San Juan County Colorado Property Records and Deed Search: Official Resources and Methods

San Juan County, Colorado provides multiple avenues for accessing property records, deeds, liens, and conducting title searches. Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies with Silverton as the county seat, San Juan County maintains comprehensive public records dating back to the 1860s for all property transactions and ownership documentation.

Online Property Database Access

San Juan County offers a searchable property database and maps hosted by GSA with access to GIS mapping, which is a new system as of December 5, 2024 and is updated regularly. Property owners and researchers can access this database at https://sanjuancounty.colorado.gov/property.

The online system provides comprehensive property information including parcel identification, ownership details, tax assessments, and geographical boundaries. The majority of parcels in San Juan County are non-producing patented mining claims, making the database particularly valuable for mining-related property research.

Document Search Through County Recorder

The San Juan Clerk and Recorder’s Office maintains online databases containing records dating back to the 1860s. The office provides two primary database systems for document research:

For current records from 1974 to present, access TheCountyRecorder system at http://www.thecountyrecorder.com/Search.aspx. For historical documents older than 1974, researchers can use the ArcaSearch system. These databases allow searches by recording date, document type, grantor/grantee names, and legal descriptions.

Accessing Deeds and Real Estate Records

Property deeds and real estate transactions are maintained by the San Juan County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. The Recording Division is responsible for recording, imaging, preserving, maintaining and providing access to all documents that are a permanent public record in San Juan County, including real estate transactions, plats, easements, egress/ingress rights, and mineral rights.

Documents with machine-readable text are searchable, and access to the databases are free in the office, while subscriptions and one-time access fees are available for remote home and business access.

Lien Search and Title Research

Lien searches and title research can be conducted through the same online database systems. The County Recorder maintains records of all liens filed against properties, including tax liens, mechanic’s liens, and judgment liens. The San Juan Clerk and Recorder’s Office does not search public records on request, including the search of real estate records, except through formal Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests.

For professional title searches, researchers must conduct their own searches or submit formal CORA requests. San Juan County charges a rate of $41.37 per hour for CORA requests, with the first hour being free.

GIS Mapping and Parcel Information

San Juan County maintains comprehensive GIS mapping services accessible at https://sjco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html. The GIS system provides detailed parcel maps, property boundaries, topographical information, and integration with property ownership records.

Parcel shapefiles updated March 2025 are available, with one record per tax account, and other GIS files can be requested by emailing assessor@sanjuancolorado.us.

County Contact Information and Fees

San Juan County Clerk and Recorder

• Address: 1557 Greene St, PO Box 466, Silverton, CO 81433
• Phone: 970-387-5671
• Email: clerk@sanjuancolorado.us
• Recording Division Phone: 970-387-5671

Recording Fee Changes: Effective July 1, 2025, in compliance with C.R.S. 30-1-103, recording fees will change to a flat fee of $43.00 per document regardless of the number of pages.

Property Tax and Assessment Records

Property tax and assessment information is available through the San Juan County Assessor’s Office. Tax records, valuations, and assessment history can be accessed online or by contacting the assessor directly.

San Juan County Assessor

• Website: https://sanjuancounty.colorado.gov/assessor
• Property Tax Payments: https://billpay.forte.net/sanjuancocotax/

Public Trustee Office Services

The San Juan County Public Trustee handles foreclosure proceedings and public trustee sales. Information about trustee sales, foreclosure processes, and related documentation is available through the Public Trustee’s office.

Document Recording Requirements

For any deed that transfers title to property, the grantee’s address is required and the document will not be recorded if this is missing. A return address for the original document must also be provided, and any conveyance document presented for recording shall be accompanied by the Colorado Real Property Transfer Declaration (TD-1000).

Professional Title Search Considerations

When conducting title searches in San Juan County, researchers should be aware that although the office will record any document presented by a customer, they are unable to provide legal advice as to what type of document is needed, or how to complete a document. Professional legal counsel is recommended for complex title issues.

For comprehensive property research and title verification, U.S. TITLE RECORDS (https://www.ustitlerecords.com/) provides professional title search services that can supplement the county’s public records access.

Important Notice: All US Mail must be addressed to a PO Box for delivery in Silverton, CO. US Mail addressed to the physical address (Greene St) will NOT be delivered.