Fulton County Public Records /Fulton County Property Records

Fulton County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in Fulton County in 2026

FultonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Fulton County, Georgia. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data associated with ownership history, assessed values, recorded instruments, tax status, and related property documents. Record availability and completeness may vary depending on the source and the age of the document.

Records may be searched through the following official resources:

Fulton County Board of Assessors – property valuations, ownership data, and parcel information
Fulton County Superior Court Clerk – recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and other official instruments
Fulton County Tax Commissioner – tax bills, payment history, and delinquency records
Fulton County GIS Portal – interactive mapping, parcel boundaries, and aerial imagery

Access Methods Available:

Online searches – the most convenient option; available through the portals listed above at no charge for basic access
In-person visits – required for certified copies and access to older records not yet digitized
By mail – written requests submitted to the appropriate office with applicable fees
Through professionals – title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed appraisers conduct comprehensive searches as part of their services

1. Property Appraiser Website

The Fulton County Board of Assessors serves as the primary resource for property valuation and ownership information. Members of the public may access the Fulton County property search portal at no charge and without registration.

Search options include:

Property address
Owner name
Parcel ID number
Subdivision name
Map or GIS location

Information available through the portal:

Current owner name and mailing address
Legal description and parcel number
Land use and zoning classification
Square footage, year built, lot size, and building type
Assessed value (land and improvements separately)
Taxable value and exemptions applied
Sales history and deed references
GIS map location and property photographs

Steps to search:

Navigate to the Board of Assessors property search
Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel ID)
Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
Review the results list returned by the system
Select the desired parcel to view the full property card
Access sales history, valuation data, and map links from the property detail page
Print or save the information as needed

2. County Clerk / Recorder Official Records Search

The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk maintains the official records index for all instruments recorded against real property. Basic search access is available at no charge through the Clerk's online records search.

Searchable by:

Grantor name (seller)
Grantee name (buyer)
Document type
Recording date range
Book and page number
Instrument number

Documents available:

Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
Mortgages and deeds of trust
Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
Easements and declarations of restrictions
Plats and surveys
Powers of attorney affecting property
Lis pendens notices
HOA-related recorded instruments

Steps to search:

Go to the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk real estate records portal
Select the preferred search type (grantor, grantee, document type, or date range)
Enter the search criteria
Review the results list
Select a document to view the image (fees may apply for downloads)
Note the book and page or instrument number for future reference

3. Tax Commissioner Website

The Fulton County Tax Commissioner provides free public access to tax account information through the tax records search portal.

Search by:

Property address
Owner name
Parcel or folio number
Tax account number

Information available:

Current tax bill and amount due
Payment history and outstanding balances
Exemptions applied and millage rates
Tax certificate information for delinquent accounts
Installment plan status and payment options

4. GIS / Mapping System

The Fulton County GIS portal provides an interactive mapping environment for visual property research.

Features include:

Aerial photography and property boundary overlays
Zoning and land use layers
Flood zone designations
Environmental feature layers
Clickable parcels linked to assessment and recorded document data

In-Person Searches:

Fulton County Board of Assessors 235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 612-6440 Fulton County Board of Assessors

Services available in person include public access computers, staff assistance, property cards, plat maps, and exemption application processing.

Fulton County Superior Court Clerk – Real Estate Division 136 Pryor Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 613-5313 Fulton County Superior Court Clerk

Services available in person include viewing official records, requesting certified copies, searching grantor/grantee indexes, and accessing historical record books.

Fulton County Tax Commissioner 141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 1113 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 613-6100 Fulton County Tax Commissioner

Services available in person include tax payment processing, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.

By Mail Requests:

Property Appraiser (Board of Assessors):

Mailing Address: 235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303

Written requests should specify the property address or parcel number, include a return envelope, and include payment for any applicable copying fees.

Clerk / Recorder (Superior Court Clerk):

Mailing Address: 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Requests for copies of recorded documents should specify the instrument by book and page number, instrument number, or property address with an approximate date range. Payment for copies and certification fees must accompany the request.

Through Professionals:

Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and issue abstracts of title and title insurance commitments identifying all recorded interests. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership disputes. Real estate agents access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and compile comparable sales data as part of their representation services.

Search Tips:

When searching by address, try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W) and confirm spelling
When searching by owner name, try last name first, check maiden name variations, and consider both individual and entity names
When searching by legal description, use the exact subdivision name, lot and block numbers, and section/township/range where applicable
For historical records not yet digitized, an in-person visit to the courthouse is required; staff can assist with microfilm and archived record books

Common Search Challenges:

Very recent transactions may not yet appear due to recording processing delays
Very old records may not be digitized and require in-person access
Common names or similar addresses may return multiple results; verify by parcel number or legal description
Unrecorded documents, private agreements, and documents filed under seal are not accessible through public search portals

What Is Fulton County Property Records

Fulton County property records are official legal documents related to real property — including land and buildings — maintained by county government offices and accessible to the general public. These records establish legal ownership, document the chain of title, record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens, and support property tax assessment. Under O.C.G.A. § 44-2-1, all instruments conveying an interest in real property must be recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the property is located, creating a permanent public record.

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records:

Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property
Transfer records and chain of title documentation

Encumbrance Records:

Mortgages and deeds of trust
Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
Easements, restrictions, and covenants
HOA-related recorded instruments
Lis pendens notices

Tax and Assessment Records:

Property tax assessments and annual tax bills
Payment history and exemption records
Millage rates and special assessments
Tax delinquency and tax certificate records

Legal Descriptions:

Plat maps and subdivision plats
Surveys and metes and bounds descriptions
Lot and block information
Condominium declarations

Building and Permit Records:

Building permits and certificates of occupancy
Code violation notices
Zoning and land use designations

Who Maintains Property Records:

Fulton County Superior Court Clerk 136 Pryor Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 613-5313 Fulton County Superior Court Clerk

The Clerk records and indexes all official instruments affecting title, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats.

Fulton County Board of Assessors 235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 612-6440 Fulton County Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors maintains property valuations, assessment records, ownership information, property characteristics, and exemption applications.

Fulton County Tax Commissioner 141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 1113 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 613-6100 Fulton County Tax Commissioner

The Tax Commissioner maintains tax bills, payment records, delinquent tax accounts, and tax certificate and tax deed records.

Fulton County Department of Environment and Community Development 5600 Stonewall Tell Road College Park, GA 30349 Phone: (404) 612-8950 Fulton County Environment and Community Development

This department maintains building permits, inspection records, zoning records, and code enforcement files.

Are Property Records Public Information in Fulton County?

Property records in Fulton County are public information. Under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, all records maintained by government agencies are presumed open to public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies. No special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement is necessary to access property records.

As the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority has noted, "The recording of real estate documents provides constructive notice to the world of the existence of those documents and the interests they create." This principle — constructive notice — is the legal foundation for the public nature of property records and has been embedded in American property law for centuries.

Why Property Records Are Public:

Transparency: Public access to ownership information prevents secret transfers and supports accountability in property taxation
Commercial necessity: Real estate transactions, title insurance, mortgage lending, and property appraisals all depend on open access to recorded instruments
Legal protection: Recording establishes priority of interests, protects against fraudulent conveyances, and enables enforcement of property rights
Public interest: Tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, and journalistic investigation all rely on open property records

What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:

Current and historical ownership
Legal descriptions and parcel identification
Sale prices and transfer amounts
Recorded mortgage amounts
Liens and encumbrances
Tax assessments and payment history
Property characteristics (size, age, construction type)
Deeds and all recorded instruments
Plat maps and surveys
GIS mapping data

Privacy Considerations:

Under current Georgia law, certain personal identifiers are redacted from recorded documents. Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are removed from documents before they are made available for public inspection. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and victims of domestic violence or stalking — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under applicable state programs. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure; the Board of Assessors can provide guidance on applicable policies.

