Union County Public Records /Union County Property Records

Union County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in Union County in 2026

UnionCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Union County. Members of the public may find ownership history, recorded deeds, tax assessments, mortgage documents, liens, and parcel data through this resource. Available record categories include transfer documents, encumbrance filings, valuation records, and permit information. Data availability may vary by record age and document type.

Property records in Union County may be searched through several official channels, including online databases maintained by the Union County Assessor, the Union County Clerk of Court, and the Union County Tax Collector. Members of the public may access these resources at no cost for basic searches, with fees applying to certified copies or document downloads.

Multiple Access Methods:

Online searches — The most convenient method; available through county agency websites at no charge for basic property information
In-person visits — Required for certified copies, historical documents not yet digitized, or records requiring staff retrieval
By mail — Written requests submitted to the appropriate county office with applicable fees and identifying information
Through professionals — Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed appraisers conduct comprehensive searches as part of real estate transactions

1. Property Appraiser Website

The Union County Assessor's Office maintains the primary online database for property valuation and ownership information. Members of the public may access this resource free of charge without registration.

Search Options:

By property address
By owner name
By parcel ID or folio number
By subdivision name
By GIS map location
By legal description

Information Available:

Current owner name and mailing address
Property site address and legal description
Parcel or folio number
Land use and zoning classification
Property characteristics including square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, year built, lot size, and building type
Assessed value of land and improvements
Taxable value and exemptions applied
Sales history
GIS map location and property photos

How to Search:

Navigate to the Union County Assessor's Office website
Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, parcel number, etc.)
Enter the applicable search criteria
Review the results list returned by the system
Select a specific property to view the full property card
Review ownership details, valuation data, sales history, and map location
Print or save the information as needed

2. County Clerk / Recorder Official Records Search

The Union County Clerk maintains the official records index for all documents recorded against real property. Basic searches are available at no charge; document image retrieval may require a fee or account registration.

Searchable By:

Grantor name (seller)
Grantee name (buyer)
Document type
Recording date range
Book and page number
Instrument number

Documents Available:

Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
Mortgages and deeds of trust
Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
Easements and declarations of restrictions
Plats and surveys
Powers of attorney affecting property
Lis pendens filings
HOA documents and declarations

How to Search:

Access the Union County Clerk's Office official records portal
Select the preferred search type (grantor/grantee name, document type, date range)
Enter the applicable search criteria
Review the results list
Select a document to view the image, if available online
Note the book and page number or instrument number for reference
Some systems assess a per-page fee for document downloads

3. Tax Collector Website

The Union County Tax Collector provides online access to current and historical tax information for all parcels within the county.

Search By:

Property address
Owner name
Parcel or folio number
Tax account number

Information Available:

Current tax bill and payment status
Payment history
Outstanding balances and delinquency information
Exemptions applied
Millage rates by taxing authority
Tax certificate information for delinquent accounts
Installment plan status and payment options

4. GIS / Mapping System

Union County maintains an interactive GIS mapping system that allows members of the public to conduct visual property searches and access linked parcel data.

How to Use:

Navigate the interactive map to the property location
Click on a parcel to view associated property information
Access linked records including ownership and assessment data
View aerial photography, property boundaries, zoning layers, flood zones, and environmental features
Measure distances and toggle between multiple map layers

In-Person Searches:

Union County Assessor's Office 10 Elizabethtown Plaza Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Phone: (908) 527-4775 Union County Assessor's Office

Services available in person include public access computers, staff assistance, property cards, maps and plats, and exemption applications.

Union County Clerk of Court 2 Broad Street Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Phone: (908) 527-4787 Union County Clerk's Office

Services available in person include viewing official records, requesting certified copies, searching grantor/grantee indexes, accessing record books, and receiving staff assistance with document searches.

Union County Tax Collector 10 Elizabethtown Plaza Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Phone: (908) 527-4775 Union County Tax Collector

Services available in person include tax payment information, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.

By Mail Requests:

Property Appraiser (Assessor):

Written requests for property information may be submitted to the Union County Assessor's Office at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Requests should include the property address or parcel number, a return mailing address, and payment for applicable copying fees.

Clerk / Recorder:

Written requests for copies of recorded documents may be submitted to the Union County Clerk at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Requests should specify the document by book and page number, instrument number, or property address and date range. Payment for copy fees and certified copy fees must accompany the request.

Through Professionals:

Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and provide abstracts of title and title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests against a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership issues or disputes. Real estate agents access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and compile comparable sales data as part of their representation services.

