Bacon County, GA Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps

Bacon County is home to over 6,500 parcels of land. The local property market in the county is largely driven by agriculture and logistics companies. This earned the county the title of Blueberry Capital of Georgia. The Offices of the Clerk of Superior Court, the Board of Tax Assessors, and the Tax Commissioner maintain property records in the county.

The county's housing stock is concentrated in Alma, the only incorporated city and also the seat of government. Single-family homes make up most of the housing units in Bacon County. An average home remains on the market for about 80 to 110 days before selling. This is slower compared with the state’s average days on market (DOM) of 67 days.

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How to Look Up Bacon County Property Records

Anyone may access Bacon County property records through three major online portals. Check ownership, assessment values, and tax on any parcel, as well as other parcel-related information through the Tax Assessor’s Public Portal. For an existing tax bill or to pay their balance online, visit the Government Window Payment Portal provided by the Tax Commissioner. Electronic copies of deeds, mortgages, and liens are available at the GSCCCA Portal.

To obtain certified copies of recorded land documents or additional inquiries, contact the Bacon County Clerk of Superior Court at (912) 632-4915 or visit the courthouse in Alma.

Who Keeps Bacon County Property Records?

According to the Georgia Open Records Act, anyone may access Bacon County property records. Property records are maintained at the county level by the following agencies:

• Clerk of Superior Court: The Clerk of Superior Court in Bacon County is the only office that records and maintains documents that affect land titles. Such documents include deeds, mortgages, plats, easements, subdivision plats, satisfaction, and liens.

• Tax Assessor’s Office: The Bacon County Tax Assessor’s Office handles ownership and assessment of all taxable property in the county. It also notifies taxpayers about changes in the property’s value, appeals, and exemptions.

• Tax Commissioner: This office collects property taxes on behalf of the taxing entities. It also issues delinquency notices to the public and conducts tax-sale auctions for unpaid bills.

How to Search Bacon County Property Records Online

You can search Bacon County property records online by taking these steps:

1. Identify the parcel: Open the Tax Assessor’s Public portal and search the parcel by using the property address, owner name, or parcel ID.

2. Open the Parcel Details: Open the matching parcel from the search results to view the property record card. You will find details such as the parcel number, owner’s name, property characteristics, legal description, maps, range of sale date, assessed value, photos, and acreage.

3. Pull the Recorded Documents: Use the statewide GSCCCA platform to view recorded deeds, mortgages, plats, and other documents. You can search the portal by using the owner, recording date, or book and page number.

4. Verify the Current Tax Status: Open the Bacon County Government Windows Payment Page to review prior tax bills and confirm the current tax balances. You may also obtain the payment status, due dates, and any outstanding balance with interest from the page.

5. Request Certified Copies if Required: If you need a certified copy of any recorded land records, visit the Bacon County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office in Alma. This service comes at a fee.

Clerk of Superior Court: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens

The Bacon County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office records all land documents and instruments that affect title.

Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The Bacon County Tax Assessor’s Office oversees the annual appraisal cycle and handles assessment appeals in the county.

Tax Commissioner: Tax Bills and Payments

In Bacon County, the Tax Commissioner’s Office processes bills, payment records, and disburses property taxes to residents.

Property Tax in Bacon County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals

In Bacon County, a property is considered at its fair market value on January 1 of every taxable year. The Tax Assessor’s Office assesses the property at 40% of its market value. The resulting assessed value is then multiplied by the millage rate (mill), as set by the county. Exemptions are then applied to the final results.

• Property tax due = assessed value x millage rate.

• Assessed value = FMV x 40%

Homestead exemptions

• Basic homestead exemption: Under state law, an individual who owns and occupies a property in Bacon County as of January 1 may be eligible for a basic homestead exemption. This removes $2,000 from the property’s assessed value. Any eligible homeowner can apply for the exemption through the Tax Assessor's office.

• Local additions: The county also offers some locally administered exemptions. Examples include school tax exemptions for disabled veterans, senior exemptions for homeowners 62 or older, and additional exemptions for homeowners 65 or older who meet income requirements. Contact the Tax Assessor’s Office for current details.

• CUVA & FLPA: Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) and Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) are exemptions available to farmers. They are 10-year tax assessment covenants that provide massive tax relief to owners of farms, timberland, and wildlife habitats. Eligible individuals may contact the Tax Assessor’s Office for additional information.

Appealing an assessment

If you are not satisfied with an assessment, file an appeal with the Bacon County Board of Equalization or to an arbitrator within 45 days of the date listed on your annual assessment notice. You may use a written appeal or a completed appeal of assessment form to file your complaint. Once the County Board of Equalization has rendered a decision, you may continue the appeal to the County Board of Tax Assessors.

If you disagree with the Board’s decisions, you can escalate the dispute to the Bacon County Superior Court.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

Bacon County maintains its Geographic Information System on the official qPublic portal. You may view parcel boundaries, ownership, sales history, and aerial layers through the portal.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

When property taxes go unpaid in Bacon County, the Tax Commissioner’s Office is authorized by state law to sell the property. The office holds a tax sale on the first Tuesday of any month.

Right of redemption

This is a statutory one-year period during which a delinquent property owner can reclaim their property after it has been sold at a tax auction. Bidders who win the property receive a tax deed. However, they do not have the right to occupy the property until the redemption period closes.

To redeem the property, the property owner must pay a single lump-sum payment to the tax sale purchaser. This payment will include the full purchase price, a statutory 20% premium during the first year, and any additional taxes paid by the purchaser.

Costs to Access Property Records

According to Section 15-6-77 of the Georgia Code, applicants are required to pay certain fees to record or obtain copies of property records in Bacon County. These fees may include:

How to Record a Document

Follow these steps to record a property document in Bacon County:

1. Prepare the document: Ensure the document includes the property legal desthe cription, owner’s fua ll names, notary acknowledgment, and preparer information. If you are transferring property ownership, file the PT-61 transfer-tax declaration form online before submitting your deed.

2. Calculate fees: The basic recording fee for most deeds is fixed at $25. Additional costs may also apply. These include a transfer tax of $0.10 per $100 of consideration and an intangible recording tax of $1.50 per $500 of loan. To confirm the exact recording fees for your document type, contact the Bacon County Clerk of Superior Court by phone at (912) 632-4915.

3. Submit to the Clerk: Submit the documents to the Bacon County Clerk of Superior Court in person, by mail, or online through the GSCCCA portal or approved e-recording vendors. Once submitted, the Clerk’s Office reviews the document, collects recording fees, and assigns a recording number. Afterward, the document is registered and becomes part of the county’s real estate records.

4. Retrieve a Copy of the Recorded Document: You may search for the recorded document online via the GSCCCA portal and print it. If you prefer physical copies, visit the courthouse or submit a request by mail to the Clerk of the Superior Court.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Bacon County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals