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

Paulding County has over 75,000 land parcels and one of the fastest-growing housing markets in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Its proximity to Atlanta and relatively affordable home prices continue to attract home buyers. County offices responsible for keeping property records in the county include the Clerk of Superior Court, the Tax Commissioner, and the Tax Assessor.

Single-family detached homes make up the largest share of the housing stock in Paulding County. Most of these homes are concentrated in Dallas, Hiram, and the county’s eastern communities. Homes typically remain on the market for about 45 to 47 days before selling. This is faster than many housing markets across Georgia.

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How to Look Up Paulding County Property Records

Paulding County provides several online portals that make property records easy to access. The Assessor’s qPublic portal is the main source of ownership details, assessments, and parcel maps. The Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) portal allows users to search deeds, liens, and other real estate filings. Property owners can check current and past tax bills through the Online Property Tax Payment page. This page can also be used to pay property taxes and print tax receipts.

You can obtain certified copies of deeds and other property documents through the GSCCCA e-Certification portal. Alternatively, visit the Real Estate Division of the Superior Court Clerk’s office in Dallas.

Who Keeps Paulding County Property Records?

Paulding County property records are public under the Georgia Open Records Act. Although most records are open for public inspection and copying, some may be restricted if they contain sensitive personal information.

The following agencies keep property records in Paulding County:

• Clerk of Superior Court: This office keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded land documents. It is the main source for legal property ownership records and certified real estate copies. The Superior Court Clerk’s office in Paulding County provides an online real estate index with deed records from January 1, 1995, via the GSCCCA portal.

• Tax Assessor’s Office: The Board of Assessors handles property assessments. They keep records like parcel details, values, exemptions, and ownership. Anyone can search the qPublic portal by owner name, address, or parcel number.

• Tax Commissioner: This office maintains tax bills, payment records, delinquent tax information, and tax sale details.

How to Search Paulding County Property Records Online

You can look up Paulding County property records online by following a few simple steps:

1. Locate the Parcel: To locate the property, access the Paulding County’s qPublic portal and conduct your search by owner’s name, street address, or the specific parcel ID.

2. Open the Parcel Details: Once the correct parcel is identified in the search result, open it to view its detailed profile. This page contains essential information, such as current assessed value, transfer history, and physical dimensions. Ensure you note the deed book and page number to cross-reference the details.

3. Pull the Recorded Documents: To retrieve copies of recorded documents through the GSCCCA portal, use the book and page number you retrieved from the parcel details.

4. Verify the Current Tax Status: You may verify whether property taxes are paid or delinquent through the Online Property Tax Payment page. It will show the total tax assessed, payment received, and any outstanding balances.

5. Request Certified Copies if Required: If you need certified copies for legal or financial transactions, visit the e-Certification portal. This service requires a small fee.

Clerk of Superior Court: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens

The Clerk of Superior Court in Paulding County preserves the official real estate records, including plats, liens, deeds, and mortgages.

Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

In Paulding County, the Tax Assessor’s office determines the fair taxable value of all real property in the county for property tax purposes.

Tax Commissioner: Tax Bills and Payments

The Paulding County Tax Commissioner’s office collects property taxes and keeps property tax payment records.

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

Property tax in Paulding County is calculated starting with the fair market value (FMV) of the property as of January 1. The FMV is multiplied by 40% to get the assessed value. The county then subtracts any exemption and multiplies the remaining value by the millage rate to produce the final tax.

• Property tax due = assessed value x millage rate.

• Assessed value = FMV x 40%

Homestead Exemptions

• Basic Homestead Exemption: The standard homestead exemption lowers the taxable value of a home by $2,000. Homeowners who own and occupy their property as their primary residence on January 1 may apply through the Board of Assessors. To apply for this exemption, an applicant must provide a valid Georgia driver’s license and have their name listed on the property’s deed.

• Local Additions: The senior homestead exemption is available to qualifying homeowners who are at least 65 years old. Once approved, this exemption reduces the assessed value of the property for eligible county and school taxes.

• CUVA & FLPA: In Paulding County, the Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) provides property tax relief to landowners who preserve agricultural or timber land. To receive this benefit, they must sign a 10-year covenant promising to keep the property undeveloped.

The Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) also offers tax reductions and is designed for larger forest tracts. It requires a 15-year conservation commitment and applies to timberlands of at least 200 acres.

Appealing an Assessment

If you disagree with the valuation on your assessment notice, you must file a written appeal with the Board of Assessors within 45 days of the notice date. The appeal may be submitted by fax, email, mail, or hand delivery. Once received, it is reviewed by a qualified appraiser and may take several weeks to determine whether a change was made.

It is essential to select an appeal route when filing an appeal. You may choose to have your case handled by the Board of Equalization, an arbitrator, or a hearing officer before it is forwarded to the Superior Court. As the most common appeal path, the Board of Equalization will schedule an informal hearing to review the evidence presented by you and the Board of Assessors. If the value remains unchanged, you may appeal the decision to the Superior Court within 30 days.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

Paulding County provides detailed property and spatial data via its ORIGIN mapping portal and the qPublic platform. The ORIGIN portal has detailed overlays, including county zoning, topography, and high-resolution aerial photography. These spatial boundaries are integrated with the Tax Assessor records by the qPublic portal, which allows users to view ownership and valuation histories.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

Under Title 48 of the Georgia Code, the Paulding County Tax Commissioner has the authority to issue tax executions and levies on properties with delinquent taxes. These properties are auctioned to the highest bidder at a tax sale.

Right of Redemption

After a tax sale, a property owner has at least 12 months to reclaim their property. They must pay the tax buyer the original purchase amount, any subsequent taxes paid, and a statutory premium. If the redemption does not occur within the first year, the tax buyer may initiate a foreclosure of the right of redemption. This action bars the owner from reclaiming the property.

Costs to Access Property Records

Paulding County uses the state-mandated fee schedule authorized by O.C.G.A. Section 15-6-77. The county charges the following fees for recording and accessing property records:

How to Record a Document

Take these steps when recording a property document in Paulding County:

1. Prepare the Document: When drafting the document, ensure it is complete, accurate, signed, notarized, and contains the legal description of the property. Accompany the document with a complete PT-61 form if it transfers real property.

2. Calculate Fees: Excluding plats that are filed for $10 per instrument, most documents in Paulding County are filed for $25 regardless of the number of pages.

3. Submit to the Clerk: You can submit your document and the payment in person or online through the GSCCCA portal. Once the Clerk receives them, they will find it in the public land registry.

4. Retrieve a Copy of the Recorded Document: After recording, you can obtain a copy of the recorded document from the Real Estate Division or through the GSCCCA portal.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Paulding County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals