Lake County Clerk-Recorder — Overview

The Lake County Clerk-Recorder's office maintains all official real property records for the county, including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, reconveyances, notices of default, and other instruments affecting title to real property. The office is located at 255 N. Forbes Street, Room 223, Lakeport, CA 95453.

Clerk-Recorder's Office serves as the Clerk-Recorder. Office hours are Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with document recording accepted during 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Phone: (707) 263-2293.

✓ E-Recording Available

Lake County Recording Fees

ServiceFee
First page (standard 8.5" × 11")$14.00
Each additional page$3.00
Additional title (combined documents)$14.00
Non-conforming page surcharge$3.00/page
SB2 Building Homes & Jobs Act fee$75.00/parcel (max $225)
Documentary transfer tax$1.10 per $1,000
PCOR penalty (if not submitted with deed)$20.00

Clear Lake, Valley Fire Recovery & Geothermal Leases: Lake County's Triple Challenge

Lake County takes its name from Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake entirely within California and one of the oldest lakes in North America. The lake dominates the county's geography, economy, and property records — nearly every real estate transaction in Lake County relates to Clear Lake proximity in some way.

But the defining event of recent Lake County property history is the 2015 Valley Fire, which destroyed over 1,900 structures and killed four people in the southern portion of the county. Combined with the 2018 Mendocino Complex Fire (which crossed into Lake County) and the 2021 Cache Fire, the county has endured repeated catastrophic fire events that have left layers of encumbrances on thousands of parcels: state and county debris removal liens, FEMA declarations, environmental contamination notices, and tax-defaulted properties where owners abandoned fire-damaged land.

Lake County's geothermal resources add a unique dimension to title work. The Geysers — the world's largest complex of geothermal power plants — straddles the Lake County/Sonoma County border. Properties in this area may carry geothermal lease agreements, steam rights reservations, and well drilling easements that are separately conveyable from surface rights. These mineral/geothermal interests require specialized title examination.

Clear Lake itself creates riparian property issues. The lake's level fluctuates, and lakefront property boundaries are defined by mean high water marks that may not match assessor maps during drought or flood years. The Cache Creek Dam at the lake's outlet controls water levels, and properties downstream carry flood easements and dam failure inundation zone designations.

Lake County Online Records

The Lake County Clerk-Recorder's office provides online access through the County portal. Online records are available from varies to present. You can search by grantor/grantee name, recording date, document type, or document number.

For records predating the online index, visit the Clerk-Recorder's office at 255 N. Forbes Street in Lakeport for in-person research. Document copies can also be requested by mail with appropriate fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

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How to Record a Document in Lake County

Lake County records documents at the Forbes Street courthouse in Lakeport, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The office accepts walk-in and mail submissions. All documents must comply with California recording requirements. Payment by cash, check, or money order. The office does not accept credit cards for recording transactions. Clear Lake's seasonal population fluctuations create recording volume spikes during spring and summer months.

Documents submitted for recording in Lake County must meet California Government Code §27361 standards: 8.5" × 11" white paper, black ink, minimum 3-inch top margin on the first page, and 1-inch margins elsewhere. Non-conforming documents incur a $3.00 surcharge per non-standard page or may be rejected outright.

Pro tip: Lake County's recorder's office serves a county with significant seasonal population changes. Summer months see increased recording activity from vacation property transactions. Plan ahead for closings during peak season.

Lake County Property Issues — Local Market Insights

Clear Lake Shoreline Fluctuation

Clear Lake's water level varies by several feet annually, creating riparian boundary disputes that generate survey recordings, boundary line agreements, and quiet title action notices. Properties with Clear Lake frontage require careful examination of the legal description against current survey data.

Valley Fire & Clayton Fire Recovery

The 2015 Valley Fire destroyed over 1,900 structures in Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake, and Cobb Mountain. The 2016 Clayton Fire destroyed additional structures in Lower Lake. These disasters generated extensive recorded instruments: FEMA buyout deeds, insurance settlement assignments, debris removal liens, and Proposition 19 base-year transfers that continue to appear in title searches.

The Geysers Geothermal Leases

The Geysers — the world's largest geothermal field — spans the Lake-Sonoma county line. Geothermal mineral leases, steam extraction agreements, and pipeline easements are recorded against surface parcels in the Geysers area, creating split-estate complications for surface property owners.

Clearlake Oaks & Lucerne Lakefront Lots

Mid-century subdivision maps created thousands of small lakefront lots in Clearlake Oaks and Lucerne — many of which have accumulated decades of delinquent tax liens. Tax-defaulted property sales generate new title instruments, and the complex ownership history of these lots requires careful examination of all intervening transfers and tax sale proceedings.

Lake County Transfer Tax

Lake County's documentary transfer tax rate is $1.10 per $1,000 of value transferred. The two incorporated cities — Lakeport and Clearlake — do not impose additional city transfer taxes. This means the county rate applies uniformly to all Lake County property transfers. The transfer tax is calculated on the full consideration paid or the fair market value of the property, exclusive of existing liens assumed by the buyer. For properties affected by the 2015 Valley Fire or 2016 Clayton Fire, transfers involving FEMA buyout transactions may qualify for exemptions. The tax declaration must accompany the deed at recording, and omission will result in rejection by the Clerk-Recorder.

Complete Guide to Lake County Property Records

Why Choose U.S. Title Records for Lake County Searches?

