Butte County Recorder: Deeds, Official Records, Copies, Fees & Online Search
The Butte County Clerk-Recorder in Oroville, California records real property transactions, financing statements, maps, and other official records for property located in Butte County. Use this office when you need recorded deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, recorded maps, official record copies, recording fees, or document-recording requirements.
This guide explains how to search Butte County official records online, how to order complete document copies, what the Recorder’s basic requirements mean, when documentary transfer tax may matter, and when you should use the Assessor, Treasurer-Tax Collector, courts, or a legal professional instead of the Recorder.
What Does the Butte County Recorder Do?
The Butte County Recorder Division records official real-property documents, financing statements and maps. The same Clerk-Recorder department also handles several county clerk functions, including vital records and marriage licenses, but deeds and land records are part of the Recorder side.
Use the Recorder For
- Grant deeds, deeds of trust and reconveyances.
- Mechanic’s liens, tax liens and releases.
- Recorded maps, parcel maps, subdivision maps and survey maps.
- Official record copy and certified copy requests.
Use the Assessor For
- Assessor Parcel Number, or APN, lookup.
- Current secured-roll assessed values.
- Land value, improvement value and exemptions.
- Assessment maps and property-assessment questions.
Use Other Offices For
- Treasurer-Tax Collector: property-tax bills and payments.
- Courts: lawsuits, divorce files and court records.
- Clerk side: marriage, birth, death and FBN services.
- Attorney/title company: deed drafting and title opinions.
How to Search Butte County Deeds and Official Records Online
Butte County provides an online official records lookup. The Recorder’s online system warns that the index is similar to a library card catalog: it helps you locate referenced documents, but the underlying recorded document should be reviewed before making decisions.
Start With What You Already Know
Gather the owner name, prior owner name, business or trust name, recording date range, document type, Document ID, or Assessor Parcel Number. A single street address may not be enough for a clean recorder search.
Use the Assessor Parcel Search When You Need APN or Property Details
Butte County’s Assessor parcel search lets users search by APN or street address. The parcel detail screen can show APN, property status, situs address, abbreviated legal description, land value, improvement value, exemption amount and total assessed value.
Open the Official Records Lookup
Open the Butte County Official Record Look-Up page. If you are requesting a real estate document copy online, be ready to enter the party name and Document ID number for the order.
Accept the Search Disclaimer Carefully
The online search page says the data may change without notice and advises users to search all possible spelling variations of names and other search criteria. Use that warning as part of your search plan.
Search More Than One Way
Try party name, document number, document type, date range and APN-related details where the system allows. If the property has changed ownership, also search the seller, prior owner, trust, estate, LLC or lender name.
Order Complete Copies When Needed
Butte County states that the Clerk-Recorder sells complete documents, not individual pages of a document. For online copy requests, prepare the party name and Document ID number before starting the order.
How to Read a Butte County Recorded Document Result
A Recorder result may show an index entry and a document image or ordering path. The fields below help you understand what you are looking at before you rely on a record.
| Record Field | What It Usually Means | How to Use It | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Party name | Grantor, grantee, borrower, lender, lien claimant, trustee or another indexed party. | Use name variations to trace a deed chain, lien, release or financing record. | Assuming one name result proves current ownership. |
| Document ID / instrument number | The Recorder’s document reference used for copy ordering and record identification. | Save it before requesting copies or comparing related documents. | Confusing it with the Assessor Parcel Number. |
| Recording date | The date the document was recorded by the Recorder. | Use it to understand recording order and later releases or reconveyances. | Confusing recording date with signing date or closing date. |
| Document title | The type of instrument, such as grant deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien or map. | Use it to decide whether the document affects ownership, debt, release, lien or map history. | Reading every recorded document as a transfer deed. |
| Legal description | The formal land description attached to the document. | Compare it with the Assessor map and APN when researching a parcel. | Relying only on the street address for legal property identification. |
| Documentary transfer tax | A tax shown on many conveyance documents when a taxable transfer occurs. | May help estimate sale price, but exemptions and non-sale transfers can change interpretation. | Assuming every deed with low or no tax is a market sale. |
| Map book/page or map reference | A recorded assessment, survey, parcel or subdivision map reference. | Use it for map copies, parcel history and survey/subdivision research. | Using a map image as a legal survey opinion without professional review. |
Butte County Recorder Fees: Recording, Copies, Certification and Maps
Fees depend on the document type, number of pages, copy type, certification, digital formatting, map format, Documentary Transfer Tax and possible state surcharges such as the Building Homes and Jobs Act fee. Always verify the latest Butte County fee schedule before submitting a document.
