Camden County Property Records
What Is Camden County Property Records
Camden County property records are official documents that record ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property (land and buildings) within Camden County, New Jersey. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout the county. The primary purpose of maintaining these records is to establish legal ownership through a chain of title, provide public notice of property interests, protect property rights, and facilitate real estate transactions.
Property records in Camden County are governed by New Jersey Statutes § 46:26A, which establishes the requirements for recording instruments affecting real property. This statute mandates that documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements must be recorded with the appropriate county office to provide constructive notice to the public.
The Camden County Clerk's Office maintains the official repository of property records for the county, including:
- Deeds and other title documents
- Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions
- Liens and lien releases
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision plats and surveys
- Tax records and assessments
These records form the foundation of real property ownership in Camden County and provide essential information for property owners, potential buyers, real estate professionals, and government agencies.
Camden County Clerk's Office
Camden County Hall of Justice
520 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102
856-225-5300
Camden County Clerk
Are Property Records Public Information In Camden County?
Property records in Camden County are public information and accessible to all citizens under New Jersey law. This public access is mandated by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Additionally, N.J.S.A. § 46:26A-12 specifically addresses the public nature of recorded documents affecting real property.
The legal basis for public access to property records rests 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
- Public records facilitate efficient real estate transactions
Any member of the public may access property records in Camden County without demonstrating a specific interest in the property or providing a reason for the request. This open access policy ensures transparency in property ownership and transactions while protecting the rights of property owners through public documentation of their interests.
The Camden County Office of Assessments maintains assessment records for each parcel of real property within the county, and these records are available for public inspection. Similarly, the Camden County Clerk's Office provides access to recorded documents affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, and liens.
How To Search Property Records in Camden County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to search property records in Camden County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains both online and in-person options for property record searches.
To search Camden County property records:
- Identify the specific property information needed (ownership, assessment, liens, etc.)
- Determine the appropriate county office that maintains those records
- Utilize the available search methods provided by that office
For property ownership and recorded documents:
- Visit the Camden County Clerk's Office in person during regular business hours
- Access the online records portal through the Camden County Clerk's website
- Provide the property address, block and lot number, or owner's name
- Review the available documents and request copies as needed
For property assessment and tax information:
- Visit the Camden County Board of Taxation or local municipal tax assessor
- Access the online assessment records through the county's property tax portal
- Search by property address, block and lot number, or owner's name
- Review the assessment information, including property value and tax status
Camden County Board of Taxation
520 Market Street, 4th Floor
Camden, NJ 08102
856-225-5238
Camden County Board of Taxation
Official request forms for property records are available through the Camden County Clerk's Office website. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 47:1A-5, the county may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, though inspection of records is generally available at no cost.
How To Find Property Records in Camden County Online?
Camden County provides comprehensive online access to property records through several digital platforms. These online resources allow for efficient searching of property information without visiting county offices in person.
To find property records online in Camden County:
- Access the Camden County Property Records Search Portal through the County Clerk's website
- Navigate to the New Jersey Assessment Records Search for property assessment information
- Enter search criteria such as:
- Property address
- Block and lot number
- Owner's name
- Document type and date range (for recorded documents)
- Review the search results and select specific records for detailed information
- Download or print available documents as needed
The NJ Transparency Center provides additional access to property tax assessment data. New Jersey's property tax is assessed annually by local assessors and submitted to the county board of taxation, making this resource valuable for understanding property valuations.
For historical property records, the New Jersey State Archives maintains county government records including early deeds, mortgages, and other property documents dating back to the county's formation.
When searching online, users should note that:
- Some records may require registration or user account creation
- Certain documents may have restricted online access due to privacy concerns
- More recent records are typically more readily available in digital format
- Historical records may require in-person research at the County Clerk's Office
How To Look Up Camden County Property Records for Free?
Camden County residents and other interested parties can access property records at no cost through several channels. The county provides free options for viewing basic property information, though fees may apply for certified copies or extensive research assistance.
Free methods to look up Camden County property records include:
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In-person inspection at the Camden County Clerk's Office during regular business hours
- No appointment necessary for general research
- Staff can assist with locating records
- Self-service terminals available for public use
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Online access through the Camden County property records portal
- Basic property information available without fees
- Property ownership details
- Assessment values
- Property characteristics
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Visit the City of Camden Office of Assessments for property assessment information
- Property cards with detailed property characteristics
- Current assessment values
- Property classification information
City of Camden Office of Assessments
520 Market Street, City Hall, Room 105
Camden, NJ 08102
856-757-7030
Office of Assessments
- Utilize the Camden City Clerk Department for municipal records related to properties within city limits
Camden City Clerk Department
520 Market Street, City Hall, Room 105
Camden, NJ 08102
856-757-7223
City Clerk Department
While basic record viewing is free, users should be aware that fees may apply for:
- Certified copies of documents
- Extensive research assistance from staff
- Large volume document reproduction
- Specialized searches requiring staff time
What's Included in a Camden County Property Record?
Camden County property records encompass a comprehensive collection of documents and information related to real property within the county. These records distinguish between real property (land and permanent structures) and personal property (movable assets), focusing primarily on real property documentation.