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Our title search professionals have direct access to Lake County's title plant database, providing faster and more comprehensive results than manual courthouse searches.

✓ Fast Lake Processing

Lake County: Typical turnaround 1-2 business days. Lakefront records.

✓ Lake County Coverage

Our property title search covers all recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, lis pendens, and tax records for any Lake County property.

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Lake County questions? Call 302-269-3942. Dock permits verified.

Title Search FAQs for Lake County

How do I search a property title in Lake County?
To search a property title in Lake County, use U.S. Title Records' online property title search service. Enter the property address to access comprehensive title reports, deed records, liens, and encumbrances. Our title search examines all recorded documents in the county recorder's database.
What does a Lake County title report search include?
A title report search for Lake County includes ownership verification, complete chain of title, recorded liens and judgments, open mortgages, tax status, easements, and pending litigation notices. Our public property records search covers 30+ years of recorded documents.
How long does a property title search take?
Standard property title searches for Lake County are completed within 1-2 business days. Complex searches involving extensive title history or abstractor services may take 2-5 business days. Rush services are available for time-sensitive transactions.
Why use a title search company for Lake County records?
Professional title search companies like U.S. Title Records have direct access to Lake County's title plant databases, providing faster and more comprehensive results than individual county office searches. Our Lake County searches navigate Clear Lake waterfront properties, geothermal areas, and wine country parcels.

Property Title Search Services for Lake County

Lake County FAQ

Understanding Lake County Property Documents & Title Complexities

Property transactions in Lake County carry distinctive characteristics shaped by the county's Clear Lake resort properties with historical mercury mine contamination, wildfire rebuild zones. Lake County's lakefront access rights, geothermal development zones, and Sulphur Bank Mine contamination areas affect title searches.

Grant deeds are the primary instrument for transferring real property in Lake County. Under California law, grant deeds provide two implied warranties: that the grantor has not previously conveyed the same property, and that the property is free from encumbrances created by the grantor except those already disclosed. Lake chains must verify riparian rights, geothermal lease assignments, and historic quicksilver mining patents.

Deeds of trust function as the security instrument for Lake County mortgages, creating a three-party arrangement between the trustor (borrower), beneficiary (lender), and trustee (neutral third party). When loans are satisfied, a reconveyance deed must be recorded to release the lien. Lake County's vacation property market creates seasonal refinancing activity requiring attentive document tracking.

One of the critical title considerations unique to Lake County involves Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund site affecting nearby title, Valley Fire 2015 and subsequent fire rebuild restrictions. Understanding Lake's dock permit systems, geothermal lease structures, and EPA Superfund boundaries is essential. Professional title examiners familiar with Lake County's recording history are essential for identifying and resolving these issues before they delay a transaction.

Mechanic's liens in California follow strict recording deadlines that vary based on the claimant's role. Direct contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers each face different preliminary notice and lien recording timeframes. For Lake County properties, these liens take priority from the date work commenced rather than the recording date, making them particularly important in title searches for recently constructed or renovated properties near Lakeport.

Abstract of judgment liens attach to all real property owned by the judgment debtor in Lake County upon recording. These liens remain effective for ten years with renewal options, making historical judgment searches essential. Our Lake County searches cover environmental contamination liens and waterfront access disputes.

Easements recorded against Lake County properties encompass utility easements, access easements, conservation easements, and prescriptive easements established through continuous use. Given that Clear Lake resort properties with historical mercury mine contamination, wildfire rebuild zones, easement research in this county often reveals encumbrances that significantly affect property use and development potential. A preliminary title report identifies all recorded easements and their specific terms, enabling buyers to make informed decisions before committing to a purchase.

Lis pendens notices recorded in Lake County alert prospective buyers to pending litigation that may affect title. These can involve boundary disputes, partition actions among co-owners, foreclosure proceedings, or challenges to the validity of prior conveyances. Any active lis pendens identified during a title search should be carefully evaluated with legal counsel before proceeding with a transaction, as these notices can cloud title and complicate financing.

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How much does it cost to record a document in Lake County?

Lake County charges $14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. The SB2 fee of $75.00 per parcel (maximum $225.00) applies to most recordings unless exempt. Documentary transfer tax is the standard California rate.

Where is the Lake County Recorder's office?

The Clerk-Recorder's office is at 255 N. Forbes Street, Room 223, Lakeport, CA 95453. Phone: (707) 263-2293. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with recording accepted until 4:00 PM.

Does Lake County accept e-recording?

Yes. Lake County accepts electronic recording through authorized vendors.

How do fire events affect Lake County property titles?

The Valley Fire (2015), Mendocino Complex Fire (2018), Cache Fire (2021), and other events have created extensive fire-related encumbrances: state debris liens, FEMA requirements, environmental contamination notices, code enforcement liens, and tax-defaulted properties. Professional title research is essential for any property in or near fire-affected areas, particularly in the Middletown, Lower Lake, and Hidden Valley Lake communities.

What are geothermal leases and how do they affect Lake County properties?

Lake County contains part of The Geysers, the world's largest geothermal power complex. Properties in this area may carry geothermal lease agreements, steam rights reservations, and well drilling easements. These rights can be severed from surface ownership and separately conveyed. Title searches on properties near The Geysers should specifically examine geothermal mineral rights.

Counties Neighboring Lake