Bergen County Recorder Information

About Bergen County Recorder

The County Clerk's Office is the place for recording and maintenance of property records in Bergen County.

Recording Fees

A cover sheet or an electronic synopsis will be required with all land documents submitted for recording. An additional fee of $20.00 will be charged for documents submitted without it.

Deed (includes $10 tax abstract fee) $45 first page + $10 each additional page

Mortgage $35 first page + $10 each additional page

Contract of Sale $35 first page + $10 each additional page

Leases: Landlord/Tenant $35 first page + $10 each additional page

Tax Sale Certificate $35 first page + $10 each additional page

Power of Attorney $35 first page + $10 each additional page

Satisfaction, Discharge or Assignment of Mortgage OR Tax Sale Certificate $45 first page + $10 each additional page, includes $10 marginal notation

Lis Pendens: Recorded $30 first page + $10 each additional page

Lis Pendens: Foreclosure $40
Discharge of Lis Pendens/Recorded $40 first page + $10 each additional page, incudes $10 marginal notation
Discharge of Lis Pendens/Foreclosure $40 includes $10 marginal notation
Amended Lis Pendens/Recorded $40 first page + $10 each additional page, incudes $10 marginal notation
Amended Lis Pendens/Foreclosure $40 includes $10 marginal notation

Cancellation of Mortgage OR Tax Sale Certificate $25
Cancellation of Re-Recorded Mortgage OR Tax Sale Certificate $25 each recording

Vacation $35

Notice of Settlement $20

Notice of Settlements: Contract and Mortgage
Commitment $40

Disclaimer $15

Municipality Recording $13

To re-record a document, the fee is $10 plus regular recording fees and $10 for each additional page.

Each marginal notation on a document is $10.

Certified Copies:
Any Document (except Military) $10 first page + $2 for each page of the document
Military-Free
Veterans-Free

Any recorded instrument that has an excess of five names to be indexed will be $6 per each additional name after the first five.

The realty transfer tax fees must be paid at the time of recording and are as follows:
$2 per $500 of consideration in excess of $150,000;
$3.35 per $500 of consideration not in excess of $150,000 but not more than $200,000;
$3.90 per $500 of consideration in excess of $200,000 but not more than $350,000.

For considerations in excess of that amount, see the New Jersey treasury's website.

Reduced rates apply to senior citizens, blind or disabled persons and on property that is low/moderate-income housing.

The County Clerk's office accepts attorney trust account, certified, or bank checks for payment of the realty transfer fees and the "1% buyer/grantee fee." Two separate checks must be submitted (both checks can be made payable to the Bergen County Clerk).

Document Formatting Requirements

* A document, including a corrected document submitted for re-recording must be acknowledged or proved as required by law. The officer taking the acknowledgment or proof shall sign a certificate stating the acknowledgment or proof.

* A document or its image should be legibly printed on white paper that is no larger than 8.5 x 14 inches.

* If including a cover sheet, which is available at every recording office in New Jersey as well as on a website maintained by the Division of Archives and Records Management, it should include: the nature of the document, the date of the document, and the names of the parties to the document and other names to be indexed. If the deed is conveying real property, include the lot and block number of the property or the account number for the property, the grantee's mailing address, and the amount of consideration. If the person submitting the document does not include a cover sheet or electronic synopsis, the recording office will charge an additional fee of $20 for indexing.

* The name of the person who prepared the deed is required to be stated on the document.

* Corresponding names should be printed below all signatures in the document.

* Documents should be in English or accompanied by an accurate English translation.

* If the transfer is subject to realty transfer fees, a statement of true consideration for the transfer should be contained in the deed, or the acknowledgment, or the proof of execution, or in an appended affidavit by one of the parties to the deed. A deed that states "One dollar and love and affection" as a statement of consideration must have an affidavit of true consideration annexed to the deed that sets forth the true and actual consideration paid or to be paid for the transfer.

* If the transfer is exempt from any fees, an affidavit stating the basis for the exemption should be appended to the deed.

* For transfers of real property upon which there is new construction, the words "NEW CONSTRUCTION" in upper case letters should be printed or typed clearly at the top of the first page, and an affidavit by the grantor stating that the transfer is of property upon which there is new construction should be included with the deed.

* As a prerequisite to recording, include the lot and block number of the real property being conveyed as designated on the tax map of the municipality at the time of conveyance or the account number of the real property.

* The mailing address of the grantee must be included on the deed. If the real property has been subdivided, the reference should be preceded by the words "part of." If no lot and block number or account number have been assigned to the property, the deed should state that fact.

Realty Transfer Fees

The realty transfer fee is imposed upon the recording of deeds evidencing transfers of title to real property in New Jersey. This fee is to be paid when the deed is recorded. The fee is calculated based on the consideration stated in the deed.

An affidavit of consideration for use by seller (RTF-1) and an affidavit of consideration for use by buyer (RTF-1EE) are required to be annexed to and recorded with deeds transferring Class 4 property of any type as a prerequisite for recording, whether the real property is taxable or exempt from the payment of the 1% fee. To download the revised affidavit of consideration forms, visit the New Jersey Division of Taxation website.