How to Search California Recorded Documents (Start Here)
Recorded documents in California — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the County Recorder in each county.
What this page covers: California recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).
Where to start: Go to the County Recorder in the county where the property is located. Many county county recorders offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.
Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.
Recorder of deeds
UCC-1 filings
Statewide deed index?
Recording statute
Number of counties
58 counties
Population
39,431,263
Households
13,628,600
Median Income
$96,334
Median Home Value
$715,900
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: California recorded documents URL verified against the official state publisher at www.sos.ca.gov on the review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
California Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)
Deeds, mortgages, UCC filings, liens, military discharges in California — what gets recorded and where in 2026.
County
Where deeds live
Permanent record
SoS
Where UCC live
Secretary of State
Article 9
UCC governs
Secured transactions
Public
Most recorded docs
With redaction
Federal
DD-214 / IRS liens
National-level
Deeds
100
Mortgages
95
Liens (property)
70
UCC (business)
55
Powers of attorney
25
Military DD-214
10
Unit: relative volume (deeds=100).
What Changed in 2026 — California Recorded Documents
2026
California recorded documents portal active
The official California portal at www.sos.ca.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for recorded documents in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for recorded documents
The NASS UCC Filings overview at www.nass.org provides federal-level context that complements California state records.
2026
California access in 2026
For 2026, California continues to publish recorded documents information through state-authorized portals; check www.sos.ca.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE California's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.
The 5-Type California Recorded Documents Map
1
Type 1 — Real property (Deeds, Mortgages)
California County Recorder / Register of Deeds. Permanent record.
2
Type 2 — UCC (business collateral)
Most filed with California Secretary of State. Some real-estate UCCs are county.
3
Type 3 — Liens (tax, mechanic's, judgment)
Property liens at the county. IRS federal tax liens may file at county OR state.
4
Type 4 — Personal documents (POA, military DD-214)
Often optional county recording in California for safekeeping. Originals at federal NPRC.
5
Type 5 — Maps & subdivisions
California county recorder; some at state mapping office.
Five Things People Get Wrong About California Recorded Documents
❌ Myth: "All UCC filings are at the California county."
✓ Truth: False. Most UCC filings (Article 9) are at the California Secretary of State, not county.
❌ Myth: "All liens show up in a deed search."
✓ Truth: False. Federal tax liens may file at county OR state. Judgment liens vary. Always cross-check.
❌ Myth: "Recording a deed transfers title."
✓ Truth: False. The deed transfers title when delivered. Recording gives public notice — important but different.
❌ Myth: "DD-214 is only federal."
✓ Truth: Partially false. The original is federal (NPRC), but many veterans record a copy at their California county for easy access.
❌ Myth: "Old California recorded docs are fully digitized."
✓ Truth: False. Most California counties only digitized records back to ~1990-2000. Older docs are paper at the courthouse.
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.sos.ca.gov — Official California Recorded Documents — State portal for California recorded documents
- NASS UCC Filings overview — National Association of Secretaries of State
- National Archives — Military Records (DD-214) — National Personnel Records Center
- IRS Federal Tax Liens — Federal lien procedures
- HUD Recording Basics — Federal property recording basics
- USA.gov — Government Records — Federal record retrieval portal
- data.gov — Assessor datasets — Federal-cataloged county data
Related Recorded Documents Resources
📍 Other California records:
- California Court Records →
- California Criminal Records →
- California Property Records →
- California Vital Records →
- California Voter Records →
- California Wants & Warrants →
- California Licenses →
🇺🇸 Recorded Documents in other states:
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
National: U.S. Recorded Documents hub →
Related Public Records
More California records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses
National view of this topic: All states: Recorded docs
Recorded Documents Databases
38 official California recorded documents sources.
Recorded Documents
Alameda County Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder |
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The Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder is a combined agency delivering essential services such as countywide auditing, accounting, financial management, and issuing and safeguarding vital records.
RecorderWorks
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Searching by document number is available at the top of the page by clicking "Document Number". Please Select a Date of Recording from: 1/1/1991 through: 6/2/.
Clerk Recorder - Calaveras County
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Preserves the official archive of legally recordable documents. Maintains records of all marriages, births, and deaths occurring within Calaveras County.
