Okaloosa County Property Appraiser 2026
Learn how to use the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser search tool. Follow our easy steps to find real estate records, view GIS maps, and file military exemptions.
Okaloosa County is home to the world-famous beaches of Destin and major military hubs like Eglin Air Force Base. Because so many military families and new residents move to the Emerald Coast every year, the local housing market moves very fast.
Buying a house here means you must understand how coastal flooding and military zones affect your property value.
Do not trust random real estate apps to tell you what a house is worth or what the tax bill will be. You must look at the official public records.
Below, I will show you the exact steps to search the official Okaloosa database, use the interactive maps, and file for exemptions that legally lower your tax bill.
Okaloosa County Property Appraiser Property Search
If you are buying a home in Fort Walton Beach or just checking the tax history of your house in Crestview, the basic property search is your starting point.
What to Do: You need to search the official Okaloosa County database managed by Property Appraiser Mack Busbee. You can find properties using the physical address, the owner’s name, or the Parcel Number.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Open the Portal: Go directly to the official Okaloosa County Property Search.
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Choose Your Search Method: Select the option to search by “Address,” “Name,” or “Parcel Number.”
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Type the Address Simply: When you type a street address, do not use full words like “Street,” “Avenue,” or “Parkway.” Use short forms like “ST,” “AVE,” or “PKWY” so the system does not give you an error.
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Search by Owner Name: Always type the owner’s Last Name first, leave a space, and then type the First Name (Example: Smith John).
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Open the Property Card: Click on the correct property in the list. This opens the full file showing the Just (Market) Value, Assessed Value, and past sales history.
Expert Local Insight: Pay close attention to the “Extra Feature Value” section on the property card. In Okaloosa County, items like swimming pools, boat docks, and large sheds are taxed as extra features. If you buy a house that has an old, broken boat dock that you plan to tear down, you must notify the appraiser’s office immediately after you remove it. If you do not tell them, you will keep paying taxes on a dock that no longer exists.
Okaloosa County Property Appraiser Map Search
Reading text records will not tell you if a house is sitting in a bad flood zone near the Choctawhatchee Bay. To see property boundary lines, zoning rules, and nearby water areas, you must use the visual map tool.
What to Do: You will use the county’s Geographic Information System (GIS) tool. This map places colorful data layers directly over real aerial satellite photos of the neighborhood.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Open the Map Tool: Click over to the Okaloosa WebGIS Map Viewer.
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Find the Property: Use the search bar in the top corner to type the property address or the Parcel Number.
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Open the Layer Menu: Click the “Layers” or “Legend” icon on the side of your screen.
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Turn on Flood Zones: Because the southern half of Okaloosa County is on the coast, you must check the box for “Flood Zones.” The map will change color to show if your mortgage bank will force you to buy expensive flood insurance.
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Check the Zoning: Turn on the “Zoning” layer to see what type of buildings are allowed around the house. This tells you if a loud commercial business can legally open next to your quiet street.
Okaloosa County Property Appraiser Homestead Exemption
If you own a home in Okaloosa County and live there as your permanent, primary residence, you are losing money if you do not file for a Homestead Exemption. This simple online form drops your property’s taxable value by up to $50,000 and puts a strict legal cap on how much your taxes can go up each year.
What to Do: You must file your application with the Property Appraiser before the absolute legal deadline of March 1st. Once approved, it renews automatically every year as long as you do not move.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Update Your Florida IDs: Before applying, your Florida Driver’s License and Florida Vehicle Registration must clearly show your new Okaloosa County address.
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Go to the E-File Page: Visit the Okaloosa County Exemptions Portal and click on the “Exemptions” tab to file online.
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Start the Application: You will need your Social Security Number and your Parcel Number to begin.
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Upload Your Proof: The system will ask you to attach clear photos of your updated driver’s license and vehicle registration.
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Save Your Confirmation: Always write down your tracking receipt number or save the confirmation email before you close the webpage.
Expert Local Insight: Okaloosa County has a massive military population. If you are active-duty military and receive orders to deploy outside of the United States, you qualify for a special “Deployed Military Exemption.” This gives you an extra tax discount based on the number of days you were deployed last year. You must submit a copy of your deployment orders to the appraiser’s office to get this money back.
Okaloosa County Property Tax Bill Search
The Property Appraiser (Mack Busbee) decides how much your house is worth, but his office does not touch your money. The Okaloosa County Tax Collector (Ben Anderson) is the elected official who actually collects your payment.
What to Do: You need to use the official Tax Collector website to view your actual tax bill, check for late fees, or pay online.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step):
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Go to the Tax Collector: Open the secure Okaloosa County Tax Collector Site.
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Select Property Taxes: Click the button to pay property taxes on the home page.
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Search Your Account: Type in your property address, owner name, or Parcel Number.
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View the Bill: The system will show your exact tax amount owed.
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Pay Online: You can print a PDF copy of your bill or pay it instantly using a credit card or an eCheck.
Expert Local Insight: Property tax bills are mailed out every year on November 1st. If you pay your bill in November, you get a 4% discount. The discount goes down every month. If you wait until March 31st, you get zero discount. Always pay in November to keep more cash in your pocket.
Okaloosa County Local Offices & Contact Details
If the online system is broken, or if your name is spelled wrong on the public record, do not waste time guessing. It is always faster to call or visit a real person. Here are the exact local offices you need.
1. Okaloosa County Property Appraiser (Shalimar Main Office)
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What they do: Go here to fix record errors, ask deep valuation questions, or file your exemptions in person if you live in the southern part of the county.
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Physical Address: 1250 Eglin Parkway North, Suite 201, Shalimar, FL 32579
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Working Phone Number: 850-651-7240
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Website Link: okaloosapa.com
2. Property Appraiser (Crestview Branch Office)
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What they do: Offers the exact same services, but much easier to visit if you live in the northern part of the county near Crestview or Baker.
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Physical Address: 302 N Wilson St, Suite 302, Crestview, FL 32536
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Working Phone Number: 850-689-5900
3. Okaloosa County Tax Collector (Shalimar Office)
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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 late payment penalty.
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Physical Address: 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Suite 101, Shalimar, FL 32579
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Working Phone Number: 850-651-7300
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Website Link: okaloosatax.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Parcel Number in Okaloosa County?
Yes, a Parcel Number is a long, unique ID assigned to every single piece of property in Okaloosa County. It is the fastest and most accurate way to search for your tax records on the official portal. You can find it on your TRIM notice.
How do I apply for a Homestead Exemption in Okaloosa County?
You can easily apply online using the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser website. You must submit your application before March 1st. Make sure your Florida Driver’s License and vehicle registration match your new home address before you start the digital form.
When are property taxes due in Okaloosa County?
Property tax bills are mailed out every year on November 1st. You receive a 4% discount if you pay your bill in November. The final, absolute deadline to pay your taxes without getting hit with heavy late penalties is March 31st.
Does Okaloosa County offer military property tax exemptions?
Yes, Okaloosa County offers several military discounts. Active-duty members who deploy outside the US can apply for the Deployed Military Exemption. Veterans with service-connected disabilities can also apply for partial or total tax exemptions depending on their disability rating.
About the Author: Hi, I am Miss Merry, the founder and Lead Editor of assessorpropertysearch.org and creator of mysbshop.com. With over 15 years of experience as a Digital Marketing Expert and Real Estate researcher, I write easy-to-read guides to help everyday people understand complex government property systems without the headache.