Property Records

Cumberland County’s property records date back to 1754, the year the county was officially established, and they remain the foundation for verifying ownership, resolving disputes, and ensuring accurate taxation today. The Cumberland County Register of Deeds office is the custodian of these records, tasked with giving public notice of property ownership and safeguarding the integrity of every deed, mortgage, and lien filed within the county.

Understanding Deeds, Appraisals, Transfers, and Liens in Cumberland County

A deed is the legal document that transfers ownership of real property from one party to another, and in Cumberland County, these records are searchable through the Register of Deeds’ online portal. The system offers two primary search options: the Full System, which indexes land records dating back to March 1741, and the Imaging System, which provides scanned deed, plat, and condo book images from 1754 to the present. This dual-access structure allows property owners, buyers, and title researchers to trace ownership history with confidence.

Recording Fees for Deeds and Mortgages

Recording a standard deed costs $26.00 for the first fifteen pages, with each additional page billed at $4.00, while a deed of trust or mortgage costs $64.00 for up to thirty-five pages, also at $4.00 per additional page thereafter (per the Cumberland County Register of Deeds Fee Schedule, effective October 1, 2016).

How Appraisals and Liens Affect Your Property

Beyond ownership transfers, Cumberland County Tax Administration relies on these same recorded instruments to determine real property appraisals. Liens, which represent legal claims against a property, must also be properly recorded with the Register of Deeds to be enforceable and publicly searchable. Because recorded liens and mortgages directly affect a property’s marketability and an owner’s ability to transfer clear title, verifying this information before any real estate transaction is essential.