NJ Property Records — Complete Guide
Informational only — not legal advice.
New Jersey property records — permits, certificates of occupancy, tax assessment data, lien certificates, and code violations — are public and obtainable under the Open Public Records Act (N.J.S.A. 47:1A). Most live at the municipality; recorded deeds and mortgages live at the county clerk. Agencies have 7 business days to respond.
Key facts
| Governing law | Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. |
|---|---|
| Held by | Municipal clerk, construction office, tax collector, county clerk |
| Response deadline | 7 business days |
| Coverage | All 564 NJ municipalities, 21 counties |
| Cost | Free to request; copy fees typically $0.05/page |
The 5 NJ property records buyers, realtors, and investors pull most often
- Building permits & construction plans — issued by the municipal construction office. Confirms renovations were legal and reveals open permits. Building permits guide →
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO / CCO) — confirms the property is legally occupiable. Required at sale in many NJ towns. CO guide →
- Property tax & assessment records — assessment cards, payment history, tax appeals. Tax records guide →
- Municipal liens & code violations — unpaid water/sewer/taxes and any open code enforcement. Liens & violations guide →
- Recorded deeds & mortgages — at the county clerk's deed room, not via OPRA. Most counties have an online deed-search portal.
Where each record lives
| Record | Held by | How to get |
|---|---|---|
| Building permits | Municipal construction office | OPRA request to clerk |
| Certificate of occupancy | Municipal construction office | OPRA request to clerk |
| Tax assessment card | Municipal tax assessor | OPRA request or NJ Property Tax System |
| Municipal lien cert | Municipal tax collector | OPRA request (fee typically ~$10) |
| Code violations | Municipal code enforcement | OPRA request to clerk |
| Recorded deed | County clerk's office | County deed-search portal |
| Mortgage / lien recording | County clerk's office | County deed-search portal |
OPRA vs. the deed room — which do I need?
OPRA covers anything held by a NJ government agency that isn't statutorily exempt — most municipal property records fall here. Deed-room records (deeds, mortgages, judgments, UCC filings) are recorded with the county clerk and are searched through the county's own system, not OPRA.
For a typical residential due-diligence package, you'll pull both: an OPRA request to the municipality (permits + CO + lien cert + violations) and an online deed search at the county clerk.
How OPRAExpress helps
We file the OPRA-side of your due diligence — attorney-drafted requests sent to the right custodian, tracked through the 7-business-day clock, with records forwarded the moment they arrive. $5 per request. 100% money-back guarantee.
See pricing → · DIY: how to file →
Every NJ property record we file
- Building Permits & Construction Records — Request building permits, construction plans, certificates of approval, and related inspection records from NJ municipalities.
- Property Tax & Assessment Records — Access property tax records, assessment data, tax liens, and payment histories from New Jersey municipalities and county tax offices.
- Code Violations, Liens & Open Permits — Discover code enforcement actions, municipal liens, open permits, and violation histories for properties in New Jersey.
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO & CCO) Records — Request Certificates of Occupancy (CO), Certificates of Continued Occupancy (CCO), and related habitability records from NJ municipalities.
- Council, Planning & Zoning Board Minutes — Request municipal council minutes, planning board minutes, zoning board minutes, and resolutions from any NJ town.
- Government Contracts & Vendor Records — Pull executed contracts, RFP responses, vendor invoices, and procurement records from any NJ agency.
Frequently asked questions
What are NJ property records?
NJ property records are the public documents government agencies hold about a specific property — building permits, certificates of occupancy, tax assessment cards, payment histories, lien certificates, code violations, and recorded deeds and mortgages. Most are obtainable under OPRA from the municipality; deeds and mortgages are at the county clerk.
How do I look up property records in New Jersey?
Three sources cover most records: (1) the municipality, via OPRA — permits, COs, violations, tax data; (2) the county clerk — recorded deeds, mortgages, judgments; (3) the NJ Treasury / Division of Taxation — assessment data via the Property Tax System. OPRAExpress automates the OPRA-side requests.
Are NJ property records free?
Filing an OPRA request is free, but agencies may charge copy fees (usually $0.05/page). County clerk deed copies typically cost $5–$10 per document. OPRAExpress charges a flat $5 service fee for filing and tracking the OPRA request.
Which NJ property records does a home buyer need before closing?
Most buyers pull: (1) building permits and approved plans to confirm renovations were legal; (2) certificate of occupancy to confirm legal occupancy; (3) municipal lien certificate to flag unpaid taxes, water, or sewer; (4) code violation history; (5) property tax assessment card to sanity-check the assessment.
How long does it take to get NJ property records?
Under OPRA (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5(i)), the agency has 7 business days. Electronic records usually arrive within a few days. County clerk deed copies are often available same-day for in-person walk-ins.
Can I get records for any NJ town?
Yes. OPRA covers all 564 NJ municipalities and every county, school district, fire district, and authority. OPRAExpress files in all of them.
What's the difference between OPRA records and deed-room records?
OPRA records (permits, COs, tax data, violations) live at the municipality and are requested in writing. Deed-room records (recorded deeds, mortgages, liens) live at the county clerk and are obtained through the county's online deed-search system or in person, not through OPRA.