Groton Land Records Access

In Groton, all land records are kept by the Town Clerk at 45 Fort Hill Road. Connecticut does not use county recording for deeds and property documents. Each town maintains its own system. This means Groton deeds, mortgages, liens, and maps are filed only in Groton, not in New London County offices. You can search these records online through state portals or visit the Town Clerk in person. The office handles warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgage releases, easements, and subdivision plans. Online access is available 24 hours a day. Certified copies must be ordered directly from the town clerk with the appropriate fees.

Groton Town Clerk Office

The Groton Town Clerk manages all deed recordings for properties located in Groton. This office is part of New London County, but it operates independently when it comes to land records. There is no county recorder in Connecticut. Each of the state's 169 towns keeps its own land records. The Groton Town Clerk is located at 45 Fort Hill Road. Staff can help you search for documents, explain recording procedures, and answer questions about fees. You can also use electronic recording services to submit documents without visiting the office.

Office hours run Monday through Friday during standard business hours. If you plan to record a document in person, bring it before closing time. Most town clerks stop accepting land records about 15 minutes before the office closes. E-recording is available all day through approved vendors like Simplifile, CSC, and ePN. These systems let you upload your deed or mortgage, pay the fee online, and receive a recorded copy by email. The town clerk reviews each submission and either records it or rejects it with an explanation.

Address: 45 Fort Hill Road, Groton, CT 06340
Phone: (860) 441-6620
Website: groton-ct.gov

The Town of Groton website provides access to town services, including land records. The image above shows the town homepage, where you can find links to the Town Clerk and online record search tools. Groton participates in state portals that let you view indexed land records and document images around the clock.

Online Land Record Search

Groton land records can be searched through the Connecticut Town Clerks Portal. This system is free to search. You can look up names, addresses, book and page numbers, and document types. The portal displays indexed information and lets you view images of recorded documents. If you want to print or save images, you may need to purchase a subscription. Subscriptions vary in price, but most towns charge around $30 for one month or $100 to $130 for a full year.

Another option is US Land Records. This site lets you search multiple towns at once. Select Groton from the dropdown menu. You can then search by grantor name, grantee name, or document date. The results show you when deeds were recorded, who was involved, and what type of transaction occurred. For certified copies, contact the Town Clerk directly. Online searches are for informational purposes. Official copies come from the town with a certification stamp and require payment of copy and certification fees.

Recording Fees and Charges

As of July 1, 2025, the recording fee in Groton is $70 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. These fees are set by state law under Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-34a. If your document involves a nominee like MERS, the first page costs $160. The state adds a $2 fee for conveyances with consideration over $2,000. This surcharge funds the conveyance tax reporting system managed by the Department of Revenue Services.

Additional fees apply if your document is missing required information. If the grantee's current mailing address is not on the deed, the town adds $5. If names are not printed beneath signatures, you pay an extra $1. Copies of documents cost $1 per page. Certification adds $2 per document. Maps cost $20 to file, or $30 if the map shows a subdivision with three or more parcels. These fees are the same across Connecticut. Every town follows the state fee schedule.

Document Requirements

All deeds recorded in Groton must meet state formatting requirements. The document must be on white paper, either 8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14". Use black ink and a font size of at least 10 points. The grantor must sign the deed, and their name must be printed beneath the signature. The grantee's current mailing address must appear somewhere on the deed. Two witnesses must attest to the grantor's signature, and a notary must acknowledge it. The notary can serve as one of the two witnesses.

These rules come from Connecticut General Statutes Title 47, which governs land records statewide. Section 47-10 requires all conveyances to be recorded in the town where the land is located. Section 47-5 and 47-36c set out the requirements for proper execution and acknowledgment. If your document does not meet these standards, the town clerk will reject it. You must fix the problems and resubmit. This can delay your closing or refinancing, so prepare documents correctly the first time.

The image above displays Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 92, which covers town clerk duties and fees. Section 7-34a lists the recording fees that apply in Groton and every other Connecticut town. These statutes ensure that all towns follow the same rules for accepting and recording land documents.

Conveyance Tax in Groton

When property changes hands in Groton, both state and local conveyance taxes apply. The state rate is 0.75% on the first $800,000 of a residential sale and 1.25% on the amount over $800,000. Non-residential property is taxed at 1.25% on the full sale price. Groton also imposes a local conveyance tax. The local rate varies by town, but it is typically 0.25%. Check with the town clerk for the current local rate.

You report these taxes using Form OP-236, the Connecticut Real Estate Conveyance Tax Return. This form must be filed electronically through the Department of Revenue Services. The town clerk forwards a copy to the state within 10 days of recording. If your transaction involves more than two grantors, attach Schedule A. Multiple grantees or an entity grantee require Schedule B. Some transfers are exempt from conveyance tax, including gifts between family members and certain trust transfers. Read the form instructions or consult an attorney if you are unsure whether your transfer is taxable.

E-Recording in Groton

Groton accepts electronic recordings through four approved vendors. Simplifile is one of the most widely used. You set up an account, upload your document, and pay the recording fee plus a small vendor fee. The system submits the document to the Groton Town Clerk. The clerk reviews it and either records it or sends it back with a rejection notice. If recorded, you receive a digital copy with the official stamp and book-page reference.

The image above shows Simplifile, an e-recording vendor approved by Connecticut towns. E-recording saves time and money. You do not need to travel to the town clerk or wait in line. Other approved vendors include Corporation Service Company (CSC), eRecording Partners Network (ePN), and Indecomm. Each vendor works the same way. You upload the document, pay the fee, and receive a recorded copy electronically.

E-recording works for most land documents, including deeds, mortgages, releases, and assignments. Some transactions that require Form OP-236 may need to be filed in person. Check with your vendor or the town clerk before submitting a conveyance electronically. Maps and subdivision plans may also require in-person filing. The Groton Town Clerk can tell you which documents are eligible for e-recording and which must be submitted on paper.

Types of Recorded Documents

The Groton Town Clerk records all documents that affect title to real estate. This includes warranty deeds, which provide full protection to the buyer, and quitclaim deeds, which transfer only the interest the grantor has. Mortgages are recorded when you borrow money to buy a house. When the loan is paid off, a release or discharge of mortgage is filed. Liens from contractors, tax authorities, and judgment creditors are also recorded. These liens attach to the property and must be satisfied before you can sell.

Other documents include easements, which grant rights to use land for specific purposes like utilities or access roads. Affidavits of title clarify ownership when there is a name change or an error in a prior deed. Condominium documents, including master deeds and association bylaws, are filed when a new condo development is created. Maps and subdivision plans show how land is divided into lots. All of these records are public. Anyone can search them and request copies.

Marketable Record Title Act

Connecticut law requires title searches to go back 40 years. This rule is part of the Marketable Record Title Act, found in CGS Title 47. If you can show an unbroken chain of ownership for 40 years, you have marketable title. The root of title must be a document recorded at least 40 years ago. Claims or defects that arose before the root of title are extinguished unless they were re-recorded or fall under an exception.

This law simplifies title searches. Instead of going back to the original land grant, you only need to check 40 years of records. Groton land records go back much further, but for most transactions, a 40-year search is enough. Title companies and attorneys use this law to determine if a property has clear title. Certain interests, like easements and mineral rights, may survive even if they are older than 40 years. Always consult a title professional if you have questions about a specific property.

The Connecticut Town Clerks Portal serves more than 70 towns, including Groton. This portal is open 24 hours a day and lets you search land record indexes and view document images. The image above shows the portal homepage. You select the town you want to search, then enter a name, date, or document type. The system displays results within seconds. Subscriptions are available if you need to print or save images.

Legal Assistance and Resources

If you need legal advice about deed records, hire an attorney. The town clerk cannot give legal advice or tell you which type of deed to use. An attorney can prepare deeds, review title, and handle complex transactions. The Connecticut Secretary of the State provides business services and notary information, but does not offer legal referrals. The Connecticut Bar Association may help you find a real estate attorney in the Groton area.

Legal aid organizations serve low-income residents who cannot afford private attorneys. Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut offers help with housing issues, which sometimes involve deed questions. Their services are free for those who qualify. You can find contact information on the Connecticut Judicial Branch website. The judicial branch also provides self-help resources and court forms for people representing themselves in legal matters.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Groton is located in southeastern Connecticut, near the coast. New London is just across the Thames River and maintains its own land records at the New London City Clerk. Norwich is to the north and also has independent land records. Each town has its own clerk, its own online system, and its own office hours. If you own property in multiple towns, you must search each town separately. Connecticut does not have a statewide database that combines all land records.

When researching property in the Groton area, make sure you know which town the land is in. Addresses can be misleading, especially near town borders. Check the property tax bill or ask the seller to confirm the town name. Recording a deed in the wrong town can delay closing and create title problems that are expensive to fix. Groton town boundaries are clearly defined, but confusion can arise near military installations like the Naval Submarine Base or near the border with Ledyard and Waterford.