Privacy Policy – Fulton County Property Appraiser

Privacy Policy establishes our unwavering commitment to safeguarding your sensitive personal data and property information. This document fully addresses the Fulton County property appraiser privacy policy, explaining in detail how the Fulton County appraisal office collects, uses, and secures the information it handles. We recognize the critical importance of Fulton County property records confidentiality and maintaining real estate records confidentiality Fulton County in all operations. It clearly details our data handling policy Fulton County property office, demonstrating the strict privacy practices Fulton County assessor follows to protect your interests. Our foremost goal is full transparency regarding property data privacy Fulton County. You deserve to know exactly how your Fulton County real estate data protection is managed. This notice covers what information is collected, how it is used, and the advanced security measures securing your Fulton County property tax data privacy. We uphold the highest standards for Fulton County property appraisal confidentiality rules. Review this policy to fully grasp your rights and our dedication to protecting your property information privacy Fulton County and ensuring data integrity.

Privacy Policy functions as the official Fulton County personal information policy, outlining your rights and control options regarding your data. We adhere to clear data privacy guidelines Fulton County property office has established, promoting maximum transparency and accountability. This privacy statement Fulton County property appraiser uses covers information collected during appraisal services, including specific considerations for Fulton County GIS & parcel data privacy. It specifies the Fulton County assessor office data protection protocols applied to the Fulton County property database privacy practices and appraisal services privacy. Learn about your ability to exercise opt-out preferences and request access or corrections to your Fulton County property tax information privacy details. We commit to maintaining Fulton County property appraisal confidentiality rules when dealing with public records, balancing the statutory requirement for public access with necessary data protection. This policy makes clear the limited circumstances where information sharing occurs and details your rights to restrict the use of your data. Understanding this document ensures you are fully informed about the Fulton County public records privacy policy and how we secure your sensitive property data.

Information We Collect

The Fulton County Appraisal Office collects specific information to fulfill its statutory duties, which involve assessing property values for tax purposes. This collection supports accurate valuation and ensures fairness across all property owners. The types of information gathered depend on how you interact with the office, whether through online services or physical submissions.

We collect data under the authority granted by Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 48-5-260, which mandates the appraisal of property. The collected data is categorized based on its source: information you directly provide and information gathered automatically during website usage. Both categories receive rigorous Fulton County real estate data protection.

Data You Provide Voluntarily

Property owners or their agents submit certain data directly to the appraisal office. This submission often happens when filing an appeal, applying for an exemption, or updating ownership details. Providing this data is necessary for the office to perform its required functions correctly.

Examples of voluntarily provided personal and property data include:

• Owner names, mailing addresses, and contact phone numbers.
• Email addresses used for official correspondence or electronic notices.
• Information on exemption applications, such as homestead status or age verification details.
• Financial data related to property income and expenses, often required for commercial property valuation.
• Signatures on official documents like tax returns or appeal forms (e.g., Board of Equalization petitions).

This information is handled according to the strictest Fulton County property records confidentiality standards. We use it only for the stated governmental purposes, such as processing exemptions or communicating assessment changes. The Fulton County Appraisal Office maintains clear data privacy guidelines Fulton County property office for handling all voluntarily submitted materials.

Automatically Collected Information

When you access the Fulton County Property Appraiser’s website, certain technical and usage data is automatically recorded. This data helps improve the website’s performance and security, making the public access portal more reliable for property searches.

Automatically collected data includes:

• Internet Protocol (IP) addresses used to connect your computer to the internet.
• Browser type, operating system, and device identifiers (e.g., mobile or desktop).
• Date and time of website access, referring website addresses, and pages viewed.
• Search terms entered into the property database and the results retrieved.

This technical data is aggregated and used to analyze website traffic patterns. It does not typically identify you personally unless combined with voluntarily submitted data. The collection supports the office’s commitment to transparent and functional Fulton County assessor office data protection for its digital services.

How We Use Your Information

The Fulton County Property Appraiser uses the collected information strictly to fulfill its official appraisal and taxation duties. Every use aligns with Georgia state law and the commitment to property data privacy Fulton County. The use of data falls into three main areas: improving services, communication, and ensuring legal compliance.

Data is not sold or used for commercial marketing purposes outside of official government functions. This commitment reinforces the integrity of the Fulton County appraisal office privacy notice. Specific protocols ensure that data usage meets the needs of accurate valuation while protecting individual rights.

For Service Improvements

Collected data, particularly automatically gathered website usage statistics, helps refine public services. Analyzing search patterns and page popularity guides decisions on website layout and functionality. The goal is to make accessing Fulton County property database privacy practices and property data simpler for the public.

Service improvements include:

1. Optimizing the search speed for property parcel information.
2. Updating the clarity and ease of use for online exemption applications.
3. Identifying and correcting technical issues within the Fulton County GIS & parcel data privacy portal.
4. Improving the accuracy of mass appraisal models using anonymized market data trends.

Using data this way ensures the property valuation process remains efficient and transparent. The focus remains on enhancing the core governmental function of property assessment.

Communication & Notifications

The office uses contact information to send official notices required by law. These communications relate directly to property valuation, tax liability, and exemption status. This is a critical function of the Fulton County property tax information privacy system.

Official notifications include:

• Annual Assessment Notices (Notices of Assessment) sent to the property owner’s last known mailing address, typically around June 1st each year.
• Letters confirming the approval or denial of homestead or other property tax exemptions.
• Scheduling notices for property appeal hearings before the Board of Equalization.
• Responses to specific inquiries made by property owners regarding their parcel data.

Email addresses are used for electronic notifications only if the property owner has explicitly opted in for such communication. This approach maintains control over how personal contact details are used under the Fulton County personal information policy.

Legal and Compliance Purposes

The core use of all collected property and personal data is to comply with Georgia state laws governing property appraisal and taxation. Data integrity is essential for maintaining the legal validity of the tax digest.

Compliance uses involve:

• Establishing the legal property owner for tax billing purposes.
• Calculating fair market value based on physical property characteristics and sales data.
• Processing and verifying eligibility for tax exemptions as defined by O.C.G.A. § 48-5-40.
• Responding to lawful requests from other government agencies or court orders, adhering to the Fulton County public records privacy policy framework.

The office must balance the requirement for public access to property data with the need to protect sensitive personal identifiers. This balance is managed through strict interpretation of public records law.

Data Protection and Security Measures

Protecting the confidentiality of your data is a top priority for the Fulton County Appraisal Office. We apply industry-standard security measures to safeguard all collected information against unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction. These measures align with the Fulton County assessor office data protection commitment.

The security framework covers both digital data stored on servers and physical documents held in the office. Continuous security audits and updates help maintain a strong defense against modern threats. This robust approach demonstrates the serious commitment to Fulton County property appraisal confidentiality rules.

Encryption and Secure Access

Digital data transmission and storage rely on advanced encryption technology. This practice ensures that information remains unreadable to unauthorized parties, even if intercepted during transfer.

Specific security protocols include:

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption used for all data submission forms on the official website.
• Data at rest is protected by strong encryption algorithms on secure, restricted-access servers.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is required for staff accessing the sensitive property database.
• Regular vulnerability scanning of all public-facing and internal systems.

These technical controls are fundamental to the privacy practices Fulton County assessor employs. They create a secure barrier around the core property valuation data.

Internal Access Restrictions

Access to sensitive personal data is strictly limited within the Fulton County Appraisal Office. Only personnel who require the information to perform their specific job functions are granted access credentials. This is a crucial element of the data handling policy Fulton County property office.

Access controls are based on the principle of least privilege, meaning staff only access the minimum data necessary. For example, an appraiser needs property characteristics but does not need HR records.

Key restriction practices involve:

• Role-based access controls (RBAC) that define which data sets each staff position can view.
• Mandatory annual privacy and security training for all appraisal office staff.
• Logging and auditing all access attempts and data modifications within the property database.
• Physical security measures protecting servers and document storage areas.

These internal checks and balances ensure that real estate records confidentiality Fulton County is maintained from within the organization.

Additional Security Practices

Beyond technical and internal controls, the office follows several best practices to enhance data security. These practices address the lifecycle of the data, from collection to eventual secure destruction. The office treats data security as an ongoing operational commitment.

Security enhancements include:

1. Regular, verified backups of all property data to ensure availability and recovery capability.
2. A formal incident response plan to address and mitigate any security breaches promptly.
3. Compliance with state and federal standards for secure disposal of physical and digital records.
4. Use of official, authorized software that meets security certification requirements.

By layering these practices, the office provides a comprehensive defense for Fulton County property tax data privacy. Security is viewed as a dynamic field requiring constant vigilance and updates.

Opt-Out Preferences

Property owners possess certain rights to limit the use or public display of their personal information, particularly concerning the Fulton County property appraiser privacy policy. While much property data is public record by statute, specific personal identifiers can often be protected or restricted upon request.

Understanding these options helps property owners exercise control over their data footprint within the appraisal system. The office respects these preferences where permitted by Georgia law.

