Sierra County CA. California PROPERTY RECORDS – Lien and title search – Deed Copy

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

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Sierra County, California maintains comprehensive property records dating back to 1850, providing public access to deeds, liens, and title information through multiple channels. Whether you’re a homebuyer, real estate professional, or conducting due diligence research, this guide provides complete access information for Sierra County property records.

Sierra County Recorder’s Office – Primary Records Access Point

The Sierra County Recorder’s Office, located at 100 Courthouse Sq, Room 11 / PO Drawer D, Downieville, California 95936, serves as the primary repository for property records and deeds. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Official County Recorder Website: https://www.sierracounty.ca.gov/220/Recorder

The recorder maintains a permanent archive of recorded documents and is responsible for examining and recording all documents that deal with establishing ownership of land in the county. Real property records dating back to 1850 can be found alphabetically by names of parties identified on the documents.

Online Property Record Search Options

Sierra County Online Parcel Search: https://www.sierracounty.ca.gov/513/Parcel-Search

Sierra County’s Online Parcel Search provides up-to-date county resources for checking secured roll property values, land values, improvement values, and more. The data comes directly from the Sierra County Assessor and is frequently updated.

ParcelQuest Property Lookup: Available through the county’s official parcel search portal, this third-party service provides detailed property information including current assessments and ownership details.

Sierra County Assessor’s Office – Property Valuations and Tax Records

Official Assessor Website: https://www.sierracounty.ca.gov/170/Assessor

The Assessor is required by law to locate all taxable property in the county, identify ownership, and determine value for property tax purposes. Assessment rolls are public information and are available for review and/or purchase by visiting or contacting the assessor’s office.

Property Deed Access and Recording Services

Recording fees are $14 for the first page and $3 for each additional page of the same document. Copy fees are $1.00 per page of recorded documents, with certification of any recorded document costing $1.75.

Important Note: Electronic recording (eRecording) services are not currently available for Sierra County. All documents must be submitted in person or by mail.

Lien Search Procedures in Sierra County

Federal tax liens affecting real estate in California are filed in the county where a property lies, while federal tax liens affecting personal property are recorded in the county where a taxpayer resides. For Sierra County lien searches:

In-Person Lien Searches: Visit the Recorder’s Office during business hours to access the grantor/grantee index and recorded documents.

Third-Party Lien Search Services: Professional title companies and online services like U.S. Title Records provide comprehensive lien search services for Sierra County properties.

California Secretary of State UCC Portal: For California state tax liens attached to personal property, access the Secretary of State’s UCC Search portal.

Title Search Services and Companies

Title companies or real estate attorneys can conduct comprehensive title searches, and clients can also purchase title insurance from title companies, which secures them against losses due to title defects, including unknown liens.

Professional Title Search Companies Operating in Sierra County:

  • First American Title Company
  • Chicago Title Company
  • Fidelity National Title
  • U.S. Title Records (specializes in California lien and title searches)

Recording Fees and Transfer Tax Information

Current Recording Fees (2025):

  • First page: $14.00
  • Each additional page: $3.00
  • Non-conforming document (not 8.5 x 11): Additional $3.00 per page
  • Indexing more than 10 names: $1.00 for each group over 10
  • Missing Preliminary Change of Ownership Report penalty: $20.00

The documentary transfer tax is $0.55 per $500 of value of the property transferred.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Maps

Sierra County provides GIS mapping services for parcel identification and boundary verification. These maps are accessible through the county’s online parcel search system and can help locate specific parcels for record searches.

Historical Property Research Capabilities

Sierra County maintains real property records dating back to 1850, searchable alphabetically by names of parties identified on the documents. This extensive historical archive makes Sierra County particularly valuable for:

  • Chain of title research
  • Historical property ownership verification
  • Genealogical research involving property ownership
  • Legal research requiring historical documentation

Document Requirements for Recording

All documents must be submitted as originals that have been signed and acknowledged in front of a notary public, with a California all-purpose acknowledgment required for real property documents. Documents must be sufficiently legible to produce a readable photographic copy, using black ink with a font size of at least 10 points.

Contact Information for Sierra County Property Records

Sierra County Recorder’s Office:

Sierra County Assessor’s Office:

Third-Party Property Record Services

California: Provides statewide property searches including Sierra County records with comprehensive owner information and transaction history.

Legal Considerations and Limitations

Under California law, employees in the Recorder’s Office are not allowed to give legal advice, cannot advise which forms are needed, nor advise how to fill them out. For legal questions regarding property records, consult with a qualified attorney or title professional.

While Sierra County maintains high confidence in data accuracy, the county cannot be held liable for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the provided information. Always verify critical information through official channels before making important decisions.

Online Resources Summary

This comprehensive access to Sierra County property records ensures transparency in real estate transactions and provides essential tools for property research, title verification, and lien identification throughout California’s historic Sierra County region.