Who May Access Property Records:

Any member of the public may inspect property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, lenders, appraisers, attorneys, investors, genealogists, historians, and journalists.

Commercial Use:

Commercial aggregation of public property records is legally permitted. Companies such as CoreLogic and First American compile property data from public sources and offer subscription-based access. Such use is subject to applicable anti-harassment laws, fair housing regulations, and any other restrictions imposed by state or federal law.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Fulton County?

The cost to obtain property records in Fulton County depends on the type of record, the format requested, and the office providing the record. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77, the Clerk of Superior Court is authorized to charge fees for recording, copying, and certifying documents.

Current Fee Structure — Fulton County Superior Court Clerk:

Service	Current Fee
Recording a deed or other instrument (first page)	$25.00
Each additional page	$2.00
Certified copy of a recorded document	$2.50 per page + $2.50 certification fee
Uncertified copy of a recorded document	$0.25 per page (in-person)
Online document image download	Fees vary; basic search is free

Current Fee Structure — Board of Assessors:

Service	Current Fee
Online property search and viewing	Free
Printed property record card (in-person)	Nominal copying fee (typically $0.10–$0.25 per page)
GIS map prints	Fees vary by size

Current Fee Structure — Tax Commissioner:

Service	Current Fee
Online tax record search and viewing	Free
Copies of tax bills	Nominal copying fee
Tax certificate information	Free to view online

What Is Available at No Charge:

Online viewing of property assessment data through the Board of Assessors portal
Online viewing of tax account information through the Tax Commissioner portal
Basic grantor/grantee index searches through the Superior Court Clerk's online system
GIS map viewing through the county portal

Accepted Payment Methods:

The Superior Court Clerk accepts cash, money orders, and credit or debit cards for in-person transactions. Mail requests must include a check or money order payable to the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk. Online payment options are available through the respective portals where applicable.

Fee Waivers:

No general fee waiver provision applies to property record requests under current Georgia law. Indigent parties involved in active litigation may petition the court for fee relief in specific circumstances, but this does not extend to general public records requests.

What's Included in a Fulton County Property Record?

A complete Fulton County property record draws from multiple official sources and encompasses ownership, physical characteristics, valuation, tax, sales history, encumbrances, and legal information.

Ownership Information:

Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners by name, ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, trust, LLC, or corporation), acquisition date, deed book and page or instrument number, and mailing address for tax billing purposes. Previous ownership information — including chain of title, prior owners' names, transfer dates, and historical deed references — is also part of the public record.

Property Identification:

Each parcel is identified by a site address, mailing address (if different), legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, or metes and bounds), parcel ID number, and tax account number.

Physical Characteristics:

Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, frontage, depth, corner lot designation, land use designation, and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and additional features such as garage spaces, pools, fireplaces, and HVAC systems.

Valuation Information:

Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, market value, and taxable value. Historical assessed values for prior years are available through the Board of Assessors portal, allowing review of value trends over time.

Tax Information:

Tax records include the current year's total tax amount, exemptions applied, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, and a breakdown by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, city or municipality, and special districts). Payment history, delinquency records, and installment plan status are also available.

Exemptions Applied:

Georgia law provides for several property tax exemptions that appear in the property record, including the standard homestead exemption, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, veteran exemptions, and agricultural or conservation exemptions where applicable.

Sales History:

Sales history typically includes the last several recorded transfers, showing sale dates, sale prices, deed types (warranty, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, etc.), grantor and grantee names, deed instrument numbers, and documentary stamp amounts.

Encumbrances and Liens:

Recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, code enforcement liens, easements, restrictions, covenants, lis pendens notices, and life estates are all part of the official property record maintained by the Superior Court Clerk.

