California Property Records

Search California Property Records Online

U.S. Title Records provides comprehensive California property records search services for real estate professionals, investors, attorneys, and homebuyers. Our California title search services cover all 58 counties, from Los Angeles to Alpine, providing access to deeds, liens, mortgages, and complete chain of title information.

Whether you need a quick property title search for due diligence or a comprehensive preliminary title report for a real estate transaction, our team delivers accurate, professional reports sourced directly from California county recorder databases. All California property records searches include current ownership verification, recorded liens and encumbrances, and document images where available.

California Title Search Services

Understanding California Property Records

What Are California Property Records?

California property records are official documents maintained by each county's Recorder office that document ownership, transfers, liens, and other matters affecting real property. These public property records include deeds, mortgages (deeds of trust), liens, easements, and other recorded instruments. When you conduct a property title search in California, you're examining these records to verify ownership and identify any claims or encumbrances.

Types of Deeds in California

California primarily uses grant deeds for property transfers, which include implied warranties that the grantor hasn't previously conveyed the property and that it's free from undisclosed encumbrances. Other common deed types include quitclaim deeds (transferring whatever interest the grantor has without warranties), warranty deeds (providing full title warranties), and trustee's deeds (used in foreclosure sales).

California Lien Types

A California lien search may reveal various types of liens affecting property: voluntary liens like mortgages and deeds of trust; involuntary liens including judgment liens, mechanic's liens, tax liens (both state and federal), HOA liens, and lis pendens (pending litigation notices). Understanding these liens is critical before any California real estate transaction.

Why Title Search Matters

A thorough title search protects buyers and lenders by revealing ownership history, existing liens, easements, and other matters that could affect property rights. Before closing any California real estate transaction, a preliminary title report helps ensure clear title and identifies issues that must be resolved.