New Jersey has the densest population of any state in the country, with 90% of the population living in urban areas. The first-ever baseball game was played in Hoboken, NJ. Living so close to New York, residents enjoy a lot of what the city has to offer. Such a dense population means millions of property records.

Property records in New Jersey affect individuals, investors, real estate professionals, legal entities, the courts, and local governments. They touch on many different areas of the home-buying and selling process. Some prove land ownership, others are used to transfer property, and some supply information that affects the property owner or the property itself.

Keep reading this guide to learn all about property records in New Jersey, what they are, the different types, the information contained within them, who is responsible for them, and how they are stored, found, and maintained.

Property records are many different things. New Jersey property records are legal documents that provide information about a piece of real property within the state and its current and historical owners.

Sources of Property Records in New Jersey

Several government offices create, store, and maintain property records. Deeds are filed with the county clerk's office, and the local county tax assessor and the county board of taxation handle tax records. The courts and state offices may have other records, such as building permits, appraisals, tax assessments, etc.

Some counties, like Monmouth County, have open public records portals where you can search for public records. Most records will be maintained at the county level.

Each New Jersey county clerk's office is responsible for filing, storing, and making certain property records public. A few examples include deeds, mortgages, building permits, and other documents. Once you file a record with the county clerk's office, it becomes legal and public. You can access county records through this office.

How Property Records are Maintained in New Jersey

Some counties use different names for the office that maintains property records. For example, Essex County calls its office the Register of Deeds and Mortgages. Other counties use the term county clerk's office.

Filing records correctly and maintaining them means you must contact the correct agency. For example, if you need to file a deed in Essex County, you can visit the Essex County Register of Deeds and Mortgages office.

Accessing Records at the County Clerk's in New Jersey

Most counties have websites and search portals where you can find public property records, among other things. You can also visit the county clerk's office in person and ask for records. You may have to wait and pay a small fee per page. Some of the county websites are:

County Clerk's Office Locations in New Jersey

The key to finding the records you need is knowing which county they are located in. Mercer County has provided a complete listing of all the county clerk's offices in New Jersey.

Within the realm of New Jersey property records, there are quite a few types. The most common you will hear about or encounter are listed below with details about how they originate, what their purpose is, and how they affect the property owner.

Property taxes in New Jersey are assessed once every five years. Therefore, the assessment process is conducted by local assessors. Assessors must follow the set guidelines for determining property values. The exact assessment process may differ depending on the assessor. However, it involves three key parts:

The first stage is to determine the property's value. Local assessors hired by the town or county assessor determine the value of each property within their jurisdiction. They consider numerous aspects, such as the size, location, condition, and comparable sales in the neighborhood.

Following the property assessment, the property owner receives a notification, sometimes called a 'Notice of Assessment.' The notice shows the property's assessed value, which is used to calculate property taxes.

Property owners have the right to evaluate their assessment. They may pursue a meeting with the local assessor to debate the assessment or give additional information that may affect the property's value. This phase allows property owners to check that the assessment is correct.

Easements and Covenants

Easements and covenants are included in deeds and other NJ property records. An easement is a right-of-way that allows someone other than the owner to legally access the property for a specific purpose. For example, a power company with telephone poles on private property can access the property to maintain their poles without asking the owner.

Covenants are restrictions on how homeowners can use the property. Many condo associations have bylaws that dictate how common land may be used. For example, you cannot have a big outdoor party in common areas without approval from the board.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are different types of maps showing the boundaries of a specific property. Plats also show the boundaries of neighboring properties, whereas surveys only show the boundaries of a single property.

Types of property surveys in New Jersey include the following:

Historical Property Records

Since property records can become cumbersome over time, New Jersey has initiated a project to archive more than 80,000 historical records. You can learn more about how to access them here.

There are many instances where you need to find property records. The trick is knowing where to look. You can use any of the options below to find New Jersey property records quickly.

Online Property Record Search

You can perform an online property records search quite easily. Start with Google and enter the property address or current owner's name. You may or may not find precisely what you need.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can always visit the county clerk's office and request specific property records. To make the search easy, be sure to have at least the full property address and possibly the owner's name, as well as other information.

Using Property Record Indexes

Each county clerk's office has a website, and many offer free searches. You can try that or check other property record indexes, such as those of realty and title companies or third-party options.

