There are differences between counties, not just states.  Indexing peculiarities is just one of them. I remember a county's indexing system being blamed for causing an online searcher to miss a mortgage because the deed was indexed as "ABC Inc." and the mortgage as "A.B.C., Incorporated".  The county had done nothing wrong. That was just how the documents were prepared. So, unless you know how the index works in a particular county, you could be missing mortgages.  Some counties have lot and block numbers in their indexes.  But since they are not verified, you really can't rely on them.  And when a municipality updates its tax maps every few decades, new numbers are assigned. For a 60 year search, you need to know two or more lot and block numbers.  In all 21 counties of NJ you can find Construction Lien records in the county clerk's office.  In the two biggest counties, the rest of the property records are in the Register of Deeds Office.  So, in order to check construction liens in Essex and Hudson Counties, you have to know to check the county clerk's office for construction liens.   While online records seem to be a big opportunity to expand your reach, just beware of what you are using. A little local knowledge is going to be your friend. 

to post a reply: login - or - register