Danbury Land Records

Danbury maintains extensive land records through the Town Clerk at 155 Deer Hill Avenue. This office has completed a major backfile scanning project, adding 66 years of electronic records to the system. That includes 476 books with over 384,000 pages of deeds, mortgages, and other land documents. Each year, the clerk processes about 18,390 new land record filings. All these documents are indexed and available for public search. You can view records online through the RecordHub platform or visit the office in person. The clerk is open from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. Whether you need to record a new deed or research ownership history, this office handles all land transactions in Danbury.

Online Land Records Access

Danbury uses RecordHub to host its land records online. This system can be accessed through the city website. You can search by name, date, or book and page number. The database includes records going back 66 years. Images of actual documents are viewable once you find the right entry. The clerk updates the system daily as new filings come in.

The online portal is free to search. You do not need to create an account for basic lookups. If you want to print or save documents, there may be a subscription fee. Guest access lets you view the index and see basic information about each filing. For full document images, check the subscription options. This is a helpful tool for title searches, research, or checking on property liens.

Visit the Danbury Town Clerk website for detailed instructions on using the online system. The site also lists office hours, fees, and contact information. If you have trouble finding a record, call the office at (203) 797-4521. Staff can assist you with searches but cannot provide legal advice.

Recording Fees and Requirements

Danbury follows Connecticut law for recording fees. The standard fee is $70 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. If the document involves a MERS nominee, the first page costs $160. This applies to assignments and releases as well. Copies cost $1 per page, and certification adds $2 per document. Maps cost $20 to file, or $30 for subdivision maps with three or more parcels.

Before you record a deed, make sure it meets all legal standards. The document must be signed by the grantor and notarized. Two witnesses should also sign. Names must be typed or printed beneath each signature. The grantee's current mailing address must appear on the deed. If it is missing, you pay an extra $5. Use black ink and white paper in standard size. These rules come from Connecticut General Statutes Title 47.

When property is sold, the deed must be accompanied by Form OP-236. This form calculates the state and local conveyance tax. Danbury has a local conveyance tax rate of 0.0025. The state rate is 0.75% on the first $800,000 of a residential sale and 1.25% on amounts above that. The clerk collects the tax and forwards it to the Department of Revenue Services. Without this form, the clerk cannot record the deed.

Types of Documents Filed

The Town Clerk records many types of land documents. Warranty deeds are the most common for property sales. The seller promises that the title is clear and will defend it if challenged. Quitclaim deeds transfer whatever interest the grantor has, with no guarantees. These are often used between family members or to fix title problems. 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 be filed by contractors, tax authorities, or through court judgments. A lien stays on the property until it is paid and released. Easements grant someone the right to use part of the land, such as for access or utilities. Condominium documents and subdivision maps are also recorded. All of these are public records and can be searched by anyone.

E-Recording Services

Danbury accepts electronic recording through several approved vendors. These include Simplifile, CSC, ePN, and Indecomm. E-recording allows you to submit documents online without visiting the office. This is faster and more convenient, especially for attorneys and title companies. You must register with one of the approved vendors to use this service.

Once a document is submitted electronically, the clerk reviews it for completeness. If everything is in order, the document is recorded and stamped. The recorded copy is sent back to you electronically. This process usually happens the same day if submitted during business hours. E-recording is available for most types of land documents, including deeds, mortgages, and releases.

Conveyance Tax Details

Connecticut law requires a conveyance tax on most property sales. The state rate for residential property is 0.75% on the first $800,000 and 1.25% on amounts above that. Non-residential property is taxed at 1.25% on the full amount. Danbury also collects a local conveyance tax at a rate of 0.0025. These taxes are paid by the seller at closing.

Form OP-236 is used to calculate and report the tax. The form must be submitted in duplicate: one copy for the town and one for the state. The town clerk forwards the state's copy to the Department of Revenue Services within ten days. If there are multiple grantors, attach Schedule A. If there is more than one grantee or the grantee is a business, attach Schedule B. These forms are available on the DRS website.

Legal Framework for Land Records

Connecticut General Statutes Title 47 governs land records and conveyances. Section 47-10 states that no conveyance is valid against third parties unless it is recorded in the town where the land is located. This means recording your deed protects your ownership from later claims. The law also requires that deeds be signed, notarized, and witnessed. These formalities help prevent fraud.

The Marketable Record Title Act, found in CGS 47-33b through 47-33l, establishes that a 40-year chain of title is sufficient for marketable title. This law helps clear old defects and claims. If a property has an unbroken chain of title for 40 years, earlier issues are extinguished. This makes it easier to sell property without extensive title searches. The act applies to most types of land in Connecticut.

CGS Title 7 sets the duties and fees of town clerks. Section 7-34a lists the standard recording fees. It also allows for electronic recording if the town clerk chooses to accept it. Danbury has opted in to e-recording, which makes the process faster. The law imposes penalties for documents that do not meet formatting requirements.

Historical Records and Backfile Project

Danbury recently completed a major backfile scanning project. This effort digitized 66 years of land records, adding 476 books and over 384,000 pages to the online system. Before this project, only 30 years of records were available online. Now you can search much further back in history. This is a valuable resource for title searches, historical research, and property disputes.

Older records are kept in bound volumes at the clerk's office. Some of these have been scanned and placed online. Others must be viewed in person. If you are researching your home's history, start with the online index. It may point you to the right book and page. If the image is not online, visit the clerk's office during business hours. Staff can retrieve the volume for you.

Property Fraud Prevention

Property fraud is a growing concern. Criminals may file false deeds to steal ownership of homes. To protect yourself, monitor your property records regularly. You can do this through the online portal or by visiting the clerk's office. If you see a document you did not authorize, contact the clerk and the police immediately. You may need an attorney to file a corrective deed or take court action.

Some towns offer fraud alert services that send emails when a document is recorded under your name. Check with the Danbury Town Clerk to see if this service is available. Keep copies of all your property documents in a safe place. This makes it easier to prove ownership if a problem arises.

Nearby Cities and County Resources

Danbury is part of Fairfield County. In Connecticut, there is no county-level recording of land records. Each town keeps its own files. Nearby cities include Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford. If you own property in multiple towns, you must record deeds in each one separately. Fairfield and Newtown also have land records offices with online access.

For statewide resources, visit the Connecticut Town Clerks Portal. Over 70 towns participate in this system, which allows you to search across multiple locations. You can also use US Land Records for multi-town searches. The Connecticut Secretary of the State provides information on notaries and business filings.

Contact Information

The Danbury Town Clerk is located at 155 Deer Hill Avenue. For general questions, call (203) 797-4521. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. You can record documents in person or by mail. E-recording is also available through approved vendors. The clerk processes land records in the order received. Most filings are completed the same day if submitted before closing.

The clerk cannot give legal advice or prepare documents for you. If you need help drafting a deed, consult a real estate attorney. For questions about property taxes or assessments, contact the Tax Assessor's office. For zoning or building permits, contact the Planning Department.