San Joaquin County CA. California PROPERTY RECORDS

How to Access San Joaquin County California Property Records and Deeds: Complete Guide for Lien and Title Searches

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San Joaquin County property records provide essential information for real estate transactions, title searches, and property research. The Recorder’s office is responsible for the recording of deeds, deeds of trust, court decrees, and many other documents affecting title to real property in San Joaquin County. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to access property records, conduct lien searches, and perform title research in San Joaquin County, California.

San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk Office Information

The Office of the Recorder-County Clerk is committed to providing excellent, cost-effective service to the public. The office serves as the primary repository for all property-related documents in the county.

Address: 44 N. San Joaquin Street, Second Floor, Suite 260, Stockton, CA 95202

Phone Numbers:

  • Recorder Office: (209) 468-3939
  • General Information: (209) 468-2630

Office Hours:

  • County Clerk: 8:00 – 4:00 (Marriage Licenses, Document Filing)
  • Document Recording: 8:00 – 4:00
  • Copies of Recorded Documents: 8:00 – 4:30
  • General Office Hours: 8:00 – 4:30
  • Open weekdays, except holidays

Online Property Records Search Portal

San Joaquin County provides convenient online access to property records through their official portal. Online access is also available through their Self-Service Portal. Once in the portal, click the “Official Records Search –Web” and search records using grantor/grantee names, document numbers, document types, and recording dates.

Official County Links:

  • Main Assessor-Recorder Page: https://www.sjgov.org/department/assessor/home
  • Recorder Services: https://www.sjgov.org/department/assessor/recorder-county-clerk-information/recorder
  • Online Document Search: https://www.sjgov.org/department/assessor/recorder-county-clerk-information/recorder/recording-and-retrieving-information
  • Property Information: https://www.sjgov.org/department/assessor/property-information

Available Property Records and Documents

The Recorder’s Office offers the public the opportunity to research 168 different types of recorded documents dating back to 1851. The comprehensive database includes:

Property Deeds and Transfers:

  • Grant deeds
  • Quitclaim deeds
  • Warranty deeds
  • Transfer on death deeds
  • Interspousal transfer grants

Trust and Mortgage Documents:

  • Deeds of trust
  • Mortgage documents
  • Reconveyance deeds
  • Assignment of deeds of trust
  • Substitution of trustee documents

Liens and Encumbrances:

  • Mechanics’ liens
  • Tax liens
  • Judgment liens
  • UCC filings
  • Lis pendens notices

Court Documents:

  • Court decrees
  • Foreclosure notices
  • Notice of default
  • Trustee sale notices

Conducting Lien and Title Searches

The Grantor/Grantee Index includes information from January 1, 1968, to the present. For comprehensive title research, you can search by multiple criteria to ensure complete coverage.

Search Methods Available:

  • Grantor/grantee names
  • Document numbers
  • Document types
  • Recording dates
  • Property addresses
  • Assessor parcel numbers

Historical Records: Deeds and other official documents before January 1, 1968, are available digitally and on film.

Document Recording Fees and Services

The fees for copies of property records in the county vary depending on the service. For self-assisted photocopies, it’s $1 per page, while staff-assisted photocopies cost $3 per page. Certification is an additional $2 per document.

Current Recording Fees (2025):

  • First page, one title (SB2 exempt): $14.00
  • First page, one title (NOT SB2 exempt): $89.00
  • First page with fraud fee: $97.00
  • Each additional page: $3.00
  • Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Trust Fund fee: $8.00 (when applicable)

Copy Services:

  • Self-service photocopies: $1.00 per page
  • Staff-assisted copies: $3.00 per page
  • Document certification: $2.00 per document
  • Recorded maps: $5.00 per copy

Third-Party Property Search Resources

While the county provides official records, several third-party services offer enhanced search capabilities:

NETR Online: https://publicrecords.netronline.com/state/CA/county/san_joaquin

  • Comprehensive public records directory
  • Property tax information
  • GIS mapping services

Property Information Portal: San Joaquin County GIS Maps at https://sjmap.org/

  • Interactive mapping
  • Parcel identification
  • Tax assessment data

Document Recording Process and Requirements

Documents are recorded the same day until 4:00 pm. Documents submitted until 4:30 pm are recorded the following business day. This ensures timely processing and online availability.

Recording Requirements:

  • Documents must be recorded in the county where the property is located.
  • The document(s) shall be legible.
  • Please include the name of the party requesting the recording, and a name and address where the document should be returned.
  • Please include a completed Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when recording documents affecting a change in the ownership of real property.

Payment Methods:

  • Payment can be made by cash, credit/debit card, check, cashier’s check and/or money order. Make checks and money orders payable to the San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk.

In-Person and Mail Services

Office Location for Document Review: Documents may be viewed at our office, located at 44 North San Joaquin Street, Second Floor, Ste 260, Stockton, CA 95202.

Document Searching Hours: Document searching is available to the public from 8am to 4:30pm.

Mail-In Services: Documents may be presented for recording by mail or UPS. Include all required documentation and fees with mail-in requests.

Additional County Resources

San Joaquin County Tax Collector:

  • Phone: (209) 468-2133
  • Tax lien information
  • Property tax records

Community Development Department:

  • Building permits and inspections
  • Zoning information
  • Code compliance records

Important Search Tips: Search all possible spelling variations of names, as well as other search criteria, to maximize search results. The online system updates daily, ensuring access to the most current recorded documents.

This completion schedule enables the content of all documents recorded to be available online. You may retrieve information using the self-service portal on this website or by visiting our office.

For the most efficient property records research in San Joaquin County, utilize both the official county online portal and in-person services to ensure comprehensive title and lien searches for your real estate needs.