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

Dawson County has about 18,000 parcels of land. The county’s real estate market is driven by its proximity to Atlanta suburbs and exurban migration from retirees and metro Atlanta workers. In addition, its relatively low home prices have a major impact on the market. Departments responsible for maintaining property records in the county include the Clerk of Courts, the Tax Assessor, and the Tax Commissioner.

The county’s housing market listings typically close within 40-60 days, which is in line with the statewide average. Rapid growth along the GA-400 corridor and in master-planned communities is a major boost for the county's real estate market. The most popular housing type in Dawson County is newly constructed single-family detached homes, common in Dawsonville, the county seat.

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How to Look Up Dawson County Property Records

In Dawson County, you can access property ownership details, assessment, parcel map, and property characteristics on the Tax Assessor's qPublic Search Portal or in person at their office. Tax bills, tax history, and delinquencies can be accessed on the Search & Pay Taxes Portal maintained by the Tax Commissioner.

The Clerk of Courts maintains deeds, plats, liens, mortgages, and other recorded property documents and makes them available on the Land Records Search portal. Real estate records from 1965 to 1992 can be accessed on the Land Records 1965-1992. Alternatively, you can use the statewide GSCCCA Search portal to access recorded documents from the county. Visit or call the office at (706) 344-3510 for inquiries.

Who Keeps Dawson County Property Records

The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70) gives the public the right to view, request, and obtain property records from Dawson County. These records are run through the following three offices:

• Clerk of Courts: Records and maintains property-related documents, such as deeds, liens, releases, plats, and mortgages. All recorded documents are indexed in accordance with the county’s Real Estate Index.

• Tax Assessor: Oversees property assessments, parcel mapping, and exemption approvals. It forwards the county’s tax digest to the Tax Commissioner for the collection of property taxes.

• Tax Commissioner: Handles tax notices, property tax collection, tax payment history, delinquent accounts, and the county's delinquent tax sales.

How to Search Dawson County Property Records Online

You can search Dawson County property records online by following these five steps:

1. Locate the Parcel: Use the Tax Assessor’s qPublic Search Portal to search for the parcel. Search parameters include property address, owner’s name, account number, legal information, and parcel number. The search result will return basic information for matching properties.

2. Open the Property Details: Select the result with the most matching information to view the property card. This will reveal details like the owner’s name, parcel number, legal description, assessed value, property characteristics, applicable exemptions, and valuation history.

3. Find the Recorded Documents: Use the Clerk of Courts’ Land Records Search portal to look up the deeds and any other recorded documents for the property. You can search by the owner’s name or the book and page number. Ascertain that there are no hidden liens or mortgages against the property.

4. Check the Tax-Payment Status: Confirm the property’s current tax status through the Tax Commissioner's Search & Pay Taxes portal. Check up to 10 years of tax history.

5. Request Certified Copies When Needed: Order certified copies of recorded property records from the Clerk of Courts if needed. Certification and copy fees apply.

Clerk of Courts: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens

Real estate documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are recorded and maintained by the Dawson County Clerk of Courts. Anyone can inspect and obtain copies of property records from the Clerk’s Office.

Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The Dawson County Tax Assessor’s Office oversees annual property appraisals and maintains the county’s property tax digest. It provides access to property information, such as assessed values, valuation history, exemptions, parcel maps, and property characteristics.

Tax Commissioner: Tax Bills and Payments

The Dawson County Tax Commissioner is responsible for issuing property tax notices, collecting tax payments, and organizing tax sales. It also maintains records of tax history and delinquent accounts.

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

In Dawson County, the Tax Assessor determines a property’s fair market value (FMV) as of January 1, which is then multiplied by 40% to get the assessed value. Eligible exemptions are then deducted to arrive at the net taxable value. This amount is multiplied by the county’s millage rate (mil) to calculate the tax, where one mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. In summary:

• Assessed value = FMV x 40%

• Net taxable value = assessed value - exemptions

• Property tax = net taxable value x millage rate

Homestead exemptions

• Basic Homestead Exemption: Homeowners in Dawson County who occupy their property as their primary residence as of January 1 and are legal county residents may qualify for homestead exemptions under Georgia law (OCGA Section 48-5-44). This exemption reduces the property's assessed value by $2,000, lowering overall property taxes. Applications can be submitted to the Tax Assessor at any time. However, only those filed by April 1 will be used for the current tax year. Once approved, the exemption automatically renews each year as long as eligibility requirements are met.

• Local Additions: There are local exemptions that residents of Dawson County can benefit from in addition to the standard homestead exemption. These exemptions include seniors, veterans, 100% disabled veterans, unremarried surviving spouses of firefighters or peace officers, residency exemptions, age-based exemptions, unremarried surviving spouses of veterans, and standard disability exemptions. Eligible property owners must apply for an exemption by April 1 of the tax year.

• FLPA & CUVA: The Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) program assesses land based on its current use rather than market value, offering substantial tax savings for agricultural and conservation properties. It is limited to a maximum of 2,000 acres per owner with no minimum. The program requires a 10-year conservation use commitment.

On the other hand, the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) provides tax relief to large-scale timber/wood operations for at least 10 years. To be eligible, the land must be at least 200 acres and used for the qualifying purpose by over 50% of its area. The program is designed to encourage timber production in the state. Applications for both programs must be submitted to the Tax Assessor.

Appealing an assessment

Property owners who disagree with their assessment may file an appeal with the Dawson County Board of Tax Assessors within 45 days of the assessment notice date. Your appeal must show that the fair market value is inaccurate, that the property is assessed higher than comparable properties, or that an exemption was improperly applied or denied. The board will review your case and either revise the value or uphold the original assessment.

If you disagree with the board's decision, your appeal is forwarded to the County Board of Equalization for determination. You will typically be required to attend a hearing and present your case. The board will provide a written ruling after reviewing the evidence. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may appeal the decision to the Dawson County Superior Court.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

The Tax Assessor’s Office maintains Dawson County's parcel GIS system, and it is available on the qPublic Map platform. The platform allows users to search by property boundaries, owner's name, or address. You can also use the county’s Current Zoning Map to view parcels in the county. Both platforms allow for direct navigation on their interactive maps to the desired parcel.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

In Dawson County, the Tax Commissioner’s Office is permitted by law to enforce the collection of delinquent property taxes through tax executions (liens) and tax sales. Per O.C.G.A. Title 48, the property can be auctioned on the first Tuesday of the scheduled month after it has been advertised in a designated news outlet.

Buyers receive a redeemable tax deed, which gives the original property owner 12 months to reclaim the property by paying the purchase price plus interest. If the property is not redeemed, the buyer can initiate a legal process to foreclose the right of redemption and obtain full ownership.

Right of redemption

The original owner may reclaim a property sold at a tax sale within a 12-month redemption period. To redeem the property, they must pay the total sale price, any delinquent taxes, and a 20% premium if redeemed within the first year. If redemption occurs after the first year, additional accrued premiums must also be paid.

Costs to Access Property Records

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. Section 15-6-77) permits the Dawson County Clerk of Courts to collect certain fees for property-related recording and access. Below are the county’s statutory recording and access rates:

How to Record a Document

Take these steps to record a property document in Dawson County:

1. Prepare the Document: Ensure the document complies with Georgia’s recording requirements before submission. Review the information to ensure its accuracy. You must file the completed PT-61 real estate transfer tax form along with any deed of transfer.

2. Calculate Fees: Before filing property documents, confirm the applicable recording fees to prevent delays. The standard recording fee for most deeds is $25 for the initial page, plus $2 for every additional page. You should add a transfer tax of $0.10 per $100 of consideration. Also, security deeds require an intangible recording tax of $1.50 per $500 of loan value, up to a maximum of $25,000.

3. Submit to the Clerk: Submit the completed document to the Dawson County Clerk of Courts’ Office either in person, by mail, or through an approved e-recording provider, such as the GSCCCA eFiling portal, Simplifile, ePN, or CSC. The Clerk’s Office will review the filing, collect the required recording fees, and assign a recording number. Once recorded, the document becomes part of the county’s official real estate records.

4. Retrieve the Recorded Copy: A copy of the recorded document can be obtained by submitting a request to the Clerk of Courts or by accessing it online.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Dawson County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals