Question 1

Can I search Santa Clara County property records online?

Accepted Answer

The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's Official Records Index is not available online. As of November 5, 2018, under a directive issued by the County Executive's Office, online access to the grantor/grantee index was removed to afford greater privacy protections. Real estate records dating from 1850 forward can only be researched in person at the Clerk-Recorder's Office at 110 West Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95134. However, the Santa Clara County Assessor's Office does provide free online access to assessed values, parcel data, property characteristics, and parcel maps through its Property Search tool, and the Department of Tax and Collections provides online secured property tax information.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Santa Clara County recording fees are $25.00 for the first page (this includes the $10.00 Real Estate Fraud Prevention Fee per Government Code Section 27388) and $3.00 for each additional page. Most real estate documents also incur a $75.00 Building Homes and Jobs Act (SB2) fee per title unless exempt. Transfers subject to documentary transfer tax, and residential transfers to an owner-occupier, are exempt from the SB2 fee. The county documentary transfer tax is $0.55 per $500 of consideration. Properties within San Jose, Palo Alto, or Mountain View are also subject to a city conveyance tax of $1.65 per $500 ($3.30 per $1,000).

Question 3

Where is the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's office?

Accepted Answer

The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's Office is located at 110 West Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95134. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is (408) 299-5688 and email is clerkrecorder@rec.sccgov.org. The Assessor's Office is in the same complex at 130 West Tasman Drive, open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, phone (408) 299-5500. Both offices are closed on weekends and county holidays.

Question 4

What is the Measure E transfer tax in San Jose?

Accepted Answer

San Jose Measure E is a Real Property Transfer Tax passed by voters in 2020, applied in addition to the standard county ($0.55 per $500) and city ($1.65 per $500) transfer taxes. Effective July 1, 2025, the exemption threshold increased from $2 million to $2.3 million. Transfers above $2,300,000.01 are taxed at graduated rates applied to the full value: 0.75% for consideration from $2,300,000.01 to $5,000,000; 1.0% from $5,000,000.01 to $10,000,000; and 1.5% over $10,000,000. Revenue funds affordable housing and homelessness services.

Question 5

How do I get a copy of a deed in Santa Clara County?

Accepted Answer

Because the Official Records Index is not available online, you must obtain deed copies in person or by mail. In person: visit the Clerk-Recorder's Office at 110 West Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, and search records on the self-service computers. Copy fees are $4.00 for the first page, $2.00 per additional page, and $2.00 per document for certification. By mail: send a written request with the document number and payment to Clerk-Recorder's Office, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134, ATTN: Recording-First Floor. E-recording is not currently available in Santa Clara County. U.S. Title Records can retrieve deed copies on your behalf.

Question 6

What is Mountain View's Measure G transfer tax?

Accepted Answer

Mountain View Measure G was passed by voters on November 5, 2024, with over 72% approval. It creates an additional tier to the existing city conveyance tax for real property transactions above $6,000,000. The new rate is $15.00 per $1,000 of the total sale price for transactions at or above $6 million. The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder began collecting this tax effective March 25, 2025. Transactions under $6 million remain subject only to the existing $3.30 per $1,000 conveyance tax.

Question 7

How do I search a property title in Santa Clara County?

Accepted Answer

To search a property title in Santa Clara County, you can use U.S. Title Records' online property title search service. Enter the property address or owner name to access comprehensive title reports, deed records, and lien information. Our title search covers all recorded documents in Santa Clara County's recorder database.

Question 8

What is included in a Santa Clara County title report search?

Accepted Answer

A Santa Clara County title report search includes current ownership verification, chain of title history, recorded liens and judgments, open mortgages and deeds of trust, tax status, easements, and any lis pendens or pending litigation. Our title searches examine public property records dating back 30+ years.

Question 9

How long does a property title search take for Santa Clara County?

Accepted Answer

Santa Clara County title searches typically complete in 24-48 hours. Turnaround depends on factors specific to this county including Silicon Valley corporate entity ownership and high values. Rush services are available for time-sensitive transactions.

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