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

Madison County property records cover information on over 12,000 housing units in northeast Georgia. The county has a steady real estate market supported by a strong agricultural sector and its location near the Athens metropolitan area. Listed homes stay on the market for 70 to 80 days before they sell.

The county’s property records are maintained by three offices located in Danielsville, the county seat. They are the Clerk of Superior Court, the Property Valuation Office (Tax Assessor), and the Tax Commissioner. The county's housing stock comprises mostly single-family detached homes. The homes are concentrated in Danielsville, Comer, Colbert, Hull, Ila, and Carlton.

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How to Look Up Madison County Property Records

Madison County property records are available through the Board of Tax Assessors, Tax Commissioner, and Clerk of Superior Court’s Offices. The Assessor's portal provides property ownership information and assessed values, while the Tax Commissioner's Office offers access to tax bills and payment records. You may see available deeds and other recorded property documents on the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) portal.

Request copies of recorded documents from the Clerk of Superior Court's Office by visiting the courthouse in Danielsville or calling (706) 795-6355.

Who Keeps Madison County Property Records?

Georgia property records are public under the Open Records Act. Property records management responsibilities in Madison County are divided among three agencies:

• Clerk of Superior Court: The Clerk of Superior Court is the recording office for deeds, mortgages (security deeds), liens, and plats filed in Madison County.

• Tax Assessor's Office: This office reviews exemptions (including homestead, disabled-veteran, CUVA, and FLPA) and conducts annual valuations.

• Tax Commissioner: The Tax Commissioner’s Office maintains tax payment records and conducts tax sales of delinquent parcels (when necessary).

How to Search Madison County Property Records Online

Follow these steps to search Madison County property records online:

1. Locate the parcel: Go to the Tax Assessor's portal and type the property address, owner name, or PIN in the search bar.

2. Open the parcel detail: From the search results, click on the correct property to view the parcel record page. This returns information on the owner of record, tax history, FMV, assessed value, and any applied exemptions.

3. Pull the recorded documents: The Clerk of Superior Court's online index (or the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority website) allows users to find deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other recorded documents. They can search by owner name, recording date, or book and page reference.

4. Verify the current tax status: Go to the Tax Commissioner’s Property Tax Search portal to look up tax information.

5. Order certified copies: Reach the office of the Clerk of Superior Court by phone or in person for certified copies of deeds and other recorded instruments.

Clerk of Superior Court: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens

The Clerk of Superior Court's Office records deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, and other real estate documents.

Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The Property Valuation Office keeps records on taxable property, including ownership details and assessed values.

Tax Commissioner: Tax Bills and Payments

The Tax Commissioner's Office handles property tax billing and collection in Madison County.

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

Madison County assesses properties at 40% of their fair market value. The millage rate is applied to the assessed value, and any exemptions are deducted to determine the property tax due.

• Property tax due = assessed value x millage rate.

• Assessed value = FMV x 40%

Homestead Exemptions

• Basic Homestead Exemption: Anyone may be eligible for a basic homestead exemption if they own and occupy a property in the county as their primary residence under O.C.G.A. § 48-5-44. Apply with the Tax Assessor.

• Local Additions: In addition to the basic statutory homestead exemption, Madison County offers other local options. They include school tax exemptions for disabled veterans and senior exemptions for homeowners aged 65 or older who meet the income requirements.

• CUVA & FLPA: Landowners in the county may qualify for Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) and Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA). These programs reduce taxes on farmland and forest land by valuing them based on their use. Both programs require a 10-year agreement with the Property Valuation Office (Tax Assessor), during which the lands must be used for farming or forestry.

Appealing an Assessment

Property owners who disagree with their assessed value may file an appeal within 45 days of receiving their Annual Notice of Assessment. They must contact the Tax Assessor's Office to review the valuation for possible errors. The case is then forwarded to the Board of Equalization for a formal hearing if no changes are made to the assessed value. In case you are not satisfied with the Board's decision, seek judicial review in the Superior Court.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

The Geographic Information System (GIS) in Madison County is available through the Tax Assessor’s Office. This parcel viewer helps users find property lines, ownership records, past sales, and aerial images.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

If property taxes are not paid for a long period, the property may be sold at a public tax sale. In Madison County, the Tax Commissioner conducts these sales on the first Tuesday of the scheduled sale month in accordance with O.C.G.A. Title 48.

Right of Redemption

After a tax sale, the original property owner may still reclaim the property. In Madison County, this period generally lasts 12 months from the date of the sale. To redeem the property, the owner must pay the tax sale purchase price, the required 20% first-year premium, any taxes paid by the purchaser, and other costs. If the redemption period expires without payment, the purchaser may take steps to obtain full ownership.

Costs to Access Property Records

The O.C.G.A. Section 15-6-77 sets the fees for recording and accessing property records in Madison County. These fees are summarized below:

How to Record a Document

Recording a property document in Madison County takes five steps:

1. Prepare the document: Confirm the grantor and grantee names, the legal description, and notary acknowledgment are all in place. In addition, ensure the deed is properly executed before submission. If the document transfers real estate, file with a completed PT-61 Real Estate Transfer Form.

2. Calculate fees: Start with the basic filing fee, which is $25 for most documents, including deeds and liens. If the document involves a property transfer, a transfer tax of $0.10 per $100 of the property value may be added. Likewise, for a security deed or mortgage, there is an additional intangible recording tax of $1.50 per $500 of the loan amount.

3. Submit to the Clerk: Turn in the documents to the Clerk of Superior Court by mail, in person, or through an approved e-recording vendor. The clerk indexes and assigns it a page reference so it becomes part of the county’s records.

4. Retrieve the recorded copy: Request a copy of the recorded document directly from the Clerk of Superior Court. You may also access the recorded image online through the GSCCCA search platform.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Madison County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals