Mendocino County Recorder: Deeds, Official Records Search, Copies and Office
The Mendocino County Recorder is part of the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder department in Ukiah, California. The office records deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, easements, subdivision maps and other documents affecting real property.
You can search its public recording index online through EagleWeb, but California law restricts online display of recorded-document images. This guide explains how to find the document reference, obtain the actual deed, record a new document and avoid unnecessary fees or office visits.
Reviewed October 14, 2026 • Based on Mendocino County and California official sources
What Does the Mendocino County Recorder Do?
The Recorder receives, indexes and preserves qualifying legal instruments involving property in Mendocino County. Its office also handles recorded maps and certain other statutory recordings. The Assessor, County Clerk and Tax Collector have related but distinct responsibilities.
Recorder
Use for deeds, deeds of trust, liens, reconveyances, easements, mechanics’ liens, declarations of homestead, recorded maps and official-record copies.
County Assessor
Use for Assessor Parcel Numbers, property assessments, ownership-related tax records, reassessment questions and the Homeowners’ Exemption.
Treasurer-Tax Collector
Use for property-tax bills, payment balances, delinquent taxes and property-tax collection matters.
How to Search Mendocino County Deeds Online
Mendocino County’s official EagleWeb system provides searchable document information from January 1, 1951 onward. Records are generally indexed by the names of principal parties, document type and recording year.
Open the Official EagleWeb Search
Visit the Mendocino County Recorder EagleWeb portal. Read the disclaimer and choose I Acknowledge.
Use Public Login
On the login screen, select Public Login. You do not need to enter registered-user credentials for the public-search route.
Search a Grantor or Grantee Name
Start with the surname or business name of a current or previous owner. Search variations in spelling, initials, middle names and trust or business names. The county advises searching all possible variations of proper names.
Add Recording Year or Document Clues
Use the approximate year, document type, recording number or other search criteria offered by EagleWeb to narrow the results. If you know a book/page reference from another document, preserve it for later office research.
Identify the Correct Index Entry
Compare grantor, grantee, recording date and document type. Distinguish a deed from a deed of trust, reconveyance, lien or notice. Save the document number for requesting the actual image.
Request or View the Actual Document
The online index is not the complete deed. Call 707-234-6824 to order a copy, or visit Room 1020 in Ukiah to examine qualifying public records.
Mendocino County Deed Records by Historical Period
| Record Period | Availability | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| 1951–present | Searchable online index through EagleWeb. | Search names and dates, then obtain the document from the Recorder. |
| November 1994–present | Digital document images maintained by the office. | Order copies or review qualifying documents in person. |
| 1859–November 1994 | Historic records maintained in microfilm and digital formats. | Use Recorder assistance or in-office records. |
| 1859–1950 | Not included in the searchable online index; handwritten index volumes are available. | Examine the historic indexes in the Ukiah office at no charge. |
The periods overlap because the county describes the online index, image storage and pre-1951 handwritten indexes separately. The availability of a digital image at the office does not mean it can be viewed online.
What If the Deed Is Not Found?
- Search both the current owner and the previous owner.
- Try a surname only or a spelling variation.
- Search trust and business names instead of only an individual’s name.
- Broaden the approximate recording year.
- Check the property is in Mendocino County rather than an adjacent California county.
- For pre-1951 records, use the handwritten indexes maintained in the Recorder’s office.
Mendocino County Recorder Address, Phone, Hours and Google Map
Mendocino County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder
Recorder: Katrina Bartolomie
Address:
501 Low Gap Road, Room 1020
Ukiah, CA 95482
Recorder phone: 707-234-6823
Land-record copy questions: 707-234-6824
Email: acr@mendocinocounty.gov
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Copy orders: Listed as processed until 4:45 PM.
Open Google Maps Directions ↗Mailing or Courier Delivery
For documents sent by mail or courier, the county identifies the following office address:
Mendocino County Clerk-Recorder
501 Low Gap Road, Room 1020
Ukiah, CA 95482
The county recommends UPS or FedEx for certified-mail-style delivery because those services deliver directly to the Clerk-Recorder office. Confirm accepted payment, original-document requirements and return-envelope instructions before shipping.
How to Record a Deed in Mendocino County, California
The Recorder accepts documents that meet California recording requirements. It does not draft deeds, select a deed type or determine whether the instrument will legally transfer ownership as intended.
Prepare the Proper Legal Document
Confirm the correct grantor and grantee, legal description, signatures, acknowledgment, document title and recording-requested-by information. A grant deed, quitclaim deed, trustee’s deed or correction deed can have different legal consequences.
Check the Recording Space and Page Format
California recording rules generally require the upper 2½ inches of the first page to be reserved for recording information. The left 3½ inches of that space are used for the recording requester and document return address. Use legible standard-size pages and check applicable margins.
Complete the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) is generally required with a conveyance of real property. The buyer or transferee completes the form to provide the Assessor information needed for property-tax administration.
The county fee schedule lists an additional $20 charge when a covered transfer-of-title document is recorded without the required PCOR.
