Bergen County Property Records
What Is Bergen County Property Records
Bergen County property records are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property located within Bergen County, New Jersey. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout the county's 70 municipalities. Pursuant to New Jersey Statutes Annotated § 46:26A-1, the recording of property instruments is required to establish legal ownership and provide public notice of property interests.
Property records in Bergen County fulfill several essential functions:
- Establish legal chain of title by documenting the history of ownership transfers
- Provide public notice of property interests, including mortgages and liens
- Protect property rights by creating an official record of ownership claims
- Facilitate real estate transactions by providing reliable ownership information
- Support property tax assessment and collection processes
The Bergen County Clerk's Office maintains the official repository of property records for the county. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other documents affecting real property interests. The recording system provides a chronological history of property ownership and encumbrances, allowing interested parties to trace the chain of title back through previous owners.
Are Property Records Public Information In Bergen County?
Property records in Bergen County are public information and accessible to all citizens under New Jersey law. The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1, establishes the public's right to access government records, including property records. Additionally, N.J.S.A. § 46:26A-8 specifically mandates that recorded documents affecting real property must be available for public inspection.
The public nature of property records is founded on several important principles:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public access to provide constructive notice
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Any person may access property records without demonstrating a specific interest or reason
Under current law, members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of Bergen County property records regardless of citizenship or residency status. This transparency ensures that potential buyers, creditors, and other interested parties can verify ownership claims and identify any encumbrances on a property before entering into transactions.
Bergen County Clerk's Office
One Bergen County Plaza, Room 130
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 336-7000
Bergen County Clerk
How To Search Property Records in Bergen County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to search Bergen County property records may utilize several methods to access this information. The Bergen County Clerk's Office provides multiple options for conducting property record searches:
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Online Search Portal: The Bergen County Clerk maintains a comprehensive online database of property records that can be searched by:
- Property owner name
- Property address
- Block and lot number
- Document type and date
- Document number
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In-Person Search: Individuals may visit the Bergen County Clerk's Office during regular business hours to conduct searches using public terminals or request assistance from staff.
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Mail Requests: Written requests for property record searches may be submitted by mail with the appropriate search information and required fees.
To conduct a property records search, requestors should:
- Gather identifying information about the property (address, block/lot, owner name)
- Access the Bergen County property records portal
- Enter search criteria in the appropriate fields
- Review search results and select relevant documents
- Pay any applicable fees for document copies
For complex searches or historical records, the Bergen County Board of Taxation can provide additional property assessment information that complements the ownership records maintained by the County Clerk.
How To Find Property Records in Bergen County Online?
Bergen County offers comprehensive online access to property records through several official portals. The primary resource for online property record searches is the Bergen County Clerk's Land Records system, which provides access to recorded documents affecting real property interests.
To find property records online, follow these steps:
- Visit the Bergen County Clerk's Land Records portal
- Create a user account or log in as a guest user
- Select the appropriate search type (name, property, document)
- Enter search criteria such as:
- Owner name (last name, first name)
- Property address
- Block and lot number
- Document type (deed, mortgage, lien)
- Recording date range
- Review search results and select documents of interest
- Purchase and download document copies if needed (fees apply)
Additional online resources include:
- New Jersey Property Tax Records - Provides assessment and tax information for all properties in Bergen County
- Bergen County GIS Portal - Offers mapping and spatial data for properties throughout the county
- Municipal Tax Assessment Records - Many Bergen County municipalities maintain their own property assessment databases
These online systems are updated regularly to reflect current property ownership and transaction information. However, for the most recent transactions, users may need to contact the County Clerk's office directly, as there may be a processing delay before new documents appear in the online system.
How To Look Up Bergen County Property Records for Free?
Bergen County residents and other interested parties can access certain property records at no cost through several official channels. The following free options are available for basic property record searches:
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Public Access Terminals: The Bergen County Clerk's Office provides free public access terminals for on-site searches during regular business hours:
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- No appointment necessary
- Staff assistance available for basic search questions
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Online Basic Search: The Bergen County property records portal offers limited free search capabilities:
- Basic property information (current owner, property address, block/lot)
- Recent sales information
- Property tax assessment data
- Document index information (without document images)
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Municipal Tax Records: Many Bergen County municipalities provide free access to basic property tax information through their local websites, such as the Borough of Bergenfield Tax Department.
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New Jersey Property Tax Records: The NJ Transparency Center offers free access to property tax assessment data for all properties in New Jersey, including Bergen County.
While basic property information is available at no cost, fees typically apply for:
- Certified copies of documents
- Document images/photocopies
- Extensive search assistance
- Bulk data requests
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 22A:2-29, the Bergen County Clerk is authorized to charge reasonable fees for copies of property records to cover the costs of reproduction and certification.
What's Included in a Bergen County Property Record?
Bergen County property records encompass a wide range of documents and information related to real property ownership and interests. These records are maintained by multiple county offices, primarily the County Clerk and the Board of Taxation. The records distinguish between real property (land and permanently attached structures) and personal property (movable assets).
A comprehensive Bergen County property record typically includes:
Ownership Documents:
- Deeds (warranty, quitclaim, executor's, sheriff's)
- Property transfer declarations
- Certificates of title
- Condominium master deeds and amendments
Financial Encumbrances:
- Mortgages and mortgage assignments
- Construction liens
- Tax liens
- Judgment liens
- Mechanics' liens
Legal Instruments:
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Condominium declarations
- Homeowners' association documents
- Land use restrictions
Assessment Information:
- Property classification
- Land and improvement values
- Tax assessment history
- Exemption status (senior, veteran, etc.)
- Appeal records
Property Characteristics:
- Legal description (metes and bounds or lot/block)
- Property dimensions and acreage
- Building specifications (square footage, rooms, etc.)
- Construction details (year built, materials, etc.)
- Zoning classification
As mandated by N.J.S.A. § 46:26A-5, all recorded documents must meet specific formatting requirements and contain essential information to be accepted for recording in the official property records.
How Long Does Bergen County Keep Property Records?
Bergen County maintains property records in perpetuity for most ownership documents, ensuring a complete historical record of property ownership throughout the county. The retention of property records is governed by the New Jersey Division of Archives and Records Management retention schedules and N.J.S.A. § 47:3-15, which establish minimum retention periods for various government records.
The retention periods for specific types of property records in Bergen County are as follows:
Permanent Retention (Indefinite):
- Deeds and property transfers
- Mortgages and satisfactions
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision plats and surveys
- Condominium declarations
- Tax maps and amendments
Long-Term Retention (75+ years):
- Property tax assessment rolls
- Building permits for significant structures
- Historic preservation documentation
- Zoning variance approvals
Medium-Term Retention (15-25 years):
- Construction permits and inspections
- Temporary easements
- Property tax appeals
- Code enforcement actions
Short-Term Retention (3-10 years):
- Routine correspondence about properties
- Temporary use permits
- Certain building inspection reports
- Preliminary development applications
The Bergen County Clerk's Office has digitized many historical property records dating back to the county's formation in 1683, making these documents accessible through their electronic records system. For particularly old or fragile documents, special handling procedures may apply, and assistance from the County Clerk's staff may be required to access these historical records.
How To Find Liens on Property In Bergen County?
Identifying liens and other encumbrances on Bergen County properties requires a thorough search of records maintained by multiple government offices. Liens represent legal claims against property that must typically be satisfied before a property can be sold with clear title.
To conduct a comprehensive lien search on a Bergen County property:
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County Clerk's Records Search:
- Access the Bergen County Clerk's Land Records system
- Search by property owner name, address, or block/lot number
- Filter results by document types including:
- Mortgage liens
- Construction liens
- Judgment liens
- Mechanics' liens
- Federal and state tax liens
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Tax Collector's Office:
- Contact the municipal tax collector for the property's location
- Request information on outstanding property tax liens
- Verify if the property is subject to tax sale certificates
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Superior Court Records:
- Search the New Jersey Judiciary's records for judgments against the property owner
- Check for pending litigation that may affect the property
- Verify if any lis pendens (notice of pending lawsuit) has been filed
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Municipal Code Enforcement:
- Contact the local building department for outstanding code violations
- Check for municipal assessments for sidewalks, sewers, or other improvements
- Verify compliance with local ordinances that may result in liens
Bergen County Board of Taxation
One Bergen County Plaza, Room 370
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 336-6300
Bergen County Board of Taxation
Professional title companies and attorneys often perform these searches as part of real estate transactions to ensure that buyers receive clear title to properties. Under N.J.S.A. § 46:15-1.1, sellers are required to disclose known liens and encumbrances affecting their properties.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Bergen County?
The Property Owner Rule in Bergen County refers to a set of regulations and principles governing property ownership, recording requirements, and the legal effects of property records. These rules are established by New Jersey state law and implemented by Bergen County officials.
Key components of the Property Owner Rule include:
Recording Priority (Race-Notice Doctrine):
- New Jersey follows the "race-notice" recording statute under N.J.S.A. § 46:26A-12
- First document properly recorded has priority over subsequent documents
- Purchasers must record their deeds to protect against subsequent claims
- Buyers without notice of prior unrecorded interests are protected when they record first
Ownership Disclosure Requirements:
- Property owners must be clearly identified in recorded documents
- Corporate and LLC owners must disclose their legal status
- Trusts must identify trustees and trust information
- Property transfers between family members must still be properly recorded
Tax Assessment Notification:
- Property owners must receive annual assessment notices
- Owners have the right to appeal assessments to the Bergen County Board of Taxation
- Assessment appeals must be filed by April 1 annually (or May 1 for municipalities with revaluations)
- Property owners must provide access for assessment inspections
Ownership Responsibilities:
- Property owners must maintain their properties in compliance with local codes
- Owners are responsible for payment of property taxes
- Failure to pay taxes can result in tax sale proceedings after 24 months
- Property owners must record all documents affecting their property interests
The Property Owner Rule also encompasses regulations regarding property boundaries, adverse possession claims, easements, and restrictive covenants. These rules ensure orderly property ownership records and protect the interests of legitimate property owners throughout Bergen County.
Lookup Property Records in Bergen County
Land Record Services - Bergen County Clerk
Bergen County, NJ – Official Website
About Board of Taxation – Bergen County, NJ – Official Website