The Silver State is home to Las Vegas and has the largest and most productive gold mines. The land is rich in silver, copper, and black opal. Tennis pro, Andre Agassi and former first lady Patricia Ryan Nixon come from Nevada. More than 42 million people visit Nevada each year, and most go to enjoy the excitement of Las Vegas. It's also a hot spot of UFO activity, and so many people claim to have seen extraterrestrials that in 1966, the state named State Route 375 "Extraterrestrial Highway." The population of Nevada is 3.178 million, meaning millions of property records.

Property records in Nevada impact homeowners, government agencies, private companies, real estate professionals, and others who use them daily to do their jobs. These essential documents contain valuable information and can be used in many different situations.

Use this guide to learn all about Nevada property records, what they are, how they are used, where they are kept and maintained, and how to find them and change them when life events occur.

Nevada property records are official documents that contain information about real property and its owners. They are created by government agencies, the courts, individuals, realtors and title companies, attorneys, and others. There are various types of property records, and some are only informational, but others do things like a deed transfers property, and an appraisal determines value.

Sources of Property Records in Nevada

It would be nice if all property records were stored with the same agency, but they are not. Instead, different organizations record, file, and maintain them. For example, you will visit the county recorder's office if you need to file a deed in Nevada. Clark County makes filing a new document from its website easy. In terms of Nevada property taxes, county assessors value the land for taxation, and the county treasurer handles mailing out tax bills, collecting payments, and initiating liens when someone does not pay. If you are considering adding an addition to your house, you first need a building permit. These are handled at the town/city level. You can contact the local building inspector's office or public works division. If you need a permit in Reno, the city makes it easy to apply online.

According to Clark County, the county recorder "records and indexes documents deposited in her office that are authorized, entitled or required by law to be recorded". They are prohibited from offering legal advice. They may, however, collect reasonable fees for filing documents and providing copies. The county recorder is responsible for property records filed in their jurisdiction.

How Property Records are Maintained in Nevada

The local county recorder has a system for maintaining records. When a new document comes in, they stamp it with the date, time, and a unique identifier. Although they keep paper records, they also scan everything into the computer, and many countries keep their records online to make them easier to access.

Accessing Records at the County Recorder in Nevada

Nevada property records are public, and therefore, anyone can access them. You must check the regular office hours if you want to see them in person or request copies. You may have to wait, and they can charge you a fee per page. Otherwise, check the county recorder's website. Many of them post the records there for easy searching and finding. Contacting the proper county is crucial in your search. To get you started, here are a few county websites:

County Recorder Locations in Nevada

Finding the right county recorder can be tricky. The Nevada Secretary of State has compiled this handy list of all county recorders to make things easier.

Property records come in many different flavors. Some are informational only, and others serve a purpose. You will come across many different types when searching for property records. The most common types in Iowa are as follows:

Nevada law requires the assessor to assess all property once a year. The process varies because local county, town, and city assessors conduct the assessments. However, the basic process of conducting property tax assessment in Nevada goes as follows:

Easements and Covenants

You will also see easements and covenants that affect property. Easements and covenants appear on deeds dictating certain situations. Easements are rights of way allowing someone other than the owner to access the land for a specific purpose. A good example is a cellular company with towers installed on private land. The company can enter the land and maintain its towers without asking first. Any new owners must honor this agreement.

Covenants are strict rules about how the property can be used. You see these often in condo developments and gated communities. Some places don't allow pets, so you must adhere to that covenant when living there.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are both types of maps. They differ in that plats include boundaries of neighboring properties, whereas surveys show only a single property and its boundaries.

The following information may appear on a property survey depending on the type:

Historical Property Records

The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office has older, archived property records that you can review. Current records will be held at the local county recorder's office.

Building Permits and Regulations in Nevada

Towns and cities handle building permits. Contact the local building inspectors or land development office if you need one in your area. Some towns and cities have online application forms where you can begin the process.

There are many reasons why you might embark on a property history search. The good news is you have a bunch of options available to you when searching. Try the methods below to find one that works for you.

Online Property Record Search

Start with a basic online property record search. Enter the full property address into a search bar and see what comes up. Chances are you will find small bits of information but not necessarily what you seek. You may have to go further.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can visit any local county recorder's office during regular business hours to ask for records. You may need to wait if they are busy, and they will charge you a small fee per page for copies.

Using Property Record Indexes

You can also try property record indexes. There are dozens of these sites online, but you never know how updated, current, or accurate the data is. Be careful; always verify.

How to Search Property Records by Address

It's much easier to find property records when you search using the property address. Type in the full address, including city, state, and zip, and review the results.

How to Search Property Records by Name

Sometimes, you can also search using the owner's name. This type of search is not always available and may yield unexpected results. You may see records from a historical owner rather than the current one.

Property ownership comes with some joys and also some responsibilities. You must pay your mortgage and taxes on time if you want to keep your home. When you purchase property in Nevada, your name and address will appear in public property records as the owner.

Another important aspect of property records is the legal property descriptions. Every piece of real property has a unique description, including the exact coordinates of its location and a written description of the land and landmarks to make it easy to identify.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys measure the land and derive proper coordinates so that every piece of land is parceled out and legally designated. Surveys are also involved in new construction, utility placement, and boundary disputes.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

A boundary dispute occurs when someone believes another person is encroaching upon their land unlawfully. The dispute usually ends up in court, where a judge decides the outcome. The courts often rely on expert testimony from professional surveyors to help make an informed decision.

Liens are encumbrances that reflect negatively on a property and its owners. Too many can indicate financial problems, and these records are public for anyone to see. There are two main types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

You voluntarily enter into agreements with lenders and agree to allow them to place a lien on your property. This way, you can secure funding by using your house as collateral. The payoff is a lien, which could lead to the loss of your home if you don't pay off the loan.

Involuntary Liens

You may face involuntary liens whenever you owe money and refuse to pay it back. These almost always result in foreclosure and the loss of your home. When the house is sold, all the liens will be paid off first; if there is anything left, you will get it.

The Process of Property Liens in Nevada

The processes differ since there are different liens claimants may put on a property. The standard process for putting a mechanics lien on a property in Nevada is as follows:

Property records really come into play before, during, and after real estate transactions. Before the sale, many of the players consult property records to collect information. Others, like appraisals, assessments, and deeds, are created during the process. After the sale, some documents will be recorded and replace older ones.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

You should always find out as much as possible about a property before buying it. Property records can provide all the intricate details you need to make an informed purchase.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When selling property in Nevada, you must disclose any material defects about the property that you know of. Usually, these things are related to asbestos and lead paint, but they could be something as simple as a bad roof or a crumbling foundation.

Title Searches and Insurance

A property title search is designed to uncover any title issues or defects that could derail the sale. Your title company or attorney will perform one before the closing. If you borrow money to buy the house, your lender will require you to purchase title insurance, which protects you and them from any legal claims on the property after the sale.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Nevada

Foreclosures show up in property records, which can be embarrassing for the owner who is losing their home. Foreclosure homes are more difficult to sell because all liens must be satisfied before the sale. There is also more paperwork and complexity. Therefore, many regular buyers may shy away from buying a foreclosure home.

Pre-Foreclosures in Nevada

Pre-foreclosure homes are those in the process of foreclosure but haven't yet been auctioned off. Investors and savvy buyers look for these types of homes to pick up cheap and sell for a profit. If the house is in a good location and in decent shape, it can be a great deal.

When was the House Built?

Some people embark on a property history search to find out when the house was built. It's easy to find out. Contact the county recorder's office where the property is located and ask to see the oldest building permit - the one that approved building the house and you will find out when it was built.

Property values are very important information that shows how much a property is worth at a given time. These values can change quickly due to inflation, the economy, and the local real estate market. They also help buyers and investors make decisions about purchasing real estate. Property values show up in property records, making it easy to track their increase or decrease over time.

Assessments and Appraisals

Assessments and appraisals are both tools used to determine a property's value. They work slightly differently. Tax assessors use assessments to calculate a property's value to set tax rates. Everyone must pay their fair share. Appraisers use various systems to determine the fair market value (FMV) and produce an appraisal report. Lenders use them to ensure the value of the home supports the loan. Estate planners may also use them.

Privacy is at the forefront of most people's minds these days. However, property records are public records, and they contain owner information such as name and address. Sometimes, they include additional details about the owner. Since they are public records, anyone can access property records anytime, in person or online. You do not need a reason.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public for two reasons. First, they document the public chain of title of a property, showing every owner since the first. Second, they help to prohibit any one government agency from having too much power over the people.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

Although you cannot remove all your personal information from public property records, you can remove some. Contact all the agencies and companies that hold your records and ask them to remove anything beyond your name and address. You don't want your phone and email address to be visible to the world.

Throughout life, there are times when you should update your property records to keep them current. As life changes, so should your records. Some things to keep in mind are: