Union Property Appraiser 2026: Search, Map & Tax Records

Union County Property Search, GIS Map, Homestead & Tax Record Help

Union County, Florida · 2026 Property Guide
Property Appraiser: Bruce D. Dukes Office: Lake Butler Phone: 386-496-3431
Current Union County & Florida Government Sources Checked

The Union County Property Appraiser is the official starting point for parcel ownership shown on the assessment roll, property values, exemptions, agricultural classification, tangible personal property, record cards and GIS mapping in Union County, Florida.

The county’s online system currently displays 2026 working values. Those values are useful for current research, but the Property Appraiser warns that working assessments can change before final certification.

Use the Tax Collector for the actual property-tax bill and payments. Use the Union County Clerk for recorded deeds, mortgages, liens and formal Value Adjustment Board filings.

Independent publication: Property-Appraisers.org is not the Union County Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Clerk of Court, Value Adjustment Board or another government agency. Official county offices control assessment records, exemptions, tax payments and appeal filings.
2026 Database Working Values Available
2026 SOH Cap 2.7%
2026 Extra Homestead Up to $26,411
Main Office 55 W Main St, Room 109
01 · Start With the Correct Office

Which Union County Office Handles Your Property Question?

Union County property research becomes much easier once you separate assessment work, tax collection and recorded legal documents.

Your Task Correct Office Best Starting Point
Search parcel or property record Union County Property Appraiser Official Record Search
Review market, assessed or taxable value Property Appraiser Open the current property record and verify the tax year.
Use parcel or aerial mapping Property Appraiser GIS Map
Apply for homestead or agricultural classification Property Appraiser Download Official Forms
Search or pay property taxes Union County Tax Collector Official Tax Search
Find deed, mortgage or lien Union County Clerk Official Records Portal
File a formal assessment appeal Value Adjustment Board Union County VAB
Simple rule: Property Appraiser = value, parcel data, exemptions and mapping. Tax Collector = tax bill and payment. Clerk = recorded legal documents. VAB = formal review of assessment, classification or exemption issues.


03 · GIS Map

Union County GIS Map, Parcel Location & Aerial Research

The Property Appraiser maintains digital ownership maps and aerial information for Union County. Mapping is useful for general parcel context, neighboring property research and rural acreage review.

Good Uses for GIS

  • Confirm general parcel location
  • Review surrounding parcels
  • Compare parcel shape
  • Research acreage
  • Review section-township-range context
  • Connect the assessment record to a map

Do Not Use GIS as Final Proof Of

  • Surveyed boundaries
  • Legal title
  • Recorded easements
  • Legal road access
  • Buildability
  • Final flood determination
Official GIS warning: Union County’s mapping system states that its GIS map is not a survey and must not be used for a title search or another official legal purpose.
Open Official Union GIS Map
After opening this link
  1. Find or identify the correct parcel.
  2. Review the map location and nearby parcels.
  3. Compare map information with the assessment record.
  4. Use recorded documents and a professional survey when boundaries matter.

04 · 2026 Working Values

How to Read Union County Market, Assessed & Taxable Value

The current parcel system can show several different value figures. These numbers have different purposes, and confusing them can lead to incorrect tax or sale-price assumptions.

Just / Market Value

The Property Appraiser’s estimate of value for assessment purposes before applicable caps, classifications and exemptions.

Assessed Value

The value after applicable assessment limitations or classifications are considered.

Taxable Value

The assessed value remaining after exemptions that apply to a particular taxing authority.

Do not confuse assessment with tax rate. The Property Appraiser values property. Union County, the School Board, municipalities and other taxing authorities establish millage rates.

2026 working-value record fields can include

  • Market land value
  • Agricultural land value
  • Building value
  • Extra features or outbuildings
  • Total appraised and just value
  • Classified value
  • Assessed value
  • Exemption amount
  • Total taxable value
  • Sales history
Buying property? A seller’s current assessed or taxable value can reflect homestead, Save Our Homes or agricultural classification that may not continue after the transfer.