Search Tips:

When searching by address, use the complete street address including unit or apartment number; try searches with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
When searching by owner name, try last name first, check spelling variations, and consider both married and maiden names as well as business entity names
When searching by legal description, use the exact legal description from the deed, including subdivision name and lot and block numbers
For historical records not available online, an in-person visit to the courthouse is required; staff can assist with records stored in books or on microfilm

Common Search Challenges:

Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording delays
Very old properties may not be digitized and require in-person access
Common names or similar addresses may return multiple results; verify by parcel number or legal description
Unrecorded documents, private agreements, and documents filed under seal are not accessible through public records searches

What Is Union County Property Records

Property records are official documents related to real property — land and the structures affixed to it — maintained by county government as the legal record of ownership, transfers, and encumbrances. These records establish chain of title, document property transactions, record mortgages and liens, support property tax assessment, and protect the property rights of owners and lienholders. Under N.J.S.A. § 46:15-1.1, New Jersey's recording statutes govern the filing and indexing of instruments affecting real property, providing constructive notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers.

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records:

Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
Title documents and transfer records
Ownership history and chain of title
Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property

Encumbrance Records:

Mortgages and deeds of trust
Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
Easements, restrictions, and covenants
Homeowner association documents
Lis pendens filings

Tax and Assessment Records:

Property tax assessments and tax bills
Payment history and exemptions
Millage rates and special assessments
Tax delinquency records

Legal Descriptions:

Plat maps and subdivision plats
Surveys and metes and bounds descriptions
Lot and block information
Condominium declarations

Building and Permit Records:

Building permits and certificates of occupancy
Code violations and zoning information
Land use designations

Who Maintains Property Records:

Union County Clerk of Court 2 Broad Street Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Phone: (908) 527-4787 Union County Clerk's Office

The Clerk records and indexes all official instruments affecting title, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats, and maintains these records permanently for public inspection.

Union County Assessor's Office 10 Elizabethtown Plaza Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Phone: (908) 527-4775 Union County Assessor's Office

The Assessor maintains property valuations, assessment records, property characteristics, ownership information, and exemption applications.

Union County Tax Collector 10 Elizabethtown Plaza Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Phone: (908) 527-4775 Union County Tax Collector

The Tax Collector maintains tax bills, payment records, delinquent tax records, and tax certificate and tax deed information.

Union County Planning and Zoning Department 10 Elizabethtown Plaza Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Phone: (908) 527-4000 Union County Planning Department

The Planning Department maintains permits, inspections, zoning records, and code enforcement files.

Are Property Records Public Information in Union County?

Property records in Union County are public information. New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-1) establishes the right of any member of the public to access government records, including property records maintained by county offices. No special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement is necessary to inspect or obtain copies of property records. As the New Jersey Legislature declared in enacting the Open Public Records Act, "government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of this State."

Why Property Records Are Public:

Property records serve the foundational legal principle of constructive notice — the doctrine that a recorded instrument is deemed known to all subsequent parties, whether or not they have actual knowledge of it. This principle, embedded in New Jersey's recording statutes, requires that deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments be publicly accessible to protect the integrity of real estate transactions and the priority of competing interests.

Beyond legal necessity, public access to property records supports transparency in government taxation, enables the real estate marketplace, facilitates title insurance and mortgage lending, and serves the public interest in historical and genealogical research.

What Property Information Is Public:

Current and historical property ownership
Legal descriptions and parcel identification
Sale prices and transfer amounts
Recorded mortgage amounts
Liens and encumbrances
Tax assessments and payment history
Property characteristics
Deeds and all recorded instruments
Plat maps and surveys

Privacy Considerations:

Certain personal information is protected even within public property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents pursuant to state and federal law. Under New Jersey's Address Confidentiality Program, certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, domestic violence victims, and stalking victims — may request that their home address be shielded from public disclosure. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public inspection; members of the public should contact the Assessor's Office directly for applicable policies.

Who Can Access Property Records:

Any person may access Union County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, investors, developers, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.

Commercial Use of Property Records:

Commercial use of public property records — including real estate marketing, property valuation services, title searches, investment analysis, and market research — is permitted under current law. Data aggregation companies such as CoreLogic and First American compile public records into subscription databases. Anti-harassment laws, fair housing statutes, and other applicable regulations continue to govern the manner in which property information may be used, regardless of its public nature.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Union County?

Members of the public may inspect property records at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee schedule reflects current standard charges applicable to Union County property records:

Record Type	Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$0.05–$0.10 per page
Certified copy of recorded document	$10.00 per document (first page) + $2.00 per additional page
Recording a new deed or instrument	$30.00 for first page + $10.00 per additional page
Online document download (where applicable)	Varies by system; some documents free
Property tax record copy	Nominal fee; varies by municipality
GIS/map printout	Varies; often free for standard prints

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5, government agencies may charge a fee not to exceed the actual cost of duplicating a record. Fees for certified copies of recorded instruments are governed by the schedule established by the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.

What Is Available at No Charge:

Online inspection of property appraiser records
Online inspection of recorded document indexes
Online tax information lookup
GIS map viewing
In-person inspection of records at county offices

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person)
Check or money order payable to the Union County Clerk (mail requests)
Credit or debit card (where available at the counter or online)

Fee waiver provisions may apply to certain government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or indigent requestors under applicable state law. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should submit a written request to the applicable county office with supporting documentation.

What's Included in a Union County Property Record?

A complete Union County property record aggregates information from multiple county offices and encompasses ownership, physical characteristics, valuation, tax, sales history, encumbrances, and legal and regulatory data.

Ownership Information:

Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners by name, ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, trust, LLC, or corporation), ownership percentage where multiple owners exist, acquisition date, deed book and page or instrument number, and mailing address for tax billing purposes. Previous ownership records provide the chain of title, including prior owners' names, transfer dates, and historical deed references.

Property Identification:

Each parcel is identified by its site address, mailing address if different, legal description (lot and block number, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, section/township/range where applicable, metes and bounds description, or condominium unit number), parcel ID or folio number, tax account number, and any alternate or previous parcel numbers.

Physical Characteristics:

Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, street frontage, corner lot designation, topography, land use designation, and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and total room count. Additional features documented include garages, pools, porches, fireplaces, HVAC systems, water source, sewer system, and accessory structures.

Valuation Information:

Assessment records reflect land value, building value, total assessed value, market value, just value, and capped value where applicable under state assessment limitation programs. Historical assessed values for prior years are maintained and accessible through the Assessor's database.

Tax Information:

Current year tax records include the total tax amount due, exemptions applied, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, and a breakdown by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, municipality, and special districts). Tax history reflects prior years' taxes paid, payment dates, and any delinquency history.

Exemptions Applied:

Exemptions that may appear in Union County property records include homestead exemptions, senior citizen exemptions, disability exemptions, veteran exemptions, widow or widower exemptions, agricultural exemptions, conservation exemptions, and historic preservation exemptions.

Sales History:

Sales history reflects recent transfers including sale dates, sale prices, sale types (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, gift, inheritance, foreclosure, tax deed, divorce transfer, or trust transfer), deed document numbers, grantor and grantee names, qualified or unqualified sale designation, and documentary stamp amounts.

Encumbrances and Liens:

Recorded encumbrances include current mortgages with lender names, recording dates, book and page references, and original mortgage amounts; tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens with amounts and recording dates; and easements, restrictions, covenants, leases, life estates, and lis pendens filings.

Legal and Regulatory Information:

Zoning classification, land use code, future land use designation, special district assignments (school, fire, water, community development), deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, HOA information, building code compliance status, code violations, flood zone designation (FEMA), wetlands designation, and conservation area designations are all components of a comprehensive property record.

Maps and Images:

Visual information available includes exterior property photographs, aerial photographs, GIS maps with property boundaries, plat maps, property sketches or floor plans, and historical aerials where available.

What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:

Current mortgage balances (only original amounts at recording)
Personal financial information beyond recorded documents
Interior photographs
Confidential exemption application details
Social Security numbers (redacted)
Private agreements not recorded
Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price

How Long Does Union County Keep Property Records?

Property records in Union County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are never destroyed. This permanent retention requirement reflects both the legal necessity of an unbroken chain of title and the historical importance of land records as foundational public documents.

Legal Basis for Retention:

New Jersey's records retention schedules, administered by the New Jersey Division of Archives and Records Management, establish the retention periods applicable to county government records. Recorded instruments affecting real property are classified as permanent records under these schedules. The recording statutes codified at N.J.S.A. § 46:15-1.1 further require that all recorded documents be maintained as part of the permanent public record.

Records Kept Permanently:

All recorded deeds — including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance instruments — are maintained permanently, dating back to the county's formation and original land grants. All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, releases, modifications, and assignments are maintained permanently even after the underlying loan has been paid in full. All recorded liens, releases of liens, judgment liens, tax liens, and mechanic's liens are maintained permanently. All recorded plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are maintained permanently. All easements, restrictions, covenants, declarations, powers of attorney affecting property, and court documents affecting title are maintained permanently.

Format and Storage:

Historical records from the early periods of Union County's history exist in handwritten ledgers and typed record books. Mid-twentieth century records are preserved on microfilm. Current records are maintained in electronic document management systems as scanned images of original documents, with digital signatures applied to newly recorded instruments. Climate-controlled storage, off-site backup facilities, and cloud-based systems provide redundant preservation for the permanent record.

Online Availability by Time Period:

Record Age	Typical Availability
Last 20 years	Fully online; immediate access
20–50 years	May be online; microfilm available at courthouse
50–100 years	In-person access; staff retrieval required
100+ years	Archive storage; advance notice may be required

Property Appraiser Records:

Assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls are maintained permanently. Exemption applications are retained for a period that varies by document type, with administrative working files subject to the applicable retention schedule. Recent years of assessment history are accessible online through the Assessor's database; historical assessments are available at the office.

Tax Collector Records:

Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years. Tax certificates are retained until redeemed or until a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are maintained permanently. Delinquency records are retained for several years following resolution.

Accessing Historical Records:

Union County Clerk of Court 2 Broad Street Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Phone: (908) 527-4787 Union County Clerk's Office

Members of the public requesting historical records should contact the Records Management or Archives section of the Clerk's Office. Requests should specify the property address or legal description, the approximate time period, and the type of document sought. Retrieval time ranges from same-day to several days depending on the age and format of the record. Standard copying fees apply.

Union County Assessor's Office 10 Elizabethtown Plaza Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Phone: (908) 527-4775 Union County Assessor's Office

Historical assessment information is available through the Assessor's Office for records not accessible through the online database.

How To Find Liens on Property in Union County?

Liens recorded against real property in Union County are searchable through the Union County Clerk's official records index. A lien is a legal claim against a property that must be satisfied before title can transfer free and clear. Common lien types include federal and state tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens.

Step-by-Step Search Process:

Access the Union County Clerk's Office official records search portal
Select the grantor/grantee name search option
Enter the current property owner's name as the grantor to identify liens filed against that individual or entity
Filter results by document type (lien, judgment, tax lien, mechanic's lien) and date range
Review all results and note instrument numbers, recording dates, and lien amounts
Access document images to review the full text of each lien instrument
Search the IRS federal tax lien database through the IRS Centralized Lien Operation for federal tax liens, which are also recorded with the county clerk
Search the New Jersey Division of Taxation records for state tax liens

Additional Lien Sources:

Judgment liens — Entered through the New Jersey Superior Court and docketed with the county; searchable through the New Jersey Courts Civil Case Jacket system
Mechanic's liens — Filed with the Union County Clerk pursuant to New Jersey's Construction Lien Law; searchable by property owner name and recording date
HOA liens — Recorded with the Clerk when an HOA files for unpaid assessments; searchable by grantor name
Code enforcement liens — Filed by the applicable municipality; may require a separate search with the municipal code enforcement office

In-Person Lien Search:

Union County Clerk of Court 2 Broad Street Elizabeth, NJ 07207 Phone: (908) 527-4787 Union County Clerk's Office

Staff at the Clerk's Office can assist members of the public in conducting lien searches using the grantor/grantee index. Certified lien search reports are available for a fee and are commonly required by title companies and lenders as part of the closing process.

What Is Property Owner Rule in Union County?

The property owner rule in Union County refers to the body of New Jersey law governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership. Under New Jersey law, any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, or other legal entity may hold title to real property in Union County.

Establishing Ownership:

Ownership of real property in Union County is established by a recorded deed. Pursuant to New Jersey's recording act, codified at N.J.S.A. § 46:22-1, a conveyance of real property is not effective against subsequent purchasers or encumbrancers for value unless the deed is recorded with the Union County Clerk. This "race-notice" recording statute means that a subsequent purchaser who records first and has no notice of a prior unrecorded conveyance takes priority over the prior unrecorded grantee.

Forms of Ownership:

New Jersey law recognizes several forms of concurrent ownership:

Tenancy in common — Two or more owners hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes to their heirs upon death
Joint tenancy with right of survivorship — Two or more owners hold equal undivided interests; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner or owners take the deceased owner's interest automatically
Tenancy by the entirety — Available only to married couples; neither spouse may convey or encumber the property without the other's consent, and the property passes automatically to the surviving spouse
Trust ownership — A trustee holds legal title for the benefit of named beneficiaries
Entity ownership — LLCs, corporations, and partnerships may hold title; transfer of ownership interests in the entity does not constitute a transfer of the real property itself

Property Owner Rights and Obligations:

Property owners in Union County hold the right to use, enjoy, lease, mortgage, and convey their property subject to applicable zoning ordinances, deed restrictions, easements, and state and local regulations. Owners are obligated to pay property taxes assessed by the municipality and county, maintain the property in compliance with applicable building and housing codes, and satisfy any recorded liens or encumbrances before conveying clear title.

Adverse Possession:

Under New Jersey law, a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely possesses another's real property for a period of thirty years may acquire title by adverse possession. Claims of adverse possession must be established through a court proceeding, and a judgment quieting title must be recorded with the Union County Clerk to establish the adverse possessor's ownership in the public record.

Homestead Protections:

New Jersey does not provide a constitutional homestead exemption from creditor claims comparable to those available in some other states. However, the homestead property tax exemption — administered through the Assessor's Office — reduces the assessed value of a primary residence for tax purposes. Eligibility requirements and exemption amounts are established by state statute and administered at the county level.