Union County Property Search
Union County property means all county-owned, controlled, or leased land, facilities, structures, buildings, grounds, and parking lots. These include all personal and commercial structures.
Upon buying or otherwise inheriting property, one must possess a property record to show for it. Union County property records involve all documents and files that pertain to real properties in Union County. These include deeds, title documents, liens and judgments, mortgages, plat maps, tax maps, zoning maps, property record cards, and so on.
Since most property records are attached to the real property and not the person who owns or owned it, it is imperative for buyers or grantees to thoroughly evaluate all records of that property to avoid legal injuries, unresolved liens, and mortgages, and generally be in the know of any other rights and liabilities attached to the property.
The Union County Clerk's Office records and dispenses information to Public Land Records for the county.
Are Union County Property Records Public?
Yes. New Jersey's Open Property Records Act makes it permissible for public institutions to view and access public records. Property tax, commercial, and most other property records fall under this category. Hence, individuals can request or apply to view property records from the custodian.
One exemption to this rule involves all discussions, including negotiations, involving purchasing, leasing, or acquiring real property with public funds (N.J.S.A. 10:4-12b(5)).
Also, as a matter of general rule, personal identifying information is not permitted to be disclosed (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 - G.R.C. Exemption No. 16). Hence, if there is any portion of a property record that reveals a person's social security number, credit card number, unlisted telephone number or driver license number, such information portions are not publicly accessible.
What Do Union County Property Records Contain?
New Jersey Assessor's Office Section 18:12-2.2 recognizes the following classifications for properties:
- Vacant Land
- Farm Property (Regular), including barns, silos, and shedsN.J.S.A. 54:4-23.11, but excluding single-use agricultural or horticultural facilities N.J.S.A. 54:4-23.12, and (qualified) N.J.S.A. 54:4-23.1 et seq
- Commercial property, such as shopping centers, malls, office buildings, restaurants, theaters, etc.
- Industrial property
- Apartment
- Railroad properties
- Personal Property telephone
- Machinery, apparatus, or equipment of petroleum refineries
- Public school property
- Other school property (educational facilities that are non-government or non-profit owned)
- Public property
- Church and charitable property
- Cemeteries and graveyards
The contents for different property records are bound to vary based on the property's classification, use, and where the information is obtained from. However, when a person inspects land records, they typically are bound to find the following sections:
Owner's information: current owner's name (grantee), previous owner's name (grantor)
Property Information: address, parcel identification number, current assessed value, historical value, date of last sale, purchase price, plat maps, liens and judgments, photographs, mortgage information,
Tax Information
Business Documents: this applies to commercial real estate. Such records include licenses and permits to run said business there.
Where to Perform a Union County Property Lookup
Suppose an individual wants to look up records for a property in Union County. In that case, they can choose to do so online.
Otherwise, they may physically visit the county clerk's office and make a request. A third option is to mail the county clerk's office with their request and the appropriate fees.
Online Union County Property Lookup
To find property records online, visit the "Union County Clerk's Online Public Land Records Search Page". This is the county's official site, which contains information recorded in the Official Land Records of Union County, New Jersey, from June 1, 1977, through September 27, 2023. There is a provision to search the index by "Name," "Book and Page", "Instrument Number," or "Date Range".
- Name Search: For a name search, one can choose as many document types as possible, including mortgages, liens, etc. The results from a name search include the document type, party names, recorded date, and book/page or file number.
- Book and Page Number Search: By entering the document type, book number, and page number into the provided boxes, a results page showing the instrument number, book/page number, date recorded, block or lot number (for deeds), and the names of the grantors and grantees, will be displayed.
- Instrument Number Search: Enter the document type and instrument numbers in the provided boxes to search for property documents using the instrument number. The results displayed will include the instrument number, book/page number, date recorded, block or lot number (for deeds), and the names of the grantors and grantees.
- Date Range Search: The date range search feature lets users search for records within a 31-day range. The results displayed include document type, party names, recorded date, and book/page or file number.
Union County has images of some documents older than January 1986. To access the imaged copies of records, click on the pdf icon beside the "certified copy "tick on the results display page.
In-Person Records Request
Although most property records can be accessed online, others, like dedications, notices of sale, and vacations, are only available at the county office.
Also, at the county clerk's office, interested persons can locate copies of all land transactions within the county from 1857 to date.
