St Johns County property tax records are public files that show who owns each piece of land, how much it is worth for tax purposes, and how much tax is owed or paid each year. These records cover every home, business lot, and piece of vacant land in the county.
They are kept by two main offices: the St Johns County Property Appraiser and the St Johns County Tax Collector. Both offices are in St Augustine, Florida. Anyone can look at these records for free. You do not need to live in Florida or give a reason to view them. This page explains what the records contain, where to get them, and how to read them.
What St Johns County Property Tax Records Include
Each tax record for a St Johns County parcel holds a set of core facts. These facts help owners, buyers, and researchers check the tax status of a property. The records change as property values change, as owners change, and as tax bills are paid.
Property Identification Details
Every record starts with a parcel number. This number is a unique code for one piece of land. The record lists the legal description, which is a written outline of the lot size, shape, and location. The property address and any subdivision name are part of the file. A map of the lot, called a sketch, is often attached. The record shows the number of buildings on the lot, the year each was built, and the total living area in square feet.
Assessment Values and Exemptions
The record shows three value numbers. The just value is the appraiser’s best estimate of the full market price. The assessed value is the value used to figure taxes after the Save Our Homes cap is applied. The taxable value is the final number used to bill the owner. The record lists any exemptions, such as the homestead exemption, that lower the taxable value before the bill is sent.
Tax Bill and Payment History
The tax collector’s side of the record shows the bill amount each year. It lists the discounts for early payment. It shows the dates payments were made and any unpaid balance. If a tax certificate was sold for unpaid taxes, that entry appears here. A record of the latest tax deed action is part of the file as well, along with interest and penalty charges added to past-due bills.
Ownership and Sales Data
Each record lists the current owner’s name and mailing address. It shows when the current owner bought the property. The sales price and the clerk of court document number are noted. Past owners, past sale prices, and past sale dates also appear in the full history. The sales history goes back many years in most cases, which helps owners and buyers track price trends in a neighborhood.
The St Johns County Property Appraiser Office
The Property Appraiser is the office that places a value on every parcel in the county. This value sets the base for the tax bill. The appraiser does not send tax bills. The appraiser does not set the tax rate. The office only measures the worth of land and buildings. The work of the office follows rules set by the Florida Department of Revenue and the state constitution.
Office Location and Contact Details
The St Johns County Property Appraiser office sits at 4030 Lewis Speedway, St Augustine, FL 32084. The phone number is (904) 827-5500. The fax number is (904) 827-5510. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office closes on weekends and on Florida state holidays. Walk-in help is open to the public during these hours. The office handles exemption filings, value questions, and record requests in person and over the phone.
Annual Assessment Process
Florida law sets January 1 as the assessment date for each year. The appraiser reviews the real estate market as of that date. The office uses mass appraisal methods, which means computers and statistical models help set values for many parcels at once. The model uses recent sales of similar properties, called comparable sales, to estimate value. The appraiser does not visit every home each year. Physical checks happen on a five-year cycle and when a permit is pulled for new work.
What the Appraiser Does Not Do
The appraiser does not collect tax money. The appraiser does not set the millage rate, which is the tax rate per thousand dollars of value. The county commission, school board, and special districts set their own millage rates each year. The appraiser only tracks the value side of the tax system. Any question about a tax bill, a payment, or a refund must go to the tax collector, not the appraiser.
The St Johns County Tax Collector Office
The Tax Collector is the office that sends the tax bill and collects the money. The office also runs the annual tax certificate sale for unpaid taxes and holds the records of every payment made in the county. The mailing address is P.O. Box 9001, St Augustine, FL 32085-9001. The phone number is (904) 209-2250. The official website is sjctax.us. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
Billing and Payment Responsibilities
Tax bills go out in November each year. The amount due is based on the taxable value from the appraiser’s roll, plus the combined millage rates of all the taxing authorities. The bill shows each taxing authority’s share in a clear breakdown. Payments can be made online, by mail, or in person. A receipt is provided for each payment. The office also handles lien searches and issues certificates for title companies.
Early Payment Discount Schedule
Florida law offers a discount for paying tax bills early. The schedule is fixed by state statute and applies to every county in the state. The discount is highest in November and steps down each month until the full amount comes due in March. After March, the bill goes delinquent and extra fees apply.
| Payment Month | Discount |
|---|---|
| November | 4% |
| December | 3% |
| January | 2% |
| February | 1% |
| March | No discount |
| April 1 onward | Delinquent |
Delinquent Tax and Certificate Sales
If a tax bill is not paid by March 31, it becomes delinquent. On or before June 1, the tax collector holds a public sale of tax certificates. Investors pay the delinquent tax and receive a certificate that earns interest at a rate set by Florida law. The property owner can pay off the certificate at any time during the two-year redemption window. If the owner does not pay the investor back, the investor can ask the court for a tax deed. The court may then sell the property at public auction to cover the debt.
How to Search St Johns County Property Tax Records
There are three main ways to look up a property tax record in St Johns County. All three are free. No login is needed. No personal data is required to view the records. Each method works on the Property Appraiser’s website and on the Tax Collector’s website, with each site holding a different set of data.
Search by Owner Name
The Property Appraiser’s website has a search box that accepts an owner’s last name. Results show every parcel linked to that name. The list gives the parcel number, the property address, and a link to the full record. This is a common method for buyers checking on a home they want to purchase or for heirs searching for land owned by a family member.
Search by Property Address
Users can type a street address into the same search box. The system shows the matching parcel. If the address is new and not yet in the system, the search returns no result. A search by parcel number is the backup method in this case. The address search works best for established homes with years of tax history on file.
Search by Parcel Number
The parcel number is the most exact way to pull a record. It looks like a code with dashes, such as 000000-0000. Tax bills, deed records, and prior tax files all show the parcel number. Anyone with the number can pull the full file in seconds. Title agents, real estate attorneys, and county staff use this method most often.
Using the Florida Department of Revenue Portal
The Florida Department of Revenue runs a statewide property tax data portal. The site lets users pull data on many parcels at once. Bulk files are posted each year for analysts, title companies, and appraisers. The portal sits at floridarevenue.com/property. The site is a good backup when county-level sites are down or when statewide comparisons are needed.
Florida Property Tax Exemptions in St Johns County
Florida offers many property tax exemptions. Each one lowers the taxable value of a parcel. The savings can be large for owners who qualify. All exemptions are filed with the Property Appraiser. Most exemptions require proof of eligibility, such as an ID, a birth certificate, or a discharge paper. The office staff can explain the exact documents needed for each program.
Homestead Exemption
The homestead exemption cuts up to $50,000 from the assessed value of a primary home. The first $25,000 applies to all tax bills. The second $25,000 applies to the value between $50,000 and $75,000. The owner must live in the home on January 1 and be a permanent Florida resident. The deadline to file is March 1 of the tax year. A first-time filer must submit a Florida driver license or ID showing the new address.
Save Our Homes Cap
Once homestead is on file, the Save Our Homes cap limits yearly growth in the assessed value. The cap is 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. This cap stays in place as long as the owner keeps the homestead. When the home sells, the cap resets for the new owner. In a fast-changing market, the cap can save a long-term owner thousands of dollars a year on the same house.
Senior, Veteran, and Disability Exemptions
Seniors age 65 and older with low income can claim an extra exemption. Veterans with a service-connected disability can claim a full exemption on part of their home value. Disabled persons and surviving spouses may also qualify. Each program has its own rules and deadline dates. A list of the full programs sits on the Property Appraiser’s site. The widow and widower exemption, for example, applies to a spouse who has not remarried.
Business Tangible Personal Property Exemption
Businesses can claim a $25,000 exemption on tangible personal property, such as equipment and furniture. The owner files a TPP return with the Property Appraiser by April 1 each year. The form is on the appraiser’s site and must be filed even when the full value is exempt. A business that fails to file the return can lose the exemption and face a tax bill for the full value of the equipment.
How to Appeal a Property Tax Assessment
A property owner who thinks the assessed value is too high can file an appeal. The appeal goes to the St Johns County Value Adjustment Board, or VAB. The board runs a formal process with set deadlines and clear rules. Filing a petition does not stop the tax bill from being due. The owner must still pay the bill on time or risk late penalties, even while the appeal is open.
Understanding the TRIM Notice
Each August, the Property Appraiser mails a TRIM notice. TRIM stands for Truth in Millage. The notice shows the proposed assessed value, the exemptions on file, and the estimated tax bill based on the proposed millage rates. The notice lists the deadline to file an appeal. The window is 25 days from the mailing date on the notice. A property owner who does not file within that window loses the right to appeal for that year.
Filing a Value Adjustment Board Petition
To start an appeal, the owner files a petition with the VAB. The form is on the Clerk of Court’s site. A small filing fee applies. The owner must state the reason for the appeal. The most common reason is that the assessed value is higher than the actual market value. Comparable sales, photos of property defects, and a private appraisal can serve as proof. The magistrate will review all documents before the hearing.
What Happens After the VAB Decision
The VAB holds a hearing before a special magistrate. Both the owner and the appraiser may present proof. The magistrate makes a written recommendation. The VAB votes to accept or reject the recommendation. If the owner still disagrees, the next step is a circuit court case. Most cases end at the VAB stage. A successful appeal results in a lower assessed value and a refund for any overpaid tax.
Payment Methods and Installment Plans
St Johns County offers four ways to pay a property tax bill. Each method is open to all property owners. Payments clear within a few business days in most cases. The Tax Collector’s office does not accept post-dated checks or partial payments on past-due bills outside the installment plan.
Online Payment Options
The Tax Collector’s website takes payments by major credit card and by e-check. A small convenience fee applies to credit card payments. E-checks have a flat fee. The site shows the full amount due, including any past-due balances and any pending certificates. A confirmation email is sent after each successful payment, and a digital receipt is available on the screen.
Mail and In-Person Payments
Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 9001, St Augustine, FL 32085-9001. The stub from the tax bill must be included. Payments are also accepted at the tax collector’s office in St Augustine. Cash, check, and card are accepted in person. Receipts are issued on request. Mailed payments are considered on time if postmarked by the last day of the discount month.
Quarterly Installment Plan
Owners can spread the year’s tax bill over four payments. The plan runs from June through March. To join, the owner files an application with the tax collector by the spring deadline. A small fee is charged. Missing an installment drops the owner from the plan for that year. The plan is open to all property owners, including rental property owners and second-home owners.
Public Records Laws in St Johns County
Florida has a strong public records law. The law is set in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The law says that records made or held by a government office are open to the public. Property tax records fall under this rule. The law has very few exceptions, and most of those apply to personal data, not to financial or ownership data.
Chapter 119 Florida Statutes
Chapter 119 makes nearly all tax records open. Assessment rolls, tax rolls, payment histories, and exemption files are all public. No one needs to show ID, sign a form, or state a reason to view the files. The same rules apply to people who live outside Florida. A person who is denied access to a public record can sue the office under the law.
What Records Are Confidential
A few pieces of data are not public. Social Security numbers on homestead applications are shielded. Bank account numbers on e-check payments are shielded. Personal contact info for certain protected groups, such as law enforcement officers, is shielded. All other data in the file is open. Most of the protected data is removed automatically by the online search tools.
Communities Within St Johns County
St Johns County covers a large area in northeast Florida. The county seat is St Augustine, which is the oldest city in the United States. Many other communities sit inside the county borders. All of these areas are served by the same Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices. There are no separate city-level tax records in St Johns County.
Major Cities and Unincorporated Areas
The main cities and towns include St Augustine, St Augustine Beach, and parts of Ponte Vedra Beach. Large unincorporated areas include Nocatee, Fruit Cove, and Palm Valley. Every parcel in these areas is assessed by the same St Johns County Property Appraiser. The same tax collector handles all bills. Property owners in all of these areas follow the same deadlines and discount schedule.
St Johns County Property Appraiser Office Details
The Property Appraiser office is the main hub for property value data in the county. The office is open to the public for in-person help with records, exemptions, and assessment questions. The staff can pull up a file, print a copy, and explain any line on the record during a walk-in visit.
Address: 4030 Lewis Speedway, St Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 827-5500
Fax: (904) 827-5510
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website: sjcpa.us
St Johns County Tax Collector Office Details
The Tax Collector office is the main hub for bill payment and payment history data. The office accepts payments, issues receipts, and runs the certificate sale each year. Walk-in customers can pay by cash, check, or card at the front counter.
Address: 4030 Lewis Speedway, St Augustine, FL 32084
Mailing: P.O. Box 9001, St Augustine, FL 32085-9001
Phone: (904) 209-2250
Website: sjctax.us
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about St Johns County property tax records. The answers cover searches, exemptions, appeals, and payments. Each answer is based on Florida state law and current office practice. The answers reflect rules in place for the 2025 and 2026 tax years.
