Norwich Deed Records

Norwich maintains all land records at the Town Clerk office located at 100 Broadway. Every deed, mortgage, lien, or other document affecting property in Norwich must be filed here. Connecticut does not use county recording, so each town keeps independent records. The clerk indexes all documents by grantor and grantee name. You can search online through the statewide portal or visit the office in person. Norwich records date back many decades. Older documents may be in bound volumes. Recent filings are available as digital images. Recording your deed protects your ownership against later claims. Call (860) 823-3732 for office hours and services. The clerk reviews each document for proper notarization and formatting before accepting it for the permanent record.

New London County Recording Structure

Norwich records land documents at the town level. New London County has 22 towns, each with independent systems. There is no county recorder. If property sits in Norwich, you file with the Norwich Town Clerk. Property in New London goes to the New London clerk. Property in Groton goes to the Groton clerk.

This decentralized structure dates to colonial times. Towns were the primary units of government in Connecticut. 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 Search

Norwich participates in the Connecticut Town Clerks Portal. This statewide system offers 24/7 access to land record indexes and images. You can search by name, date, or document type. The portal shows scanned copies of recorded documents. Over 70 Connecticut towns participate in this system.

Searching the portal is free. Viewing and printing require a subscription. Costs vary by vendor and level of access. The portal includes recent recordings and older documents that have been digitized. If you need a document not yet online, contact the town clerk at (860) 823-3732.

You can also search through US Land Records, which provides multi-town searching across Connecticut. Select Norwich from the list to view records specific to the city.

Recording Fees in Norwich

The standard recording fee is $70 for the first page. Each additional page costs five dollars. These fees went into effect July 1, 2025 under state law. Nominee documents like MERS have a flat $160 fee for the first page. Other MERS documents cost $160 for page one and five dollars for each extra page.

Missing a grantee address adds five dollars. Names not printed under signatures cost one dollar extra. A two dollar surcharge applies when consideration exceeds $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

A deed must meet specific standards to be recorded in Norwich. 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.

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. Without it, the clerk cannot record the transfer.

In-Person Recording

You can record documents in person at the Norwich Town Clerk office at 100 Broadway. Call (860) 823-3732 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

Norwich 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.

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 Norwich 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
• Foreclosure documents and lis pendens

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 actual document.

Conveyance Tax Information

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. Norwich may also charge a local conveyance tax. Contact the town clerk at (860) 823-3732 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. Taxable transfers cannot be recorded without this form.

Title Searches and Chain of Title

Connecticut's Marketable Record Title Act requires a 40-year chain of title. The 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 mortgages. Title insurance protects buyers if problems surface later.

Note: Recording your deed gives public notice and protects you against later buyers or creditors.

Additional Town Clerk Services

The Norwich 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 Norwich Tax Assessor. For building permits and zoning, check with the city's Planning and Neighborhood Services. For court cases involving property, search at the Connecticut Judicial Branch.

New London County Property Data

New London County has 22 towns with independent land records systems. The median home value in the county is around $390,000. The property tax rate averages 2.72 percent. These figures vary by town. Norwich 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. Each town maintains its own tax and assessment records.

Nearby New London County Towns

Other towns in New London County with land records offices:

• New London
• Groton

Each town operates independently. You cannot search New London deeds at the Norwich clerk's office. Always go to the town where the property is located.