| Item | Butte County Listed Fee / Rule | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|
| Basic recording fee | $15 first page; $3 each additional page. | The FAQ lists this as the basic recording fee. Additional statutory and local fees may still apply. |
| Regular official record copy | $5 first page; $2.50 each additional page. | Butte County states complete documents are sold, not individual pages of a document. |
| Certified official record copy | $10 first page; $2.50 each additional page. | Use certified copies when an agency, lender, court or title company specifically requires certification. |
| Digital format | $12 digital-format fee. | Digital copy handling may apply in addition to copy charges depending on request type. |
| Recorded assessment/survey/parcel/subdivision maps | Bond paper, mylar and digital map-copy fees vary by format. | Butte County’s map page lists separate map-copy options and says map copies may be obtained in office. |
| Building Homes and Jobs Act fee | Documents accepted for recording may be charged an additional $75 under Government Code section 27388.1. | Do not assume the SB-2 fee applies or does not apply without checking exemptions and document type. |
| Documentary Transfer Tax | Applies to many conveyance documents; the Recorder cannot accept a conveyance for recording until proper tax is paid. | The document should state land location and city/unincorporated status when tax applies. |
Butte County Recorder Fee Estimator
This calculator is only a simple estimate for common recording and copy questions. It does not calculate Documentary Transfer Tax, SB-2 exemptions, city/county allocation, title fees, e-recording vendor fees, map filing fees, certification rules, or legal-document preparation costs.
Basic recording formula used here: $15 first page plus $3 per additional page. Regular copy formula: $5 first page plus $2.50 each additional page. Certified copy formula: $10 first page plus $2.50 each additional page.
How to Prepare a Deed or Real Estate Document for Butte County Recording
The Recorder records documents that meet California and county recording requirements. The office can explain recording requirements, but it cannot prepare your legal document or give legal advice.
Confirm the Document Is Recordable
A recordable document usually affects title to real property or is otherwise authorized or required by law to be recorded. Common examples include grant deeds, deeds of trust, mechanic’s liens, tax liens and reconveyances.
Use Original Signatures and Proper Acknowledgment
Butte County’s recorded-document FAQ says original signatures are required except as otherwise required by law, and a California all-purpose acknowledgment is required for recording purposes.
Check Legibility and Margins
Documents, including notary seals and attachments, must be sufficiently legible to reproduce a readable photographic copy. Vertical-side margins must be at least one-half inch, and the top 2.5 inches of the first page must be reserved for recording information.
Put the Required Return Information in the Reserved Space
Butte County’s FAQ explains that the left 3.5 inches of the reserved first-page space must include the name of the party requesting recording and the address where the document should be mailed after recording.
Show the Document Title and Prior Recording Reference
The title of the document must appear on the first page below the Recorder’s reserved area. A document that modifies, releases or cancels a previously recorded document must include the recording reference for the earlier document.
Handle Transfer Tax and Ownership Forms Before Submission
Conveyance documents may require documentary transfer tax and a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report. If the transfer is exempt from tax, Butte County says the claimed exemption code section should appear close to the tax declaration on the face of the document.
Butte County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours and Map
The Butte County Clerk-Recorder’s office is located in Oroville. Recording hours are shorter than general office hours, so arrive early and avoid the lunch closure window.
Butte County Clerk-Recorder — Recorder Division
Address:
155 Nelson Avenue
Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: 530-552-3400, Option 2
Fax: 530-538-7975
Email: recorders@buttecounty.ca.gov
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, closed 12:00 PM–1:00 PM.
Recording hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM, closed 12:00 PM–1:00 PM. The office notes closure from 8:30 AM–9:00 AM on the first Wednesday of each month.
Open Recorder Map ↗Butte County Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer-Tax Collector
Deeds, property values, tax bills and court records are handled by different offices. Use this table to avoid starting in the wrong place.
| Your Question | Best Office | Why | Starting Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| I need a copy of a recorded deed, deed of trust, lien or reconveyance. | Butte County Recorder | The Recorder keeps official recorded document images and copy-ordering records. | Official Record Look-Up |
| I need the APN, assessed value, exemption amount or Assessor parcel map. | Butte County Assessor | The Assessor parcel search shows APN, situs address, abbreviated legal description and current secured-roll value details. | Parcel Search / Assessed Value Lookup |
| I need to pay property taxes or ask about a tax bill. | Butte County Treasurer-Tax Collector | Tax billing and collection are separate from recording a deed. | County Property Taxes page |
| I need a subdivision, parcel, survey or assessment map copy. | Recorder for recorded maps; Assessor/GIS for parcel map and assessment map context. | Recorded maps and Assessor maps answer different questions. | Recorder Maps + Assessor parcel search |
| I need to prepare or correct a deed. | Attorney or title professional, then Recorder for recording. | The Recorder cannot provide legal advice or prepare legal instruments. | Legal professional + Recorder requirements |
| I need birth, death, marriage or fictitious business name services. | Butte County Clerk-Recorder Clerk Division | Those services are handled by the Clerk side, not the land-record search workflow. | Clerk-Recorder applications page |
Butte County Recorded Maps, Parcel Maps and APN Lookup
Butte County has more than one map-related resource. The Recorder’s map page is useful for recorded assessment, survey, parcel and subdivision maps. The Assessor’s parcel search and county interactive maps are better when you need APN, zoning, flood, General Plan, city/county boundary or land-use context.
