Sacramento County CA Recorder: Deeds & Records
Use this Sacramento County Recorder guide to search deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, assignments, liens and other recorded documents, locate property information, order plain or certified copies, understand recording fees, and prepare for a Sacramento County real-property recording.
“`Open Official Recorder Search Open Sacramento Parcel Viewer
Quick Answer: What Does the Sacramento County Recorder Do?
The Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder preserves and indexes legally recordable documents affecting real property and other official records. Common property-related recordings include deeds, deeds of trust, deeds of reconveyance, assignments of deeds of trust and liens.
The Recorder is different from the County Assessor, which maintains assessment and parcel information, and the Tax Collector, which handles property-tax billing and collection.
| If you need… | Start here | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| A recorded grant deed or quitclaim deed | County Clerk/Recorder | The Recorder maintains recorded real-property instruments. |
| A deed of trust or reconveyance | County Clerk/Recorder | These are common recorded documents in the official index. |
| An easement or lien | County Clerk/Recorder | Search the recorded-document index and obtain the actual document when needed. |
| Parcel number or parcel map | County Assessor | The Assessor provides parcel mapping and assessment-related property data. |
| Assessed value | County Assessor | Assessment information is not the Recorder’s primary function. |
| Current property-tax bill | Tax Collector | Tax collection is handled separately. |
| Court order, divorce decree or probate/will record | Sacramento Superior Court | The Recorder specifically directs users to the court for these records. |
| Legal determination of ownership/title | Title professional or California attorney | A public-record search is not a complete legal title examination. |
How to Search Sacramento County Recorder Records Online
Sacramento County’s online public index covers recorded documents dating back to 1849. The county describes it as a tool for identifying records that may be useful for further research or for ordering copies.
Search Sacramento County Recorded Documents
- Open the official Sacramento County Recorded Document Index. Use the County Clerk/Recorder’s official search rather than assuming a commercial property website is the Recorder database.
- Start with the name of a party to the recording. Sacramento County describes its online index as searchable by party name and year of recording.
- Use the approximate year when possible. If you know roughly when the property was purchased, refinanced, transferred or affected by a lien, use the recording year to reduce unrelated matches.
- Look for the relevant document type. Common results may include deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, assignments and liens.
- Compare all index information available. Do not assume that a common personal or business name refers to the property you are researching.
- Save the book/page or Recorder identifying information. Sacramento County specifically advises copy-order customers to use the online index to find book and page information.
- Order the document when its contents matter. The online index does not display the actual recorded instrument.
What Sacramento County Records Can You Find?
| Document | What it may tell you | Useful follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Deed | May document transfer of a real-property ownership interest. | Verify grantor, grantee, recording date, APN and legal description. |
| Quitclaim Deed | Transfers whatever interest the grantor may hold without the warranties associated with some other deed forms. | Review the complete document and surrounding title history. |
| Deed of Trust | Typically secures an obligation with California real property. | Search forward for assignments, substitutions and reconveyances. |
| Deed of Reconveyance | May reflect reconveyance following satisfaction of a deed of trust. | Match it to the earlier deed-of-trust recording. |
| Assignment of Deed of Trust | May transfer a beneficial interest associated with an existing deed of trust. | Trace the original and later related recordings. |
| Lien | May evidence a claim affecting property or a named debtor. | Look for a release, satisfaction or subsequent legal action. |
| Easement | May create or describe rights affecting use or access to property. | Read the legal description and attached exhibits. |
How to Find a Sacramento County Deed From a Property Address
The Recorder’s online index is not designed as a simple street-address property search. When your starting point is an address, use the Sacramento County Assessor first.
Use Sacramento County Assessor property tools or Parcel Viewer.
Note the APN, parcel location and useful ownership information.
Use party names and the approximate recording year to locate the deed.
- Open the Sacramento County Assessor Parcel Viewer. Visit Sacramento County Assessor Parcel Viewer .
- Identify the correct parcel. Compare the location carefully, particularly where condominiums, multiple units, adjacent parcels or similar street addresses are involved.
- Save the Assessor Parcel Number. The APN is also important when preparing a document transferring Sacramento County real property.
- Note relevant ownership information. Preserve exact spelling, initials, trust wording or entity names that may help in a Recorder party-name search.
- Estimate the transfer year. If you know when the owner purchased or received the property, use that year to narrow the Recorder index.
- Open the Recorder index. Search the relevant grantor/grantee name and year.
- Identify the likely deed. Save its Recorder reference and order the complete document when you need to confirm the property description or vesting language.
How to Find a Grant Deed or Quitclaim Deed
Sacramento County identifies grant deeds and quitclaim deeds as the two most common documents used to transfer ownership of real property.
Recent deed search
- Confirm the property and owner. Start with Assessor information if you only know the address.
- Determine an approximate transfer date. A known sale date, family transfer date or refinance period makes the Recorder search more efficient.
- Search the current owner’s legal name. Look for a deed recorded around the expected transfer year.
- Search the prior owner’s name if known. This can help confirm the grantor side of the transfer.
- Save the recording reference. Keep the book/page or other identifying information shown in the index.
- Order the recorded deed. Check the actual grantor, grantee, legal description, signatures and recording data rather than relying exclusively on the index.
Build a basic chain of deeds
Start with the newest confirmed deed and work backward. For each transfer, record the parties, recording date and document locator. Then search the grantor’s earlier acquisition deed.
Deeds of Trust, Assignments and Reconveyances
The County Clerk/Recorder specifically lists deeds of trust, deeds of reconveyance and assignments of deeds of trust among the most commonly recorded documents.
| Document found | Possible meaning | Research next |
|---|---|---|
| Deed of Trust | A security instrument associated with an obligation secured by real property. | Search for later assignments, substitutions or reconveyances. |
| Assignment of Deed of Trust | May transfer a beneficial interest in the security instrument. | Match the assignment to the original deed-of-trust recording. |
| Substitution of Trustee | May replace the trustee named under a deed of trust. | Follow references to the original instrument. |
| Reconveyance | May show that the deed of trust has been reconveyed. | Verify which deed of trust the document references. |
| Notice of Default | May relate to a foreclosure process. | Review the underlying deed of trust and subsequent recordings. |
| Trustee’s Deed | May reflect a transfer following a trustee-sale process. | Review the complete sequence of related documents. |
A recorded deed of trust does not, by itself, prove the present balance or current status of a loan. Search for later instruments and obtain appropriate professional verification when the answer matters to a transaction.
How to Research Liens, Easements and Other Encumbrances
Sacramento County’s index can help identify recorded liens and other property-related documents. Reliable research usually requires following the document history rather than stopping at the first result.
| If you find… | Look for… |
|---|---|
| Mechanic’s lien | Release, satisfaction, court action or later related recording |
| Judgment-related lien | Correct debtor identity, renewal, satisfaction or release |
| Tax lien | Release or later filing affecting the same obligation |
| Easement | Complete legal description, exhibits, amendments and releases |
| CC&R or restriction | Amendments, restatements and later modifications |
| Notice affecting title | The underlying dispute and later resolution documents |
How to Order a Sacramento County Recorded Document Copy
Because the online index does not display the actual document, a copy request is often the next step after identifying the correct deed or other recording.
Sacramento County currently allows recorded-document copies to be requested through several channels.
| Method | What to do |
|---|---|
| In person | Visit a Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder office. |
| Send the completed recorded-document order form with required payment. | |
| Fax | Use the county’s completed order form and current fax/payment instructions. |
| Telephone | Call the Clerk/Recorder at (916) 874-6334. |
Sacramento Recorded Document Copies
Current recorded-document copy fees
| Copy | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Non-certified copy – first page | $8.00 |
| Each subsequent page | $1.00 |
| Certification | $1.00 per document |
| Certified copy – first page total | $9.00 |
| Self-service uncertified copy in person | $1.00 per page |
How to Make a Copy Request Easier
Before contacting the Recorder, collect as many identifiers as possible.
The online index is particularly useful for finding the book/page or other recording information before submitting the copy order.
