Middletown Deed Records

Middletown deed records are maintained by the Town Clerk at 245 deKoven Drive. Connecticut does not use county recording. All land documents for Middletown property are filed only in Middletown, not at Middlesex County offices. You can search these records online through RecordHub or visit the clerk in person. The office handles deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, and maps. Land record indices date back to January 1, 1969, and document images are available from that date forward. Guest access is available for searching, but printing and viewing images requires a subscription. Online access is available 24 hours a day.

Middletown Town Clerk Office

The Middletown Town Clerk manages all deed recordings for properties located in Middletown. This office is part of Middlesex County, but it operates independently for land records. There is no county recorder in Connecticut. Each of the state's 169 towns keeps its own land records. The Middletown Town Clerk is located at 245 deKoven Drive. 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 clerk reviews each submission and either records it or rejects it with an explanation.

Address: 245 deKoven Drive, Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: (860) 638-4850
Website: middletownct.gov

The Middletown Town Clerk land records page provides information about recording procedures, fees, and online access. The image above shows this webpage, where you can find details about RecordHub and e-recording services. Middletown land record indices and document images are available from January 1, 1969, to the present.

Searching Middletown Land Records

Middletown land records can be searched online through RecordHub. This system is free to search. Guest access is available, which means you can look up names, addresses, book and page numbers, and document types without paying. The portal displays indexed information. To view or print document images, you need a subscription. Subscriptions vary in price, but most towns charge around $30 for one month or $100 to $130 for a full year.

You can also use the Connecticut Town Clerks Portal to search Middletown records. This statewide system covers more than 70 towns. Select Middletown from the list, then enter your search terms. Results appear within seconds. For certified copies, contact the Town Clerk directly. Online searches are for informational purposes. Official copies come from the clerk with a certification stamp and require payment of copy and certification fees.

The image above shows RecordHub, the online system used by Middletown for land records access. RecordHub is operated by Cott Systems and provides 24/7 access to indexed land records and document images. The system allows guest searches for free, with subscriptions required for viewing and printing full document images.

Middletown Recording Fees

As of July 1, 2025, the recording fee in Middletown 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. For MERS releases or assignments, there is no additional $5 fee. Other MERS documents pay $5 for each page beyond the first.

Additional fees apply if your document is missing required information. If the grantee's current mailing address is not on the deed, the clerk 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.

Foreclosure Filing Requirements

If you are filing a lis pendens for foreclosure in Middletown, you must also file a foreclosure registration form at the same time. This requirement took effect July 15, 2013. The registration form filing fee is $70, which is in addition to the lis pendens recording fee. Both documents must be submitted together. The town clerk will reject a lis pendens that is not accompanied by the required registration form.

This rule applies to all foreclosure filings in Middletown. If you are a lender or attorney handling a foreclosure, make sure you prepare both documents. The registration form collects information about the property and the foreclosure case. The state uses this information to track foreclosures and provide assistance to homeowners. Failure to file the registration form can delay the foreclosure process and create legal problems.

Conveyance Tax in Middletown

When property changes hands in Middletown, 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. As of July 1, 2011, Middletown's local conveyance tax rate is 0.5%. This is higher than some other Connecticut towns, which typically charge 0.25%.

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.

Document Requirements

All deeds recorded in Middletown 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.

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 Middletown and every other Connecticut town. These statutes ensure that all towns follow the same rules for accepting and recording land documents.

E-Recording Services

Middletown 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 Middletown 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 clerk before submitting a conveyance electronically. Maps and subdivision plans may also require in-person filing. The Middletown Town Clerk can tell you which documents are eligible for e-recording and which must be submitted on paper.

Types of Recorded Documents

The Middletown 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.

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.

Marketable Title in Connecticut

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. Middletown land records go back much further than 1969 in the clerk's office, but online access starts in 1969. For most transactions, a 40-year search is enough. Title companies and attorneys use this law to determine if a property has clear title.

The Connecticut Town Clerks Portal serves more than 70 towns, including Middletown. 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.

Legal Resources in Middletown

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.

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.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Middletown is located in central Connecticut along the Connecticut River. It is the largest city in Middlesex County. Portland and Cromwell are nearby towns that also maintain 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.

When researching property in the Middletown 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.