Burke County, GA Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps
Burke County has over 17,000 parcels of land and a real estate market shaped by agriculture. Most residential properties in Burke County are found in Waynesboro, Sardis, and Midville. The city of Waynesboro serves as the county seat and primary real estate hub for Burke County.
You can access property records through the Burke County Clerk of Superior Court, the Tax Assessor's Office, and the Tax Commissioner's Office. Single-family homes make up the largest share of Burke County's housing stock. Listed homes generally receive offers within 60 to 90 days, reflecting the county's slower-paced rural housing market.
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How to Look Up Burke County Property Records
Burke County official property records, such as deeds and other land records, can be accessed through the Clerk of Superior Court. Check the Tax Assessor's Office to view ownership details, assessed values, and parcel information. The Tax Commissioner's Office is responsible for managing tax bills and payment history.
You can obtain copies of deeds or other property records by contacting the Burke County Clerk of Superior Court at (706) 554-2279. An in-person visit to the courthouse in Waynesboro may also be required for certified copies of deeds.
Office | Documents/Information Available | Online Portal |
|---|---|---|
Clerk of Superior Court | Deed, lien, mortgage, plat, easement, and other recorded estate filings | |
Tax Assessor | Property tax assessment data, parcel data, parcel map, appraisal data, and legal descriptions | |
Tax Commissioner | Property tax bills, collection records, payment history, and delinquent tax data |
Who Keeps Burke County Property Records?
Burke County property records are open to the public in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act. The Act gives the public the right to inspect and copy property records. You can access property records through the county offices below:
The clerk of the superior court maintains land records and property titles
The tax assessor determines the market value of real and personal property for tax purposes
The tax commissioner is responsible for billing and managing property tax payments
How to Search Burke County Property Records Online
You can look up Burke County property records online by following these steps:
Locate the parcel: Locate a parcel through the assessor’s online search portal. Conduct your search using the owner’s name, parcel number, location, or legal information.
Open the parcel detail: Check the matching parcel from the search results to view the property’s assessment and parcel information.
Pull the recorded documents: Search through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority to view deeds, plats, mortgages, and other recorded documents. This portal allows users to search by owner's name or property details.
Check the tax-payment status: Use the tax commissioner’s portal to check for unpaid taxes related to the property.
Get certified copies when needed: Contact the County Clerk of the Superior Court for property records. Fees may apply.
Clerk of Superior Court: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens
Burke County's Clerk of Superior Court is responsible for recording deeds and other documents that may affect property ownership.
Office | Burke County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
Address | 200 East 6th Street, PO Box 80, Waynesboro, GA 30830 |
Phone | (706) 554-2279 |
Statewide Deed Search System | |
Search Parameters | Grantee name, grantor name, book and page number, or recording |
Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data
The Burke County Tax Assessor's Office determines the fair market value for all real and personal property. This office handles annual valuations, exemption applications, and parcel mapping.
Office | Burke County Tax Assessor's Office |
|---|---|
Address | 524 Myrick Street, Suite B, Waynesboro, GA 30830 |
Phone | (706) 554-2607 |
Search Portal | |
Annual Return Deadline | April 1 |
Tax Commissioner: Tax Bills and Payments
The Tax Commissioner in Burke County manages property tax billing and collections.
Office | Burke County Tax Commissioner |
|---|---|
Address | 524 Myrick Street, Suite A, Waynesboro, GA 30830 |
Phone | (706) 554-3223 |
Tax Facts | |
Tax-Sale Schedule | First Tuesday of each month |
Property Tax in Burke County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals
Burke County assesses property at 40% of fair market value as of January 1 each year. Taxes are then calculated using the county’s millage rate, with one mill equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Property tax due = assessed value x millage rate.
Assessed value = FMV x 40%
Homestead Exemptions
Basic homestead exemption: Persons who occupy and own a property in Burke County may be eligible for a homestead exemption that reduces the assessed value by $2000.
Local additions: Residents may also qualify for additional exemptions, such as senior exemptions for homeowners 62 or older and disabled-veteran or surviving-spouse exemptions.
CUVA & FLPA: Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) is a program that grants a 25% reduction over the property’s fair market value. The Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) is a conservation program that provides a reduced property tax assessment for qualifying forest land based on its use value rather than its fair market value. In exchange, the land must remain in forestry use for the required commitment period.
Appealing an Assessment
You may challenge an assessment if it is incorrect. An appeal must be filed within 45 days of the issuance of the assessment notice. Provide supporting evidence such as appraisal reports or corrections. The Burke County Board of Assessors first reviews the appeal. If not resolved, it may proceed to the Board of Equalization for a hearing. Further review may be taken to Superior Court if necessary.
GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer
If you want to view property boundaries, acreage, and assessed values, start with the Burke County Tax Assessor’s Office. This office maintains the county's GIS parcel mapping system through its public property records platform. You can search this portal using the property owner’s name, address, and PIN.
Foreclosure and Tax Sales
Tax sales occur when property owners fail to pay their property taxes. The county holds tax sales on the first Tuesday of the scheduled month. This process follows the Georgia tax-sale law, which gives the Burke County Tax Commissioner authority to auction tax-delinquent parcels.
Right of Redemption
Owners, lienholders, or other parties with a legal interest have at least 12 months after the sale to redeem the property. To do so:
Pay the amount the tax sale purchaser paid at the sale
Pay any additional taxes, fees, or costs paid by the purchaser after the sale
Pay the statutory redemption premium, which increases over time
Costs to Access Property Records
Fees charged to access or record Burke County property documents are as follows:
Service Type | Fee (Georgia statutory schedule) |
|---|---|
Online parcel, tax, and GIS searches | Free |
Deed recording (first page) | $25.00 |
Each additional recorded page | $2.00 |
Real estate transfer tax | $1.00 per $100 of consideration |
Intangible recording tax (security deeds) | $1.50 per $500 of the loan amount, with a $25,000 maximum tax |
Certified copies | $2.50 for certification plus $0.50 per copied page. |
How to Record a Document
You can record a deed with the Burke County Clerk of Superior Court by taking these steps.
Prepare the document: include a clear legal description of the property in the deed. Deeds must be signed, notarized, and witnessed, and a PT-61 transfer tax form must be submitted with the transaction.
Calculate fees: Recording fees are $25 for the first page and $2 for each additional page. Additional state taxes may apply depending on the transaction.
Submit to the Clerk: Documents can be filed in person, by mail, or through an approved e-recording partner, such as Simplifile or CSC.
Retrieve the recorded copy: Once processed, you can access recorded deeds through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.
FAQs
Yes, property records are public in Burke County under the Georgia Open Records Act. The Act permits you to search, view, and obtain copies of property records, unless they are exempt from public disclosure.
In Burke County, property tax depends on its assessed value. Assessed value is set at 40% of the fair market value. The amount of these taxes is based on the assessed value of your property multiplied by the millage rate.
Homestead exemptions in Burke County are benefits that help reduce a property's taxable value. If you qualify, an exemption can help reduce your home's assessed value before taxes are calculated.
In Georgia, property taxes are usually due in the late part of the year, and if taxes are not paid, the county places a tax execution (lien) on the property. The property can then be scheduled for a public tax sale after proper notice is given. Investors will be able to bid at the auction and purchase a tax deed for the property.
Tax sales are typically held on the first Tuesday of the month when scheduled by the county. The owner has a redemption period of about 12 months to repay the amount owed and reclaim the property.
The Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA) is a 10-year agreement in which a landowner agrees to keep land in a qualifying use. In return, the property is taxed based on its productivity rather than its fair market value.
Quick Reference: Your Burke County Property Records Checklist
Task | Action |
|---|---|
Verify ownership | Search the qPublic portal. Review the parcel record and confirm ownership with the most recent deed recorded by the Clerk of Superior Court. |
Pull a deed copy | Look up the deed through the GSCCCA portal and download the image if available. You can also request a copy from the Clerk of Superior Court. |
Check the tax bill | View current tax bills and other tax-related information through the County Tax Commissioner’s Property Tax Search Portal. |
File a homestead exemption | Apply for a homestead exemption by submitting the required documents and proof that the property is your primary residence to the Tax Assessor’s Office by April 1 of the current tax year. |
Appeal your assessment | After reviewing your assessment notice, file a written appeal with the County Board of Tax Assessors within 45 days of the date printed on the annual assessment notice. |
Record a new document | Prepare the document to meet Georgia’s recording requirements, pay the applicable recording fees, and submit the document to the Clerk of Superior Court. |
Key Contacts and Official Portals
Office | Details |
|---|---|
Burke County Clerk of Superior Court | 200 East 6th Street, PO Box 80, Waynesboro, GA 30830, (706) 554-2279, search.gsccca.org/RealEstate |
Burke County Tax Assessor | 524 Myrick Street, Suite B, Waynesboro, GA 30830, (706) 554-2607, qPublic parcel search |
Burke County Tax Commissioner | 524 Myrick Street Suite A, Waynesboro, GA 30830, (706) 554-3223, dor.georgia.gov/county-property-tax-facts |
Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority | |
Georgia Department of Revenue (Property Tax) |