To secure these records or other records that are unavailable online, one can contact the county clerk's office at:
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: (908) 527-4787
Fax: (908) 558-2589
It is essential to book an appointment beforehand before visiting the County office.
By Mail
Interested persons may request certified copies of documents to be sent to them directly by the Union County Clerk's Office. As a first step, the searcher is to print a list of required documents by creating a list from the "Name Search," "Book and Page Search," "Date Range Search," or "Instrument Number Search". Each search results page includes a link labeled "Request Certified Copy," located to the right of each record. To add a document to the request list, click on its associated "Request Certified Copy" link. Clicking this link redirects the user to the Request List form.
On the "request list form," one must choose the number of pages and certified copies they are ordering. Each certified copy costs $8.00 for the first page plus $2.00 for each additional page.
After completing the above steps, the searcher should click the "Order by Mail" button to create a printable order form.
Finally, they are to send this printed list along with a check, money order, or credit card to cover the cost of copying directly to the Clerk's Office at
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: (908) 527-4787
Fax: (908) 558-2589
Alternatively, users may order certified copies online using the "order online" button from the search results. Online orders require a credit card for payment.
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in Union County
Union County does not provide an avenue to look up a property by address on the county's property search page compared to most other counties in New Jersey and other states. Hence, one needs to contact the county clerk's office to perform a property owner lookup in Union County.
In addition, searchers can use some aggregate sites to obtain name results by entering an address search. Some of these sites require the user to create an account or pay an amount. After completing the required processes, individuals may use these sites' tools to perform owner lookups.
How to Find Union County Property Records Online
Union County manages its online property records database, meaning a person may find property records online through their direct official sources. However, there are some limitations to the information provided by the official authorities. For instance, address search is not possible.
However, many third-party aggregate sites have tools that simplify and smoothen out these hitches. These sites compile documents from Union County property records and other reliable sources to provide users with needed information. To use a third party, open a search engine on an internet-connected device and type in related keywords, for instance, "find Union County property records". A couple of results will appear on the answer page, where users can choose.
With a simple address search online with the stools, one can find necessary property records, tax information, deeds, permits, parcel maps, document images, and other property specifics.
How to Find Property Owner by Address for Free
Union County's Clerk of Office provides a free online resource for listing property records. However, it does not offer a means to search these properties by address. However, one can find property addresses using aggregate databases because some make provisions for users to carry out address searches.
Union County Property Tax Lookup
Three significant roles are involved in administering Union County property taxes - Tax Assessor, Property Appraiser, and Tax Collector.
To look up property tax records for Union County
- Go to www.njactb.org (New Jersey Association of County Tax Boards)
- Left-click on Records Search
- Under Tax Records Search, select Union County and the city
- Under Search Criteria, type in either property location, owner's name, or block & lot identifiers
- To process, click on Submit Search.
How to Find Union County Property Appraiser
A Union County property appraiser is a licensed expert who reviews the value of real properties by visiting that property, noting its features, and comparing it against similar properties to estimate its financial value.
Some counties have county appraisers who carry out this function. Union County does not, however, have a county appraiser. Depending on the type of property to be appraised, one may need the services of a either a "State certified general real estate appraiser" ("SCGREA") or a "State certified residential real estate appraiser" ("SCRREA").
One can find property appraisers in Union County by searching for licensed contractors. Verifying their license and ensuring they meet the standards outlined by the state board of real estate appraisers is advisable.
Some services that real estate appraisers offer include:
- Conducting neutral and independent assessments of a property's value
- Assessing properties as part of an insurance claim
- Preparing the property for development or redevelopment
- Conducting due diligence ahead of an enterprise merger or acquisition
- Conducting site visits, including taking photographs or otherwise documenting key features
- Analyzing the data collected and carefully comparing it with similar properties.
- Staying up-to-date with market trends and how they impact a property's value
- Updating property records noting tangible changes that may impact its value
- Writing detailed reports to present to clients and employers
- Formally gauging real property or land before selling, mortgaging, insuring, developing, or taxing.
- Evaluating properties to ascertain their market value
- Rating properties using internal and external sources
Union County Property Assessor
The Union County property assessor's job is to fairly assess all real property within the county for tax calculations of that property. Union County property assessors must adhere to the guidelines provided in the assessors handbook. The Union County property assessor may be contracted through the office of the Clerk of County via
2 Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: (908) 527-4787
Fax: (908) 558-2589
Or
300 North Avenue East
Westfield, NJ 07090
Phone: (908) 654-9859
