Fulton County Property Lookup: Complete Search Guide 2026
How Do I Search Fulton County Property Records Online?
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer in Midtown, a real estate investor eyeing properties in East Atlanta, or a family member handling an estate in Buckhead, knowing how to perform a proper Fulton County property lookup is essential. This three-part guide walks you through every official portal, search method, and record type available in Georgia’s most populous county.
Table of Contents
What Fulton County Property Records Actually Include
When people search for “property records,” they’re usually referring to three distinct categories of public information. Understanding the difference will save you time and help you find exactly what you need for your Fulton County property lookup.
Tax Assessor Records are maintained by the Fulton County Board of Assessors. These include current assessed values, property characteristics (square footage, bedrooms, lot size), tax digest information, and homestead exemption status. This is where you’ll find details about a property’s physical attributes and its taxable value.
Deed and Conveyance Records are maintained by the Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court. These are the legal documents that record property ownership transfers, mortgages, liens, easements, and other encumbrances. When someone buys or sells property in Atlanta, the deed gets recorded here.
Tax Payment Records are maintained by the Fulton County Tax Commissioner. This office handles property tax collections, payment history, and outstanding tax obligations. If you want to know whether taxes are current or delinquent, this is your source.
For comprehensive Atlanta real estate research, you’ll likely need to check all three systems. Each serves a different purpose in your due diligence process.
Official Websites for Fulton County Property Lookup
Here are the primary official portals you’ll use for Fulton County property searches. Bookmark these—they’re free and updated regularly.
Quick Links: Official Resources
Fulton County Board of Assessors Property Search - Tax assessments, property details, exemptions, and parcel information
Fulton County Tax Commissioner - Tax payment info, account lookup, and payment history
Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court - Deed recording information and document filing requirements
Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) - Statewide real estate records database (requires free account, paid document downloads)
Fulton County GIS Mapping - Interactive maps, parcel boundaries, zoning, and aerial imagery
Each portal serves a specific function. For most Atlanta homebuyers and investors, the Board of Assessors qPublic site will be your starting point, followed by the GSCCCA portal for deed copies.
Understanding the Three Main Record Systems
To conduct a thorough Fulton County property lookup, you need to understand what each system provides:
System 1: Board of Assessors (qPublic)
What it shows: Current assessed values, property characteristics, owner names, exemptions, tax history
Best for: Quick property lookups, comparing values, finding parcel IDs
Cost: Free
Update frequency: Ownership updates 30-90 days after deed recording; assessments update annually
System 2: GSCCCA Real Estate Records
What it shows: Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, releases
Best for: Title research, ownership history, lien searches
Cost: Free to search; $0.25-$1.00 per page to download documents
Update frequency: 30-60 days after document recording in high-volume periods
System 3: Tax Commissioner
What it shows: Current tax bills, payment status, delinquent taxes
Best for: Verifying tax payment, identifying distressed properties
Cost: Free
Update frequency: Real-time for current year; historical records vary
Step-by-Step: How to Search Fulton County Property Records by Address
Searching by address is the most common Fulton County property lookup method. Here’s exactly how to do it on the Board of Assessors portal.
Step 1: Navigate to the Fulton County Board of Assessors search page
Step 2: You’ll see several search options. Click on “Address Search” or use the address field in the main search bar.
Step 3: Enter the property address. Use this format for best results:
Street number and name (e.g., “400 Peachtree Street”)
You can add the city (Atlanta, Sandy Springs, etc.) but it’s optional
Include directional abbreviations when you know them (e.g., “Peachtree Street NE”)
Step 4: Click “Search” or press Enter.
Step 5: Review the results. If multiple properties appear (common for large buildings like condos in Downtown or Midtown), look for unit numbers or specific building identifiers.
Step 6: Click on the property you want to view. You’ll see a detailed property record card showing:
Current assessed value
Property characteristics (year built, square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms)
Sale history
Tax digest information
Exemption status (homestead, senior, etc.)
Parcel ID number
Step 7: Print or save the record card using the “Print” button at the top of the page.
Address Format Tips for Atlanta Neighborhoods:
Buckhead addresses: Often include “NE” or “NW” designations (e.g., “3434 Peachtree Road NE”)
West End/Westview: May require exact street spelling (watch for “Avenue” vs. “Ave”)
East Atlanta Village: Some streets have similar names—verify with zip code (30316)
Condos in Midtown/Downtown: Always include unit number when available
What You’ll Find on the Property Card:
The property record card is your one-stop resource for basic property information. Key sections include:
Owner Information: Current owner name and mailing address
Location: Property address and parcel ID
Valuation: Assessed value (40% of fair market value in Georgia), land value, improvement value
Property Details: Square footage, year built, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, lot size
Sales History: Previous sale dates and amounts
Tax Information: Current year taxes, exemptions, special assessments
Images: Exterior photos (when available)
Step-by-Step: How to Search Fulton County Property Records by Owner Name
Searching by owner name is essential for investors building targeted lists or families researching estate properties. This Fulton County property lookup method reveals all properties associated with a specific owner.
Step 1: Go to the Fulton County Board of Assessors search portal
Step 2: Select “Owner Name Search” from the search options.
Step 3: Enter the owner’s last name in the designated field. For better results:
Use last name only for broader results
Add first name for more specific matches
Corporate owners: Enter the business name (e.g., “ABC Holdings LLC”)
Step 4: Click “Search.”
Step 5: Review the results list. You may see multiple properties if the owner has a portfolio—common among Atlanta real estate investors.
Step 6: Sort results by address, assessed value, or parcel ID to organize your findings.
Step 7: Click individual properties to view detailed record cards.
Important Name Search Notes:
Owner names reflect how the deed was recorded. If you’re searching for “John Smith” but the deed says “J. Smith” or “John R. Smith,” you might miss it. Try variations.
Trusts and LLCs require exact entity name searches. If a Buckhead property is owned by “Smith Family Trust,” searching “Smith” alone may or may not return it depending on how it’s indexed.
For divorced or deceased owners, records may show outdated names until a new deed is recorded. This is common in probate and estate situations.
Recently transferred properties (within 30-60 days) may still show the previous owner’s name in your Fulton County property lookup. See Part 3 of this series for troubleshooting tips.
Tips for Successful Name Searches:
Try variations: “Smith,” “J Smith,” “John Smith,” “Smith John”
Check corporate suffixes: “LLC” vs “L.L.C.” vs “Limited Liability Company”
Search maiden names: Divorce or marriage may change names on record
Look for trust variations: “Family Trust,” “Revocable Trust,” “Living Trust”
Check both first and last name positions: Some systems index differently
Common Mistakes When Searching Fulton County Property Records
Avoid these frequent errors that cost buyers and investors time and money when conducting a Fulton County property lookup.
Mistake 1: Assuming Online Records Are Real-Time
Online records are updated periodically, not instantly. Recent deeds, mortgages, and liens may not appear for 30-90 days. The document is legally recorded when filed with the Clerk’s office, but the online databases update on a delay.
Mistake 2: Confusing Assessed Value with Market Value
Assessed value in Georgia is 40% of fair market value for tax purposes. A property with a $100,000 assessed value has an estimated market value of $250,000. Always multiply assessed value by 2.5 to estimate market value.
Mistake 3: Not Checking All Three Systems
Don’t rely solely on the assessor’s site. Check the Tax Commissioner site for payment status and GSCCCA for deeds and liens. Each system has different information that’s critical for complete due diligence.
Mistake 4: Misspelling Names or Addresses
“Peachtree Street” vs. “Peachtree Road,” “NE” vs. “NW,” and name variations (”Smith” vs. “Smythe”) yield different results. Try multiple spellings when your initial Fulton County property lookup returns no results.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Parcel ID Mismatches
If the parcel ID on a deed doesn’t match the assessor’s parcel ID, you may be looking at different properties or outdated subdivisions. Always verify the parcel ID matches across all systems.
Mistake 6: Overlooking Recent Transfers
Properties that sold in the last 30-90 days may not show updated ownership information online. Contact the seller’s attorney or title company to verify current ownership if timing is critical.
Mistake 7: Assuming Homestead Exemptions Transfer
Homestead exemptions belong to the owner, not the property. When you purchase a home, you must apply for your own exemption. Factor in full tax amounts (without exemptions) when budgeting for a purchase.
Mistake 8: Not Verifying Property Boundaries
Address searches may return the wrong parcel, especially in subdivisions with similar names. Always verify parcel boundaries using the Fulton County GIS system before making assumptions about lot size or property lines.
Mistake 9: Relying Only on Index Information
Search results show basic document information, but you need to download and read full deeds and liens to understand terms, restrictions, and obligations. Many critical details appear only in the full document text.
Mistake 10: Forgetting to Check Multiple Counties
Some Atlanta-area properties straddle county lines or have addresses in one county but parcels in another. If you’re searching near borders with DeKalb, Cobb, or Gwinnett counties, verify which county has jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Fulton County property records free to search online?
Yes, searching property records on the Fulton County Board of Assessors site is completely free. Searching the GSCCCA portal for deeds and recorded documents is also free, but downloading full document copies requires paid credits (typically $0.25-$1.00 per page).
2. How do I find the owner of a property in Fulton County?
Search by address on the Fulton County Board of Assessors website. The property record card displays the current owner’s name and mailing address. For the most recent ownership information, check recorded deeds in the GSCCCA portal.
3. What is the difference between the Board of Assessors and the Tax Commissioner?
The Board of Assessors determines property values and maintains property characteristic data. The Tax Commissioner collects property taxes and maintains payment records. You need both for complete property research.
4. How accurate is the Fulton County property lookup information online?
The information is generally accurate but may be 30-90 days behind recent transactions. Property characteristics and assessments are highly reliable, but ownership information updates on a delay after deed recording.
5. Can I search Fulton County property records on my phone?
Yes. All the official websites (qPublic, GSCCCA, Tax Commissioner, GIS) are mobile-responsive. The experience is optimized for desktop, but basic searches work fine on smartphones.
6. What if the property address doesn’t come up in my search?
Verify the address spelling and format. Try searching by owner name or parcel ID instead. For new construction or recently subdivided properties, records may not be online yet. Contact the Fulton County Assessor’s office directly at (404) 612-6440.
7. How far back do Fulton County property records go online?
The Board of Assessors typically shows current year data plus 5-10 years of tax digest history. The GSCCCA has digitized deeds dating back to the 1970s-1980s for most Fulton County properties, with some earlier records available.