How to Limit the Use of Your Data

Property owners can request that certain personal contact information not be released publicly when allowed by law. This ability is especially relevant for sensitive information not statutorily required for public viewing.

Methods for limiting data use include:

• Requesting Confidentiality: Certain individuals, such as law enforcement officers or victims of domestic violence, may qualify to have their personal addresses and contact information removed from public-facing records under specific Georgia statutes (e.g., O.C.G.A. § 15-16-10).
• Restricting Email Use: You can typically unsubscribe from non-statutory email notifications using a link provided in the message, though official notices will persist.
• Opting Out of Survey Data: If the office conducts optional property owner surveys, you can choose not to participate, thereby limiting the submission of non-essential data.

To request a confidentiality restriction, you must submit a formal written request and provide the necessary legal documentation to the Fulton County Appraisal Office. This process ensures the request adheres to the Fulton County property records confidentiality standards and legal requirements. The Disclaimer to clarify data practices, limitations, and the non-official nature of the information provided.

Sharing & Third-Party Services

The Fulton County Appraisal Office operates primarily as a government entity, meaning information sharing is highly regulated. Data is only shared under specific, legally defined conditions, maintaining a clear line of Fulton County real estate data protection.

The office does not sell any personal or property data to private entities for commercial purposes. Any sharing is functional, necessary for government operations, or required by law.

When and Why We Share Information

Information sharing typically occurs between government agencies to facilitate taxation, law enforcement, or municipal services. This sharing is essential for the function of local government.

Data is shared with:

• Fulton County Tax Commissioner: To generate and mail property tax bills based on the assessed value. This is a mandatory exchange.
• Local Municipalities (e.g., Atlanta, Sandy Springs): To support their local service delivery and budget processes, which rely on the property tax digest.
• State Agencies: Such as the Georgia Department of Revenue, for oversight and compliance with state property tax laws.
• Law Enforcement/Court Order: When required by a valid subpoena, court order, or official governmental investigation.

In all cases, the shared data is limited to the minimum necessary information required by the receiving party. This practice supports the commitment to property data privacy Fulton County.

Third-Party Tools and Services

The Fulton County Appraisal Office utilizes various third-party vendors for critical functions like website hosting, payment processing, and geographic information systems (GIS). These vendors must adhere to strict security and privacy contracts.

Examples of third-party service uses:

The office requires all vendors to sign agreements confirming they will uphold the same level of Fulton County assessor office data protection. They are prohibited from using the data for any purpose other than providing the agreed-upon service.

Your Rights & Data Control Options

As a property owner whose data is held by the Fulton County Appraisal Office, you retain specific rights regarding that information. These rights allow you to confirm accuracy and request corrections, which supports the integrity of the Fulton County property database privacy practices.

The office operates transparently, making it straightforward for you to exercise these control options. Understanding these rights is key to managing your property information.

Requesting Data Access or Deletion

You have the right to access the personal and property data the office holds about you. This access allows you to verify the accuracy of the information used in your property assessment.

How to request access:

1. Submit a formal written request to the Chief Appraiser’s office, clearly identifying yourself and the property.
2. Specify the exact data you wish to review (e.g., appraisal card, sketch, sales comparison data).
3. The office will respond within the timeframe mandated by the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.).

Deletion of property data is generally not possible, as the office must maintain historical property records for statutory compliance (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-290). However, the office will promptly address requests to remove any non-statutory, sensitive personal data that qualifies for protection under state law.

Updating Your Personal Information

Ensuring the office has your correct contact and property characteristic data is your responsibility. Inaccurate data can lead to missed notices and incorrect valuations. The office provides clear channels for data updates, supporting Fulton County property tax information privacy.

To update your information:

• Mailing Address: Submit a written change of address form to the Appraisal Office and the Tax Commissioner’s office.
• Property Characteristics: File a formal appeal during the annual appeal period (usually 45 days from the Notice of Assessment date) if you believe the physical description of your property is incorrect.
• Exemption Status: Submit new or updated exemption applications (e.g., senior exemption status) by the April 1st deadline.

Timely updates ensure you receive official communications and that your property is valued based on the most current and accurate data available. The office uses updated data to maintain the highest standards of Fulton County property appraisal confidentiality rules.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

The laws governing property appraisal and public records are subject to change by the Georgia General Assembly. Therefore, the Fulton County property appraiser privacy policy may need updates to reflect new legal or operational requirements. The office is committed to transparency regarding these revisions.

Any changes made will be documented and published clearly on the official website. This proactive communication ensures that property owners are always aware of how their data is handled under the Fulton County personal information policy.

Notification of Updates

When significant changes occur, the office takes steps to ensure public awareness. A change is considered significant if it alters the types of data collected, the purposes for its use, or the security measures employed.

Notification methods include:

• Posting a prominent notice on the homepage of the Fulton County Appraisal Office website for a minimum of 30 days.
• Sending an email notification to subscribed users (if applicable).
• Updating the “Date of Last Revision” section within the policy document itself.

Users are encouraged to review the policy periodically to stay informed about the latest data privacy guidelines Fulton County property office follows. Continued use of the office’s services after a change implies acceptance of the revised terms.

Date of Last Revision

The date listed below indicates when the policy was last reviewed and updated. This date serves as a quick reference point for users seeking to identify recent modifications to the privacy statement Fulton County property appraiser uses.

The office reviews the policy at least annually to ensure ongoing compliance with state law and technical best practices. Regular review supports the office’s commitment to current Fulton County appraisal office privacy notice standards.

Date of Last Revision: January 3, 2026

Contact Us for Privacy Concerns

For any questions or concerns regarding the handling of your property data or the specifics of the Fulton County property appraiser privacy policy, direct communication is encouraged. The office maintains dedicated channels for addressing privacy matters promptly and accurately. This open channel demonstrates the commitment to trust and transparency.

Addressing privacy concerns quickly is essential to maintaining the integrity of the property assessment system and reinforcing Fulton County property records confidentiality. Contacting the office directly ensures your issue is handled by the appropriate personnel.

How to Reach the Fulton County Property Appraiser

The Chief Appraiser’s office oversees the implementation and enforcement of this policy. All formal privacy inquiries or requests for data access/correction should be directed to this office. Written communication is preferred for documentation purposes.

Official Contact Information:

Fulton County Board of Assessors

• Office Location: 141 Pryor Street SW, Suite A116, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Official Website: www.fultonassessor.org
• Office Phone: (404) 612-6440
• Email for Privacy Concerns: privacy@fultonassessor.org

Visiting Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (excluding official County holidays).
Property owners are advised to call ahead to schedule appointments for complex data review.

The office is centrally located in downtown Atlanta, making it accessible for in-person submissions and consultations regarding Fulton County property appraisal confidentiality rules and related matters. Use the map below for reference.

The Fulton County Appraisal Office remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of data security and transparency in all its operations. This policy serves as the operational charter for protecting your sensitive property data.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section addresses common concerns about the Fulton County property appraiser privacy policy and the handling of taxpayer information. We explain which property details are public and what personal data the Fulton County appraisal office keeps confidential. Knowing these practices helps property owners feel secure about their real estate data protection and the rules governing public access to records.

What real estate data protection rules apply to my Fulton County property records?

Most property records in Fulton County become public information under the Georgia Open Records Act. This includes ownership names, legal descriptions, deed transfers, property valuations, and assessment history. Therefore, the Fulton County appraisal office makes this real estate data visible to the public. However, the office uses security measures, like SSL encryption for online payments, to protect sensitive financial information you submit during a transaction. You can check the official county website for a complete privacy statement.

Which specific personal information policy protects data given to the Fulton County assessor?

The Fulton County personal information policy protects certain financial and accounting records provided by a taxpayer during an assessment. Specifically, materials like profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and depreciation schedules are confidential. The law restricts public inspection of this sensitive data. Conversely, property data gathered by assessors, such as field cards, do not receive this confidentiality status. The Fulton County assessor office uses this distinction to manage property tax data privacy fairly.

Is property data privacy in Fulton County different for commercial versus residential owners?

The core rules for property data privacy in Fulton County remain the same for commercial and residential properties. The Georgia Open Records Act dictates that basic property details and assessment values are public for both. Still, if a commercial owner submits accounting records to the Fulton County appraisal office for a tax appeal, those specific financial documents stay confidential. This means the type of submitted information, not the property type, decides what remains private.

How does the Fulton County property appraiser secure my personal financial data during online payments?

The Fulton County property appraiser protects sensitive financial data, such as credit card numbers, by using the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption protocol. This security measure scrambles the information as it moves from your computer to the county’s server for processing. This step helps safeguard your payment details, which is a key part of the Fulton County property appraiser privacy policy for online services. Always close your browser after finishing any password-protected application.

What information is shared between the Fulton County appraisal office and other county agencies?

The Fulton County appraisal office may share personally identifiable information among different county agencies. This sharing happens when it is necessary to complete a requested service or transaction. For example, tax collection processes may require information sharing between the assessor and the tax commissioner. This practice is detailed in the Fulton County property tax data privacy guidelines and ensures that all agencies have the required details to fulfill their specific duties for property owners.