How To Search for Elizabeth Property Records

Elizabeth's growing neighborhoods and easy access to New York make it an attractive investment opportunity. However, it is important to check property records before buying or investing in real estate. These records provide a wealth of details, such as ownership history, tax assessments, liens, legal filings, zoning data, and other information critical to making sound decisions. Property records are considered public in Elizabeth, meaning they can be viewed and copied by anyone who knows where to look. We have put together a list of key resources below that you can use to search for Elizabeth property records.

Union County Clerk's Office

The Union County Clerk maintains official records of documents affecting real property in Elizabeth, including deeds, liens, mortgages, mortgage assignments, easements, and releases. You can use the County Clerk's public land records search tool to look up and request certified copies of these records online. Searches may be done by name, instrument number, book and page, and date. You may also access records in person at the clerk's main office located at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Note that you will need to book an appointment for your visit. You can call the clerk's office at (908) 527-4787 for more information.

Elizabeth Tax Assessor's Office

The Elizabeth Tax Assessor is responsible for valuing all real property located in the City of Elizabeth for taxation purposes. This makes the assessor's office a great source for information on a property's ownership, classification, characteristics, assessed values, sales history, and much more. You may access this information by visiting the office at Room 301, 50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. You can also call any of the following numbers for inquiries before heading there:

• Main Number: (908) 820-4115
• Alternate Number 1: (908) 820-4116
• Alternate Number 2: (908) 820-4118
• General Info Number: (908) 820-4000

Elizabeth Tax Collector-Division of Revenue

The Elizabeth Tax Collector is responsible for collecting all property taxes in Elizabeth and is an excellent resource for tax-related property information, including valuations, current tax bills, payment history, and outstanding balances.

You can get this information online using the city's tax account information tool, which allows you to search by name, address, tax account ID, or block and lot number. You can also visit the Tax Collector-Division of Revenue's office at Room 102, 50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201, if you prefer to access this information in person.

New Jersey Superior Court - Union Vicinage

You can also find property records tied to legal actions, such as foreclosures, liens, title disputes, and civil judgments, through the New Jersey Superior Court - Union Vicinage. The New Jersey Judiciary offers a centralized case search platform that you can use to search for these records online by name or case number (note that you may need to register a user account for full access). You can also search for and request copies in person at the Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207.

Union County Board of Taxation

The Union County Board of Taxation ensures property assessments across all municipalities in the county, including the City of Elizabeth, are fair and consistent. The board provides access to an assessment records search tool that you can use to look up information on property ownership, characteristics, sales history, and assessment postcards online. You can also visit the board at 300 North Ave. East, Westfield, NJ 07090 for in-person services or call (908) 527-4775 for inquiries.

Elizabeth's property taxes are a crucial funding source for many local government services, including police and fire departments, schools, parks and recreation, road and streetlight maintenance, libraries, and emergency dispatch. The Elizabeth Tax Assessor's Office determines the assessed value of all taxable properties in the city, while the Tax Collector-Division of Revenue handles the collection of property tax payments. Assessments are based on the property's estimated market value (what it would reasonably sell for under typical conditions). This assessed value is then multiplied by a tax rate established by the city, Union County, and school district to calculate the total property tax owed.

Tax bills are usually sent out twice a year: in mid-January and mid-July. However, taxes are due on a quarterly basis: February 1st, May 1st, August 1st, and November 1st. There is a 10-day grace period to make tax payments, after which interest will be charged starting from the original due date. For example, if taxes are due February 1st and paid after February 10th, interest is calculated from February 1st. Note that if the 10th falls on a weekend or holiday when City Hall is closed, the grace period deadline moves to the next business day. Late payment interest starts at 8% on the first $1,500 owed and jumps to 18% on amounts above that. Additional penalties are also applied the longer the taxes remain unpaid, including a lien being placed on the property and possible foreclosure. The Elizabeth Tax Collector-Division of Revenue provides multiple ways to pay property taxes, including online, through the mail, or by visiting the office in person. You can also call (908) 820-4111 for assistance.

Assessments

The Elizabeth Tax Assessor conducts annual assessments to determine the fair market value of properties located in the city. These assessments are done using at least one of three methods: comparing sales of similar properties (sales approach), evaluating potential rental income (income approach), or estimating rebuild cost minus depreciation (cost approach). Tax bills are then calculated using the assessed value.

The assessor's office typically mails assessment postcards to property owners in late January or early February. The postcard will outline your property's assessment details and how to appeal if you disagree with the valuation. Appeals must typically be filed with the Union County Board of Taxation by April 1st and can be submitted online or in person at 300 North Ave. East, Westfield, NJ 07090. Paper appeal forms are available at the board's office and can also be downloaded directly from their official website. You can also call the board at (908) 527-4775 for assistance.

Appraisals

Assessments performed in Elizabeth function in a way that's similar to appraisals. Whenever either is completed, local properties are used as references to determine the value of a specific property. When the sample properties are too dissimilar to the target, an expert appraiser is required to determine the value. Appraisers are often used by courts, various lenders, and estate planners.

Tax Rates

The median effective property tax rate in Elizabeth, New Jersey, is 2.33%, which is significantly higher than the national median of 1.02% but lower than the New Jersey state median of 2.82%. The average annual tax bill in the city is $10,718, which is also significantly higher than the national average of $2,400.

Here's how Elizabeth's tax rate compares to other counties in New Jersey:

• Atlantic County 3.23%
• Bergen County 2.73%
• Camden County 3.17%
• Cumberland County 2.69%
• Essex County 3.51%
• Middlesex County 5.10%
• Monmouth County 1.86%
• Morris County 2.63%
• Ocean County 2.26%
• Passaic County 4.57%
• Somerset County 2.05%
• Sussex County 3.40%

Exemptions

Although Elizabeth's property tax rates are slightly below the state average, they are still higher than the national average. Fortunately, there are several tax relief programs available to eligible homeowners in the city that can help them reduce their tax burden. These include:

• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Provides a full property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans who are 100% permanently and totally disabled.
• Senior Freeze Program: Offers reimbursement to qualifying seniors (65+) and disabled residents for property tax increases on their main home.
• ANCHOR Program: Available to homeowners and renters in Elizabeth who meet specific income requirements.
• Stay NJ Program: Provides eligible seniors with reimbursement of 50% of their property tax bills (subject to a maximum state cap).
• Annual Tax Deductions: Offers a $250 property tax deduction for qualified veterans, seniors, disabled residents, and their surviving spouses

The City of Elizabeth also offers a five-year tax abatement for new one- and two-family, owner-occupied homes in certain areas of the city. You can contact the Elizabeth Tax Assessor's Office to learn more about these tax relief programs and how to apply.

New construction and most renovation or remodeling projects in Elizabeth require a permit. However, exemptions are usually made for cosmetic work, like painting, wallpapering, and installing or replacing kitchen cabinets and countertops. The Elizabeth Bureau of Construction oversees the city's construction permitting process, and you can visit its office at Room 401, 50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 to apply for permits, schedule inspections, and perform other permit-related actions. You may also apply for some permits and schedule inspections online through the bureau's website.

Common types of permits available in Elizabeth include:

• Building Permits: For new construction and structural changes to existing buildings.
• Demolition Permits: To tear down, remove, or demolish all or part of a structure.
• Electrical Permits: For installing or altering electrical systems.
• Mechanical Permits: For HVAC system installations or modifications.
• Plumbing Permits: For installing or altering plumbing systems.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Originally called "Elizabethtown," Elizabeth is the fourth most populous city in New Jersey and was the state's first English-speaking community and its first capital. Located just southwest of Newark Liberty International Airport, the city is known for its historic Midtown district, bustling seaport, and diverse communities. Elizabeth is also home to The Mills at Jersey Gardens, the largest outlet mall in New Jersey.

Elizabeth, New Jersey, has a population of 137,298 residents and 48,518 housing units. 45,767 of these housing units are occupied and 2,751 are vacant, indicating an occupancy rate of around 94%. Housing options in the city include single-family homes, townhouses, modern condos, multifamily units, and mixed-use buildings. Common housing styles include Victorian, Cape Cod, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Ranch, and Contemporary. The average home price in Elizabeth, NJ, is $545,040, up by 5.1% over previous years. Note that actual prices can differ depending on the neighborhood. Here are a few examples of average home prices in different neighborhoods across Elizabeth:

• Bayway $495,000
• Downtown $553,067
• Elmora $689,000
• Midtown $545,200
• Peterstown $553,224

The Elizabeth, New Jersey, real estate market is active, fueled by its proximity to New York City, diverse neighborhoods, relative affordability compared to the broader Northern New Jersey market, and ongoing revitalization efforts. Prices have risen over the years, and homes typically go under contract in about 36 days. Roughly 15 - 20% of listed homes sell above asking price, with competitive bidding in desirable areas like Elmora and Midtown.