Our Tax Deed Sales are held on a periodic basis throughout the year. We try to hold a sale about every three to six months. The Tax Deed Sales include both County-held certificate applications and individually held certificate applications. The number of properties sold at any sale ranges from one to fifteen or more. The types of property and prices vary greatly. You must be present at a sale to bid at public auction.

Notices of Tax Deed Sales are sent to all parties with a potential legal interest in the particular property. Advertisements are placed in the legal section of the local newspaper, the Suwannee Democrat. We maintain a bidders' list for those individuals interested in tax deed sale properties. When we schedule a Tax Deed Sale, a list of the properties to be auctioned is sent to all persons on the Bidders’ List. This property list includes the reference number, assessed party, legal description, and base minimum bid amount for each property.

We cannot and do not provide any further information concerning the properties available for sale. We do not know the street locations, zoning, or appraised value of properties. Any interested party may and should conduct their own research with the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, or Clerk's Official Record Books. This is best done in person.

Upon sale, a Tax Deed is issued and forwarded after being recorded. Recording fees and state documentary stamps are in addition to the sale price. Payment is due at the time of sale. Cash ( U.S. currency) or Cashier’s Check are the only accepted means of payment and deeding and recording is contingent upon check clearance.

Individual Tax Deed Application properties that do not receive any bids are to be deeded to the Applicant at the base bid amount.

County application properties that do not sell at auction go onto a List of Lands Available (LOLA). After a ninety-day waiting period, the lands are available for direct purchase without bid. This list is available for the cost of copies plus postage. Currently there are very few properties on the LOLA. Make check or money order payable to Clerk of the Circuit Court.

The Civil Division of the Clerk's Office handles foreclosures, and can be reached at (386)362-0500.

The County Tax Collector’s Office sells Tax Certificates for delinquent taxes annually each May. For additional information on Tax Certificates, contact that office at Suite A, 215 Pine Avenue SW, Live Oak, Florida 32064 (386)364-3440.

Each successful bidder will be required to immediately place a non-refundable Cash Deposit in the amount of $200.00, or 5%, whichever is greater; with the Clerk before other properties are offered. This will be applied to the purchase price at the time of settlement. Should the successful bidder not settle and pay for the property and Tax Deed, this deposit will be retained by the Clerk for resale expenses, per Florida Statute 197.542(2). Each bidder should be prepared with enough cash to cover the number of properties you may bid on should you be the successful bidder. The cash deposit is $200.00, or 5%, whichever is greater; per Tax Deed Property successfully bid. All Bidders must settle and pay for the property and Tax Deed within 24 hours of the sale.

We will not accept personal checks, bank drafts, money orders, or certified checks. Only Cash ( U.S. currency) or Cashier’s Check will be accepted at the time of settlement.

This information is provided to assist you and answer your questions. If you would like to be on our Bidders’ List or if you have other questions please call Tracy Baldwin at (386) 362-0575.