Recorded Map Copies
Butte County says copies of recorded assessment, survey, parcel and subdivision maps may be obtained in the Recorder’s office. Map copy fees vary by bond paper, mylar, digital format and order size.
APN and Assessor Parcel Maps
The Assessor parcel search lets users search by APN or street address. Parcel maps are grouped by Book-Page-Parcel, which correspond to the first three parts of the APN.
GIS and Land-Use Context
Butte County interactive maps can help users identify zoning, FEMA flood zones, city limits, Supervisor Districts, fire responsibility areas and other parcel-based layers.
Official Butte County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
These official resources support the main tasks people search for: finding deeds, ordering copies, recording documents, checking fees, downloading forms, reviewing map options and finding APN/property values.
Butte County Recorder Official Page
Main Recorder page for office role, contact information, hours, official records, fees, forms, maps and Documentary Transfer Tax links.
- Confirm that you are on the Butte County Clerk-Recorder website.
- Review the Recorder contact box for current office and recording hours.
- Use the Recorder menu for fees, forms, maps or official record lookup.
- Call 530-552-3400, Option 2, if your document type is unclear.
Butte County Official Record Look-Up
Use this page to begin real estate official record lookup and request complete copies of recorded documents.
- Read the copy-order instructions before continuing.
- Have the party name and Document ID number ready for online copy requests.
- Remember that Butte County sells complete documents, not single pages from a document.
- Use name variations and date ranges if the first search fails.
Butte County Official Records Self-Service Search
Live search system with disclaimer warning that the index is a guide and that users should search possible spelling variations.
- Read the disclaimer before clicking through.
- Search party names using more than one spelling or business-name variation.
- Compare any index result with the actual document image before relying on it.
- Contact the Recorder if a document cannot be located online.
Butte County Recorder Fees
Official fee PDF for copy, certification, recording, fictitious business name, marriage and other Clerk-Recorder charges.
- Find the Recorder Fees section, not a different department’s fees.
- Count every document page before estimating recording cost.
- Check whether copy, certification or digital formatting fees apply.
- Ask the Recorder whether any transfer-tax, SB-2, map or special fees apply to your document.
Butte County Recorded Documents / Official Records FAQ
Official FAQ covering recordable document types, recording requirements, document preparation, transfer tax, sales price and lien questions.
- Open the FAQ section for recorded documents and official records.
- Read the basic recording requirements before preparing a document.
- Use the transfer-tax and sales-price answers only as a guide, not a title opinion.
- Contact a legal advisor if the document needs drafting or correction.
Butte County Recorder Forms
Official forms page for cover page, map information, military discharge application and Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.
- Choose the form that matches your task: cover page, maps, military discharge or PCOR.
- Do not use this page as a blank deed generator.
- Verify whether your deed or transfer document requires PCOR and tax information.
- Print clean, legible pages and keep a copy of anything submitted.
Butte County Assessor Parcel Search
Use this when you need APN, assessed value, situs address, abbreviated legal description, land value, improvement value or exemption amount.
- Search by APN if you have it, or by street address if you do not.
- Open the correct parcel detail screen.
- Copy the APN and compare the situs address and abbreviated legal description.
- Return to the Recorder search when you need recorded document history.
Butte County Documentary Transfer Tax
Official explanation of transfer-tax collection, tax payment before recordation, land-location statement and city/unincorporated allocation.
- Review whether your conveyance document is subject to documentary transfer tax.
- Confirm the correct land location and city or unincorporated-area statement.
- If claiming exemption, cite the specific code section near the tax declaration.
- Ask a title professional or attorney when transfer-tax treatment is uncertain.
Mistakes to Avoid With Butte County Deeds and Recorder Records
Problems That Delay Searches or Recording
- Using the Recorder index as a complete title report.
- Searching only one spelling of a person, trust or business name.
- Confusing the Assessor’s APN with the Recorder’s Document ID.
- Trying to record during lunch closure or after the 4:00 PM recording window.
- Submitting an illegible document, bad notary seal or missing return address.
- Leaving off the prior recording reference on a release, modification or cancellation.
- Assuming a deed can be recorded without transfer-tax or exemption language review.
Better Butte County Workflow
- Use Assessor parcel search to confirm APN and situs address.
- Use Recorder search for document history, instrument references and images.
- Save party names, Document ID numbers and recording dates.
- Check basic recording requirements before printing or notarizing.
- Review fee, copy and digital-format charges before ordering.
- Use the PCOR and transfer-tax pages when recording a conveyance.
- Use an attorney or title professional for legal document preparation.
Next Step Based on Your Butte County Recorder Task
| Your Goal | Best Next Step | Use This Office / Link |
|---|---|---|
| Find a deed, deed of trust, lien or reconveyance. | Search official records by party name, Document ID, document type and date range; use APN/property data as supporting context. | Official Record Look-Up + Self-Service Search |
| Need APN or assessed property value. | Use the Assessor parcel search by APN or street address and review the parcel detail screen. | Butte County Assessor Parcel Search |
| Order a copy of a recorded document. | Prepare party name and Document ID number; choose regular, certified or digital copy option where available. | Official Record Look-Up |
| Record a deed or transfer document. | Check signatures, acknowledgment, margins, title, prior reference, PCOR and transfer-tax declaration before submitting. | Recorded Documents FAQ + Forms + Transfer Tax |
| Need a map copy. | Determine whether you need a recorded map copy, Assessor parcel map, GIS layer or survey/legal help. | Recorder Maps + Assessor Parcel Search + GIS Maps |
| Need tax bill or payment help. | Do not contact the Recorder first. Use the Treasurer-Tax Collector for billing and payment questions. | Butte County Property Taxes / Treasurer-Tax Collector |
Butte County Recorder FAQs
Which Butte County Recorder does this guide cover?
This guide covers the Butte County Clerk-Recorder in Butte County, California. The Recorder Division is located at 155 Nelson Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965 and handles recorded deeds, official records, maps and related land-record services for Butte County property.
How do I search Butte County deeds online?
Open the Butte County Official Record Look-Up or Recorder self-service search. Search by party name, Document ID, document type and date range where available. If you need property context, use the Butte County Assessor parcel search to find APN, situs address and abbreviated legal description.
What does the Butte County Recorder record?
The Recorder Division records real property transactions, financing statements and maps. Common recordable documents include grant deeds, deeds of trust, mechanic’s liens, tax liens, reconveyances and other documents affecting title to real property when authorized by law.
What is the basic Butte County recording fee?
Butte County’s recorded-document FAQ lists basic recording fees as $15 for the first page and $3 for each additional page of the same document. Other fees, transfer tax, SB-2 charges, map fees and special document charges may also apply.
How much does a Butte County official record copy cost?
The official record lookup page lists regular copies at $5 for the first page and $2.50 for each additional page. Certified copies are listed at $10 for the first page and $2.50 for each additional page. A digital format fee may also apply.
Can I order just one page from a Butte County recorded document?
Butte County states that the Clerk-Recorder only sells complete documents, not individual pages of a document. Before ordering, have the party name and Document ID number ready.
What are the basic recording requirements in Butte County?
Butte County’s FAQ lists original signatures, California all-purpose acknowledgment, readable legibility, proper margins, reserved first-page recording space, a title on the first page and prior recording references for documents that modify, release or cancel earlier recorded documents.
Will the Butte County Recorder prepare my deed?
No. The Recorder can provide recording requirements, but the office cannot give legal advice or prepare your document. For deed drafting, trust transfers, probate, legal-description corrections or title defects, contact a qualified California attorney or title professional.
Where do I find APN and assessed value for a Butte County property?
Use the Butte County Assessor parcel search. It allows searches by APN or street address and can show APN, property status, situs address, abbreviated legal description, land value, improvement value, exemption amount and total assessed value.
Is this website a government office or title company?
No. This is an independent educational guide. It is not the Butte County Clerk-Recorder, Butte County Assessor, Treasurer-Tax Collector, a court, a law firm, a title company or a consumer reporting agency. Always verify current rules and records with the responsible official office.
Independent Educational Guide
This page is an independent educational guide to the Butte County Recorder in Butte County, California. It is not the Butte County Clerk-Recorder, Butte County Government, the Butte County Assessor, the Treasurer-Tax Collector, an Ohio-style recorder office, a California court, a title company or a law firm.
Recorded document availability, search features, fees, copy procedures, recording requirements, transfer-tax treatment, map-copy options and office hours can change. Always verify current instructions directly with the Butte County Clerk-Recorder or the responsible official office before recording, ordering, paying or relying on a document.
Public property and recorded-document information should be used for property, title-reference, tax, historical, genealogical and public-record purposes only. Do not use this website as a people-search service or for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes.