The Record Room located in the Hall of Records in the rear of the County Clerk’s Office at 7 N. Main Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 is open to Searchers without an appointment for searching physical records before 2000. Hours are (with the exception of holidays) -
For research appointments which require staff assistance call 609-465-1023 or email dawn.sheeks@co.cape-may.nj.us
The Cape May County Clerk's Office records or files more than 165 different types of documents, most of which are related to real property transactions in the county.
Always consult a licensed New Jersey attorney whenever you are contemplating the recording of a document which affects real property ownership. The Cape May County Clerk's Office may not provide legal advice or prepare legal documents.
Cover Sheet or Electronic Synopsis Requirement Effective May 1, 2017
In compliance with P.L. 2011, c. 217 (NJSA 46:26A-5) a cover sheet or an electronic synopsis will be required with all land documents submitted for recording. This requirement becomes effective on May 1, 2017.
For customers who record documents in hard copy format via U.S. Mail, express, courier or over the counter - a cover sheet is required. Here is a cover sheet which may be used with your hard copy documents submitted for recording. Please make sure that your documents are submitted with a cover sheet after May 1, 2017.
$20.00 Additional Fee Will Be Charged for Documents Submitted Without a Cover Sheet
NJSA 46:26A-5(c ) provides if no electronic synopsis or cover sheet is included an additional fee of $20- for the cost of indexing the document is charged.
Escrow Account Customers who submit land documents after May 1, 2017 without the required cover sheet will have their recording accounts debited the additional $20.00 fee per document.
Customers paying by check who submit land documents after May 1, 2017 without the required cover sheet or fee will have their unrecorded documents returned with a letter requesting the additional fee.
eRecording Customers are Compliant with the Cover Sheet/Electronic Synopsis Requirement
For those customers who electronically record documents a cover sheet/electronic synopsis is an integrated part of the document submitted. There is no further requirement for customers who eRecord. If you are not currently an eRecording customer and you would like to register for an eRecording Account go to http://www1.njcountyrecording.com/njcr/Account/Home.aspx
Submitters may establish accounts for e-Recording real property documents with the Cape May County Clerk via the New Jersey Recording Portal, http://www1.njcountyrecording.com/njcr/home.aspx .
The Cape May County Clerk also accepts documents submitted via e-Recording fee for service vendors Simplifile, https://simplifile.com/ or Corporation Service Company, http://www.erecording.com/ .
The Constitutional Officers of New Jersey offers a comprehensive recording manual entitled "The Recorders Document Reference Manual." The manual lists recording requirements including statutory references, New Jersey Realty Transfer Tax calculations, recording fees, explanation of acknowledgments and a glossary of terms.