El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk - Self-Service
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El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk · cart Home Log in · Document Type · GRANT DEED · Recording Information · Book Page · Names · Image Not Available · Close · Session about to time out
Home - County of Fresno
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On Display Indefinitely · In response to the rapid rate of growth of the Fresno June Lightning Complex Fire (Bolt, Hog and Flash) and subsequent evacuation orders, the Fresno County Administrative Officer/Emergency Services Director Paul Nerland has proclaimed a Local Emergency
Home Page
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California law requires that FBN’s are filed at the County level; there is no State-wide registry or national registry.
Count_HtmlCumulativeReport
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Final HTML Cumulative Results · Official Results · Run Time · 10:57 AM · Run Date · 12/08/2022 · County of Lake, California · November 8, 2022 General Election · 11/8/2022
Search Assessor records and maps | County of Marin Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
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Further, this subdivision shall. of the county or the assessor for errors, omissions, or other defects in any other information or records provided by the assessor pursuant to the provisions of this part. California Revenue and Taxation Code section 408.3(d). By continuing to use this application you are agreeing to this disclaimer. This information has been scanned by the Mapping Division of the Marin County Assessor's.
Planning Commission Review Draft | June 2011 1 PART I: GENERAL PLAN OVERVIEW
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The County encompasses approximately 1,980± square miles, of which 1.2 million acres · or 98 percent is unincorporated. Approximately 24,128 acres, or 1.9 percent of the total · land area, lies within one of the six incorporated cities: Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, Los Banos, and Merced.
AT A GLANCE: Monterey County | County of Monterey, CA
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Monterey County is located on the Central Coast of California just south of the San Francisco Bay Area , about 45 miles from San Jose and 106 miles from the City of San Francisco.
“E” Use Permit Application Packet Kenzo Estates Winery P15-00293
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1195 Third Street, Napa, CA 94559 - (707) 253-4417 - www.countyofnapa.org
Occlerkrecorder
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FBN Types · FBN Name · FBN Addresses · FBN Registrants · Penalty of Perjury · Document Copies · FBN Report · Finish · FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME · Your session is about to end due to inactivity. Click Ok to stay online, otherwise your session will expire in seconds
Public Access System Recorder-County Clerk - Self-Service
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This search site is provided as a service to our customers. All data contained herein is subject to change without notice. By using this service, in any form, the user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County and anyone involved in storing, retrieving, or displaying this information.
San Diego County Public Records
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CALIFORNIA STATE LAW CHANGE - NO. – California Public Records Act, the Assessor Parcel Number (APN) search functionality is no longer available in our online Official Record Search. APN searches remain available only at our in-person kiosks conveniently located at our five offices across the County of San Diego.
SF Recorder
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Document Availability Online official record index information is available from January 1, 1990 forward. Images of documents recorded January 1,.
San Mateo County :: Clerk. Assessor. Recorder. Elections.
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SAN MATEO CITY ELEM GENL PUR · SAN MATEO HIGH GENRL PURPOSE · SEQUOIA HIGH GENRL PURPOSE · SM JR COLLEGE GEN PUR · SO SAN FRAN UNIFIED GENL PUR · TOWN OF COLMA · TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH · TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY · UNINCORPORATED ·
Self-Service - Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder
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There are a variety of ways you can access Services at The Clerk-Recorder's Office. You may visit in person but, for the most efficient and least amount of wait time, we suggest the convenience of booking an appointment to have a set time for your service · Please visit the Office of the Clerk.
Self-Service
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This search site is provided as a service to our customers. All data contained herein is subject to change without notice. By using this service, in any form, the user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County and anyone involved in storing, retrieving, or displaying this information.
Solano County Recorder's office
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The Official Records index information is provided as a public service for your convenience. Updates and corrections occur on a regular basis; however, neither.
Self-Service
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The “Restrictive Covenant Modification” form can be obtained from the County Recorder’s office and may be available on its internet website (sonomacounty.gov/clerk). The form may also be available from the party that provided you with this document. Lawful restrictions under state and federal law on the age of occupants in senior housing or housing for older persons shall not be construed as restrictions based on familial status.
Self-Service
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This search site is provided as a service to our customers. All data contained herein is subject to change without notice. By using this service, in any form, the user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County and anyone involved in storing, retrieving, or displaying this information.
County Main | Tulare
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Find County Supervisor contact information. Request services of our Department for your function or event. Contact the Fraud Hotline. for department contact information. TipNow receives anonymous real-time SMS/text, voice, and email tips from the community to help prevent crime, theft, and emergency situations. Submit a tax-deductible donation to one of the 28 programs that are a part of our Tulare County 501(c)(3) non-profit, Friends of Tulare County.
Tuolumne County
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NOTE: YOU MUST LOG OUT OF THE PREVIOUS DATABASE BEFORE SWITCHING YOUR USER ID · Public Access Recorders login User Id: web (with no password) Public Access Carlo De Ferrari Archive login User Id: research (with no password)
Self-Service
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Self-Service
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Users should remember that the index is similar to a library card catalogue; it is a guide to the information contained within the documents referenced and should not be relied upon in making any decision or determination regarding the underlying document. The user is advised to search all possible spelling variations of names, as well as other search criteria, to maximize search results. If you choose not to accept the conditions stated above, please click the Back button to exit this search application.
Self-Service
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This search site is provided as a service to our customers. All data contained herein is subject to change without notice. By using this service, in any form, the user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County and anyone involved in storing, retrieving, or displaying this information.
Departments | Kern County, CA
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Kern County Organizational Chart (PDF) See also Board of Supervisors and Other Agencies · Administrative Office (see County Administrative Office) Aging & Adult Services · Agriculture/Measurement Standards · Airports · America's Job Center of California ·
Placer County - CountyFusion County Access Portal
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Self-Service
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This is a new grantor/grantee searching website · This search site is provided as a service to our customers. All data contained herein is subject to change without notice. By using this service, in any form, the user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County and anyone involved in.
Official Records Search - Web - Santa Barbara County
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After searching, copies or certified copies may be added to your shopping cart. Copy Fees: $10.00 per document and $2.00 per document for certification. Information on this web site is collected, maintained and provided by the County of Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder's Office as a service to.
Self-Service
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This search site is provided as a service to our customers. All data contained herein is subject to change without notice. By using this service, in any form, the user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County and anyone involved in storing, retrieving, or displaying this information.
STANISLAUS clerk-recorder Event Reservation Page
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CLS - Landing Page | County Records
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Click a link below to view a tutorials about using CountyRecords.com.
Yolo County Clerk and Recorder's Office - Self-Service
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Code §12956.1 Any discriminatory. redacted copy of the document to the County Recorder. Forms are available from the County Recorder’s office or its website, (clerk-recorder@yolocounty.gov).
Self-Service - Yuba County, CA Recorder
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Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder
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Forms to correct or amend birth, death, or marriage records for events that occurred in California are available online from the California Department of Public Health. Contact us for more information about County Clerk/Recorder services including: recording documents, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses and certificates, preliminary 20-day notices, and professional registrations. In Person Visit one of our office locations. By Mail Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder 3636 American River Drive, Suite 110 Sacramento, CA 95864
California Counties
58 California counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds and mortgages in California?▼
In California, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real-property documents are recorded at the county level by the county Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder). The Official California Recorded Documents at www.sos.ca.gov handles statewide filings such as UCC-1 financing statements and corporate documents.
Where do I file a UCC-1 financing statement in California?▼
UCC-1 financing statements covering personal property and business collateral are filed centrally with the Official California Recorded Documents at www.sos.ca.gov. Fixture filings on real estate are an exception — those go to the county where the property is located.
Are California recorded documents available online?▼
Most California countys publish a free online index of recorded documents (by name, document type, or date). Image access (the actual deed image) is often available either free or for a small per-page fee. Statewide UCC and corporate filings are searchable through the Official California Recorded Documents at www.sos.ca.gov.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a California recorded deed?▼
Certified copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are issued by the county Recorder where the document was originally recorded. Fees and ID requirements vary; see your specific county page below. The Official California Recorded Documents (www.sos.ca.gov) handles certified copies of statewide filings such as UCCs and articles of incorporation.
What's the difference between a deed and a title in California?▼
A deed is the recorded instrument that conveys ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership itself. Deeds in California are recorded with the county Recorder; title insurance and title searches are private-sector services that examine the chain of recorded deeds. The Official California Recorded Documents at www.sos.ca.gov publishes the statewide rules.