Newington Deed Records Search
Newington's Town Clerk records all land documents for property in town. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, and easements. The office is located at 200 Garfield Street. All transfers affecting Newington property must be filed here to protect ownership rights. Connecticut does not use county recording, so each town maintains its own system. Newington participates in the statewide online portal, which provides 24/7 access to land record indexes and images. You can search by name, date, or document type from any computer. Printing online costs one dollar per page as set by state law. The clerk's office also offers in-person searches and can provide certified copies when needed for legal or financial purposes.
Newington Quick Facts
Hartford County Recording Structure
Newington keeps land records at the town level. Hartford County has 29 towns, each with independent recording systems. There is no county recorder. If property sits in Newington, you file with the Newington Town Clerk. Property in Hartford goes to the Hartford clerk. Property in West Hartford goes to the West Hartford clerk.
This decentralized system dates to colonial times. Towns were the primary government units. The state never created county recorders. Today, each town maintains its own vault, indexes, and online access. You must know which town contains your property to find the correct records.
Online Land Records Portal
Newington uses the Connecticut Town Clerks Portal for online access. This statewide system covers over 70 towns. You can search land records by name, date, or document type. The portal shows indexes and scanned images of recorded documents. Access is available 24/7 from any location.
Searching the portal is free. Printing costs one dollar per page as defined by Connecticut General Statutes. This fee applies whether you print online or in the office. The portal includes recent recordings and older documents that have been digitized. If you need a document not yet online, contact the town clerk.
Recording Fees in Newington
Recording a deed in Newington 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. Other MERS documents cost $160 for the first page and five dollars for each extra page.
Missing a grantee address adds five dollars. Names not typed under signatures cost one dollar more. A two dollar surcharge applies when the transfer value tops $2,000. Copies cost one dollar per page. Certified copies add two dollars per document. Map filings cost $20 for standard maps and $30 for subdivision maps with three or more parcels.
Document Requirements
Connecticut law sets strict requirements for recording. A deed 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 printed or typed names beneath them.
The deed must include the grantee's current mailing address. Use black ink only. Font must be at least ten points. Paper must be white, either letter or legal size. These standards appear in Connecticut General Statutes Title 47.
Any deed with consideration over $2,000 requires Form OP-236, the Real Estate Conveyance Tax Return. Submit this form with the deed. The clerk cannot record a taxable transfer without the proper tax forms.
In-Person Recording
You can record documents in person at the Newington Town Clerk office at 200 Garfield Street. Call (860) 665-3030 to verify hours before visiting. Bring your original document and any required forms. Staff will review the document for completeness and proper notarization.
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 filed. The town keeps the original. You take home a copy.
Electronic Recording
Newington accepts electronic recording through approved vendors. These include Simplifile, Corporation Service Company, eRecording Partners Network, and Indecomm Global Services. Attorneys and title companies can submit documents from their offices without visiting the clerk.
The e-recording system validates documents before submission. If something is missing, you get immediate feedback. Once approved, the clerk processes the document during business hours. You receive electronic confirmation with the book and page number. This speeds up closings and refinancing.
Types of Land Records
The Newington Town Clerk records several types of documents:
- Warranty deeds conveying full ownership
- Quitclaim deeds releasing any interest
- Mortgage deeds securing loans with property
- Releases of mortgages when loans are paid
- Liens from contractors, tax authorities, or courts
- Easements granting rights of way
- Maps and surveys showing boundaries
All documents are indexed by grantor and grantee name. You can search by the person giving or receiving an interest. The index shows the recording date, document type, and book and page number. From there you can view the full document.
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. Newington may also charge a local conveyance tax. Contact the town clerk at (860) 665-3030 for the current local rate.
The Department of Revenue Services collects these taxes. 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.
Title Searches and Chain of Title
Connecticut's Marketable Record Title Act requires a 40-year chain of title. This law appears in CGS Sec. 47-33b through 47-33l. Title searchers look back four decades to find the root of title. Any defects or claims older than 40 years are extinguished. This makes it easier to establish clear ownership.
Title companies and attorneys perform these searches before sales. They review all deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments affecting the property. The goal is to find issues that could affect ownership. Lenders require clean title before approving loans. Title insurance protects buyers if hidden problems emerge later.
Note: Recording your deed gives public notice and protects you against later buyers or creditors.
Additional Town Clerk Services
The Newington 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 Newington Tax Assessor. For building permits and zoning, check with the town's Building Department. For court cases involving property, search at the Connecticut Judicial Branch.
Nearby Hartford County Towns
Other Hartford County towns with land records offices:
Each town operates independently. You cannot search New Britain deeds at the Newington clerk's office. Always go to the town where the property is located.