Paulding County Property Records
What Is Paulding County Property Records
Property records in Paulding County are official documents that establish and track the legal ownership, transfers, and encumbrances of real property within county boundaries. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of who owns what land and buildings throughout the jurisdiction. The Paulding County property records system maintains a comprehensive collection of documents that establish clear chains of title and provide public notice of property interests.
The primary purposes of property records include:
- Establishing legal ownership through documentation of the chain of title
- Providing public notice of property interests and encumbrances
- Protecting property rights of owners and lienholders
- Facilitating real estate transactions and property taxation
- Creating a permanent historical record of property ownership
Pursuant to Georgia Code § 44-2-1, all deeds, mortgages, and other instruments affecting the title to land must be recorded in the office of the clerk of superior court in the county where the land is located. This statutory requirement ensures that property ownership is properly documented and publicly accessible.
The Real Estate Division of the Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court's Office is responsible for receiving, recording, processing, indexing, and reproducing all documents related to real estate transactions within the county.
Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court
240 Constitution Boulevard, Room 1018
Dallas, GA 30132
770-443-7527
Clerk of Superior Court
Are Property Records Public Information In Paulding County?
Property records in Paulding County are public information and accessible to all citizens. This public access is mandated by both state and federal law. Under the Georgia Open Records Act § 50-18-70, all public records, including property records, are open for personal inspection by any citizen of Georgia at a reasonable time and place.
The legal basis for public access to property records includes:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public accessibility to provide constructive notice
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Anyone can access property records without demonstrating a specific interest or reason
The Georgia Supreme Court has consistently upheld that "the public's right of access to court records is a well-established principle of law," further reinforcing the public nature of property records. Additionally, the Georgia Property Record Retention Schedule mandates that property records be permanently maintained and accessible.
Members of the public may inspect property records during normal business hours at the Paulding County Courthouse. The County Clerk serves as the legally mandated official custodian of all instruments of public record for the Paulding County Board of Commissioners and maintains these records in accordance with state law.
How To Search Property Records in Paulding County in 2026
Searching property records in Paulding County can be accomplished through several methods. The county currently offers both in-person and online options for accessing property information.
For in-person searches:
- Visit the Real Estate Division of the Clerk of Superior Court's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM)
- Complete a records request form, available at the service counter
- Provide specific information about the property (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Staff will assist in locating the relevant records
- Pay applicable fees for copies ($1.00 per page for standard copies)
For telephone requests:
- Contact the Real Estate Division at 770-443-7527
- Provide specific property information to the clerk
- Request the specific documents needed
- Arrange for payment of applicable fees
- Determine delivery method (mail, email, or pickup)
For mail requests:
- Send a written request to:
Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court
240 Constitution Boulevard, Room 1018
Dallas, GA 30132 - Include specific property information
- Enclose a check for applicable fees
- Provide return address information
The Paulding County Board of Assessors also maintains property records related to tax assessment and can provide valuable information about property values and characteristics.
Paulding County Board of Assessors
240 Constitution Boulevard, Room 2126
Dallas, GA 30132
770-443-7606
Board of Assessors
How To Find Property Records in Paulding County Online?
Paulding County offers several online resources for accessing property records digitally. These electronic systems provide convenient access to property information without requiring a visit to county offices.
To access property records online:
- Visit the Paulding County Real Estate Records portal
- Select the appropriate search method (name, address, or parcel ID)
- Enter the search criteria in the designated fields
- Review the search results to identify the relevant property
- Access available documents by clicking on the associated links
- Download or print documents as needed
The county's online property records system includes:
- Property ownership information
- Deed records and transfers
- Tax assessment data
- Property characteristics
- Plat maps and surveys
- Mortgage and lien information
For tax-related property information, the Tax Commissioner's Office maintains an online portal where property owners can access current tax statements, payment history, and other tax-related documents. The system allows users to search by owner name, property address, or parcel identification number.
Paulding County Tax Commissioner
240 Constitution Boulevard, Room 3006
Dallas, GA 30132
770-443-7581
Tax Commissioner
For property assessment information, the Board of Assessors maintains a searchable database of property values, characteristics, and ownership information. This resource is particularly useful for determining property values and tax assessments.
How To Look Up Paulding County Property Records for Free?
Paulding County provides several free options for accessing property records. These no-cost resources ensure that all citizens have access to important property information regardless of financial means.
Free property record access options include:
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Online Property Record Portal: The county's property records website offers free basic searches of property ownership, assessment values, and tax information.
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Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available for public use at the Paulding County Courthouse. These terminals provide free access to the county's property records database during regular business hours.
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In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to Georgia Code § 50-18-71, citizens may inspect public records free of charge during normal business hours. While copying fees may apply, viewing records incurs no cost.
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Tax Assessment Records: The Board of Assessors maintains free online access to property assessment information, including property characteristics, values, and ownership details.
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Current Property Tax Statements: The Tax Commissioner's Office provides free online access to current property tax statements and payment information.
When using these free resources, members of the public should note that while basic record inspection is free, fees may apply for certified copies, extensive searches, or specialized document reproduction. The county's fee schedule is established in accordance with Georgia Code § 50-18-71, which permits reasonable charges for search, retrieval, and copying of public records.
What's Included in a Paulding County Property Record?
Paulding County property records contain comprehensive information about real property within the county. These records are maintained by multiple county offices, each responsible for different aspects of property documentation.
Property records typically include:
- Ownership Information: Names of current and previous property owners, dates of ownership transfers, and deed references
- Property Description: Legal description of the property, including lot and block numbers, subdivision information, and boundary descriptions
- Property Characteristics: Building size, number of rooms, construction materials, year built, and other physical attributes
- Valuation Data: Assessed value, market value, and historical valuation information
- Tax Information: Current and historical tax assessments, payment status, and exemption information
- Encumbrances: Mortgages, liens, easements, and other claims against the property
- Plats and Surveys: Official maps showing property boundaries, dimensions, and geographic features
- Building Permits: Records of construction, renovation, and improvement permits
- Zoning Classification: Current zoning designation and permitted uses
The Planning & Zoning Division maintains records related to land use regulations, zoning classifications, and development permits. These records provide important information about how properties can be used and developed.
Paulding County Planning & Zoning Division
240 Constitution Boulevard, Second Floor
Dallas, GA 30132
770-443-7601
Planning & Zoning Division
It's important to note that Georgia law distinguishes between real property (land and permanently attached structures) and personal property (movable assets). While both types of property are subject to taxation, they are recorded and managed differently within the county's record-keeping systems.
How Long Does Paulding County Keep Property Records?
Paulding County maintains property records according to retention schedules established by the Georgia Archives Records Management Division. These schedules, mandated by Georgia Code § 50-18-99, specify how long different types of government records must be preserved.
Property record retention periods include:
- Deed Records: Permanently maintained
- Mortgage Records: Permanently maintained
- Tax Records: 7 years after tax payment or settlement
- Property Assessment Records: Permanently maintained
- Plat Maps and Surveys: Permanently maintained
- Building Permits: 7 years after issuance
- Zoning Records: Permanently maintained
- Property Tax Appeals: 5 years after final resolution
The permanent retention of core property records ensures that complete chains of title can be established regardless of when a property was last transferred. This permanent preservation is critical for protecting property rights and facilitating future transactions.
The County Clerk serves as the official custodian of county records and is responsible for ensuring that records are maintained in accordance with state retention requirements. The clerk's office employs modern archival methods to preserve historical property records, including climate-controlled storage and digital conversion of older documents.
For historical property records that predate modern record-keeping systems, the county maintains archives that can be accessed through special request procedures. These historical records provide valuable information about the county's development and property ownership patterns over time.
How To Find Liens on Property In Paulding County?
Liens on property in Paulding County can be identified through several official record sources. A lien is a legal claim against a property that must be paid when the property is sold, and identifying existing liens is a crucial step in property transactions.
To search for liens on Paulding County property:
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Superior Court Records: Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's Office to search for judgment liens, tax liens, and mechanics' liens. These records are indexed by property owner name.
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Tax Commissioner Records: Check with the Tax Commissioner's Office for outstanding property tax liens. Unpaid property taxes automatically create a lien against the property.
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Online Lien Search: Use the county's online Real Estate Records portal to search for recorded liens. Select "Lien" as the document type in the search parameters.
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UCC Filings: For personal property attached to real estate, check Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.
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Federal Tax Liens: Search for federal tax liens, which are recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court.
Common types of liens found in Paulding County include:
- Property tax liens
- Mortgage liens
- Judgment liens from court cases
- Mechanics' liens for unpaid construction work
- Homeowners' association liens
- Federal and state tax liens
- Child support liens
Under Georgia Code § 44-14-320, certain liens have priority over others regardless of when they were recorded. For example, property tax liens generally take precedence over other types of liens. Understanding lien priority is important when assessing the impact of liens on property ownership.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Paulding County?
The Property Owner Rule in Paulding County refers to a set of regulations and responsibilities that govern property ownership within the jurisdiction. These rules are established through county ordinances, state law, and judicial precedent.
Key aspects of the Property Owner Rule include:
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Recording Requirement: Under Georgia Code § 44-2-1, all property transfers must be properly recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court to establish legal ownership. Unrecorded deeds may be valid between parties but do not provide notice to third parties.
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Property Tax Obligations: Property owners are legally responsible for paying annual property taxes assessed by the county. The Tax Commissioner's Office administers these taxes, which become a lien against the property if unpaid.
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Zoning Compliance: Property owners must comply with zoning regulations that govern how property can be used and developed. Violations can result in fines and enforcement actions.
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Disclosure Requirements: When selling property, owners must disclose known material defects as required by Georgia law. Failure to disclose can result in legal liability.
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Adverse Possession: Under Georgia Code § 44-5-161, a person who openly occupies property for 20 years (or 7 years with color of title) may gain ownership through adverse possession if specific conditions are met.
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Easement Rights: Property owners must respect recorded easements that grant others limited rights to use portions of their property for specific purposes.
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Riparian Rights: Owners of property adjacent to waterways have certain water rights governed by Georgia's riparian doctrine.
The Planning & Zoning Division provides documents and forms related to property development regulations, including the comprehensive plan that guides land use throughout the county.
Property owners seeking information about specific regulations affecting their property can contact:
Paulding County Planning & Zoning Division
240 Constitution Boulevard, Second Floor
Dallas, GA 30132
770-443-7601
Planning & Zoning Division
Lookup Property Records in Paulding County
Current Property Tax Statements