Harris County, GA Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps
Harris County has approximately 21,630 parcels. The county’s property market is driven by its excellent school systems, low crime rates, and proximity to Fort Benning. Three agencies maintain property records in Harris County. These are the Clerk of Superior Court, the Tax Assessor, and the Tax Commissioner.
Harris County housing stock is concentrated in Hamilton (the county seat), Fortson, Pine Mountain, and Waverly Hall. Single-family homes dominate the inventory. Listed properties typically sell within 45 days, faster than the statewide pace in Georgia.
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How to Look Up Harris County Property Records
Several online portals enable users to conduct property record lookups in Harris County. The Tax Commissioner’s Property Tax Portal allows individuals to search property tax records or make tax payments. For property ownership and assessment information, use the Tax Assessor’s qPublic Portal.
For certified copies of property record documents including deeds and liens, visit the Harris County Clerk of Superior Court in person. The GSCCCA eCertification portal also provides online access to certified copies of recorded land documents.
Office | Documents/Information Available | Online Portal |
|---|---|---|
Clerk of Superior Court | Deed, lien, mortgage, plat, and other recording instruments | |
Tax Assessor | Property tax assessment data, parcel map, appraisal data, and legal descriptions | |
Tax Commissioner | Property tax bills, tax collection records, delinquent tax data, and payment history |
Who keeps Harris County Property Records?
Under the Georgia Open Records Act, Harris County property records are public documents. The following authorized agencies maintain these records:
Clerk of Superior Court: The Harris County Clerk of Superior Court records and maintains all legal property documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property transfer records.
Tax Assessor: The County Tax Assessor handles property assessment data and keeps records of ownership, appraisals, appeal history, and exemption status.
Tax Commissioner: The Tax Commissioner’s office issues tax bills, handles tax collections, and processes tax payments. It also maintains delinquent tax data.
How to Search Harris County Property Records Online
You can search Harris County property records online by following these steps:
Locate the Parcel: Visit the Tax Assessor’s qPublic Portal and search by parcel number, owner’s name, or address. A new page will pop up displaying ownership information in the search results.
Open the Parcel Details: Open the search results to view the property report details. These include the current owner’s name, parcel number, assessment notice, and property characteristics.
Pull 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.
Verify the Current Tax Status: Open the Tax Commissioner’s Property Tax Portal and input the parcel ID to confirm the payment history, property tax balances, delinquent taxes, and exemptions.
Request Certified Copies if Required: If you need certified copies of property documents, visit the Harris County Clerk of Superior Court or contact the office by phone at (706) 628-4944.
Clerk of Superior Court: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens
In Harris County, the Clerk of Superior Court maintains all recorded land documents including deeds, liens, mortgages, and plats.
Office | Harris County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
Address | 102 North College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811 |
Phone | (706) 628-4944 |
Statewide Deed Search System | |
Search Parameters | Grantee name, grantor name, recording date range, or county name. |
Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data
The Tax Assessor handles property appraisal and assessment data. It maintains information about ownership, assessed values, parcel maps, homestead exemptions, and property characteristics.
Office | Harris County Tax Assessor’s Office |
|---|---|
Address | 102 North College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811 |
Phone | (706) 628-5171 |
Search Portal | |
Annual Return Deadline | April 1 |
Tax Commissioner: Tax Bills and Payments
The Harris County Tax Commissioner issues tax bills, maintains tax collection records, payment history, and delinquent tax data, and administers tax sales.
Office | Harris County Tax Commissioner’s Office |
|---|---|
Address | 102 North College |
Phone | (706) 628-4843 |
Search Portal | |
Tax-Sale Schedule | First Tuesday of each month |
Property Tax in Harris County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals
Harris County property tax is determined by considering a property’s fair market value (FMV) as of January 1 of each year. The assessed value of a property is 40% of its FMV. Subtract any exemptions; then the resulting assessed value is multiplied by the local millage rate (mill) set by the county. Note that 1 mill is equivalent 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: In Harris County, homeowners who occupy a property as their primary residence may be eligible for a homestead exemption. This removes $2,000 from the property assessed value. The Harris County Tax Assessor processes homestead exemption applications.
Local Additions: Homeowners may also qualify for other locally administered exemptions. These include school tax exemptions for eligible seniors who are 62 or older and disabled veteran exemptions for homeowners with service-connected disabilities.
CUVA & FLPA: CUVA stands for Conservation Use Valuation Assessment, while FLPA stands for the Forest Land Protection Act. These programs are designed to reduce property tax burdens for homeowners in Harris County. Landowners enrolled in CUVA sign a 10-year covenant to leave their lands in their designated use (farming or timberland).
