New Milford Land Records

The Town Clerk in New Milford records all deeds and land documents for property within town boundaries. The office is at 10 Main Street. Staff maintains indexes and images going back many years. Every deed, mortgage, lien, or release affecting New Milford property must be filed here. Connecticut does not have county recording, so each town keeps its own records. New Milford uses the RecordHub system for online access. You can search from home or visit the office. Most buyers and sellers work with attorneys who handle the recording process. The clerk reviews each document for proper form and notarization. Once recorded, the document becomes part of the permanent public record and protects your ownership rights against later claims.

Litchfield County Land Records System

New Milford keeps its own land records separate from other towns. Litchfield County has 26 towns, each with independent recording systems. There is no county recorder or central office. If property sits in New Milford, you file with the New Milford Town Clerk. Property in Torrington goes to the Torrington clerk. Property in Litchfield goes to the Litchfield clerk.

This system has been in place for centuries. Towns were the original unit of government in Connecticut. The state never established county recorders. Today, each town operates its own vault and maintains its own indexes. Some towns share online platforms, but the records themselves remain local.

Online Access Through RecordHub

New Milford provides online access through RecordHub, operated by Cott Systems. This platform lets you search land records by name, date, or document type. The system shows indexes and scanned images of recorded documents. You can search for free, but printing and saving images requires a subscription.

RecordHub is available 24/7. You can search from home or any computer with internet access. The system includes recent recordings and older documents that have been scanned. If you need a document that is not yet online, contact the town clerk office for assistance.

You can also search through the US Land Records portal. This site covers multiple Connecticut towns. Select New Milford from the list to view records specific to the town.

Recording Fees in New Milford

Recording a deed costs $70 for the first page. Each additional page adds five dollars. These fees took effect July 1, 2025 under state law. Nominee documents like MERS assignments have a flat $160 fee for the first page. Other MERS documents cost $160 for the first page and five dollars for each additional page.

If the deed lacks a grantee address, add five dollars. Names not printed under signatures cost one dollar extra. A two dollar surcharge applies when the transfer value exceeds $2,000. Copies cost one dollar per page. Certified copies add two dollars per document.

Map filings cost $20 for standard maps. Subdivision maps with three or more parcels cost $30. These fees support the clerk's operations and help preserve historical records.

Document Requirements

To record a deed in New Milford, the document must meet state standards. It must be in writing and signed by the grantor. A notary public must acknowledge the signature. Two witnesses must attest, with the notary counting as one. All signatures need typed or printed names beneath them.

The deed must include the grantee's current mailing address. Use black ink and at least ten point font. Paper must be white, either letter or legal size. These rules come from Connecticut General Statutes Title 47, which governs land records throughout the state.

Any deed transferring property for more than $2,000 requires Form OP-236, the Real Estate Conveyance Tax Return. This form must accompany the deed at recording. Without it, the clerk cannot process the transfer.

In-Person Recording

You can record a deed in person at the New Milford Town Clerk office. The address is 10 Main Street. Call (860) 355-6065 to verify hours before visiting. Bring the original document and any required forms. Staff will review the document for completeness.

If approved, the clerk stamps the document with the recording date and time. The document receives a book and page number. This creates the official record. You get a receipt showing when and where your document was recorded. The original is kept by the town. You take home a copy for your records.

Electronic Recording

New Milford accepts electronic recording through approved vendors. These include Simplifile, Corporation Service Company, eRecording Partners Network, and Indecomm Global Services. Attorneys and title companies use these services to submit documents without visiting the clerk's office.

The e-recording system validates documents before submission. If something is missing or incorrect, the system alerts you. Once validated, the clerk processes the document during business hours. You receive confirmation electronically with the book and page number. This speeds up closings and loan transactions.

Types of Land Records

The New Milford Town Clerk records several types of documents:

• Warranty deeds transferring full ownership
• Quitclaim deeds releasing any claim to property
• Mortgage deeds securing loans with real estate
• Releases of mortgages when loans are paid
• Liens from contractors, tax authorities, or courts
• Easements granting rights of way
• Subdivision maps and land surveys

All documents are indexed by the names of parties involved. You can search by grantor (seller) or grantee (buyer). The index shows the recording date, document type, and book and page number. From there you can view the full text and images.

Conveyance Tax

Connecticut charges a state conveyance tax on property sales. For residential property up to $800,000, the rate is 0.75 percent. Amounts over $800,000 pay 1.25 percent on the excess. Non-residential property pays 1.25 percent on the full amount. New Milford may also charge a local conveyance tax. Contact the town clerk at (860) 355-6065 for the current local rate.

The Department of Revenue Services collects conveyance taxes through the town clerk. Form OP-236 calculates what you owe. Submit the form with payment when recording the deed. The clerk forwards your payment to DRS within ten days. Taxable transfers cannot be recorded without this form.

Title Searches and the 40-Year Rule

Connecticut law requires a 40-year chain of title under the Marketable Record Title Act. This law appears in CGS Sec. 47-33b through 47-33l. Title searchers look back four decades to establish the root of title. Any defects or claims older than 40 years are extinguished. This simplifies proving clear ownership.

Title companies and attorneys perform these searches before property sales. They review all deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments affecting the property. The goal is to find any issues that could affect ownership. Lenders require clean title before approving mortgages. Title insurance protects buyers if problems emerge later.

Note: Recording your deed protects your interest against later buyers or creditors who claim rights to the property.

Accessing Historical Records

New Milford land records go back many decades. Older documents may be in bound volumes stored in the town vault. The RecordHub system includes scanned images of many historical records. If you need a very old deed, contact the town clerk for assistance. Staff can help locate documents from the archives.

Historical records are useful for genealogy, property research, and resolving title issues. They show how property changed hands over time and reveal past uses of the land.

Related Services and Resources

The New Milford Town Clerk also handles:

• Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
• Dog licenses
• Trade name registrations
• Notary public commissions
• Military discharge records

For property tax information, contact the New Milford Tax Assessor. For zoning and building permits, check with the town's Land Use office. For court cases involving property, search at the Connecticut Judicial Branch.

Litchfield County Property Information

Litchfield County has diverse property types and values. The median home value is around $385,000. The median rent is $1,727 per month. Median household income is $84,978. The property tax rate averages 2.91 percent. These figures vary by town. New Milford has its own assessment and tax structure.

For more information about property in the county, contact the individual town offices. There is no county assessor or central property database.

Nearby Litchfield County Towns

Other towns in Litchfield County with land records offices include Torrington. Each town keeps separate records. You must visit the clerk in the town where the property is located. There is no central office for Litchfield County.