Passaic County Property Search
Passaic County property records are legal documents relating to the ownership, transfer, or sale of land, real estate, or personal property. Property records typically feature the owner’s name, sale price, current assessed value, appraisal and assessment reports, taxation data, and the year the property was built. In Passaic County, New Jersey, these records are especially vital for investors, homeowners, Real Estate lawyers, and law enforcement agents as conducting a property search before buying or selling a house is advised.
A Passaic County property search brings to the buyers' attention possible defects that may affect the use and enjoyment of the property (e.g., probate on the house, bankruptcy, boundary and easement disputes). It helps first-time homeowners avoid devaluing or problematic property.
The Passaic County Clerk’s Office collects and records all legal documents associated with the sale and transfer of property. The County Clerk, alongside the Passaic County Board of Taxation, maintains property records, appraisal, property tax records and related Passaic County Public Records within its jurisdiction.
Are Passaic County Property Records Public?
Yes. Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), members of the public have the right to access all government records upon request. Residents can request property records by visiting their local tax assessor or the Passaic County Records Office. Researchers may also search online for Passaic County property records, as many public agencies, including the County Clerk's office, make their property records available online.
However, not all property records are publically accessible. The Open Public Records Act (OPRA) also states that government agencies must restrict public access to a citizen’s private information, disclosure of which may put the citizen at risk of harm and result in an unwarranted invasion of privacy. This includes social security numbers, financial information, wills, trusts, and personal information (phone numbers, emails).
What Do Passaic County Property Records Contain?
Passaic County property records contain legal documents and other things like tax records, title, deed, sales history, and the specifications of the property. Researchers may find the following documents in a property record filed and maintained by the Passaic County Clerk:
- Property description (legal description of the property, boundaries, dimensions, geographical location)
- Ownership Information
- Mailing Address
- Physical Address
- Property Assessment and Appraisal Reports
- Sales History
- Tax History and Reports
- Tax information: Tax reports, exemption status, and appeal history.
- Zoning and Planning Records
- Building Permits
- Building Codes
- Deed
- Easement
- Mortgage Records
- Federal Tax Lien
- Assignment of Rent and Leases
- Filed Maps
- Land Use Information
- Building Improvements
- Transaction History
Where to Perform a Passaic County Property Lookup
Interested persons can find information about Passaic County property records online using the Public Record Electronic Press System (PRESS) on the County Clerk's website. Researchers can search for property records and related documents by block and lot, document type, name of the grantor/grantee, instrument or book number, and the estimated date the property was recorded. To search:
- Select Passaic County as the municipality.
- Select the document type where it applies-
- Input the owner’s first and last name,
- Input log and block details or instrument, book, and page number.
- Input the estimated recording time frame and search.
The Passaic County Clerk collects, records, and maintains real estate and personal property documents. These include documents on ownership and transfer of property and title. The Passaic County clerk offers in-house property records search services except for title searches. In-person requesters can visit the County Clerk’s office during regular business hours (8:30 AM to 4:15 AM).
Passaic County Clerk’s Office
401 Grand Street
Room 130
Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (973) 225-3690
Fax: (973) 754-1920
Wanaque Satellite Office
1237 Ringwood Avenue
Wanaque, NJ 07465
Phone: (973) 513-9900
Fax: (973) 513-9901
Furthermore, researchers can access tax and property assessment records on the Passaic County Board of Taxation search tool. To conduct a property tax record search:
- Select a database
- Select Passaic County
- Choose the district in which the property is located
- Choose a search format (simple or advanced) and output format
- Input the location of the property, owner's name, block, and lot number. However, this step is optional and can be skipped.
- Then search.
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in Passaic County
The Passaic County PRESS is one way to look up property owner information. Researchers can discover the names and identities of property owners by entering the document type, property's block and lot number, date recorded, instrument or book number. Also, there’s a search by name criteria. The searcher will need the first and last name of the current or even previous property owner and the estimated date the document was recorded.
Additionally, interested persons may visit the Passaic County Clerk’s Office to perform a record search in person or request records via mail.
How to Find Passaic County Property Records Online
Property records maintained by the Passaic County Clerk are publically available at the Public Record Electronic Press System (PRESS). The PRESS database is free for all users. Residents can also visit the county clerk’s office to view, inspect, and copy public property records.
Alternatively, researchers, homeowners, and real estate personnel can find Passaic County property records on third-party aggregator websites. The search criteria are direct, and there is no geographical limitation. However, a possible disadvantage of third-party sites is that because they are independent sites, their records may not be accurate or as updated as public resources.
How to Find Property Owner by Address for Free
The Passaic County property search tool doesn’t make provisions for search by address; this makes it challenging to find ownership information online for free. Interested people should consider using third-party aggregate sites, which often have less rigid search criteria. Otherwise, contact or visit the County Clerk’s office to inquire about property ownership information.
Passaic County Property Tax Lookup
The Passaic County Board of Taxation has multiple resources and links to give residents online access to tax appeal and application forms and other tax documents and information on tax rates and ratios, historic tax documents, stipulation of settlement, and others. The Board of Taxation also maintains a Property Tax Search Tool that helps individuals look up tax information online.
A property tax search reveals details about the property tax rates, net taxable value, payment history, sales information, and delinquent payments. A property tax lookup is valuable information when purchasing a property, appealing tax assessment, and paying taxes. It helps property owners file taxes promptly and be aware of outstanding payments.
How to Find Passaic County Property Appraiser
Individuals can find Passaic real estate appraisers on the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs License Verification System. To find a licensed and certified real estate appraiser:
- Choose either “Business Search” Or “Person Search”
- For person search - Select “Real Estate Appraisers” under profession
- Select a license type
- Input Passaic as the city and the search.
- For business search - Select “Real Estate Appraiser” under the profession
- Choose a license type
- Type Passaic as the city of choice and click the search button.
The search result will include a personal or business name, license number, profession, license type, and license status.
Passaic County Property Assessor
The Passaic County Board of Taxation handles the appraisal, assessment, and valuation of estate and personal property in Passaic County. The office estimates and allocates tax value to all properties. The Tax Assessor has the following responsibilities:
- Locate, inventory, and list all taxable properties in the County
- Appraise and value land for tax purposes
- Calculate property tax rates
- Maintain deed of transfers and keep an accurate and updated registry of ownership information
- Find the fair, accurate, and objective market value of a property
- Reappraise property for change of ownership
- Review and grant tax-exempt applications
- Review property tax assessment appeals.
Residents of the county may visit or contact the Passaic County Board of Taxation as seen below:
Board of Taxation
401 Grand Street, Room 105
Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (973) 720-7399
Fax: (973) 881-4000