FLPA is based on a 15-year agreement designed specifically for large-scale timberland properties; a minimum of 200 acres is required. The property is assessed based on timber yield and soil productivity rather than its fair market value. This typically results in a reduced property tax.
Appealing an Assessment
If you disagree with your property assessment value, file the appeal of assessment form (PT-311A) within 45 days of the date printed on your annual assessment notice. Provide evidence such as a list of comparable sales and an appraisal of the property.
The Board of Tax Assessors reviews the appeal and issues a decision. If you are dissatisfied with the decision, your appeal is assigned to the County Board of Equalization, and a hearing is scheduled. However, if the assessment is not adjusted, you may further appeal to the Harris County Superior Court.
GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer
The county’s Geographic Information System (GIS) and parcel viewer allow individuals to access property and mapping information online through the Harris County qPublic Portal. This includes parcel boundaries, property ownership data, tax parcel maps, and aerial imagery.
Foreclosure and Tax Sales
Under the O.C.G.A., Title 48, the Harris County Tax Commissioner is authorized to sell tax-delinquent properties through tax sales. The county holds tax sales on the first Tuesday of the scheduled month.
Right of Redemption
A property owner in Harris County has the right of redemption to reclaim their property after a tax sale. The property owner pays the original delinquent taxes plus accrued interest, typically at a 20% rate, back to the tax buyer within 12 months. If the property remains unredeemed, additional interest accrues over the years.
Costs to Access Property Records
In Harris County, access fees and recording fees for property are authorized under O.C.G.A., Section 15-6-77.
Service Type | Fee (Georgia Statutory Schedule) |
|---|---|
Online parcel, tax, and GIS Searches | Free |
Deed recording (first page) | $25 |
Each additional recorded page | Free |
Real estate transfer tax | $1.00 for the first $1,000 of consideration plus $0.1 or each additional $100 |
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
Take these steps to record a property document in Harris County:
Prepare the Document: The document must meet Georgia's recording requirements. If the document transfers real property, a completed PT-61 Real Estate Transfer Form is required.
Calculate Fees: The standard recording fees for certified property documents may be accessed through the Harris County Cost Schedule. Calculating recording fees before filing property documents ensures a swift process.
Submit to the Clerk: Submit the prepared document to the Harris County Clerk of Superior Court in person, by mail, or online through the GSCCCA portal.
Retrieve a Copy of the Recorded Document: Copies of the recorded land documents may be retrieved in person at the Harris County Clerk of Superior Court office or online through the GSCCCA search portal.
FAQs
Yes, property records in Harris County are generally accessible by the public, unless made confidential by law. These records may be accessed through the Harris County Clerk of Superior Court, the Tax Assessor, and the Tax Commissioner.
To identify the current owner of a Harris County property, conduct a search using the Harris County Tax Assessor’s portal using the parcel number or address as the search criterion.
To get a certified copy of a deed, visit the Harris County Clerk of Superior Court in person. You'll need information such as the owner’s name or parcel number to obtain a certified copy of the deed. The court charges a $25 certification fee.
The intangible recording tax is $1.50 per $500, paid to Harris County when your property loan is recorded. The payment is made to the Harris County Tax Commissioner within 90 days of signing the property loan documents.
If you do not pay your property taxes in Harris County, your interest will increase by 3% every month, and a 5% penalty is added to your tax bill every 120 days. If the taxes remain unpaid, your property will be seized and advertised at a public auction by the Harris County Tax Commissioner.
Quick Reference: Your Harris County Property Records Checklist
Task | Action |
|---|---|
Verify Ownership | Search the qPublic Portal using a parcel number or an address. 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 information available. You can also request a copy from the Clerk of Superior Court. |
Check the tax bill. | Search the County Tax Commissioner’s Property Tax Portal to review tax bills and tax payment history. |
File a homestead exemption. | Apply for a homestead exemption by submitting proof that the property is your primary residence to the Tax Assessor by April 1 of the current tax year. |
Appeal your assessment | File a written appeal with the County Board of Assessors within 45 days of the date on the annual assessment notice. |
Record a new document. | Prepare the documents to meet Georgia’s recording requirements, file the PT-61 for transfers, and submit to the Clerk of Superior Court. |
Key Contacts and Official Portals
Office | Details |
|---|---|
Harris County Clerk of Superior Court | 102 North College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811, (706) 628-4944 |
Harris County Tax Assessor | 102 North College Street, Room 100, Hamilton, GA 31811, (706) 628-5171 |
Harris County Tax Commissioner | 102 North College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811, (706) 628-4843 |
Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority | 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30345. (404) 327-9058 |
Georgia Department of Revenue (Property Tax) |