Property tax records are kept by your county assessor or tax collector, and most counties now let you search them online for free
You do not need to visit an office or call anyone. Start by going to your county assessor's website — search "[your county name] assessor property search" or "[your county name] tax records online". Most counties have a searchable database where you enter an address or parcel number and get back the assessed value, tax amount, owner name, and sometimes sale history. A few counties still require you to visit in person or request records by mail, but this is becoming rare.
If you cannot find an online system, call your county assessor's office directly. They can tell you whether records are searchable online, what information is public, and how to get a copy if you need one in writing. The assessor's office is a county government office, not a state one, so you are always calling local.
Property tax records are public information in all 50 states. Anyone can look them up — you do not need to own the property or have permission from the owner. This means you can research any address before buying, renting, or simply understanding your neighborhood.
Key Takeaways
- Your county assessor keeps property tax records and publishes most of them online in a searchable database at no cost.
- Search by address or parcel number on your county assessor's website; if no online system exists, call the assessor's office for instructions.
- Property tax records show the assessed value, annual tax amount, owner name, and sometimes prior sale prices and dates.
- Records are public, so you can look up any property without owning it or asking permission.
- If you need an official certified copy for a legal matter, the assessor's office can provide one, usually for a small fee.
How to search your county assessor's website
Open a web browser and search "[county name] assessor" or "[county name] property appraiser". Most counties use one of these two titles. Click the official county website link — not a third-party site that charges a fee. Look for a link labeled "property search", "records search", "parcel lookup", or "GIS map".
Enter either the street address or the parcel number. If you have the address, start there — it is simpler. The system will return a record showing the property owner's name, the assessed value (what the county says the property is worth for tax purposes), the annual tax bill, and sometimes the year it was last sold and for how much. Some systems also show property size, number of bedrooms, and whether it is residential or commercial.
If the search does not work, try entering just the street number and street name without the city or zip code. If that still fails, you may need the parcel number instead. Parcel numbers appear on property tax bills, deed documents, and mortgage statements. You can also call the assessor's office and ask for the parcel number by address.
What information appears in property tax records
A typical property tax record shows the owner's name and mailing address, the property address, the parcel number (a unique identifier for that piece of land), and the assessed value. The assessed value is not the same as market value — it is what the county estimates the property is worth for tax purposes, and it is often lower than what the property would sell for.
Most records also show the annual property tax amount due, the tax rate, and sometimes the prior year's tax. Some systems display the property's square footage, lot size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, year built, and type of construction. A few counties include sale history — the price and date of the last few sales — which can help you understand the property's market value over time.
What you will not see in a basic online record: liens, mortgages, or other claims against the property. Those are recorded separately at the county recorder's office or clerk's office, not with the assessor. If you need to know whether a property has a lien or mortgage, you must search the recorder's records separately.
When you need to visit the assessor's office in person
Most people never need to go to the assessor's office. You only visit if you want to challenge your assessed value, request a formal copy of the record for a legal matter, or if your county does not have an online system. A few rural counties still do not publish records online, and in those cases you can visit during business hours or request records by mail.
If you are contesting your assessed value — because you think the county overestimated what your property is worth — you will need to file a formal appeal. The process and deadline vary by state and county, but it usually starts at the assessor's office. Bring documentation of comparable sales, recent appraisals, or evidence of property damage. The assessor's office can tell you the deadline for your county and what documents to submit.
If you need an official certified copy of the record for a mortgage lender, title company, or court, the assessor's office can provide one. There is usually a small fee, between $5 and $25, and it takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the county. You can request this by mail, email, or in person.
How to find records if you do not know the address
If you have a parcel number but not an address, search the parcel number directly in the assessor's system. If you have the owner's name but not the address, some county systems let you search by owner name — try it in the online database first. If that does not work, call the assessor's office and give them the owner's name and the city or county. They can tell you what properties that person owns in that county.
If you are looking for a property you saw but did not note the address, try the county's GIS (geographic information system) map. Many counties publish interactive maps where you can click on a property and see its record. Search "[county name] GIS map" or look for a "map search" link on the assessor's website.
Third-party websites and when to use them
Websites like Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and county-specific sites sometimes display property tax information pulled from public records. These sites are free and convenient, but they are not official sources. The information may be outdated, incomplete, or incorrect. If you need accurate, current information for a legal or financial decision, go directly to your county assessor's website instead.
Some third-party sites charge a fee for "detailed" reports. You do not need to pay. All the information they sell is already public and free on your county assessor's website. The only reason to pay is if you want a formatted report delivered to your email, which is a convenience, not a necessity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find out how much someone paid for their house?
Yes, if the sale was recent enough. Most county assessor records show the sale price and date of the last transaction, though some only go back a few years. For a complete sale history, search the county recorder's office instead — they keep deed records that show every sale going back decades. Search "[county name] recorder" or "[county name] clerk" online.
What is the difference between assessed value and market value?
Assessed value is what the county estimates your property is worth for tax purposes. Market value is what it would actually sell for. Assessed value is often lower because counties do not reassess every year, and they use formulas rather than current market conditions. If you think your assessed value is too high, you can file an appeal with the assessor's office.
Do I need permission to look up someone else's property tax record?
No. Property tax records are public information in all states. Anyone can search them without the owner's permission. This is true whether you are researching a property you want to buy, checking on a neighbor's taxes, or any other reason.
How often are property tax records updated?
Most counties update assessed values once a year, usually in spring or early summer. Sale prices and ownership changes appear within a few weeks of the transaction being recorded. If you just bought a property or had a recent sale, the record may not reflect it for several weeks to a few months.
What if I cannot find my county's online system?
Call your county assessor's office and ask whether records are searchable online. If not, ask how to request a record by mail or email. Some counties still require an in-person visit, but most will mail or email a copy for a small fee. The assessor's office phone number is on your property tax bill or on the county government website.