Declare Documentary Transfer Tax or Exemption
For a taxable sale, include the required documentary transfer-tax declaration and calculate the correct amount. If a valid exemption applies, the deed generally needs the appropriate exemption statement or supporting declaration. A nominal-payment transfer is not automatically exempt.
Check Whether the SB2 Fee Applies
California Government Code section 27388.1 may impose an additional $75 Building Homes and Jobs Act recording fee on certain real-estate documents. Statutory exemptions may apply to qualifying documents connected with taxable transfers or owner-occupied residential property.
Confirm the Total Fees and Submit
Count document pages, index references and other applicable charges. Ask the Recorder for the exact payable amount, especially when the transaction involves multiple instruments, SB2 exemptions or documentary transfer tax.
Keep the Returned Recorded Instrument
The county scans and preserves recorded documents and returns the original. Save the recording number, date and copy for future transactions or title research.
Mendocino County Recorder Fees, SB2 and Transfer Tax
The county’s online Recorder Fee Schedule gives itemized charges. However, the fee webpage and a later county master-fee resolution show a difference in the regular first-page fee. For that reason, treat the table as a planning reference and confirm the amount payable directly with the Recorder.
| Fee or Service | Published Amount | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Regular recording — first standard page | $13 on Recorder fee webpage | A later county master-fee resolution lists $14. Verify which approved schedule currently controls. |
| Each additional recording page | $3 | Applies to standard-size additional pages. |
| Nonstandard-size pages | Additional $3 per page | The county describes a surcharge for documents containing pages other than 8½ × 11 inches. |
| Building Homes and Jobs Act — SB2 | $75 when applicable | Subject to statutory exemptions and other legal limitations. Do not assume all deeds pay this fee. |
| Missing required PCOR | $20 | Additional charge for a covered title transfer recorded without a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report. |
| Additional indexed reference | $1 | When an additional reference must be indexed. |
| Recording with more than 10 names | $1 per additional 10 names or fraction | Applies when the indexed-name limit is exceeded. |
| Recorded map — first page | $9 | Additional map pages are listed at $2 each. |
| Ordinary record copy | $5 first page; $1 additional page | For copies of standard official records and small maps. |
| Certified copy | Copy fees plus $1 certification | Certification is charged per document under the Recorder fee webpage. |
| Military discharge recording | No recording fee | Access to military discharge information remains subject to applicable privacy requirements. |
California Documentary Transfer Tax
California Revenue and Taxation Code section 11911 authorizes a county documentary transfer tax generally calculated at $0.55 per $500 of taxable consideration or fraction thereof when a qualifying conveyance exceeds $100.
For a nonexempt transaction with $250,000 in taxable consideration, that standard county-rate calculation is:
500 taxable increments × $0.55 = $275 illustrative county documentary transfer tax.
This is separate from document recording fees and any applicable additional local tax. The actual taxable consideration may differ from the cash purchase price because of liens or other transaction circumstances.
Before recording property located inside an incorporated city, confirm whether additional city documentary transfer tax or a different local allocation applies. The Recorder or closing professional should confirm the final amount.
When Does the $75 SB2 Fee Apply?
The Building Homes and Jobs Act generally adds a fee to covered recordings, but important exemptions exist. These include certain documents recorded in connection with a transfer subject to documentary transfer tax and qualifying transactions involving an owner-occupied residential dwelling.
A claim of exemption must meet the applicable statute. The county provides an SB2 exemption cover page and fee guidance through its Recorder resources. Do not omit the fee merely because a document is called a deed.
How to Get a Mendocino County Deed Copy
Recorded-document index information is available online, but the county does not display the scanned deed images on its public website. To obtain the actual document, locate its recording number and request a copy.
Ordinary Record Copy
Best for personal records, property research or reviewing a legal description when an official certification is not required.
The fee webpage lists $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page of the same standard official-record document.
Certified Record Copy
Useful when an agency, court, title company or other institution requires a certified instrument.
The county’s fee webpage lists $1 for certification per document, in addition to the applicable copy charges.
Steps to Order a Copy
Find the Index Entry
Search EagleWeb and note the document number, recording date, document type and principal party names.
Contact the Recorder
Call 707-234-6824 or contact the department at acr@mendocinocounty.gov.
Ask for the Correct Copy Type
Explain whether you need a plain copy, a certified copy, a recorded map or a historical book/ledger copy. Different copy categories can have different prices.
Confirm Payment and Delivery
Ask about the page count, certification charges, payment method and whether mail delivery or in-person pickup is appropriate.
Other Records Available Through the Mendocino County Recorder
Deeds are only one type of document preserved by the Recorder. This distinction matters when researching a property’s financing, restrictions, improvements or title history.
Deeds of Trust and Reconveyances
Search financing instruments and related reconveyance documents. A reconveyance may indicate that a deed-of-trust obligation was released, but legal effect requires review of the actual records.
Mechanics’ Liens and Notices
Recorded construction-related liens, notices of completion and other documents can affect property research. Check dates, parties and any later lien releases.
Subdivision and Parcel Maps
The office maintains map indexes covering subdivisions, parcel maps, surveys and assessment districts. Maps are not substitutes for a current boundary survey.
Declarations of Homestead
These involve California homestead protections. A recorded declaration of homestead is different from the Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption administered by the Assessor.
Restrictive Covenant Modifications
The Recorder provides a restrictive covenant modification form. California law has a process for removing certain unlawful discriminatory restrictions from recorded property instruments.
Military Discharge Papers
Military discharge documents can be recorded without a recording fee under the listed county schedule. Access and copy eligibility may be restricted by law.
Recorder vs. Assessor vs. Tax Collector
| What You Need | Responsible Office | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Find a recorded deed | County Recorder | Search EagleWeb and request the deed by recording number. |
| Record a new deed | County Recorder | Prepare the deed, complete the PCOR, verify transfer tax and recording charges. |
| Check parcel number or assessed value | County Assessor | Use property-assessment records and parcel maps. |
| Apply for a Homeowners’ Exemption | County Assessor | Check principal-residence eligibility and the required application form. |
| Check or pay property taxes | Treasurer-Tax Collector | Review tax bills, balances and payment status. |
| Confirm title or lien priority | Title company or attorney | Obtain a professional title examination rather than relying on the Recorder index alone. |
Mendocino County Recorder Official Websites and Resources
These links lead to county-controlled services. Follow the specific steps below after opening each resource.
1. Official Recorder Department
Open Mendocino County Recorder’s Office ↗
- Read the temporary recording counter restriction before visiting.
- Locate the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report and recording cover-page resources.
- Review SB2 fee information and the exemption cover page.
- Use the department contact information for filing questions.
2. EagleWeb Official Document Search
Search Mendocino County recorded document index ↗
- Read the disclaimer and click I Acknowledge.
- Choose Public Login.
- Search the grantor or grantee name, using spelling variations.
- Record the document number and date for requesting the actual image.
3. Historical and Public Land Records
Open the county’s Public Records guide ↗
- Check which records are searchable from 1951 onward.
- Read the limitations on online recorded-document images.
- For pre-1951 records, review the handwritten index instructions.
- Call 707-234-6824 for copies of recorded documents or maps.
4. Recording and Copy Fees
Open the official Recorder fee schedule ↗
- Check first-page, additional-page and nonstandard-size charges.
- Review the SB2 fee and missing-PCOR charge.
- Find ordinary-record, large-map and certified-copy rates.
- Call the office for a current quote because the published first-page figure differs from a later county master-fee resolution.
5. Assessor-Clerk-Recorder Office Directory
Open the official department directory ↗
- Confirm Room 1020 and the correct Ukiah location.
- Find the Recorder, County Clerk and Assessor contact numbers.
- Use Assessor Services for assessed value or parcel records.
- Use Recorder Services for deeds, recorded documents and copy requests.
6. California Property Tax and Homestead Guidance
Open Mendocino County Assessor FAQs ↗
- Find the Homeowners’ Exemption question.
- Review the principal-residence and ownership requirements.
- Read the county guidance on reassessments and exemptions.
- Contact the Assessor for property-tax questions rather than the Recorder index.
Mendocino County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Mendocino County Recorder located?
The Mendocino County Recorder is located at 501 Low Gap Road, Room 1020, Ukiah, California 95482.
Who is the Mendocino County Recorder?
Mendocino County identifies Katrina Bartolomie as Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder.
What is the Mendocino County Recorder phone number?
The county lists 707-234-6823 for the Recorder department and 707-234-6824 for land-record searches and copies.
What are the Recorder’s office hours?
General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Recorder currently posts a temporary restriction on recording transactions between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
Can I search Mendocino County deeds online?
Yes. Mendocino County’s EagleWeb system provides a public index of documents recorded since January 1, 1951. Users can search by party names and other supported criteria.
Can I download Mendocino County deed images online?
No. The county states that California law prohibits displaying recorded-document images on the public Internet. You can search the index online, then obtain the document from the Recorder.
How far back do Mendocino County land records go?
Mendocino County land records date back to 1859. The online index covers 1951 onward, while pre-1951 records can be researched using handwritten index volumes at the Ukiah office.
How much does a Mendocino County deed copy cost?
The Recorder fee webpage lists $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page of a standard official-record copy, plus $1 per document if certification is required.
Does Mendocino County require a PCOR with a deed?
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is generally required with a conveyance of real property. The county lists a $20 additional recording charge for covered transfers submitted without the required PCOR.
Can the Mendocino County Recorder prepare a deed or perform a title search?
No. Recorder staff cannot provide legal advice or choose and prepare deeds for property owners. Use a California attorney or title professional for deed drafting, title opinions and lien-priority questions.
Independent Information and Recording Disclaimer
This guide is independently published and is not affiliated with Mendocino County, the Mendocino County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder, EagleWeb or the State of California.
Office schedules, fees, document requirements and search availability may change. In particular, confirm the currently effective recording fee and temporary recording-counter restrictions directly with the Recorder before submitting a document.
Recorded deeds and indexes provide public-record information, not a legal opinion about property ownership, title defects, liens or the validity of a transfer. Consult a qualified attorney or title professional when legal rights are involved.
This independent publisher is not a consumer reporting agency. Property and recorded-document information should not be used for employment, housing, credit, insurance or other consumer-reporting decisions regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.