Legal and Regulatory Information:

Zoning classification, land use designation, school district assignment, fire district, water district, and special taxing district memberships are included. Flood zone designation (FEMA), wetlands designations, and conservation area overlays are accessible through the GIS portal.

What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:

Current mortgage balances (only original amounts at recording)
Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
Interior photographs
Social Security numbers (redacted under current law)
Private agreements not submitted for recording
Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
Confidential details from exemption applications

How Long Does Fulton County Keep Property Records?

Property records in Fulton County are maintained permanently. The legal requirement to preserve recorded instruments affecting title is established under Georgia law, and no recorded deed, mortgage, lien, plat, or other instrument affecting real property is subject to destruction. As the Georgia Secretary of State's records management program affirms, instruments recorded in the official real estate records constitute a permanent public archive essential to the integrity of land title in the state.

Records Kept Permanently:

All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all other conveyance types)
All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, and releases
All recorded liens and lien releases
All plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
All easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
All lis pendens notices and court documents affecting title
Powers of attorney affecting real property

These records date back to the formation of Fulton County and, in some cases, to original land grants and the territorial period.

Format and Storage:

Historical records from the early and mid-twentieth century are preserved in handwritten ledgers, typed record books, and microfilm. Records from more recent decades are maintained as scanned digital images within the Clerk's electronic document management system, with off-site backup and disaster recovery protocols in place.

Online Availability by Time Period:

Time Period	Availability
Recent (last 20+ years)	Fully online; immediate free access
Moderate age (20–50 years)	Partially online; microfilm available in person
Historical (50+ years)	In-person access; microfilm or original books
Very old (100+ years)	Archive storage; advance notice may be required

Property Appraiser (Board of Assessors) Records:

Assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls are maintained permanently. Exemption applications are retained for a period consistent with the state records retention schedule. Recent years of assessment history are available online; historical assessments are accessible at the Board of Assessors office.

Tax Commissioner Records:

Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years under standard practice. Tax certificates remain on file until redeemed or a tax deed is issued. Tax deed records are permanent. Delinquency records are maintained for several years following resolution.

Building Permit Records:

Building permits for major construction are retained permanently by the Department of Environment and Community Development. Minor permit records are retained for varying periods consistent with applicable retention schedules.

Chain of Title:

The unbroken chain of title — every recorded transfer from the original land grant to the present owner — is preserved in the official records of the Superior Court Clerk. Title searches in Georgia practice review a minimum of the preceding several decades, though a full abstract may trace ownership back to the original grant. Gaps in the chain of title create title defects that must be resolved before a clear title can be conveyed.

Digitization and Preservation:

Fulton County has undertaken ongoing digitization of historical records, making older instruments progressively available through the online portal. Climate-controlled storage, multiple digital backups, and microfilm archives ensure the long-term preservation of the permanent record.

Contact for Historical Records:

Fulton County Superior Court Clerk – Records Division 136 Pryor Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 613-5313 Fulton County Superior Court Clerk

Fulton County Board of Assessors 235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 612-6440 Fulton County Board of Assessors

How To Find Liens on Property in Fulton County?

Liens recorded against real property in Fulton County are part of the official public record maintained by the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk. Members of the public may search for liens through the online records portal or in person at the Clerk's office.

Types of Liens Recorded Against Property:

Tax liens – filed by the IRS (federal tax liens) or the Georgia Department of Revenue (state tax liens) for unpaid taxes
Judgment liens – arising from court judgments entered against a property owner
Mechanic's liens – filed by contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers for unpaid construction work or materials
HOA liens – filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments or fees
Code enforcement liens – filed by local government for unresolved code violations
Child support liens – recorded against property of obligors with unpaid support obligations

Steps to Search for Liens Online:

Navigate to the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk real estate records portal
Select the grantor/grantee name search option
Enter the property owner's name as the grantor
Filter results by document type (lien, fi. fa., notice of lien, etc.)
Review all results within the relevant date range
Click on each document to view the recorded instrument image
Note the instrument number, recording date, amount, and lienholder for each result

Steps to Search for Federal Tax Liens:

Federal tax liens filed by the IRS are recorded with the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the taxpayer resides or owns property. The same grantor/grantee search process applies. Members of the public may also search the IRS Centralized Lien Operation for confirmation of federal tax lien status.

