Modoc County Property Records
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Modoc County Assessor-Recorder — Overview
The Modoc County Assessor-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 204 S. Court Street, Room 106, Alturas, CA 96101.
Kristen DePaul serves as the Assessor-Recorder. Office hours are Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 – 1:00 PM), with document recording accepted during 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Phone: (530) 233-6217.
✗ E-Recording Not Available
Modoc County Recording Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page (standard 8.5" × 11") | $10.00 |
| Each additional page | $3.00 |
| Additional title (combined documents) | $10.00 |
| 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 |
California's Forgotten Corner: Ranching, Refuges & 1,000-Acre Minimums
Modoc County is California's northeastern corner — a high desert plateau of sagebrush, juniper, and volcanic tablelands that feels more like Nevada or eastern Oregon than the Golden State. With roughly 8,700 residents spread across 4,203 square miles, it's one of the least populated counties in California, and its property records reflect a landscape governed by cattle ranches, wildlife refuges, and federal land.
The overwhelming majority of Modoc County is either federal land (Bureau of Land Management and Modoc National Forest) or large private ranches. Minimum parcel sizes in agricultural zones can be 640 acres or more, and many ranch properties span thousands of acres. Title chains here often trace back to original Homestead Act patents from the 1870s and 1880s, and chain-of-title searches may need to account for railroad land grants, stock-watering rights, and BLM grazing permits that effectively travel with the land.
Water rights are paramount in Modoc County. The county sits atop the Modoc Plateau, where groundwater is scarce and surface water rights — particularly from Pit River tributaries — can make or break a property's value. Many parcels carry pre-1914 appropriative water rights that don't appear in the State Water Resources Control Board database and can only be verified through deed records and historical use documentation.
The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge and Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge (not to be confused with Lake County's Clear Lake) create buffer zones where adjacent private land may carry conservation easements or restricted-use covenants. The region's history also includes the Modoc War of 1872–73, and properties near the Lava Beds National Monument may intersect with areas of historical and archaeological significance that trigger additional federal review requirements.
Modoc County Online Records
The Modoc County Assessor-Recorder's office provides online access through the RecorderWorks. 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 Assessor-Recorder's office at 204 S. Court Street in Alturas 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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Request a Modoc County SearchHow to Record a Document in Modoc County
Modoc County records documents at the Modoc Street office in Alturas, Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Alturas is approximately 300 miles from Sacramento and even farther from the Bay Area — making Modoc one of the most remote recording jurisdictions in California. Mail recording is the standard method for most transactions. Payment by cash, check, or money order.
Documents submitted for recording in Modoc 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: Modoc County's remote location means title companies typically handle recordings by mail. Allow extra time — mail from Sacramento or the Bay Area can take 3-5 business days each direction. For urgent recordings, consider calling the office to arrange phone coordination.
Modoc County Property Issues — Local Market Insights
1,000-Acre Minimum Parcel Sizes
Modoc County's agricultural zoning creates minimum parcel sizes that dwarf suburban California. Many areas require 1,000-acre minimums for new subdivisions. Existing parcels below these minimums are legal nonconforming uses — their status as buildable lots depends on recorded subdivision history predating current zoning.
Pre-1914 Water Rights
Modoc County contains some of California's most senior pre-1914 appropriative water rights. These rights predate the state's water permit system and are documented through recorded notices of appropriation, diversion works descriptions, and historical use affidavits. Pre-1914 rights are among the most valuable property interests in Modoc County.
BLM Grazing Permits & Wildlife Refuge Easements
Federal land (BLM and Modoc National Forest) dominates the county. Private ranch parcels often depend on adjacent federal grazing allotments for economic viability. The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge complex adds conservation easement recordings that restrict development on enrolled parcels.
Lowest Population Density in California
With approximately 2 people per square mile, Modoc County's property market operates differently from any urban California county. Transaction volumes are extremely low, professional title services are limited locally, and recording customs may differ from metropolitan norms.
Complete Guide to Modoc County Property Records
Why Choose U.S. Title Records for Modoc County Searches?
✓ Direct Modoc Records Access
Our title search professionals have direct access to Modoc County's title plant database, providing faster and more comprehensive results than manual courthouse searches.
✓ Fast Modoc Processing
Modoc County: Typical turnaround 2-3 business days. Ranch land records.
✓ Modoc County Coverage
Our property title search covers all recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, lis pendens, and tax records for any Modoc County property.
✓ Modoc Experts
Modoc County questions? Call 302-269-3942. BLM grazing documented.
Title Search FAQs for Modoc County
Property Title Search Services for Modoc County
Modoc County FAQ
Understanding Modoc County Property Documents & Title Complexities
Property transactions in Modoc County carry distinctive characteristics shaped by the county's northeastern corner of California with significant BLM and Forest Service land, ranch operations. Title searches and lien investigations here must account for these local factors that standard nationwide databases often miss.
Grant deeds are the primary instrument for transferring real property in Modoc 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. Each transfer in the chain of title is examined to verify these warranties were maintained throughout the ownership history.
Deeds of trust function as the security instrument for Modoc 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. Unreleased deeds of trust are a common title search finding that requires remediation before clear title can be established for a property transfer.
One of the critical title considerations unique to Modoc County involves extremely limited comparable sales for property valuation, large-acreage ranch transactions with split mineral rights, Modoc National Forest timber rights. These factors require specialized knowledge of local recording practices and cannot be identified through automated title plant searches alone. Professional title examiners familiar with Modoc 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 Modoc 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 Alturas.
Abstract of judgment liens attach to all real property owned by the judgment debtor in Modoc County upon recording. These liens remain effective for ten years with renewal options, making historical judgment searches essential. Comprehensive title examinations check for abstracts of judgment filed against both current and prior owners to prevent undisclosed liens from surviving a property transfer.
Easements recorded against Modoc County properties encompass utility easements, access easements, conservation easements, and prescriptive easements established through continuous use. Given that northeastern corner of California with significant BLM and Forest Service land, ranch operations, 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 Modoc 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 Modoc County?
Modoc County uses a lower fee structure than most California counties. The first page of any document costs $10.00, with each additional page at $3.00. Combined documents with multiple titles cost $10.00 per additional title. The SB2 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee of $75.00 per parcel (maximum $225.00) applies to most real estate recordings unless exempt. Documents must be on 8.5" x 11" white paper, printed single-sided; non-conforming documents incur a $3.00 per page surcharge.
Where is the Modoc County Recorder's office?
The Modoc County Assessor-Recorder is located at 204 S. Court Street, Room 106, Alturas, CA 96101. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch closure from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Phone: (530) 233-6217, Fax: (530) 233-6237. A public computer is available in the office for self-service lien and property record searches.
Can I search Modoc County records online?
Yes. Modoc County provides online access to its official records index through the RecorderWorks system. You can search by party name or document number. Document images can be purchased through ParcelQuest for immediate download. For in-person searches, a public computer is available at the Recorder's office. Records predating the online index require an in-person visit.
Does Modoc County accept e-recording?
E-recording is not currently available in Modoc County. All documents must be submitted in person or by mail to 204 S. Court Street, Room 106, Alturas, CA 96101. Make checks payable to the Modoc County Recorder.
What makes property due diligence unique in Modoc County?
Modoc County's ranch-dominated landscape means title searches frequently involve pre-1914 water rights, BLM grazing allotments, and historical Homestead Act patents. Many properties span hundreds or thousands of acres with complex boundary histories. Water rights documentation is critical — surface water from Pit River tributaries and underground sources can dramatically affect property value. Conservation easements near the Modoc and Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuges may restrict use. Professional title research is strongly recommended for any Modoc County transaction.
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California Recording Requirements for Modoc County
All documents submitted for recording in Modoc County must comply with California Government Code Sections 27201 through 27383, which establish formatting requirements for recordable instruments. Documents must be on paper no smaller than 8.5 by 11 inches, printed in black ink with a font size no smaller than 8 point, and include a 2.5-inch top margin on the first page for recorder stamps. Documents that fail to meet these specifications are subject to additional non-conforming fees or may be rejected entirely by the recorder's office.
California's documentary transfer tax, calculated at $1.10 per $1,000 of consideration, applies to all transfers of real property in Modoc County unless a specific exemption applies. Common exemptions include transfers between spouses, transfers to revocable trusts where the transferor is the beneficiary, and transfers where no consideration is exchanged. The transfer tax declaration must be completed on or attached to the deed at the time of recording, and the amount paid becomes part of the public record accessible through property searches.
Preliminary change of ownership reports are required to accompany all deeds recorded in Modoc County under Revenue and Taxation Code Section 480. Failure to file this report results in a penalty assessment by the county assessor. The PCOR provides the assessor with information needed to determine whether a reassessment under Proposition 13 is triggered by the transfer, making it a critical document in the recording process that affects ongoing property tax obligations.
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Modoc County Official Resources
For Modoc County property record verification, these California government resources provide authoritative information:
- California Secretary of State – Business entity searches and UCC filings
- California Department of Real Estate – Licensing and regulatory information
- State Board of Equalization – Property tax assessment standards