One of the County Clerk's most important and longstanding functions is the recording of legal documents associated with the buying and selling of property, such as mortgages and deeds, and other documents affecting real estate.
FAQ
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How do I submit a document for recording?
Documents are sent to the Bergen County Clerk’s Office by mail or filed electronically through a County Certified Vendor. For a list of vendors, click here.
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What are the requirements to record a document?
Documents submitted for recording must include a complete coversheet, name the parties involved (Grantor/Grantee), and the appropriate fee to record the document.
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What is the fee to record a document?
Chart – Document Description – Cost
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What are the accepted forms of payment?
The Office of the Bergen County Clerk will only accept attorney trust account, certified, or bank checks for payment of realty transfer fees. For the "1% buyer/grantee fee" (mansion tax) a certified or bank check made payable to the "Bergen County Clerk" is required. Additionally, ALL checks $10,000 and over in the aggregate, MUST BE CERTIFIED or in the form of a BANK CHECK.
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Does your office have the forms needed to record a document for real estate transfers?
No. Our office does not provide forms. Please consult with your legal or real estate professional or lender for appropriate forms. You may also visit the NJ Division of Taxation website to find updated information related to realty transfer fees and Local Property Tax Forms.
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Can someone from your office help me fill out my documents?
No. Members of our staff are prohibited from offering legal advice, including but not limited to: which documents should be recorded, how the documents should be filled out, the order in which documents should be recorded, potential legal ramifications from recording documents. If you have questions regarding the proper completion of forms or required information, please consult a title company and/or an attorney. Our office does not have anything to do with preparing the documents. Our office is only responsible for recording correctly filed documents that have been submitted.
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What happens to my document after it is presented for recording?
If your document meets the listed requirements, it will be recorded, entered into the permanent public record, and given an instrument number and a book and page number. All documents submitted to our office for recording must go through the recording process and can be rejected at any time prior to verification. Once a document is verified, it will be available on our online Land Records Search.
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Can I see if a document has been recorded without coming into the office?
Documents can be searched on our Land Records Search page. You need the party name, document book and page number, instrument number or file date. All of the search criteria, such as name, date, and/or document type, can be used in combination in a single search to maximize the results.
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How can I protect myself against title theft or fraud?
Enroll in the free Property Alerts Program. Receive alerts for any recording affecting your property. Early warnings helps you prevent further fraud.