Sacramento County Recording Requirements
California law controls whether a document is legally recordable. Sacramento County publishes a practical summary of requirements that should be reviewed before submitting an original document.
Review Official Recording Rules
First-page format
- Reserve at least the top 2½ inches of the first page for recording information.
- The left 3½ inches of that top area can show the person requesting recording and the name/address where the recorded document should be returned.
- Maintain at least a ½-inch margin on the two vertical sides, except within the reserved recording-information area.
- Caption the document title immediately below the Recorder’s reserved space.
Document size
Sacramento County’s rules describe a standard page as 8½ × 11 inches. Documents can generally be recorded up to 8½ × 14 inches, but non-standard page sizing can trigger an additional surcharge.
Original signatures
The county’s published rules state that original signatures are generally required on instruments, papers or notices presented for recording unless another law permits an exception. A qualifying certified copy may also be acceptable.
Documents modifying an earlier recording
A document that modifies, releases or cancels an earlier recorded document should identify the earlier Recorder identification number or book/page reference as required by law.
Notary acknowledgment
Documents requiring acknowledgment must use a legally sufficient California acknowledgment. Do not assume an acknowledgment form prepared for another state or an old template will automatically satisfy California requirements.
How to Record a Sacramento County Property Transfer
For a typical deed transferring Sacramento County real property, the Clerk/Recorder says it will look for several items.
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report should also accompany a qualifying ownership-transfer document.
Record in person
Sacramento County directs in-person real-property recordings to its main office:
3636 American River Drive, Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95864
Documents presented by 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding county holidays, are recorded the same day when they satisfy recording requirements.
Record by mail
The county instructs customers to mail documents with a check or money order payable to Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder to:
Sacramento County Recorder
3636 American River Drive, Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95864
Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR)
Sacramento County requires a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, Form BOE-502-A, to accompany a document transferring ownership when applicable.
The form is provided through the Sacramento County Assessor.
Complete the current county-specific form rather than reusing a PCOR from a different California county. Sacramento County’s Assessor specifically notes that every California county has its own set of forms.
Sacramento County Documentary Transfer Tax
Sacramento County imposes documentary transfer tax on applicable documents transferring real property.
The tax is paid when the document transferring the property is recorded. Either buyer or seller may pay it by agreement.
Transfer-tax declaration
The first or lead page of an applicable transfer document must show a transfer-tax declaration.
Sacramento County’s current instructions require the filer to:
- state the amount of documentary transfer tax due;
- state applicable City of Sacramento transfer tax separately;
- identify which value was used for the calculation;
- sign the declaration; and
- identify the city where the property is located or state that it is in an unincorporated area.
If the declared county transfer tax is $0, the county instructs the filer to provide an explanation such as a gift or applicable statutory exemption.
Sacramento County DTT Guidance Transfer Tax Declaration Instructions
Special Rule for Property Inside the City of Sacramento
Do not confuse Sacramento County with the incorporated City of Sacramento.
Property located inside Sacramento city limits can be subject to a separate City of Sacramento Real Property Transfer Tax in addition to the county documentary transfer tax.
This City tax does not automatically apply to every property in Sacramento County. The County identifies the incorporated cities within Sacramento County as Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova and Sacramento, in addition to unincorporated county areas.
City of Sacramento Transfer Tax
Sacramento County Recorder Fees
Sacramento County recording costs are document-specific. The amount is not simply one flat “deed fee.”
| Recording item | Current posted fee | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Basic first page/title – 8½ × 11 | $20.00 | Before applicable statutory additions/surcharges |
| Each additional standard-size page | $3.00 | Applies where all pages are standard 8½ × 11 size |
| Each additional title | $20.00 | Additional title fees may apply |
| Building Homes and Jobs Act fee | $75.00 when applicable | Subject to statutory exemptions and a $225 cap |
| First page/title when BHJA fee applies | $95.00 | $20 basic first title plus $75 applicable fee |
| Non-standard-size page surcharge | $3.00 per page | If any page is not 8½ × 11; maximum generally 8½ × 14 |
| More than 10 indexed names | $1.00 per additional group of 10 or fraction | Applies after the initial 10 names |
| Additional cross-reference indexing | $1.00 per additional reference | The first cross-reference is included |
| County documentary transfer tax | $0.55 per $500 or fraction | When applicable |
| Missing required PCOR | Additional $20.00 | For applicable ownership-transfer recording without PCOR |
Check Current Sacramento Recorder Fees
Building Homes and Jobs Act Fee: When to Check It
California’s Building Homes and Jobs Act can add a $75 fee per qualifying real-estate instrument, paper or notice, subject to statutory rules and a maximum cap.
Sacramento County lists several circumstances that may exempt a recording, including qualifying documents recorded in connection with:
- a transfer subject to documentary transfer tax;
- a transfer of residential real property to an owner-occupier;
- a transaction where the statutory $225 cap has already been reached; or
- a document that is not related to real property.
Same-Day Recording Cutoff
At the main Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder office, documents presented before the county’s recording cutoff can receive same-day recording when all requirements are satisfied.
Qualifying documents presented in person or electronically can be recorded the same business day.
Documents are recorded the next business day.
Same-day recording is not offered; accepted documents are recorded at the main office within the county’s stated processing period.
Accepted Payment Methods
For ordinary in-person Clerk/Recorder transactions, Sacramento County currently lists:
- cash;
- check;
- money order;
- debit card;
- Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express; and
- Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
The county currently assesses a $2.50 service fee on in-person credit/debit transactions, subject to its transaction limit.
Mail, fax and online orders can generally be paid by check, money order or supported credit card. Sacramento County currently states that a $6 processing fee applies to credit-card transactions for mail, fax and online orders.
What If the Recorder Search Returns No Result?
| Problem | Try this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| No result for the owner | Try prior owner, trust, spouse or entity names | The property may have been recorded under a different indexed party. |
| Too many results | Restrict the search to the likely recording year | The county search is party-name/year oriented. |
| You only know the address | Use Sacramento Assessor tools first | The Recorder index is not primarily an address-search database. |
| You found the record but cannot open the deed | Order a recorded-document copy | The public online index does not display the actual document. |
| Names do not match | Look for trusts, LLCs, prior surnames or other legal-name variations | Recorder indexing follows names appearing on the recorded instrument. |
| You need a court order or divorce decree | Contact Sacramento Superior Court | These are court records rather than Recorder document copies. |
| You need a will or probate file | Contact Sacramento Superior Court Probate Unit | The Recorder does not maintain the court’s probate case file. |
What to Do If You Find a Suspicious Property Recording
A Recorder index result that you do not recognize does not automatically prove fraud. First obtain the complete recorded document and verify the parcel, names, signatures, legal description and recording references.
Sacramento County’s Clerk/Recorder links property-fraud concerns to the Sacramento County District Attorney Real Estate Fraud Unit.
The District Attorney currently provides a suspected real-estate fraud reporting process and lists:
Real Estate Fraud Unit / Hotline: (916) 874-9045
Sacramento DA Real Estate Fraud
Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder Locations
Main Office
Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder
3636 American River Drive, Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95864
General hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Same-day document recording: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Phone: (916) 874-6334
Satellite Office – South
8239 E. Stockton Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95828
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Phone: (916) 874-6334
Same-day document recording is not available at this location. Sacramento County states that documents accepted here for recording are processed at the main office within 2 business days.
Sacramento County Recorder Research Checklist
- Street address
- Assessor Parcel Number
- Legal description
- City/unincorporated location
- Current owner
- Prior owner
- Trust names
- LLC/entity names
- Document type
- Recording year
- Book/page
- Related instruments
- Complete document
- Legal description
- Later releases
- Professional title review
Official Sacramento County Recorder Resources
| Official resource | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder | Main Recorder services and current announcements |
| Online Index of Recorded Documents | Understand the official Recorder search and available record types |
| Recorded Document Search | Search the Recorder index |
| Recorded Document Copies | Order plain or certified copies |
| Rules for Recorded Documents | Formatting, signatures, margins, titles and re-recording rules |
| Transferring Ownership | Grantor/grantee, APN, PCOR, transfer tax and recording instructions |
| Recorder Fee Schedule | Recording, copy and statutory surcharge information |
| Documentary Transfer Tax | County transfer-tax rate and requirements |
| Assessor Parcel Viewer | Identify Sacramento County parcels and property information |
| Sacramento Assessor Forms | Current Preliminary Change of Ownership Report and related forms |
| City of Sacramento Transfer Tax | Separate City tax for applicable transfers inside Sacramento city limits |
Sacramento County Recorder FAQs
1. How do I search Sacramento County Recorder records online?
Use the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder’s official Recorded Document Index. The county describes the online search as an index of documents recorded since 1849 and allows users to identify records by party name and recording year for further research or copy ordering.
2. Can I view a Sacramento County deed online?
The county’s public online Recorder index identifies recorded documents but does not display the actual recorded instrument. After locating the correct deed in the index, order a copy from the Clerk/Recorder or view available records at a Recorder office.
3. Can I search Sacramento County Recorder records by property address?
The Recorder index is primarily a party-name and recording-year search rather than a simple address search. If you only know the address, use Sacramento County Assessor property tools first to identify the parcel and useful owner information, then continue the search in the Recorder index.
4. How far back do Sacramento County Recorder records go online?
Sacramento County states that its online public index includes documents recorded in the county since 1849. The online system is an index and should be used to identify records for further research or copy requests.
5. How much is a copy of a Sacramento County recorded document?
Sacramento County currently charges $8 for the first page of a non-certified recorded-document copy and $1 for each additional page. Certification is an additional $1 per document, making the first page of a certified copy $9. Self-service uncertified copies purchased in person are currently $1 per page.
6. What is the basic Sacramento County Recorder recording fee?
The current Sacramento County fee schedule lists a basic recording charge of $20 for the first page/title of an 8½ × 11 document and $3 for each additional standard-size page. Additional titles, statutory surcharges, transfer tax and the Building Homes and Jobs Act fee can increase the total.
7. What is Sacramento County documentary transfer tax?
Sacramento County currently lists documentary transfer tax at $0.55 for each $500 or fractional part of taxable value when applicable. The tax is paid at recording and a transfer-tax declaration must be provided on applicable real-property transfer documents.
8. Does the City of Sacramento have an additional property transfer tax?
Yes. For applicable non-exempt transfers inside Sacramento city limits, the City of Sacramento currently states that its separate real-property transfer tax is $2.75 per $1,000 of the full value of consideration or purchase price. This is separate from Sacramento County documentary transfer tax.
9. Do I need a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when recording a Sacramento County deed?
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, Form BOE-502-A, must accompany applicable documents transferring real-property ownership. Sacramento County currently states that an additional $20 recording fee is assessed when the required PCOR is not presented at recording.
10. What time is the Sacramento County Recorder same-day recording cutoff?
At the main Clerk/Recorder office, Sacramento County currently provides same-day document recording for qualifying documents presented by 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Documents deposited after 3:00 p.m. are recorded the next business day. The South satellite office does not provide same-day recording.
County-CAD.us is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with Sacramento County, the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder, Sacramento County Assessor, Sacramento County Tax Collector, City of Sacramento, Sacramento County District Attorney, State of California or any other government agency.
Recorder search interfaces, recording fees, copy charges, statutory surcharges, documentary transfer tax, city transfer tax, PCOR requirements, office hours and recording rules can change. Always confirm transaction-specific requirements directly with the responsible government office before recording a deed, sending an original document, paying transfer tax or relying on a public record for a legal transaction.
Last editorial verification: August 14, 2026. Primary sources reviewed include the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder official website, Online Index of Recorded Documents, Recorded Documents copy guidance, Fee Schedule, Rules for Recorded Documents, Transferring Ownership guidance, Documentary Transfer Tax FAQ, Transfer Tax Declaration instructions, Acceptable Forms of Payment, Locations/Hours page, Sacramento County Assessor Parcel Viewer and forms, City of Sacramento Real Property Transfer Tax guidance, and Sacramento County District Attorney Real Estate Fraud resources.
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