How to Search New Jersey Recorded Documents (Start Here)

Recorded documents in New Jersey — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the County Clerk in each county.

What this page covers: New Jersey recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).

Where to start: Go to the County Clerk in the county where the property is located. Many county county clerks offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.

Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.

Population
9,484,844
Households
3,431,600
Median Income
$99,781
Median Home Value
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SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: New Jersey recorded documents URL verified against the official state publisher at www.nj.gov on the review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.

New Jersey Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)

Deeds, mortgages, UCC filings, liens, military discharges in New Jersey — what gets recorded and where in 2026.
County
Where deeds live
Permanent record
SoS
Where UCC live
Secretary of State
Article 9
UCC governs
Secured transactions
Public
Most recorded docs
With redaction
Federal
DD-214 / IRS liens
National-level
Common recorded document types — typical volume
Deeds
100
Mortgages
95
Liens (property)
70
UCC (business)
55
Powers of attorney
25
Military DD-214
10
Unit: relative volume (deeds=100).

What Changed in 2026 — New Jersey Recorded Documents

2026
New Jersey recorded documents portal active
The official New Jersey portal at www.nj.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for recorded documents in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for recorded documents
The NASS UCC Filings overview at www.nass.org provides federal-level context that complements New Jersey state records.
2026
New Jersey access in 2026
For 2026, New Jersey continues to publish recorded documents information through state-authorized portals; check www.nj.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE New Jersey's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.

The 5-Type New Jersey Recorded Documents Map

1
Type 1 — Real property (Deeds, Mortgages)
New Jersey County Recorder / Register of Deeds. Permanent record.
2
Type 2 — UCC (business collateral)
Most filed with New Jersey Secretary of State. Some real-estate UCCs are county.
3
Type 3 — Liens (tax, mechanic's, judgment)
Property liens at the county. IRS federal tax liens may file at county OR state.
4
Type 4 — Personal documents (POA, military DD-214)
Often optional county recording in New Jersey for safekeeping. Originals at federal NPRC.
5
Type 5 — Maps & subdivisions
New Jersey county recorder; some at state mapping office.

Five Things People Get Wrong About New Jersey Recorded Documents

❌ Myth: "All UCC filings are at the New Jersey county."
✓ Truth: False. Most UCC filings (Article 9) are at the New Jersey Secretary of State, not county.
❌ Myth: "All liens show up in a deed search."
✓ Truth: False. Federal tax liens may file at county OR state. Judgment liens vary. Always cross-check.
❌ Myth: "Recording a deed transfers title."
✓ Truth: False. The deed transfers title when delivered. Recording gives public notice — important but different.
❌ Myth: "DD-214 is only federal."
✓ Truth: Partially false. The original is federal (NPRC), but many veterans record a copy at their New Jersey county for easy access.
❌ Myth: "Old New Jersey recorded docs are fully digitized."
✓ Truth: False. Most New Jersey counties only digitized records back to ~1990-2000. Older docs are paper at the courthouse.

Primary Sources and Official Record Portals

Related Recorded Documents Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Recorded docs
Sample New Jersey counties: Atlantic · Bergen · Burlington · Camden · Cape May

Recorded Documents Databases

14 official New Jersey recorded documents sources.

Recorded Documents

Public Records Electronic Search System - Burlington County's
Official Free
Property records recorded on or after March 1, 2012, can be searched by block and lot, and/or property owner’s name. Property records from 1965 to February 2012 can only be searched by the property owner’s name. Property records before 1965 are available at http://ccarchive.co.burlingt.
Cape May County Land Records Search
Official Free
Our Public Records team can be reached at 609.465.1023 to assist you during business hours. My best wishes, Rita M. Rothberg, Cape May County Clerk · This data is presented as a service to the public. We work to ensure that the information is accurate but make no warranty or guarantee concerning.
Property Alert Service
Official Free
By registering, you are now able. is recorded in the Mercer County Clerk's Office. Unfortunately, property and mortgage fraud is a fast growing crime in the United States. Unscrupulous individuals record fraudulent documents like fake deeds or liens against property.
Land Records Search
Official Free
The County Clerk's Office presents the information on this web site as a service to the public. We have tried to ensure that the information contained in this electronic search system is accurate. The County Clerk's Office makes no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability.
Online - Monmouth County's Open Public Records Search
Official Free
Open Public Records Search System
Property Alert Service - Morris County Clerk
Official Free
To address these concerns, and. in the County Clerk's Office. Please sign up today and protect your property from fraud. It's quick, easy and free. Simply follow the steps below and you will automatically be notified electronically when a document is recorded with your name. Ann F. Grossi Morris County.
John P. Kelly, County Clerk
Official Free
Welcome to the Ocean County Clerk's Online Public Record Search Page. This site contains information recorded into the Official Records of Ocean County, New Jersey from April 1, 1977. DISCLAIMER · The Ocean County Clerk's Office presents the information on this web site as a service to the public.
Public Records Electronic Search System (Press) - Passaic County
Official Free
For more information contact · Passaic County Clerk's Office 401 Grand Street Room 113 Paterson, NJ 07505 (973) 881-4777 Passaiccountyclerk@passaiccountynj.org
Real Estate / Property Records | Sussex County, NJ
Official Free
The Sussex County Clerk's Office records and archives for public inspection those documents that record the transfer of real property within the county, including but not limited to: deeds, mortgages and mortgage-related documents, construction liens, federal tax liens, UCCs, vacations of roads,.
What's New! - Union County Clerk's Office Public Land Records
Official Free
Union County Public Access · What's New · Union County Clerk’s Office has expanded E-Recording! To start e-recording, contact: CSC: Corporation Service Company erecording@cscinfo.com 866-652-0111 www.erecording.com · Land Records Home | Name Search | Date Range Search | Book / Page Search.
Official Records Public Search
Official Free
The Atlantic County Clerk's Office presents the information on this web site as a service to the public. We have tried to ensure that the information contained in this electronic search system is accurate. The Atlantic County Clerk's Office makes no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy.
Municipalities in Camden County | Camden County, NJ
Official Free
Audubon Gloucester City Oaklyn Audubon Park Gloucester Township Pennsauken Barrington Haddon Heights Pine Hill Bellmawr Haddon Township Pine Valley Berlin Borough Haddonfield Runnemede Berlin Township Hi-Nella Somerdale Brooklawn Laurel Springs. More

New Jersey Counties

All 21 New Jersey counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.