Sacramento County CA Recorder: Deeds, Recorded Documents, Copies, Fees & Real Estate Fraud Help
The Sacramento County Recorder function is handled by the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder. This office records authorized documents and maps, preserves the official archive of legally recordable documents, and issues certified copies of recorded documents for Sacramento County.
Use this guide to search the online recorded-document index, find a deed or deed of trust, order plain or certified copies, prepare a deed for recording, understand transfer-tax and fee issues, avoid the wrong office, and know when to contact the Assessor, Treasurer-Tax Collector, Superior Court, District Attorney, title company or California legal professional.
What Does the Sacramento County Recorder Do?
The Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder handles recording services for Sacramento County real-property documents and other authorized records. For deed users, the most common tasks are finding recorded deeds, deeds of trust, deeds of reconveyance, assignments and liens; ordering recorded-document copies; recording a new deed or homestead declaration; and verifying recording requirements before submitting a document.
Use Clerk/Recorder For
Recorded document index, deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, assignments, liens, preliminary 20-day notices, homestead declarations, recorded-document copies, certifications, recording fees and recording requirements.
Use Assessor For
Assessor Parcel Number, property assessment, assessed value, exemptions, ownership display, mailing address, parcel characteristics and Preliminary Change of Ownership Report questions.
Use Tax Collector For
Property tax bills, tax payments, tax history, delinquent taxes, tax default, redemption, penalties and payment questions. The Recorder records documents; it does not collect property taxes.
How to Search Sacramento County Deeds and Recorded Documents
Sacramento County’s online public index lets you search the index of recorded documents recorded since 1849. The most common recorded documents include deeds, deeds of trust, deeds of reconveyance, assignments of deeds of trust and liens. The key limitation is that the online index helps identify documents; it does not display the actual recorded document image.
Start With the Best Known Identifier
If you have the book and page, recorder identification number, document number or year of recording, start there. If you only have a property address, first use Assessor or property-tax tools to confirm APN, owner display and sale-year clues.
Search by Party Name and Year
Sacramento’s recorded-document copy page says the online index can be searched by party name and year of recording. Try grantor, grantee, trustee, lender, borrower, trust name, LLC name, spouse name and prior owner variations.
Identify the Correct Document Type
Deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, assignments and liens each mean different things. Compare the indexed document type, party names, recording year and book/page or document number before ordering a copy.
Use the Index to Order Copies
The online index is useful for identifying documents of interest and finding book and page numbers for copy orders. To see or obtain the actual document, use the Clerk/Recorder copy order process or visit an office location.
Choose Plain or Certified Copy
A plain copy may be enough for personal research. A certified copy may be required by a court, lender, title company, government agency, estate matter or transaction. Ask the requesting party before paying for the wrong copy type.
Do Not Treat the Index as a Title Search
A Recorder index search is public-record research. It does not prove a property is free of liens, title defects, probate issues, court orders, easements, unpaid taxes or ownership disputes.
What Sacramento County Recorded Documents Mean
Many users search “Sacramento County deed” but actually need a deed of trust, reconveyance, assignment, lien, homestead declaration, affidavit-death document or restrictive covenant modification. Use this decoder before ordering the wrong record.
| Record Type | What It Usually Shows | Common Use | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Deed | Transfer document identifying grantor, grantee, real property description and recording details. | Confirming a sale, gift, trust transfer, family transfer or ownership chain. | A recorded deed is not a full title opinion and may not reveal every lien or legal issue. |
| Quitclaim Deed | Transfer of whatever interest the signer may have, if any. | Family transfers, divorce-related transfers, corrections or trust/estate planning. | Do not use blindly when mortgages, taxes, probate, liens or ownership rights are disputed. |
| Deed of Trust | California security instrument commonly connected to a real-estate loan. | Finding lender, borrower, trustee and loan-recording details. | Payoff usually requires a reconveyance or release record to show the lien was cleared. |
| Deed of Reconveyance | Document showing a deed of trust has been reconveyed after payoff or satisfaction. | Confirming a mortgage/deed-of-trust payoff or refinance cleanup. | Search by borrower, lender, trustee, year and original instrument details if not easy to find. |
| Assignment of Deed of Trust | Transfer of lender/beneficiary interest in a deed of trust. | Researching loan ownership, servicing changes or foreclosure-chain issues. | An assignment is not the same as a deed transferring property ownership. |
| Lien | Recorded claim or notice that may affect property or owner research. | Mechanic’s lien, judgment lien, tax lien, HOA lien or other due-diligence review. | Recording does not automatically prove validity, priority, payoff status or enforceability. |
| Homestead Declaration | Recorded declaration connected to California homestead protection concepts. | Personal asset-protection planning and public-record notice. | The Clerk/Recorder recommends legal advice before recording a Declaration of Homestead. |
| Restrictive Covenant Modification | Document process used to address unlawfully restrictive language in older recorded documents. | Correcting old discriminatory covenant language in public records. | Use the official County Clerk/Recorder process and required forms. |
How to Record a Deed or Land Document in Sacramento County
Recording a document is different from searching an old document. Sacramento County can provide recording requirements, but it cannot give legal advice. Before submitting a deed, make sure the document is complete, recordable, properly signed and notarized, and includes all required tax and ownership-report documents.
Transfer Document Basics
Sacramento’s transfer page says common ownership-transfer documents include grant deeds and quitclaim deeds. A real-property transfer submitted for recording should identify grantors, grantees, Sacramento County property, APN, transfer-tax declaration, return address, future tax-statement mailing address, city or unincorporated area, and notarized grantor signatures.
PCOR Requirement
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, Form BOE-502-A, must accompany a document transferring ownership. If it is not presented at recording, Sacramento County states an additional $20 recording fee will be assessed.
Fees and Transfer Tax
Basic recording fees can include a first-page/title fee, additional page fee, Building Homes and Jobs Act fee where applicable, Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Fee rules, documentary transfer tax, and City of Sacramento transfer tax when applicable.
Confirm the Document Is Legally Ready
Choose the correct document type before you visit. The Clerk/Recorder can tell you recording requirements, but it cannot decide whether you need a grant deed, quitclaim deed, affidavit-death form, homestead declaration, court order, trust transfer or other legal instrument.
Check First-Page and Margin Rules
Sacramento County’s rules require recorder space at the top of the first page, return-address information, side margins, and document title captioning below the reserved recorder space. A lead page may be needed if the first page does not comply.
Prepare Transfer Tax and PCOR
For ownership-transfer documents, prepare the documentary transfer tax declaration and Preliminary Change of Ownership Report. Also check whether City of Sacramento transfer tax applies when the property is inside the City of Sacramento.
Record In Person, By Mail or Electronically
The main office accepts same-day recording for qualifying documents received before 3:00 p.m. Mail documents with a check or money order payable to “Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder.” Electronically submitted documents received before 3:00 p.m. may also be recorded the same day if they meet requirements.
Save the Recording Details
Keep the receipt, recording date, document number, book/page information if provided, and a conformed or certified copy if needed. Use these details for future copy orders, title questions or court/agency requests.
Which Sacramento County Property Record Tool Should You Use?
Choose the task that matches your situation. This avoids mixing up Clerk/Recorder, Assessor, Treasurer-Tax Collector, Superior Court and District Attorney services.
Sacramento County Real Estate Fraud Help
Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder quick links route real estate fraud concerns to Sacramento County District Attorney resources. The District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit serves as a central reporting, investigative and prosecution resource for real estate fraud in the city and county of Sacramento.
When to Report Quickly
- You see a deed, quitclaim deed or deed of trust you did not sign.
- You receive mail about a transfer or loan you did not authorize.
- A vacant lot, inherited property or elderly owner may be targeted.
- Someone impersonated an owner, trustee, lender, notary or county employee.
- You found suspicious grantor/grantee activity in the recorded-document index.
What to Gather First
- Document number, book/page or recording year.
- Grantor and grantee names as indexed.
- Property address and APN if known.
- Copies of suspicious mail, notices, escrow papers or loan documents.
- Chronology of what happened and who contacted whom.
Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours & Map
Sacramento County lists the main Clerk/Recorder office on American River Drive and a South satellite office on East Stockton Boulevard. Use the main office when same-day recording timing matters.
Clerk/Recorder Main Office
Address:
3636 American River Drive, Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95864
Phone: 916-874-6334
Toll-free in California outside 916: 800-313-7133
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Same-day recording: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., excluding holidays, for documents that meet all recording requirements.
Open Main Office Map ↗Satellite Office – South
Address:
8239 E. Stockton Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95828
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Recording note: Same-day document recording is not available at this location. Documents are accepted and recorded in two business days at the main office. Recording fees must be paid by cash or check.
Sacramento County Assessor
Use the Assessor for APN lookup, parcel assessment, assessed value, property characteristics, exemptions, ownership display, mailing address and Preliminary Change of Ownership Report access.
Sacramento Superior Court
Court orders, divorce decrees, wills and probate records are court records, not Recorder copies. Sacramento County’s recorded-documents page directs court-order and divorce-copy questions to the Civil Division and wills/probate questions to the Probate Unit.
Sacramento County Deed Search Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Reason | What to Try |
|---|---|---|
| You cannot search by property address in the Recorder index. | The Clerk/Recorder copy page emphasizes party name and year of recording for the online index. | Use Assessor or tax tools to identify APN, owner names and likely recording year, then search the Recorder index. |
| The online index finds a document but no image appears. | Sacramento County says the online index does not let users view the actual document. | Use the copy order form, office visit or phone order process to request the actual recorded document. |
| Too many name results appear. | Common names, trusts, LLCs, lenders, spouses and older owners can create many matches. | Use recording year, document type, grantor/grantee direction, book/page, lender name and spelling variations. |
| A deed of trust still appears after payoff. | The original deed of trust remains in the record history; you need a deed of reconveyance or release record to show payoff was recorded. | Search by borrower, lender, trustee, year and related book/page or recorder identification number. |
| The Assessor owner display does not match the newest deed yet. | Recorder and Assessor systems update through different workflows. | Compare recording date and APN, then contact the Assessor for parcel-display and ownership-update questions. |
| You need a court order, divorce decree or will. | Those records are maintained by Sacramento Superior Court, not the County Clerk/Recorder recording counter. | Contact the Superior Court Civil Division for court orders/divorce records or Probate Unit for wills and probate records. |
Official Sacramento County Recorder, Deed and Property Record Links
Use these official resources instead of third-party deed-search, paid copy or document-preparation websites. Each link includes what to do after opening it.
Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder
Official starting point for recorded documents, document recording, copies, fee schedule, office locations, marriage/vital records and Clerk/Recorder contact information.
- Use Recorded Documents Search when you need deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, assignment or lien index information.
- Use Document Recording for deed recording, homestead declaration, tax lien and restrictive covenant modification topics.
- Use Fee Schedule before recording or ordering copies.
- Use Contact Us or office locations before mailing, faxing or visiting.
Online Index of Recorded Documents
Official Sacramento County online index for identifying recorded documents since 1849, including deeds, deeds of trust, deeds of reconveyance, assignments and liens.
- Open the index page and select Perform a Search.
- Search by party name and year of recording when available.
- Save book/page, document number, document type and party names.
- Remember that the online index identifies documents but does not show the actual document image.
- Use the saved details to order copies or verify the document in person.
Recorded Document Copies
Official copy-order page for grant deeds, deeds of trust, liens and other recorded documents.
- Use the online index first to find book and page numbers or document details.
- Order by completed order form, mail/fax, office visit or telephone.
- Choose non-certified or certified copy based on the requesting agency’s needs.
- Check current copy fees and acceptable payment methods before ordering.
Transferring Ownership of Real Property
Official Sacramento County guide for recording grant deeds, quitclaim deeds and other ownership-transfer documents.
- Review the required grantor and grantee information.
- Add Sacramento County property description, APN, transfer-tax declaration and return address.
- Include mailing address for future tax statements and city/unincorporated designation.
- Make sure grantor signatures are notarized.
- Include the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report or expect the additional fee.
Rules for Recorded Documents
Official formatting and acceptance rules covering signatures, first-page layout, margins, titles, cross references, notary forms and re-recording.
- Check the original-signature rule before mailing or presenting a document.
- Confirm the first-page recorder space and return-address layout.
- Make sure the document title is captioned immediately below the reserved recorder space.
- Use the sample lead page if the first page does not meet the layout rule.
- Review re-recording rules before trying to correct a previously recorded document.
Fee Schedule
Official Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder fee page for recording, copy, certification, Building Homes and Jobs Act, Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Fee, documentary transfer tax and City of Sacramento transfer tax notes.
- Start with the basic recording fee section.
- Check whether the $75 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee applies or an exemption statement is required.
- Check Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Fee treatment.
- Calculate documentary transfer tax and City of Sacramento transfer tax if applicable.
- Check copy and certification fees separately from recording fees.
Location, Hours and Holidays
Official office-location and service-hours page for the main Clerk/Recorder office and Satellite Office – South.
- Use the main office for same-day recording cutoff needs.
- Check holiday closures before visiting.
- Use the South satellite office only after reading its recording limitations.
- Confirm payment method, especially for satellite or after-3:00 p.m. recordings.
Document Recording FAQ
Official FAQ for what can be recorded, recording cost, same-day timing, document return, blank forms, state tax liens and federal tax liens.
- Read “What Can Be Recorded?” before preparing a document.
- Read “How quickly are documents recorded?” for the 3:00 p.m. cutoff.
- Read “Will I get my document returned?” for return timing.
- Use the tax-lien FAQ routes for state or federal lien release questions.
Sacramento County Real Estate Fraud Unit
Official District Attorney resource for reporting suspected real estate fraud in the city and county of Sacramento.
- Call the Real Estate Fraud Hotline at 916-874-9045 if urgent.
- Use the suspected fraud report option when available.
- Prepare names, addresses, phone numbers and a chronology of events.
- Attach copies of deeds, mail, escrow papers, notices, loan records or other proof.
Common Sacramento County Recorder Mistakes to Avoid
Mistakes That Waste Time
- Expecting the online index to display the full recorded document image.
- Searching only by street address instead of finding APN, owner and year clues first.
