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

Bartow County has approximately 46,671 parcels of land. The property market is driven by its industrial activity and strategic location. Three agencies maintain property records in Bartow County. These are the Clerk of Superior Court, the Tax Assessor, and the Tax Commissioner.

The county’s housing stock in Bartow is concentrated in Cartersville (the county seat), Adairsville, Rydal, and Kingston. The market comprises single-family detached homes and listed homes sell within 60 days, which is faster than the Georgia statewide pace.

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How to Lookup Bartow County Property Records

There are several ways to look up property records in Bartow County. Search the Tax Assessor’s qPublic Portal for property assessment data using the owner's name, address or parcel number. The Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court allows in-person visits for certified copies of property record documents including deeds, liens, ownership information, and plats. The GSCCCA eCertification portal offers online access to certified copies of property documents.

Who Keeps Bartow County Property Records?

Under the Georgia Open Records Act, property records are generally accessible by the public. In Bartow County, these records are maintained by the following authorized agencies:

• Clerk of Superior Court: The Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court records and maintains all real estate transactions including deeds, liens, mortgages, and plats.

• Tax Assessor: The Tax Assessor maintains property assessment information. This includes details such as ownership details, assessed value of the property, and exemption status.

• Tax Commissioner: The Tax Commissioner issues tax bills, handles tax collection, and maintains tax payment history. It also processes exemption applications.

How to Search Bartow County Property Records Online

Search Bartow County property records online by following these steps:

1. Locate the Parcel: Visit the qPublic Portal and search using the Parcel ID number, owner’s name or location address. A new page will pop up displaying ownership and assessment information in the search results.

2. Open the property details: Open the search results where you’ll find the property card report including details such as the owner’s name, property assessment evaluation, legal description, parcel number, and maps.

3. Find the Recorded Documents: Search the GSCCCA online portal using the owner’s name, address or parcel number to find recorded deeds, liens, mortgages, and plats.

4. Verify the Current Tax Status: Log in to the Bartow County Property Tax Portal and input the owner’s name to confirm the property tax balances, current payment history, exemptions, and delinquent taxes.

5. Request Certified Copies: To request a certified copy of any property records, visit the Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court office at Cartersville in person, or contact them by phone at (770) 387-5025.

Clerk of Superior Court: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens

The Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court maintains records and files all real estate documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats.

Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

In Bartow County, the Tax Assessor’s office manages property tax records, including information pertaining to ownership, homestead exemptions, parcel maps, and assessment data.

Tax Commissioner: Tax Bills and Payments

The Bartow County Tax Commissioner collects property taxes, processes payments, and administers tax sales.

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

Bartow County establishes a property’s fair market value (FMV) as of January 1 each year. This plays a significant role in determining the property tax. A property’s assessed value is 40% of its FMV. Subtract any exemptions from the property assessed value and multiply by the local millage(mill) rate set by the county. Note that 1 mill is equal to $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value.

• Property tax due = assessed value x millage rate

• Assessed value = FMV x 40%

Homestead Exemptions

• Basic Homestead Exemption: Homeowners in Bartow County who occupy their property as their primary residence may be eligible for homestead exemptions. This removes $15,000 from the property assessed value. Eligible residents may apply for homestead exemption at the Bartow County Tax Assessor’s office.

• Local Additions: Homeowners may also qualify for other kinds of local exemptions. These include disabled veterans exemptions for homeowners with service-connected disability and school tax exemptions for eligible seniors.

• CUVA & FLPA: These programs are designed to reduce tax burdens for property owners in Bartow County. CUVA stands for Conservation Use Valuation Assessment, while FLPA means Forest Land Protection Act.

Landowners enrolled in CUVA sign an agreement to use their lands, a minimum of 10 acres, for the designated use (agriculture or forestry) for 10 years. FLPA is based on a 15-year agreement. The property is assessed based on its soil type and productivity rather than its fair market value. This typically results in a reduced property tax.

Appealing an Assessment

To appeal your property tax assessment value in Bartow County, file the appeal of assessment (PT-311A) form with the Board of Tax Assessors within 45 days of the given assessment notice date. State your grounds for appeal, typically value or uniformity. Then, provide proof such as comparable sales or appraisals. If the assessment value is not adjusted, the appeal is forwarded to the County Board of Equalization and a hearing is scheduled.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

The Bartow County Geographic Information System (GIS) and parcel viewer have all records regarding mapping and geospatial information. These records are accessible via the Bartow County qPublic Portal.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

Under the O.C.G.A. Title 48, the Bartow County Tax Commissioner is allowed to administer tax sales for tax-delinquent properties. Bartow County tax sales are held on the first Tuesday of the scheduled month.

Right of Redemption

Under Georgia law, the property owner is eligible to reclaim their property after paying the redemption price plus a 20% premium penalty fee to the tax buyer from the auction. The redemption period is within 12 months after the tax sale. Failure to redeem the property implies an increase in penalties over subsequent years.

Costs to Access Property Records

In Bartow County, recording fees are set at the state level by the Georgia legislature under O.C.G.A., Section 15-6-77.

How to Record a Document

To record a property document in Bartow County, take the following steps:

1. Prepare the Document: The document must meet Georgia’s recording requirements. If you are recording a property deed, make sure to accompany the filing with a completed PT-61 Real Estate Transfer Form.

2. Calculate Fees: The county charges a $25 recording fee for a certified property document. Calculating recording fees before filing a property document ensures a swift process.

3. Submit to the Clerk: The recording documents may be submitted to the Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court in person, by mail, or online through the GSCCCA e-filing portal.

4. Retrieve a Copy of the Recorded Document: To retrieve the recorded copy of your property document, visit the Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court office in person or online through the GSCCCA Search portal.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Bartow County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals