of Court since 2017. The Clerk’s office is at 419 Pierce Street, Tampa, Florida 33602. The main phone number is (813) 276-8100.
The Clerk’s office has an online search tool at hillsclerk.com. The tool lets you search by party name, document type, book and page, legal description, or parcel number. The tool shows images of the recorded documents. You can view and print the images for free or order certified copies for a fee.
Recorded documents go back to 1845, when Hillsborough County was first created. Older records are on microfilm, and the Clerk’s office can pull them on request. Records from 1990 forward are available as digital images. The office also offers a subscription service for title companies and law firms that need bulk access.
Value Adjustment Board Appeals
If a property owner disagrees with the Property Appraiser’s value, an exemption denial, or a classification change, the owner can file a petition with the Hillsborough County Value Adjustment Board. The VAB is a separate body made up of two county commissioners, one school board member, and two citizen members.
Petitions must be filed within 25 days of the TRIM notice mailing date. The deadline is printed on the TRIM notice. Late petitions are not accepted. The petition form is on the Clerk of Court’s website and at the Clerk’s office.
Each petition goes to a special magistrate who holds a hearing. Hearings are held from October through February. The property owner and the Property Appraiser each present evidence. The special magistrate writes a recommendation. The VAB accepts or rejects the recommendation. The decision can be appealed to circuit court within 30 days.
Hillsborough County Real Estate Records and Title Search
A title search is a review of the recorded documents that affect a property. Title companies run title searches before issuing title insurance. A full search covers the chain of ownership, mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, and restrictions. The search goes back to the most recent time the property was sold for full value.
You can run your own title search through the Clerk of Court’s online records. Start with the current owner’s name and work backward. Look for each deed, each mortgage, and each lien. Note any breaks in the chain, such as a death without probate or a tax deed.
Title searches are not the same as property records. Property records are the assessment side. Title records are the recorded documents side. Both are public, but each is held by a different office. A complete picture of any property requires data from both.
How to Look Up Hillsborough County Property Records
Follow these steps to run a basic property search on any parcel in Hillsborough County.
- Open the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser website at hcpafl.gov.
- Click the “Property Search” link at the top of the page.
- Type the owner’s name, the street address, or the folio number in the search bar.
- Click the matching result in the list.
- Review the summary, which shows the value, exemptions, and sales history.
- Click “View Property Card” to see the one-page PDF summary.
- Click “Map” to see the parcel on the GIS map.
- For deed or mortgage records, visit hillsclerk.com and search by the same owner’s name or the legal description.
- For tax bill and payment history, visit hillstax.org and search by the folio number.
Each step takes only a few minutes. Most records load in less than five seconds. The whole search can be done from a phone, tablet, or computer with internet access.
Official Office Contact Information
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser
Address: 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, 14th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 272-6100
Website: hcpafl.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Address: 419 Pierce Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 276-8100
Website: hillsclerk.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Hillsborough County Tax Collector
Address: 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 635-5200
Website: hillstax.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out who owns a property in Hillsborough County?
You can find the current owner of any Hillsborough County parcel through the Property Appraiser’s website at hcpafl.gov. Type the street address or the owner’s name into the search bar, and the results list will show the owner of record, the mailing address, the folio number, and the value. The records are updated each week, so the data is current. For a more complete title history, search the Clerk of Court’s records at hillsclerk.com, which has every deed recorded since 1845.
Are Hillsborough County property records free to search?
Yes. Online searches of the Property Appraiser, the Clerk of Court, and the Tax Collector are free to use. You can view property cards, sales history, parcel maps, and recorded documents at no cost. The only fees apply to certified copies of documents, which the Clerk’s office issues for a per-page charge set by Florida law. Most users can get the data they need without paying any fee.
What is the difference between the Property Appraiser and the Tax Collector?
The Property Appraiser sets the value of each property and processes exemption applications. The Tax Collector sends out the tax bills and collects the payments. The two offices share the same folio number system, so a folio number on a TRIM notice from the Property Appraiser matches a folio number on a tax bill from the Tax Collector. For value questions, contact the Property Appraiser. For payment questions, contact the Tax Collector.
How do I file a homestead exemption in Hillsborough County?
File a homestead exemption application with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser by March 1 of the year you want the exemption to apply. The form is available on the Property Appraiser’s website or at the office. First-time filers need a Florida driver’s license, a Florida vehicle registration, and a voter registration, all showing the property’s address. If you have a prior homestead in another Florida county, file Form DR-501T to transfer the Save Our Homes savings.
Can I see who has liens on a property?
Yes. Liens are recorded with the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Search the Clerk’s online records by the owner’s name, the legal description, or the document type. Liens include mortgages, tax liens, construction liens, judgment liens, and homeowners association liens. Each entry has a recording date, a book and page number, and a link to the original document image.
How often is the Hillsborough County property data updated?
The Property Appraiser updates the website database each week with new sales, new exemptions, and new building permits. The Clerk of Court’s records update each business day with newly recorded documents. The Tax Collector’s records update each business day with tax payments. The annual tax roll is filed with the Florida Department of Revenue each October for the next tax year.
What should I do if the property value on my TRIM notice seems too high?
Contact the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser to discuss the value. Many value disputes get worked out with a phone call or an in-person review. If you cannot reach an agreement, file a petition with the Hillsborough County Value Adjustment Board within 25 days of the TRIM notice mailing date. The petition form is at the Clerk of Court’s office and on the Clerk’s website. The VAB will hold a hearing with a special magistrate who can order a value change.