- Confusing a deed of trust with an ownership deed.
- Assuming a paid-off loan disappears without a recorded reconveyance.
- Trying to get court orders, divorce decrees or wills from the Recorder.
- Recording a transfer without PCOR or transfer-tax review.
- Treating the Recorder index as a title-company search.
Better Local Workflow
- Use Assessor or tax tools to identify APN and owner clues.
- Use the recorded-document index by party name and year.
- Save book/page, document number and recording year.
- Use the copy order process for the actual document.
- Check first-page, margin, signature and notary rules before recording.
- Use the fee schedule before mailing or visiting.
- Use title/legal help when ownership rights are disputed.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Official Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of a deed. | Search the online index by party name and year, save book/page or document details, then order a copy by mail/fax, phone or office visit. | Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder |
| You only know the property address. | Use Assessor or property-tax tools first to identify APN, owner name and likely recording year. | Sacramento County Assessor / tax tools |
| You need to record a new deed. | Have the document prepared correctly, verify PCOR, DTT, city transfer tax, signatures, notarization, formatting and fees, then record at the main office, by mail or electronically if eligible. | Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder |
| You suspect deed or title fraud. | Search the index, order the suspicious document, save all details, and contact the District Attorney Real Estate Fraud Unit. | Sacramento County DA Real Estate Fraud Unit |
| Your ownership or mailing-address display is wrong. | Compare the recorded deed with the Assessor parcel record, then contact the Assessor about parcel-display or mailing-address updates. | Sacramento County Assessor |
| Your tax bill is wrong or unpaid. | Use Sacramento County tax collector resources; the Clerk/Recorder does not collect property taxes. | Sacramento County Treasurer-Tax Collector |
| The issue involves probate, divorce or a court order. | Contact Sacramento Superior Court for the court record, then determine whether a separate recording step is needed. | Sacramento Superior Court + Clerk/Recorder |
Sacramento County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Sacramento County Recorder’s Office?
The main Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder office is located at 3636 American River Drive, Suite 110, Sacramento, CA 95864. The general phone number is 916-874-6334, and the toll-free number inside California outside the 916 area code is 800-313-7133.
How do I search Sacramento County deed records online?
Use the Sacramento County Online Index of Recorded Documents. The index allows public search for recorded documents since 1849 and is useful for identifying deeds, deeds of trust, deeds of reconveyance, assignments and liens. The online index does not show the actual document image.
Can I view the actual Sacramento County deed online?
No. Sacramento County states that the online index is useful for identifying documents of interest and ordering copies, but users cannot view the actual document through the online index. To get the document, order a copy or visit an office location.
How do I order a copy of a Sacramento County recorded document?
Use the online index to find book and page numbers or document details, then order copies by mail or fax with the completed order form, by visiting an office location, or by calling 916-874-6334.
How much does a Sacramento County deed copy cost?
Sacramento County lists non-certified recorded-document copies at $8.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Certified copies are listed at $9.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
What is the same-day recording cutoff in Sacramento County?
Documents received before 3:00 p.m., in person or electronically, may be recorded the same day if they meet all recording requirements. Documents submitted after 3:00 p.m. are recorded the next business day, and payment must be cash or check.
What documents are commonly used to transfer ownership?
Sacramento County says the two most common ownership-transfer documents are the grant deed and quitclaim deed. The Clerk/Recorder can explain recording requirements but cannot give legal advice about which document to use.
What is required to record a real-property transfer?
A transfer document should include grantor names, grantee names, Sacramento County property description, APN, documentary transfer tax declaration, “when recorded mail to” address, future tax-statement mailing address, city or unincorporated designation, grantor signatures and notary acknowledgment. A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report must also accompany ownership-transfer documents or an additional fee applies.
Does the Sacramento County Recorder handle court orders, divorce records or wills?
No. Sacramento County’s recorded-documents page says court orders, divorce decrees and wills are available from Sacramento Superior Court. Contact the Civil Division for court orders or divorce records and the Probate Unit for wills and probate records.
Where do I report suspected real estate fraud in Sacramento County?
Use the Sacramento County District Attorney Real Estate Fraud Unit. The Real Estate Fraud Hotline is 916-874-9045. Save the document number, party names, recording year, property address, APN and any suspicious mail or transaction documents before reporting.
Independent Educational Guide
This website is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with Sacramento County, the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder, Sacramento County Assessor, Sacramento County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Sacramento Superior Court, Sacramento County District Attorney, any California court, any title company or any government agency.
Recorded-document availability, copy fees, certification rules, recording fees, same-day recording timing, electronic recording acceptance, transfer-tax requirements, PCOR requirements, office availability and legal ownership results are determined by official agencies and applicable California law. Always verify current requirements with the responsible official office before recording or relying on a document.
Property-owner, deed and public-record information should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.