Kern County CA. California PROPERTY RECORDS

Accessing property records, deeds, and conducting lien searches in Kern County, California is essential for real estate transactions, legal research, and property ownership verification. This comprehensive guide provides all the official links and methods to obtain these important documents.

Official Kern County Assessor-Recorder Office

The Kern County Assessor-Recorder is the primary source for all property records, deeds, and recorded documents. The county provides online tools to check for foreclosure notices and tax liens on properties, making it convenient for property research.

Main Office Locations:

• Assessor Office: 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
• Recorder Main Office: Hall of Records, 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
• Recorder Annex: 1530 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Official Website: https://www.kerncounty.com/government/departments/assessor-recorder

Contact Information:

• Phone: 661-868-6400
• Email: response@kerncounty.com
• Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (except County Holidays)

Online Property Search and Assessment Records

Kern County provides an online property search system that allows searches by parcel identification numbers (APN and ATN) and addresses. However, due to recent privacy law changes, owner name searches are restricted.

Assessor Property Search: https://www.kerncounty.com/government/departments/assessor-recorder/property/assessor-property-search

Search Capabilities:

• APN Search: Enter 8 or 9 digit APN number with or without dashes
• ATN Search: Enter 10 or 11 digit ATN number with or without dashes
• Address-based property searches

Recorded Document Search and Official Records

Due to California state law (Assembly Bill 1785), APN search functionality is no longer available in online Official Record Search as of December 9, 2024. APN searches are now only available at in-person kiosks at the Hall of Records and Recorder Annex locations.

Online Document Search: https://www.kerncounty.com/government/departments/assessor-recorder/records/search-for-recorded-documents-or-maps

Recorder Online System: http://recorderonline.co.kern.ca.us/

How to Conduct Title Searches and Lien Research

Title searches and lien investigations can be performed through multiple methods in Kern County:

Official Records Search:

• Access the county’s online database for recorded documents
• Search by grantor/grantee names, document numbers, or dates
• Review deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments

Available Document Types:

• Property deeds and conveyances
• Mortgages and trust deeds
• Tax liens and judgment liens
• Mechanic’s liens and HOA liens
• Releases and reconveyances
• Easements and restrictions

Requesting Copies of Property Records and Deeds

Copies of recorded real property documents can be requested in person or by mail, but not by phone, fax, email, or online. Payment is required even if the requested document is not found, as the fee covers the search process.

How to Request Copies:

1. Provide complete document information including document or instrument number
2. Include book and page numbers if available
3. Specify number of pages to calculate fees accurately
4. Submit requests to: Hall of Records, 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Payment Methods:

• Check or money order payable to “Kern County Recorder”
• Cash accepted for in-person requests only
• Do not mail cash

Third-Party Property Record Services

Several private companies provide enhanced access to Kern County property records:

KernData.com: https://www.kerndata.com/

• Comprehensive property data including tax assessor information
• Historical sales data and property characteristics
• Subscription-based service with unlimited access options
• Daily reports of deeds, judgments, and liens
• Grantor/grantee index access

Important Recent Changes and Restrictions

Property record access in Kern County has been affected by recent California legislation:

• APN searches are no longer available online due to Assembly Bill 1785
• In-person kiosk access is required for APN-based searches
• Property searches online are limited to APN, ATN, and address searches, with owner names excluded from results

Lien Search and Foreclosure Information

Kern County provides an online tool specifically for checking foreclosure notices and tax liens on properties. This service helps identify potential issues that could affect property ownership or transfers.

Types of Liens Recorded:

• Tax liens (federal, state, and local)
• Judgment liens
• Mechanic’s liens
• HOA liens and assessments
• IRS liens and levies

Professional Title and Escrow Services

For comprehensive title searches and professional title insurance, consider working with licensed title companies that have access to Kern County records:

• Title companies maintain complete title plants with historical records
• Professional abstractors can conduct thorough chain of title research
• Escrow companies provide title insurance and closing services

Fees and Processing Times

Kern County charges various fees for property record services:

• Document recording fees vary by document type
• Copy fees are charged per page
• Search fees apply even when requested documents are not found
• A $10 Recorder Anti-Fraud Fee is attached to recording several real estate instruments

Contact Information for Additional Assistance

Kern County Assessor-Recorder:

• Main Phone: 661-868-6400
• Recordings Fax: 661-327-3241
• Vital Records Fax: 661-868-6432
• Email: response@kerncounty.com

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding county holidays)

This comprehensive guide ensures you have access to all necessary resources for conducting property research, title searches, and lien investigations in Kern County, California. Always verify current fees and procedures by contacting the county directly, as policies and online systems may change.