Branford Land Records

Branford maintains land records and deed documents through the Town Clerk's office on Main Street. Each deed filed here shows who owns land in town. When people buy or sell homes, the clerk files these records. This helps everyone know who holds title to any plot of land. You can search these files to find past sales or check on liens. The office keeps books from many years back. Maps and surveys also get stored with the deeds. Most records now sit online so you can view them from home. The town uses Cott Systems to host the data. Anyone can look up a deed free of charge. If you need a copy, there is a small fee per page.

Town Clerk Land Records Office

The Town Clerk sits at 1019 Main Street in the heart of Branford. Staff here handle all land transactions for the town. This includes warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and mortgage documents. Each paper that affects land title must be filed here. The office opens during regular business hours on weekdays. You can walk in to view records or make copies. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can show you how to search. If you plan to record a new deed, bring it in person or mail it to the clerk. E-recording is also available through approved vendors like Simplifile and CSC.

Recording fees follow state law. The first page costs $70 and each extra page is $5. If the deed has a MERS nominee, the fee jumps to $160 for that first page. When a property sells, the grantor must file Form OP-236 with the deed. This form calculates the state conveyance tax. The town also charges its own transfer tax on sales. Make sure all signatures have names typed beneath them. If the grantee address is missing, you pay an extra $5. Documents should use black ink and be on white paper.

Branford has placed many of its land records online through the town website. You can search by name, date, or book and page number. The index goes back many years. Images of actual deeds are viewable once you find the right entry. This service is free to search, though printing may cost a fee. The clerk updates the online database daily as new documents get recorded.

Online Access to Branford Records

Branford uses Cott Systems to host its land records database. This platform lets you search from any computer. You do not need to visit the office in person. The system shows both an index and images of documents. To start, go to the town clerk page and click the land records link. From there, you can pick different search options. Name searches work well if you know the buyer or seller. If you have a book and page number, use that field instead.

The Branford land records portal provides detailed instructions on how to navigate the database. Once you locate a document, you can view it on screen. If you need a certified copy, contact the clerk's office. They will print it and add the official seal for a small fee. This copy can be used in court or for title work. Guest access is free for searching and viewing. Subscription services may offer additional features like printing or saving documents.

Connecticut Statewide Resources

In Connecticut, there is no county recording of land records. Each town keeps its own files. Branford is part of a statewide initiative to make records more accessible. The Connecticut Town Clerks Portal offers access to multiple towns in one place. Over 70 towns participate. You can search across towns if you are not sure where land is located. This portal uses subscription pricing but viewing is often free.

Another resource is US Land Records, which covers many Connecticut towns. You pick Branford from a list and then search the index. Images may be available depending on the town's participation. This service also requires registration. For legal questions about deeds or titles, consult an attorney. The Town Clerk cannot provide legal advice or interpret documents.

Recording New Documents

If you need to record a new deed or mortgage, prepare the document carefully. It must be signed by the grantor and notarized. Two witnesses should also sign. Make sure the grantee's current address appears on the form. Use at least 10-point font and black ink. White paper sized 8.5 by 11 inches is required. Documents that do not meet these rules may be rejected.

You can deliver the deed in person to the Town Clerk at 1019 Main Street. The clerk will check it for completeness. If everything is in order, they will assign a book and page number and record it. You can also mail the deed with a check for the recording fee. E-recording is available through vendors like Simplifile and ePN. These services let you submit documents online, which speeds up the process. However, transactions that require Form OP-236 cannot be e-recorded. You must file those in person or by mail.

The Town Clerk processes documents in the order received. Most filings are completed the same day if submitted before closing. Documents received after hours are held until the next business day. Once recorded, the deed is returned to the grantee along with a receipt. The recording fee is non-refundable even if there is a mistake on the document. Always double-check your work before submission.

Understanding Deed Types

Branford records several types of deeds. A warranty deed promises that the seller has clear title and will defend it. This is the most common type for home sales. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor has, with no promises. It is often used between family members or to clear up title issues. Mortgage deeds create a lien on the property to secure a loan. When the loan is paid off, a release of mortgage is recorded.

Liens can also be filed against property. These may come from unpaid taxes, contractor work, or court judgments. A lien stays on record until it is paid and released. Easements grant someone the right to use part of the land, such as a driveway or utility path. All of these documents are kept in the land records. You can search for any of them using the online system or by visiting the clerk's office.

Historical Records and Maps

Branford's land records date back many decades. Older documents are kept in bound volumes stored at the clerk's office. Some of these books have been scanned and placed online. Maps and surveys are also part of the land records system. When someone divides land or creates a new subdivision, a map must be filed. The fee for filing a map is $20. If the subdivision has three or more parcels, the fee is $30.

Historical maps can show how the town developed over time. They also help identify property boundaries. If you are researching your home's history, these maps are a valuable resource. The clerk's office can help you locate the right book or map. Certified copies of maps are available for a fee. These are often needed for construction projects or zoning applications.

Legal Framework and Statutes

Connecticut General Statutes govern land records. CGS Title 47 covers deeds and how they are recorded. Section 47-10 states that no conveyance is valid against third parties unless recorded in the town where the land is located. This means recording protects your ownership from later claims. The Marketable Record Title Act requires a 40-year chain of title to establish clear ownership.

CGS Title 7 sets the fees and duties of town clerks. Section 7-34a lists the standard recording fees. As of July 1, 2025, these fees are $70 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. Public Act 25-168 updated these amounts. The law also requires grantee addresses and printed names under signatures. Failure to include these can result in extra charges or rejection of the document.

Conveyance Tax and Form OP-236

When property is sold, the state and town collect a conveyance tax. The seller pays this tax at closing. Form OP-236 calculates the amount owed. The form must be filed with the deed at the Town Clerk's office. The clerk forwards the tax payment to the Department of Revenue Services within ten days. The state tax rate is 0.75% on residential sales up to $800,000. Sales over that amount pay 1.25% on the excess. Branford also has a local conveyance tax rate set by town ordinance.

If the sale involves multiple grantors or grantees, you may need to attach schedules to Form OP-236. Schedule A lists all grantors if there are more than two. Schedule B lists all grantees if there is more than one or if the grantee is a business entity. These forms are available on the Department of Revenue Services website. The form must be completed accurately to avoid delays in recording.

Nearby Towns and Resources

Branford is located in New Haven County along with many other towns. Nearby cities include East Haven to the west and New Haven to the northwest. Each of these towns has its own Town Clerk and land records system. If you own property in multiple towns, you must record deeds in each location separately. Milford is also close by and uses a similar online system for land records.

For statewide information, visit the Connecticut Secretary of the State website. They oversee notaries and provide resources for document authentication. The Connecticut Judicial Branch handles court records, which may include foreclosure filings or property disputes. If you need legal assistance, contact a local real estate attorney.