05 · Homestead & Exemptions

Union County Homestead Exemption, 2026 SOH Cap & Filing Rules

Union County’s official exemption guidance states that a person with legal or equitable title who makes the property a permanent Florida home may qualify for homestead exemption. First-time applicants must provide the information required by the Property Appraiser.

Regular Filing Deadline March 1
2026 SOH Cap 2.7%
First Homestead Portion Up to $25,000
2026 Additional Portion Up to $26,411

First-time homestead documents listed by Union County

  • Property description from the deed or tax bill
  • Recorded deed or contract for deed
  • Florida driver’s license showing the current address
  • Florida vehicle registration
  • Social Security numbers for applicants as required
  • Mobile-home registrations when applicable
  • Resident Alien documentation when applicable
2026 Florida change: the inflation-adjusted second homestead exemption can be as much as $26,411 for 2026. It applies to qualifying assessed value above $50,000 for applicable non-school taxes.
Review Union County Exemptions
After opening this link
  1. Read the Homestead Exemption section.
  2. Review the first-time documentation requirements.
  3. Check any additional exemption that applies to you.
  4. Open the official forms page for DR-501 or another required form.
  5. Contact the office before March 1 when you have an unusual ownership situation.

Save Our Homes in 2026

Florida’s 2026 Save Our Homes assessment cap is 2.7%. For qualifying homestead property, annual assessed-value growth is generally limited to the lower of 3% or the applicable CPI change, subject to statutory exceptions.

Union County’s own Save Our Homes guidance also explains that new construction can be added at full market value and that a qualifying ownership change can reset assessed value toward just value the following January 1.


06 · Senior, Veteran & Disability Benefits

2026 Senior Income Limit & Other Union County Exemption Forms

Union County lists the local-option senior homestead category among its exemption resources. Availability and the amount depend on ordinances adopted by the applicable county or municipality, so applicants should confirm the benefit with the Property Appraiser before assuming it applies to a particular tax levy.

2026 Senior Income Limit

The Florida Department of Revenue sets the 2026 adjusted household-income limitation at $38,686 for qualifying local-option senior homestead exemptions.

  • Applicant must be at least 65.
  • The property must qualify as the permanent residence.
  • Household income must meet the annual limit.
  • Union County lists DR-501SC for senior applications.

Other Forms Listed by Union County

  • Disabled veteran benefits
  • Veterans age 65+ combat-related disability discount
  • Blind-person exemption
  • Total and permanent disability exemption
  • Deployed military exemption
  • Widow and widower exemptions
Union County filing detail: the office’s Important Dates page lists March 1 for the senior application and notes that financial information for the low-income senior exemption is due by June 1.
Open Union County Forms
After opening this link
  1. Find the form matching your exemption type.
  2. Check the due date printed beside the form.
  3. Download and complete the current official form.
  4. Follow the Union County filing instructions rather than sending private documents to an unofficial website.

07 · Agricultural & Business Property

Union County Agricultural Classification & Tangible Personal Property

Agricultural Classification

Union County requires land to be used primarily for a bona fide commercial agricultural purpose. Agricultural zoning by itself does not automatically qualify a parcel for agricultural classification.

  • Property must be in qualifying agricultural use by January 1.
  • DR-482 applications are due March 1.
  • The classification does not automatically transfer to a new owner.
  • A new application is required after ownership changes.
  • The appraiser may request additional evidence about the agricultural operation.
Review Agricultural Classification

Tangible Personal Property

Business furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment, tools, supplies and leasehold improvements can be reportable tangible personal property.

  • Regular DR-405 deadline: April 1
  • Union County permits extension requests with a valid reason.
  • Late-return penalties can reach 25%.
  • Businesses should report closures, sales or location changes promptly.
  • Florida provides a qualifying TPP exemption up to $25,000.
Review Union County TPP Rules
Rural-property tip: agricultural classification is not the same as agricultural zoning. For Union County acreage, verify the actual classification shown on the parcel record before estimating taxable value.

08 · Property Tax Records

Union County Property Tax Search, Discounts & Current Millage Context

Union County Tax Collector Lisa B. Johnson handles the collection of real-estate and tangible-personal-property taxes after the Property Appraiser certifies the tax roll.