Steps to Search for State Tax Liens:

Georgia Department of Revenue tax liens (fi. fas.) are recorded with the Superior Court Clerk and are searchable through the same online portal. The Georgia Department of Revenue maintains additional information on state tax lien procedures.

In-Person Lien Search:

Fulton County Superior Court Clerk 136 Pryor Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 613-5313 Fulton County Superior Court Clerk

Staff at the Clerk's office can assist with lien searches using the grantor/grantee index. In-person access to the full index and document images is available during regular business hours.

Lien Search Through Title Professionals:

Title companies conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process. A title search will identify all recorded liens, encumbrances, and other interests affecting the property. This is the standard practice in real estate transactions and provides the most thorough review of the lien status of a property.

Releasing a Lien:

Once a lien is satisfied, the lienholder is required to record a release or satisfaction with the Superior Court Clerk. The release is indexed under the same grantor/grantee system and becomes part of the permanent property record. Verification that a release has been recorded is accomplished through the same search process described above.

What Is Property Owner Rule in Fulton County?

The property owner rule in Fulton County refers to the legal framework governing who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership under Georgia law. Property ownership in Georgia is governed primarily by O.C.G.A. Title 44, which addresses property rights, conveyances, recording requirements, and related matters.

Who May Own Property:

Any individual, married couple, trust, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other legal entity recognized under Georgia law may hold title to real property in Fulton County. There is no residency requirement for property ownership; out-of-state individuals and foreign nationals may own real property subject to applicable federal and state regulations.

Forms of Ownership:

Sole ownership – title held by a single individual or entity
Joint tenancy with right of survivorship – two or more owners hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) automatically receive the deceased owner's interest
Tenancy in common – two or more owners hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
Tenancy by the entirety – a form of joint ownership available only to married couples under Georgia law, providing certain protections against individual creditors
Trust ownership – title held by a trustee for the benefit of named beneficiaries
Entity ownership – title held by an LLC, corporation, or other legal entity

Transfer of Ownership:

Real property in Fulton County is transferred by a written deed that must be signed by the grantor, witnessed by two witnesses, and recorded with the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk to provide constructive notice to third parties. Under O.C.G.A. § 44-2-1, an unrecorded deed is valid between the parties but does not provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers or creditors who record first without actual notice of the prior transfer.

Property Owner Rights and Obligations:

Property owners in Fulton County hold the right to use, enjoy, lease, sell, mortgage, and devise their property subject to applicable zoning regulations, deed restrictions, HOA covenants, and government regulations. Owners are obligated to pay annual property taxes assessed by the Fulton County Tax Commissioner, maintain the property in compliance with applicable building and housing codes, and comply with any recorded restrictions or easements affecting the parcel.

Homestead Exemption Rights:

Georgia law provides property owners who occupy their property as a primary residence with the right to apply for a homestead exemption, which reduces the assessed value subject to taxation. The standard homestead exemption in Georgia reduces the assessed value by $2,000 for county taxes and $2,000 for school taxes. Additional exemptions are available for seniors, disabled individuals, and veterans. Applications are filed with the Fulton County Board of Assessors.

Property Owner Protections:

Georgia law provides property owners with the right to appeal assessed valuations through the Board of Equalization or the Superior Court. Owners who believe their property has been incorrectly assessed may file a formal appeal within the statutory deadline following the issuance of the annual assessment notice. The Fulton County Board of Assessors administers the appeal process and provides information on filing procedures and deadlines.