Property records in Camden County are maintained by multiple county offices, each responsible for different aspects of property documentation:
-
The Camden County Clerk's Office maintains:
- Deeds and title transfers
- Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions
- Liens and judgments
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Subdivision plats and surveys
- Condominium master deeds and amendments
-
The Camden County Board of Taxation and municipal tax assessors maintain:
- Property assessment records
- Tax maps
- Property classification information
- Exemption and abatement records
-
The Camden City Revenue Collections office maintains:
- Property tax payment records
- Tax sale information
- Property tax relief program participation
A typical Camden County property record includes:
- Legal description of the property
- Current and historical ownership information
- Purchase price and transaction dates
- Mortgage information and lender details
- Property dimensions and boundaries
- Building characteristics (size, age, features)
- Assessment value for tax purposes
- Tax payment history
- Zoning classification
- Easements, restrictions, and encumbrances
These records are maintained pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 54:4-23, which requires all real property to be assessed according to its true value for taxation purposes.
How Long Does Camden County Keep Property Records?
Camden County maintains property records according to retention schedules established by the New Jersey Division of Archives and Records Management. These retention periods vary by document type and are mandated by state law to ensure the preservation of important property information.
The retention periods for various property records in Camden County include:
- Deeds and title documents: Permanent retention
- Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions: Permanent retention
- Property tax records: Minimum of 7 years after audit
- Tax maps: Permanent retention with updates as needed
- Building permits: Minimum of 7 years after completion
- Property assessment records: Permanent retention with annual updates
- Subdivision plats and surveys: Permanent retention
- Easements and rights-of-way: Permanent retention
These retention schedules are established pursuant to N.J.A.C. § 15:3-2.1, which provides the regulatory framework for records management in New Jersey government agencies.
Historical property records dating back to the county's formation are maintained by the New Jersey State Archives, which preserves county government records including early deeds, mortgages, and other property documents. These historical records provide valuable information about property ownership and development throughout Camden County's history.
For research purposes, members of the public may access both current and historical property records through the appropriate county office or the State Archives. Digital preservation efforts are currently underway to ensure the long-term accessibility of these important records.
How To Find Liens on Property In Camden County?
Locating liens on property in Camden County requires searching records maintained by several government offices. Liens represent legal claims against property due to unpaid debts or obligations and are recorded to provide public notice of these claims.
To find liens on Camden County property:
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Search for judgment liens at the Camden County Clerk's Office
- These include civil judgments that have been recorded against property owners
- Search by property owner's name rather than property address
- Review the judgment index maintained by the Clerk's Office
-
Check for tax liens through the Camden City Revenue Collections office or municipal tax collector
- Property tax delinquencies result in municipal tax liens
- Tax sale certificates may be issued for unpaid taxes
- Annual tax sales list properties with delinquent taxes
-
Search for mechanics' liens at the Camden County Clerk's Office
- Filed by contractors or suppliers for unpaid construction work
- Indexed by property owner's name and property location
- Include information about the amount claimed and work performed
-
Check for state and federal tax liens at the Camden County Clerk's Office
- IRS and New Jersey Division of Taxation file liens for unpaid taxes
- Searchable by property owner's name
- Include amount of tax debt and filing date
-
Review mortgage liens through property deed records
- Mortgages represent consensual liens on property
- Recorded with the Camden County Clerk's Office
- Searchable by property address and owner's name
Camden County Surrogate's Office
Hall of Justice, 5th Floor
520 Market Street
Camden, NJ 08102
856-225-7282
Camden County Surrogate
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 2A:16-11, judgment liens remain valid for 20 years from the date of entry and may be renewed. Tax liens generally remain in effect until the tax obligation is satisfied.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Camden County?
The Property Owner Rule in Camden County refers to the legal framework governing property ownership rights and responsibilities within the county. This rule encompasses various regulations and statutes that define how property may be owned, transferred, and encumbered.
Key elements of the Property Owner Rule in Camden County include:
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Recording Requirements
- All documents affecting real property interests must be recorded with the Camden County Clerk
- Unrecorded documents remain valid between parties but may not provide notice to third parties
- Priority of interests is generally determined by order of recording
-
Property Tax Obligations
- Property owners are responsible for paying annual property taxes
- Tax rates are established by municipal governments and the county
- Property is subject to tax sale if taxes remain unpaid
-
Ownership Forms
- Fee simple ownership (complete ownership)
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship
- Tenancy in common
- Tenancy by the entirety (for married couples)
- Condominium and cooperative ownership
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Transfer Requirements
- Valid deed must be executed and delivered
- Consideration must be stated
- Realty Transfer Fee must be paid pursuant to N.J.S.A. § 46:15-7
- Deed must be recorded with the Camden County Clerk
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Property Use Restrictions
- Subject to municipal zoning regulations
- Deed restrictions and covenants
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Environmental regulations
The Property Owner Rule is enforced through various county and municipal offices, including the Camden County Clerk, the Camden County Board of Taxation, and municipal zoning boards. Property owners must comply with these regulations to maintain clear title and avoid penalties or enforcement actions.