Search Union County Property Taxes
After opening this link
  1. Accept the Tax Collector’s working-roll disclaimer.
  2. Search the correct property account.
  3. Confirm the parcel, tax year and owner.
  4. Review the bill, payment history and unpaid balance.
  5. Use the official payment option only after confirming the correct account.

Normal payment schedule

Month / Date Union County Tax Treatment
November 4% early-payment discount
December 3% discount
January 2% discount
February 1% discount
March 31 Gross amount due under the normal schedule
April 1 Unpaid real-property taxes become delinquent

Latest millage table currently displayed by the Tax Collector

As of this 2026 review, the Tax Collector’s published millage page displays 2025 rates. Do not treat these as final 2026 millage rates.

Taxing Authority 2025 Published Rate
Union County 10.0000 mills
City of Lake Butler 3.2500 mills
Union County Library 0.5000 mills
School — Required Local Effort 3.2060 mills
School — Discretionary 2.2480 mills
Suwannee River Water Management District 0.2812 mills
Worthington Springs 1.8914 mills
Why location matters: a parcel inside Lake Butler or another applicable municipal taxing district can have different levies from a rural parcel elsewhere in Union County.
Check Current Millage Page
After opening this link
  1. Check the year shown next to each rate.
  2. Identify the tax district for your parcel.
  3. Do not apply a municipal rate to a parcel outside that municipality.
  4. Use the actual Tax Collector bill for the final amount due.

09 · Tax Estimator

Union County Tax Estimator: Useful for Planning, Not a Final Bill

The Property Appraiser provides a tax estimator for planning purposes. Its notice states that the calculator does not include every factor that can affect the final tax bill.

Useful For

  • Rough tax planning
  • Comparing hypothetical property values
  • Seeing the effect of homestead in a simplified estimate
  • Buyer budgeting before the final certified roll

Estimator Limitations

  • Not a final tax bill
  • Does not include every exemption
  • Partial or multi-building homestead can differ
  • Senior, widow, veteran and disability benefits may not be modeled
  • Final millage and assessments may differ
Open Union County Tax Estimator
After opening this link
  1. Read the estimator’s limitations first.
  2. Enter the requested property-value information.
  3. Select homestead only when it actually applies.
  4. Treat the result as an estimate.
  5. Use the Tax Collector for the final bill.

10 · TRIM & Assessment Appeals

Union County Value Adjustment Board: How to Challenge an Assessment

Union County’s Property Appraiser explains that property owners normally receive a Notice of Proposed Taxes, commonly called the TRIM notice, in mid-August.

If you disagree with the assessment, exemption or agricultural-classification decision, begin by reviewing the parcel record and contacting the Property Appraiser. Formal petitions are filed with the Union County Clerk as Clerk to the Value Adjustment Board.

1

Review your property record

Check land, acreage, buildings, classification, exemptions and sale data for factual errors.

2

Contact the Property Appraiser

Discuss the value or decision with the office before escalating the issue when time permits.

3

Prepare relevant evidence

Comparable sales, photographs, measurements, repair information, exemption documents or agricultural-use evidence may help depending on the dispute.

4

File before the deadline

Florida’s normal value-petition period is 25 days after the TRIM notice is mailed. Use the exact deadline printed on your notice or provided by the Clerk.

Do not wait for the November tax bill. A VAB filing deadline generally falls much earlier. An informal discussion with the Property Appraiser does not automatically extend the statutory petition period.
Open Union County VAB Information
After opening this link
  1. Confirm whether your issue involves value, classification or exemption.
  2. Check the current petition deadline.
  3. Use the correct DR-486 form.
  4. Review current filing and hearing procedures.
  5. Keep proof of submission.

Union County VAB Contact

Clerk of the Circuit Court — VAB
55 West Main Street, Room 103
Lake Butler, FL 32054

Phone: 386-496-3711


11 · Deeds & Official Records

Property Appraiser Records Are Not the Same as Union County Official Records

Use the Property Appraiser For

  • Owner shown on the tax roll
  • Parcel ID
  • Assessment values
  • Exemptions
  • Property use
  • Land and building information
  • GIS and sales context

Use Clerk Official Records For

  • Recorded deeds
  • Mortgages
  • Liens
  • Satisfactions
  • Recorded legal instruments
  • Official document history
Open Union County Official Records
After opening this link
  1. Choose Official Records.
  2. Search the relevant party or recording information.
  3. Check names, document type and recording date.
  4. Contact the Clerk for certified-copy requirements.
Clerk portal warning: Union County’s online records portal states that its web index is provided for access and research, while the Official Records Index maintained by the Clerk remains the controlling official index.

12 · Public Records & Address Changes

Union County Property Appraiser Public Records, Copy Fees & Record Updates

Most records maintained by the Property Appraiser are open to public inspection unless an exemption from disclosure applies.

Routine Copy Fees

The Property Appraiser lists standard copy charges of:

  • 15¢ per single-sided page
  • 20¢ per double-sided page
  • Possible additional charge for extensive staff or technology use

Name or Address Changes

The office provides DR-535 for a name or mailing-address change. A mailing-address update does not itself change legal ownership.

Open Record Update Forms
Review Public Records Request Instructions
After opening this link
  1. Check whether the record is already available through parcel search.
  2. Describe the requested record as specifically as possible.
  3. Use the listed email, phone, mail or in-person option.
  4. Review any cost estimate before an extensive request is processed.

13 · Union County-Specific Research

Lake Butler, Worthington Springs, Raiford & Rural Property Research

Lake Butler

Property inside the City of Lake Butler can have a municipal millage in addition to county, school, library and water-management levies. Confirm the tax district before comparing bills.

Worthington Springs

The Tax Collector publishes a separate Worthington Springs millage. Make sure a parcel actually falls within that taxing area before applying the municipal rate.

Raiford & Rural Addresses

For rural parcels, verify the parcel ID, acreage and section-township-range rather than relying only on the mailing city or ZIP code.

Agricultural Acreage

A low assessed value on acreage may reflect agricultural classification. Check the class value before assuming the parcel’s market value is equally low.

Flood Research

The Property Appraiser currently links information about Santa Fe Watershed flood-risk mapping. Use flood maps separately from the appraisal map when insurance or development decisions depend on flood-zone status.

Recent Ownership Change

Compare the Property Appraiser record with the recorded deed if ownership appears outdated. Assessment and recording systems do not necessarily update at the same moment.


14 · Office Information

Union County Property Appraiser Address, Phone & Hours

Union County Property Appraiser

Bruce D. Dukes
55 W Main Street, Room 109
Lake Butler, FL 32054

Phone: 386-496-3431
Public records email: benita@unionflpa.gov

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, except holidays.

Union County Tax Collector

Lisa B. Johnson
55 W Main Street, Room 108
Lake Butler, FL 32054

Phone: 386-496-3331

Regular hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Convenient local detail: the Property Appraiser is in Room 109 and the Tax Collector is in Room 108 at the same 55 W Main Street courthouse location in Lake Butler.
Confirm Property Appraiser Contact Details
After opening this link
  1. Confirm current hours before a special trip.
  2. Note that the Property Appraiser is in Room 109.
  3. Have the parcel ID or property address ready.
  4. Ask for the department matching your value, exemption, TPP or mapping question.

Map: Union County Property Appraiser

Union County Property Appraiser
55 W Main Street, Room 109
Lake Butler, FL 32054



16 · Frequently Asked Questions

Union County Property Appraiser FAQs

1. What is the official Union County Property Appraiser website?

The official public website is unionflpa.gov, and the Property Appraiser’s property-record and GIS system is hosted at union.floridapa.com. The office is led by Bruce D. Dukes.

2. How do I search Union County Florida property records?

Open the Union County Property Appraiser record-search system at union.floridapa.com/GIS/. Search the available property fields, open the matching parcel and verify the parcel ID, owner and location before using its assessment information.

3. Are the 2026 Union County property values final?

The current online system labels 2026 assessments as working values. The Property Appraiser warns that these values are not certified and can change before they are finalized for ad valorem assessment purposes.

4. Can I use the Union County GIS map as a legal survey?

No. The Property Appraiser expressly states that its GIS map is not a survey and should not be used for title searches or another official legal purpose.

5. What is the 2026 Save Our Homes cap in Union County?

The statewide 2026 Save Our Homes assessment cap is 2.7% for qualifying homestead property, subject to Florida law and applicable exceptions.

6. When is the Union County homestead exemption filing deadline?

The regular filing deadline is March 1. Union County states that a property must be in the applicant’s name and established as the permanent residence as of January 1 for the applicable homestead year.

7. When is agricultural classification due in Union County?

The regular agricultural-classification deadline is March 1. Union County also states that agricultural classification does not automatically transfer to a new owner, so a new application is required after a qualifying ownership transfer.

8. Where do I pay Union County property taxes?

Use the Union County Tax Collector at unioncountytc.com for property-tax bills and payments. The Tax Collector is located at 55 W Main Street, Room 108 in Lake Butler.

9. How do I appeal a Union County property assessment?

Review the parcel and contact the Property Appraiser first. If a formal appeal is needed, file through the Union County Value Adjustment Board and Clerk. Florida’s normal value-petition period is 25 days after the TRIM notice is mailed, but use the exact deadline shown for your current notice.

10. Where is the Union County Property Appraiser office?

The office is at 55 W Main Street, Room 109, Lake Butler, FL 32054. The main phone number is 386-496-3431, and regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except holidays.


17 · Primary Sources & Editorial Review

Official Sources Checked for This 2026 Union County Guide

This guide was researched using current Union County and Florida government resources, including:

Last factual review: September 11, 2026. Union County’s online assessment system currently displays 2026 working values. Assessment data, final millage rates, exemption requirements, forms, filing procedures and deadlines can change. Verify important property-specific information directly with the responsible official office before acting.

Independent publication notice: Property-Appraisers.org cannot alter a Union County property record, approve an exemption, collect taxes, prepare a deed or file a VAB petition. Use the appropriate official county agency for those actions.

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Florida Property Appraiser Help Tool

Use this free helper to understand which county office you need, how to search property records, what to prepare for homestead exemption, and how to review property value or TRIM notice questions.

Independent guidance, not a government office
Helps you use official county resources
Best for Florida property owner questions

Find the Right County Office

Many Florida property questions go to different offices. Choose what you want to do and this tool will guide you to the correct office.

Helpful reminder: The Property Appraiser usually handles property value, ownership records, parcel data, and exemptions. The Tax Collector usually handles tax bills and payments. The Clerk/Recorder usually handles deeds and recorded documents.

Property Search Helper

Enter the county and any property detail you know. The tool creates quick search links to help you find the official county property appraiser, tax collector, GIS map, or clerk record page.

Tip: County websites may use different labels such as parcel ID, folio number, STRAP number, account number, property ID, or Alt Key.

Homestead Exemption Readiness Checklist

This checklist helps you prepare before opening your county Property Appraiser exemption page. It does not decide eligibility.

Important: This tool is only a preparation checklist. Final exemption approval, documents, and deadlines are handled by the official county Property Appraiser.

TRIM Notice & Appeal Preparation Helper

Use this before calling the Property Appraiser or preparing a Value Adjustment Board question.

Recommended preparation checklist

Not legal or tax advice: Appeal rules and deadlines are strict. Contact the Property Appraiser first and verify VAB filing details with the official county process.

Market Value, Assessed Value & Taxable Value Explainer

Enter values from your property record or TRIM notice to understand how the terms usually relate to each other.

Term Simple meaning
Market value The Property Appraiser’s estimate of what the property may be worth as of the assessment date.
Assessed value The value after assessment limits or caps are applied, if applicable.
Exemptions Reductions such as homestead or other approved exemptions.
Taxable value The value used by taxing authorities after exemptions are applied.

Property Appraiser Office Call Script Generator

Fill in basic details and generate a polite call or email script before contacting the county office.