How Do I Check If My Property Tax Bill Was Paid?
The fastest way to check a payment is to use the Tax Collector’s online search tool on sjctax.us. The tool asks for a parcel number or a property address. The result page shows the current balance, the payment history for the past few years, and any unpaid bills. The same data is available by phone at (904) 209-2250 during business hours. A paid bill leaves a zero balance on the account. A bill from a prior year that was not paid shows as a past-due amount, with interest and fees added. If a tax certificate was sold for an unpaid bill, the record shows the certificate number and the buyer’s name. The online tool updates each business day. Payments made online after 5:00 p.m. may not show up until the next business day. A printed receipt can be downloaded as a PDF for use in tax records or for proof of payment.
Can Someone Else Pay My Property Tax Bill?
Yes. A property tax bill can be paid by anyone, including a family member, a lender, or a title company. The Tax Collector’s office does not check the identity of the payer for a standard bill. The system credits the payment to the parcel number on the check or the online form. Many mortgage lenders pay tax bills on behalf of the owner through an escrow account. The escrow portion of the monthly mortgage bill covers this cost. A lender who pays the bill on time is treated the same as the owner who pays directly. No permission form is needed for a third party to pay, and no fee is added for a third-party payment. The receipt is sent to the parcel’s mailing address on file with the appraiser.
What Happens If I Miss the March 31 Deadline?
If a tax bill is not paid by March 31, the bill becomes delinquent. Interest starts to accrue at a rate set by Florida law. The Tax Collector adds a small advertising cost and other fees, which appear on the next bill. In late May or early June, the office holds a tax certificate sale. A certificate is a lien on the property that earns interest for the buyer. The buyer is usually an investor, but anyone can bid. The owner can pay off the certificate at any time during the two-year redemption window, plus interest. If no one pays the certificate, the buyer can apply for a tax deed. The court may then order a public sale of the property to cover the debt, and the owner can lose the home. The whole process is set in Chapter 197 of the Florida Statutes.
Are Property Tax Records Free to View?
Yes. Both the Property Appraiser and the Tax Collector post records online for free. No subscription, login, or fee is needed to view the main data. The records show the parcel, the value, the exemptions, the tax bill, and the payment status. Printed copies and certified copies may carry a small fee. Bulk data downloads from the Florida Department of Revenue are also free, and the data files cover every county in the state. Title companies and law firms pull bulk data each year to build their own search tools. The free tools cover the same data fields as the paid tools in most cases. The only data that costs money is the certified copies used in court cases.
How Often Does the Property Appraiser Update Records?
The Property Appraiser updates the main roll once a year, in the fall, before tax bills go out. Sale prices, owner changes, and exemption updates are added to the file each week. Building permits trigger a change to the assessed value as soon as the work is complete and the final inspection closes out. Owners who pull a record the day after a sale close may see the new owner within five business days. Exemption filings made in person are added the same day. A new construction permit is added to the roll with a partial value for the year the work starts, then a full value the next year. The data file is timestamped on every download, which helps prove when the data was pulled.
Can I Get a Copy of a Past Tax Bill?
Yes. The Tax Collector’s online portal shows tax bills for past years. The owner can print a copy for personal use, or save a PDF to a computer. A certified copy, with a raised seal, costs a small fee per page. The certified copy is often needed for court cases, tax disputes, or visa applications. Requests can be made in person at the tax collector’s office or by mail. A mailed request must include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the parcel number. The office keeps records for at least ten years, and older records are stored at the county records center. Title searches often pull five to ten years of past bills to check the payment history.
What Is the Difference Between Assessed Value and Taxable Value?
Assessed value is the value used to compute the tax bill, before any exemptions are applied. Taxable value is the assessed value minus any exemptions that apply. For example, a home with a $300,000 assessed value and a $50,000 homestead exemption has a $250,000 taxable value. The millage rate applies to the $250,000 number, not the $300,000 figure. Both numbers appear on the property record and on the TRIM notice. A higher assessed value does not always mean a higher tax bill, because exemptions can lower the taxable value by a large amount. The taxable value is the only number that drives the actual tax bill. Property owners who want to lower their bill should focus on the taxable value, which means filing every exemption they qualify for.