New Britain Land Records
The Town Clerk in New Britain holds all deed records for property in city limits. Records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases. Each document gets indexed by grantor and grantee name. The office has been recording documents since 1850. Images and indexes for these old records are now available online through the statewide portal. When you need to search New Britain deed records, you can do so from home or visit the office in person. All land transfers must be recorded here to be valid against third parties. The clerk's office is located at 27 West Main Street, Room 109. Staff can help you find specific documents if you know the parties involved or have a property address.
New Britain Quick Facts
Hartford County Land Records System
New Britain keeps its own land records separate from other towns. Connecticut has no county recorder. All 29 towns in Hartford County maintain independent systems. If property sits in New Britain, the deed must be filed with the New Britain Town Clerk. If it sits in West Hartford or Bristol, you go to those town clerks instead.
This system has been in place since colonial times. Each town has control over its records. The state does not maintain a central database. To search across multiple towns, you must check each one individually or use a service that aggregates records from participating towns.
Online Access to New Britain Records
New Britain joined the Connecticut Town Clerks Portal in 2014. This portal offers 24/7 access to land record indexes and images. You can search by name, date, or document type. The system shows scanned copies of recorded deeds dating back to 1850. That includes 476 books with 384,135 pages.
The portal is subscription based. Viewing is free but printing requires payment. The town clerk office gets no cost access through this arrangement. The vendor hosts and maintains the system. New Britain records about 18,390 land documents each year. All new recordings appear online within one business day.
You can also access New Britain records through RecordHub, operated by Cott Systems. This platform provides similar search functions and may have different subscription rates.
Recording Fees in New Britain
The fee to record a deed is $70 for the first page. Each additional page costs five dollars. These fees went into effect July 1, 2025 under Public Act 25-168. Nominee documents like MERS assignments have a flat $160 fee. Other MERS documents cost $160 for the first page and five dollars per additional page.
Copies cost one dollar per page. Certifying a document adds two dollars. If your deed lacks a grantee address, the clerk adds five dollars. Names must be typed under signatures or pay one dollar extra. A two dollar surcharge applies when the property sells for more than $2,000.
Maps cost $20 to file. Subdivision maps with three or more parcels cost $30. These fees cover the clerk's time to review, index, and preserve the documents.
Document Requirements for Recording
To record a deed in New Britain, the document must meet state standards. It must be in writing and signed by the grantor. A notary must acknowledge the signature. Two witnesses must attest, and the notary can serve as one witness. All names must be printed or typed beneath signatures.
The deed must include the grantee's current mailing address. Use black ink and at least ten point font. Paper must be white, either 8.5 by 11 inches or 8.5 by 14 inches. These requirements appear in Connecticut General Statutes Title 47, which governs land records statewide.
Any transfer with a sale price over $2,000 needs Form OP-236, the Real Estate Conveyance Tax Return. This form calculates state and local taxes due on the transfer. Submit it with the deed and payment.
Recording Hours and Walk-In Service
Walk-in recordings must be processed at least 15 minutes before closing. The office is open Monday through Friday. Call (860) 826-3347 or (860) 826-3349 to verify hours before visiting. Electronic recordings are accepted from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM on business days only.
When you arrive, bring the original document and any required forms. Staff will review it for completeness. If approved, they stamp it with the date and time. You get a receipt with the book and page number. The document becomes part of the permanent record.
Electronic Recording in New Britain
New Britain accepts electronic recording through Cott Systems and approved vendors. These include Simplifile, Corporation Service Company, eRecording Partners Network, and Indecomm. Attorneys and title companies can upload documents directly from their offices.
The system checks documents for formatting and required elements. If something is missing, the system rejects it with an explanation. Once accepted, the clerk processes the recording. You receive confirmation and the official book and page reference electronically. This process is faster than mailing or delivering documents in person.
What Records Are Available
The New Britain Town Clerk maintains several types of land records:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgage deeds and assignments
- Releases and discharges of mortgages
- Liens from mechanics, tax authorities, and courts
- Easements and rights of way
- Subdivision maps and surveys
- Foreclosure documents and lis pendens
All of these documents are indexed by name. You can search by the person giving or receiving an interest in property. The index shows the date recorded, type of document, and volume and page number. From there you can view the actual recorded image.
Conveyance Tax in New Britain
The state of Connecticut charges a conveyance tax on real estate transfers. For homes up to $800,000, the rate is 0.75 percent. Amounts over that threshold pay 1.25 percent on the excess. Commercial property pays 1.25 percent on the full price. New Britain may also charge a local conveyance tax. Contact the town clerk at (860) 826-3347 to confirm the current local rate.
Conveyance taxes must be paid when you record a deed. The Department of Revenue Services collects the money through the town clerk. Form OP-236 calculates the amount. The town clerk forwards your payment to DRS within ten days of recording.
Title Searches and the 40-Year Rule
Connecticut's Marketable Record Title Act requires a 40-year chain of title. Attorneys and title companies search back four decades to establish the root of title. Any claims or defects older than 40 years are extinguished under CGS Sec. 47-33b through 47-33l. This makes it easier to prove clear ownership.
A title search reviews all recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments affecting the property. The goal is to find any claims that could affect your ownership. Lenders require clean title before issuing a mortgage. Title insurance protects buyers and lenders if a problem is discovered later.
Note: Recording your deed protects you against later buyers or creditors who claim an interest in the property.
Accessing Historical Records
New Britain's backfile project scanned 476 books with over 384,000 pages. These records now go back 66 years online. Older documents from 1850 forward are also in the system. If you need a deed from the 1800s or early 1900s, you can search the portal or contact the clerk's office for assistance.
Historical records help with genealogy, property disputes, and title issues. Researchers and historians also use these documents to study land use and development patterns over time.
Related Services and Resources
The New Britain Town Clerk also handles:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage)
- Trade name registrations
- Notary public commissions
- Military discharge records
- Dog licenses
For property assessment and tax information, contact the New Britain Assessor's Office. For court records involving property disputes or foreclosures, check with the Connecticut Judicial Branch. Superior Court handles real estate litigation and foreclosure proceedings.
Nearby Hartford County Cities
Other Hartford County cities with land records offices include:
Each town operates independently. You cannot search New Britain records at the Hartford clerk's office. Go to the town where the property sits to find the correct records.