How to Search Property Records by Address

Searching by property address is the easiest way. Type in the full property address, including city and state, in a search portal and see what comes up.

How to Search Property Records by Name

Some search portals allow you to search by name. Enter the current or a previous owner's full name.

There is nothing quite like owning your own home. However, you must understand that many property records are New Jersey public records. Your information and property ownership details will be available to anyone who wants to look them up. As property changes hands, more paperwork is generated to document the chain of title.

Since there is so much property in New Jersey, property descriptions are critical to the puzzle. They appear on legal documents and property records to uniquely identify the land and buildings so anyone can find them. These descriptions are essential to property records.

Surveys and Land Measurements

A land survey maps out the shape and boundaries of a specific property. Surveyors use special equipment to measure the land and verify where it occupies space. Surveys are involved in real estate deals, new development, installing utilities, dividing up land, and boundary disputes.

How to Find Property Survey Records

Property survey records may be found at the county level. For example, Ocean County Library provides access to them on their website.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

Sometimes, neighbors fight over boundaries, which can lead to court issues. Surveys are used to verify the actual boundaries of the land and clear up any misunderstandings.

Property records also contain information about encumbrances (such as liens), which can make the property harder to buy or sell. There are two types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those that you approve and allow to be placed on your property for a specific reason, such as a mortgage.

Involuntary Liens

Involuntary liens are placed on your property without your permission to collect an unpaid debt. Some types of involuntary liens include:

How Liens Affect Property Records

Liens are like stains on property. They do not wash off until they are paid in full. Liens can make real estate transactions complicated, and many buyers won't want to buy a property with unpaid liens on it.

The Process of Property Liens in New Jersey

The process of placing a lien on a property differs depending on the type of lien. Here is a breakdown of how contractors and similar parties can place a mechanic's lien on a property in New Jersey:

Real estate transactions make up the bulk of New Jersey property records. They are generated before, during, and even after a deal. Some instances when property records come into play during real estate deals are:

Buying Property: Due Diligence

When you are buying property, it's your responsibility to find out all you can about it and perform due diligence so that you can go into the sale confidently. Property records can help you out quite a bit by researching the fair market value and taxes, looking for liens or foreclosures, and other details.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

Home sellers in New Jersey must disclose to potential buyers any material defects they are aware of. These defects most often refer to lead paint and asbestos. Property records can help fill in any blanks.

Title Searches and Insurance

An attorney or title company handles the preparation and closing of a real estate deal. They will run a thorough property title search, looking for defects or issues that might derail the sale.

If the buyer uses a lender, they will require that the buyer purchase title insurance to protect them and the buyer after the sale if anyone makes a legal claim on the property.

Foreclosure and Property Records in New Jersey

When liens are placed on a property, there is always the chance of foreclosure. If the lienholder forecloses, they will sell the property at auction and evict the owners. Foreclosures show up in property records. In fact, many investors search for foreclosure homes to pick them up cheaply and sell them for a profit.

Property values are another vital aspect of property ownership and records. Property values can change quickly or slowly depending on many factors, including the market and economy. Some property records indicate property value, such as mortgages, assessments, appraisals, and more.

Assessments and Appraisals

Tax assessors use assessments to set tax rates for all properties within the area. Mortgage lenders use appraisals to value the home to ensure that the fair market value is enough to support the loan should the owner default and have to sell it to get their money back.

Property Records and Market Value

Fair market value comes from comparing other properties in the same area. These values are used in appraisals and other records. The fair market value may differ from a tax-assessed value.

Property records are public, so anyone can request and review them. If you buy or sell property, your name and address will appear in public property records. Other information may also appear, depending on the type of record and the entity in charge of them.

Accessing Public Property Records

You can access public property records by searching online or visiting the particular office that holds them. You can request copies if you don't mind waiting. Some offices will charge a slight fee per page.

Protecting Personal Information in Public Records

You cannot keep all of your information private. If you want to minimize exposure, you can contact the offices that hold your records and ask them to remove anything that is not your name or address. You don't want personally identifiable information out there.

You might also want to contact the owners of online repositories and ask for your personal information to be removed.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public to protect the citizens and disallow any government office from having too much power and making decisions that are contrary to what the people want.

Life changes dictate that property records must be changed at certain times. Maintaining your own property records is essential. You can do this in a few different ways.