Ware County, GA Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps
Ware County has approximately 23,000 parcels of land. Regional logistics, eco-tourism, and agricultural land demand drive the local property market. Agencies responsible for maintaining property records in the county include the Clerk of Superior Court, the Tax Assessor, and the Tax Commissioner.
There are more single-family homes than other types of homes in the county, with the bulk of the inventory found in Waycross and Deenwood. Listed properties take almost 63 days before going under contract, slightly slower than the statewide pace.
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How to Look Up Ware County Property Records
You can search property records in Ware County through the appropriate portals. Deeds, mortgages, and other land records can be viewed through the GSCCCA Search portal. Use the Tax Assessor’s qPublic portal to look up ownership information and assessed values. The County Tax Commissioner’s property payment portal allows you to check total outstanding tax bills and payments due.
Copies of deeds and other official land records can be obtained in person at the county courthouse in Waycross or by contacting the Clerk of the Superior Court's Office at (912) 490-4340.
Office | Documents/Information Available | Online Portal |
|---|---|---|
Clerk of the Superior Court | Deed, lien, mortgage, and other recorded estate filings | |
Tax Assessor | Property tax assessment data, parcel data, parcel map, and legal descriptions | |
Tax Commissioner | Property tax bills, payment history, and delinquent tax data |
Who Keeps Ware County Property Records?
The following agencies are responsible for keeping property records in Ware County:
Clerk of the Superior Court: The clerk’s office is the records custodian for most property records in the county. This office records real estate documents such as deeds, liens, mortgages, and subdivision plats.
Tax Assessor’s Office: The tax assessor values every parcel, including administering homestead exemptions.
Tax Commissioner: The tax commissioner manages tax bills, payment processing, annual tax sales for delinquencies, and redemption from tax buyers.
How to Search Ware County Property Records Online
Executing the following process produces a complete picture of a property in Ware County:
Locate the Parcel: Search a parcel through the assessor’s qPublic Portal using the owner name, parcel ID, legal information, or property address.
Open the Parcel Details: Open the parcel that matches the search results to view the property card. You may find details such as the parcel number, assessment notices, owner’s name, property characteristics, legal description, and sales date.
Pull the Recorded Documents: Use the GSCCCA portal to view recorded property documents like deeds and other land-related documents. Search on the portal using the owner’s name, book and page number, or recording date.
Verify the Current Tax Status: Move to the tax commissioner database to verify payment status and any delinquency balance.
Request Certified Copies if Required: For a certified copy of your recorded land records, visit the clerk’s office in person. Copy fees may apply.
Clerk of Superior Court: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens
The Clerk of Superior Court is the custodian of land and property records in Ware County.
Office | Ware County Clerk of the Superior Court |
|---|---|
Address | 800 Church Street, Waycross, GA 31501 |
Phone | (912) 490-4340 |
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 is responsible for ensuring the fair market value of all property in Ware County.
Office | Ware County Tax Assessor’s Office |
|---|---|
Address | 305 Oak St., Suite 154, Waycross, GA 31501 |
Phone | (912) 490-4383 |
Search Portal | |
Annual Return Deadline | April 1 |
Tax Commissioner: Tax Bills and Payments
The Tax Commissioner is responsible for receiving tax returns filed by taxpayers.
Office | Ware County Tax Commissioner’s Office |
|---|---|
Address | Roger Collins, 305 Oak Street, Suite 115A, Waycross, GA 31501 |
Phone | (912) 287-4305 |
Tax Facts | |
Tax-Sale Schedule | First Tuesday of each month |
Property Tax in Ware County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals
In Ware County, the basis for property tax is the fair market value (FMV) of the property, which is established on January 1 of each year. The tax is levied on the assessment value, which by law is set at 40% of FMV. The millage rate determines the amount of tax.
Property tax due = assessed value x millage rate
Assessed value = FMV x 40%
Homestead Exemptions
Basic Homestead Exemption: Homeowners are entitled to a basic homestead exemption that reduces the property’s assessed value by $2,000. To enjoy this exemption, you must occupy a home as your legal residence.
Local Additions: Residents may also qualify for other local homestead exemptions, including:
Homestead exemption for disabled veterans
Homestead exemption for unremarried surviving spouse
Individuals 65 years of age or over may claim a $4,000 exemption if their income does not exceed $10,000 for the prior year.
CUVA & FLPA: Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) and Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) lower property taxes for qualifying landowners. These specialized programs reduce tax bills by assessing qualifying properties based on their agricultural value rather than their fair market value. The landowners must sign a 10-year tax covenant to maintain the land’s current use.
Appealing an Assessment
If you disagree with your assessment, you may file an appeal with the Ware County Board of Tax Assessors within 45 days from the date listed on the assessment notice. The Board of Assessors will review the appeal filed and give its decision. If not resolved, you may proceed to the Board of Equalization for a hearing. Further review may be taken to Superior Court if you are dissatisfied with the Board of Equalization ruling.
GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer
Ware County maintains its GIS land and property maps through the official qPublic portal. You may view property boundaries, aerial layers, and other mapping data on this portal using the owner's name, address, or parcel number.
Foreclosure and Tax Sales
The Ware County Tax Commissioner manages tax sales, typically held on the first Tuesday of the month at the county courthouse. Properties are auctioned to recover delinquent property taxes. Individuals may view properties listed for tax sales through the county tax commissioner webpage.
Right of Redemption
Property owners retain a 12-month right of redemption to reclaim their property by paying the auction price and a 20% penalty. If the property is not redeemed after the required period, the buyer can legally foreclose the right of redemption to secure permanent title and physical possession.
Costs to Access Property Records
Individuals are required to pay specific fees to record or obtain copies of Ware County property records:
Service Type | Fee (Georgia Statutory Schedule) |
|---|---|
Online parcel, tax, and GIS Searches | Free |
Deed recording (first page) | $25 |
Each additional recorded page | $2 |
Real estate transfer tax | $1 for the first $1,000 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 $1.00 per copied page. Fees vary depending on the type of document requested. |
How to Record a Document
Take the following steps to record a property document in Ware County:
Prepare the Document: Ensure your document meets Georgia’s recording requirements. Submit a PT-61 Real Estate Transfer Form alongside other supporting documents when transferring real property.
Calculate Fees: It costs $25 to record most land documents in Ware County.
Submit to the Clerk: File the documents with the Clerk of the Superior Court in person or by mail. Alternatively, you may submit them through an approved e-recording vendor.
Retrieve a Copy of the Recorded Document: You can obtain recorded copies by requesting them directly from the Clerk of the Superior Court or online through the GSCCCA portal.
FAQs
Yes. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, Ware County property records are considered open records. You can access them through the appropriate county offices.
Property tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value, which is 40% of the property's fair market value, by the local millage rate. Any approved exemptions will be subtracted from the assessed value before the millage rate is applied to determine the final tax amount.
The home of each resident of Ware County that is occupied and used as the primary residence by the owner may be granted a $2,000 basic homestead exemption. This exemption is deducted from the 40% assessed value of the homestead. Exemptions must be filed with the County Tax Assessor by April 1 to apply to the current tax year.
A Georgia tax sale begins when the county auctions properties with delinquent taxes on the first Tuesday of the month. The highest bidder receives a tax deed, which secures their investment but does not grant immediate occupancy. However, the property owner retains a 12-month right of redemption to reclaim their property by paying the auction price and a 20% penalty.
Yes, you can look up most Ware County property records using the public terminal available at the county courthouse in Waycross. This terminal allows you to view property documents such as deeds and other land-related records at no cost. The county also offers the qPublic Portal to view property records electronically.
Quick Reference: Your Ware County Property Records Checklist
Task | Action |
|---|---|
Verify ownership | Search the Tax Assessor’s qPublic portal. Review the parcel record and confirm ownership with the recent deed recorded by the Clerk of the 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 of the recorded land document from the Clerk of the 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 of 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 Tax Assessor’s Office 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 the Superior Court. |
Key Contacts and Official Portals
Office | Details |
|---|---|
Ware County Clerk of the Superior Court | 800 Church Street, Waycross, GA 31501, (912) 490-4340 |
Ware County Tax Assessor | 305 Oak St., Suite 154, Waycross, GA 31501, (912) 490-4383, qpublic.net/ga/Ware |
Ware County Tax Commissioner | Roger Collins, 305 Oak Street, Suite 115A, Waycross, GA 31501, (912) 287-4305 |
Georgia Superior Court Clerk’s Cooperative Authority | 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30345, (404) 327-9058, search.gsccca.org/RealEstate |
Georgia Department of Revenue (Property Tax) |