Palm Beach County Property Appraiser: PAPA Search & Tax Records
Finding property tax records, owner details, and boundary lines in Palm Beach County does not have to be a hard job.
The official online system is called PAPA (Palm Beach County Property Appraiser), and it has all the data you will ever need.
However, knowing exactly where to click can be very confusing for beginners.
Whether you are looking to buy a new house, check up on your property taxes, or save money with a Homestead Exemption, this guide will show you the exact steps.
I will walk you through the system from A to Z so you can find what you need in just a few minutes.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser PAPA Search
If you want to know who owns a specific house, how much it sold for, or what the county thinks it is worth, you must use the official PAPA Search tool.
What to Do: You need to search the public database using the property address, the owner’s name, or the Property Control Number (PCN).
The PCN is a unique 17-digit number given to every piece of land in Palm Beach County.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Open the PAPA Portal: Go to the official PAPA Property Search Page.
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Choose Your Search Method: Look at the main search box. You can pick “Address,” “Name,” or “PCN.”
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Type the Address Smartly: If you use an address, keep it very basic. Do not type out words like “Street,” “Avenue,” or “Boulevard.” Just use “ST,” “AVE,” or “BLVD.”
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Enter Names Correctly: If you search by owner name, always type the Last Name first, leave a space, and then type the First Name (Example: Smith John).
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Read the File: Click on the property address in the results to open the full record. Here you will see the assessed value, past sales, and building square footage.
Expert Local Insight: Always look at the “Exemptions” section on the property record. If you are buying a house, you might see a high taxable value.
But if the current owner has a “Senior Citizen” or “Widow” exemption, their taxes are artificially low.
When you buy the house, those exemptions disappear, and your new tax bill will be much higher. Never assume your tax bill will match the old owner’s bill.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Map Search
Text records only tell half the story. If you want to see exactly where the property lines are, check the zoning laws,
or see if a house is close to a flood zone, you need to use the visual map tool.
What to Do: You will use the PAPA Geographic Information System (GIS) Map.
This tool places colorful data layers directly over a real satellite picture of the neighborhood.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Open the Map Viewer: Click the “Map Search” button on the PAPA Homepage.
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Locate the Property: Use the search bar in the top corner to type the address or the 17-digit PCN.
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Open the Map Layers: Find the layer menu on the side of your screen.
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Turn on the Filters: Check the boxes for what you want to see. You can turn on “City Boundaries,” “Zoning,” or “FEMA Flood Zones.”
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Measure the Land: Use the digital ruler tool at the top to measure the exact distance from the front door to the street.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Homestead Exemption
If you own a home in Palm Beach County and live there all year, you must apply for a Homestead Exemption.
This simple form reduces your property’s taxable value by up to $50,000 and puts a strict limit on how much your taxes can go up each year.
What to Do: You need to submit your application to the Property Appraiser before the absolute deadline of March 1st.
Once it is approved, you do not have to do it again unless you move.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Change Your Official IDs: Before you apply, your Florida Driver’s License and Florida Vehicle Registration must show your new Palm Beach County address.
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Go to the E-File System: Visit the PAPA Exemption E-File Portal.
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Start Your Application: Click the button to apply online. You will need your Social Security Number and your 17-digit PCN.
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Upload Your Proof: The system will ask you to attach clear photos of your driver’s license and vehicle registration.
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Get Your Receipt: Always write down your tracking number before closing the window so you can check if it is approved later.
Expert Local Insight: If you moved from another house in Florida to your new home in Palm Beach County, you must apply for “Portability.”
This allows you to transfer your old tax savings to the new property.
You must select the Portability option while filling out your Homestead application, or you will leave thousands of dollars on the table.
Palm Beach County Property Tax Bill Search
The Property Appraiser (Dorothy Jacks) decides how much your house is worth, but she does not collect your money.
The Palm Beach County Tax Collector (Anne M. Gannon) is the person who actually takes your tax payment.
What to Do: If you want to view your actual tax bill, see if you owe late fees, or make a payment online, you must use the Tax Collector’s website, not the PAPA website.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Visit the Tax Collector: Go to the official Palm Beach County Tax Collector site.
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Click Property Tax: Select the button to pay or view property taxes.
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Search Your Account: Enter your address, name, or PCN.
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View the Bill: You can print a copy of your bill or pay it directly using a credit card or an eCheck.
Expert Local Insight: Property taxes are mailed on November 1st. If you pay in November, you get a 4% discount.
The discount drops every month until March. If you do not pay by March 31st, your taxes become delinquent on April 1st, and heavy penalties are added.
Always pay in November to save money.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Phone Number & Local Offices
Sometimes government websites have errors, or your property name is spelled wrong. When this happens, it is always better to talk to a real human being.
Here are the exact local offices you can call or visit for help.
1. Main Office (Downtown West Palm Beach)
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What they do: This is the main headquarters. Go here to fix record errors, ask deep valuation questions, or file exemptions in person.
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Physical Address: 301 North Olive Avenue, 1st Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
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Working Phone Number: 561-355-3230 (Main) | 561-355-2866 (Exemptions)
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Website Link: pbcpao.gov
2. South County Service Center
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What they do: Offers the exact same services as the main office, but closer for people living in Delray Beach or Boca Raton.
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Physical Address: 14925 Cumberland Drive, Delray Beach, FL 33446
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Working Phone Number: 561-276-1250
3. North County Service Center
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What they do: The best office for residents living in Jupiter or Palm Beach Gardens to file their exemptions.
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Physical Address: 3188 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
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Working Phone Number: 561-624-6521
4. Palm Beach County Tax Collector
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What they do: Call this office only when you are ready to pay your tax bill or if you have questions about a delinquent payment.
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Physical Address: 301 North Olive Avenue, 3rd Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
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Working Phone Number: 561-355-2264
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Website Link: pbctax.gov
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a PCN in Palm Beach County?
Yes, a PCN stands for Property Control Number. It is a unique 17-digit number assigned to every single piece of real estate in Palm Beach County.
You need this number to quickly search for your tax records and file your exemptions online.
How do I check my property taxes in Palm Beach County?
You must visit the Palm Beach County Tax Collector website at pbctax.gov. Type your property address or PCN into their search bar.
The system will immediately show your current tax bill, past payments, and any late fees you might owe.
When is the deadline for Homestead Exemption in Palm Beach County?
The absolute deadline to file your Homestead Exemption is March 1st of the tax year.
You can file online through the PAPA portal or visit any local Property Appraiser office in person. If you miss this date, you lose the discount for the whole year.
Why is my Palm Beach County tax bill so high this year?
When you buy a home, the county resets the property value to match the current real estate market.
The previous owner likely had a Homestead Exemption that kept their taxes low for years. Your new bill is based on your recent purchase price.