In addition, new and existing home sales surged in record numbers.

The Register's Office was hard-pressed to keep up with the volume of documents.

As a result, many new personnel were required to meet the increased demand and the growing back-log.

The Register's Office has met the challenge of reducing turn-around time for all instruments.  We have made tremendous progress and expect to be current in the coming weeks.

The Register's Office completed the upgrade of its computer system in December 2003.  Early in 2004 we will apply for certification of our system as required by the New Jersey Division of Archives and Records Management.

The total number of instruments recorded in the Essex County Register's Office in 2003 was 236,901 as compared to 181,372 in 2002.

The total revenue collected by this office in 2003 was $34,450,297.02 as compared to $21,872,646,29 in 2002.
 

Carol A. Graves
Essex County Register