San Francisco County CA. California PROPERTY RECORDS

Official San Francisco County Property Records Office

The Office of the Assessor-Recorder is the primary government office responsible for recording and maintaining property records in San Francisco County, California. Located at City Hall, Room 190, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102, this office handles hundreds of document types including deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, and various types of liens.

Contact Information:

• Phone: (415) 554-5596
• Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Recording until 4:00 PM)
• Website: https://www.sfassessor.org/

Online Property Records Search System

San Francisco County offers a comprehensive online Records Manager tool that allows you to search for official records recorded after January 1, 1990. This first-in-the-state Easy Access for Recorded Documents service, launched in November 2024, enables users to view records for free and purchase official copies for instant download.

Online Search Features:

• Free viewing of all records from 1990 to present
• Basic and Advanced search options
• Search by name, document number, document type, or Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN)
• Instant download of purchased documents
• ID verification required for registered users

Access Link: https://www.sfassessor.org/recorder-information/online-search-easy-access-records

Property Deed Search Methods

Property records in San Francisco County are indexed in the Public Index Search system using several criteria including grantor/grantee names, assessor’s parcel numbers, legal descriptions, document types, and recording dates for efficient retrieval.

Search Options Include:

• Grantor/Grantee name searches
• Document number lookups
• Assessor’s Parcel Number (Block and Lot Number) searches
• Document type filtering
• Recording date ranges

Note: The online search tool does not allow searches by property address. Documents recorded prior to January 1, 1990 can only be searched in person at City Hall, Room 190.

Lien Search and Title Search Procedures

The Office of the Assessor-Recorder maintains various types of liens as part of their official records. For comprehensive lien and title searches, property owners and researchers have several options:

Official County Resources:

• Office of the Assessor-Recorder Records Manager tool
• In-person searches at City Hall for historical records
• Certified document requests for legal proceedings

Professional Title Search Services: Title companies and attorneys can perform comprehensive searches that include multiple databases and historical records beyond what’s available through the county system.

Property Records Access Fees and Costs

San Francisco County has established fee structures for accessing property records:

Online Records:

• Viewing: Free
• Document copies: $1.76 per document
• Credit/debit card service fee: $2.00

In-Person, Mail, and Drop Box Services:

• First page: $9.44
• Each additional page: $0.38
• Document certification: Additional $1.00

Historical fee structure also shows copies of recorded documents like deeds and liens costing $3 per page for the first three pages, then $0.50 afterward, with a $1 certification fee per document ordered.

San Francisco County Property Information Resources

Official Assessment Records:

• San Francisco Assessor’s Records: https://www.sfassessor.org/
• Property Information Map (PIM): http://propertymap.sfplanning.org/
• City and County GIS Maps: https://sfgov.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html

Property Tax Information:

• San Francisco Treasurer/Tax Collector: (415) 554-4400
• Tax payment and bill information available online

Third-Party Property Records Services

Several private companies provide additional access to San Francisco County property records:

Commercial Databases:

Historical Records and Pre-1990 Documents

For property records and deeds recorded before January 1, 1990, researchers must visit the Office of the Assessor-Recorder in person at City Hall, Room 190. These historical documents are not available through the online search system and require manual research assistance from county staff.

In-Person Research Options:

• Free viewing on computer kiosks at City Hall
• Staff assistance for locating historical records
• Payment options: cash, electronic check, credit/debit cards

Building Permits and Zoning Information

Zoning information for properties in San Francisco County can be verified using the Property Information Map (PIM) available on the San Francisco Planning Department’s website.

Additional Property Information:

• Building permits: https://sfdbi.org/permit-services
• Building inspections: https://sf.gov/departments/department-building-inspection
• Zoning codes: https://sf.gov/resource/2022/current-san-francisco-building-codes

Mail and Remote Access Options

Property record requests can be submitted by mail using the Recorded Document Request Form available for download from the county website. This option is useful for individuals who cannot visit the office in person or access the online system.

Mail Request Process:

1. Download and complete the Recorded Document Request Form
2. Include payment via check or money order
3. Mail to: Office of the Assessor-Recorder, City Hall Room 190, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102

Professional Title and Lien Search Services

For complex property transactions or legal matters, professional title search companies can provide comprehensive reports that include:

• Complete chain of title research
• Lien searches across multiple databases
• Encumbrance verification
• Property history analysis
• Title insurance options

U.S. Title Records: Specializes in San Francisco County real estate lien, title, and lien searches Contact: Available for professional title search services throughout California

Important Notes for Property Record Searches

Document Requirements: All documents to be recorded must be on 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Documents larger than 8.5 x 14 will not be accepted for recording. Documents should not include more than 9 lines of text per vertical inch or 22 characters per horizontal inch.

Recording Standards:

• Deeds require a 3 x 5 blank space in the upper right corner
• Return address information must be in the upper left corner
• Legal property descriptions required for all real property documents

Access Limitations:

• E-recording services are not currently available for San Francisco County
• Some historical records may require special handling or additional research time
• ID verification required for online registered user accounts

This comprehensive guide provides multiple pathways for accessing San Francisco County property records, from free online searches to professional title services, ensuring all property research needs can be efficiently addressed through official county resources and qualified third-party providers.