Tulare County CA Recorder: Search Deeds, Land Records, Fees and Visalia Office
The Tulare County Recorder’s Office in Visalia, California, maintains recorded deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, maps and other public instruments affecting real property in Tulare County.
The Recorder is part of the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder department. Its online Self-Service portal supports searches by name, document number, document type and other indexed fields, while certified copies are ordered separately.
This guide explains where to search, how to record a deed, what the 2026 fees mean, how to obtain copies, and a major upcoming January 1, 2027 APN requirement that property owners and title professionals should prepare for.
Information checked October 18, 2026 against Tulare County’s current Clerk-Recorder pages and online search portal.
Recorder vs. Assessor: Which Tulare County Office Do You Need?
The Recorder maintains the permanent record of filed instruments; the Assessor maintains assessment and parcel information. The County Clerk handles other filings and certificates. The distinction is especially important if you have a street address but no deed number.
Recorder Division
- Grant and quitclaim deeds
- Deeds of trust and reconveyances
- Mechanic’s liens and tax liens
- Subdivision and parcel maps
- Recorded document copies
Assessor Division
- Assessor Parcel Numbers (APNs)
- Property assessment records
- Ownership information for tax administration
- Preliminary Change of Ownership Reports
- Reassessment questions
Other Services
- County Clerk: marriage and business-name services
- Tax Collector: property-tax payment matters
- Attorney: deed drafting and legal questions
- Title company: chain-of-title examination
- Surveyor: parcel boundary disputes
How to Search Tulare County Deeds and Recorded Documents Online
Tulare County’s Self-Service Kiosk lets the public search the Recorder index. The county advises searching possible spelling variations, and the portal provides options suited to both current instruments and older references.
Gather the names or recording information
Start with the current owner, previous owner, business name, recording year or any instrument number shown on an earlier deed or title document.
If you know only the address, first locate the property through the Assessor’s parcel resources.
Open the official Recorder Self-Service search
Go to the Tulare County Document Search portal.
For broader search choices and copy ordering, begin at the county’s Official Records Search and Copies menu.
Enter names in the portal’s required format
For people, the portal directs users to enter LAST NAME FIRST NAME, without punctuation, such as SMITH JAMES. For a broader search, use the last name and first initial.
Organizational names should be entered using the organization’s spelling; try variations when necessary.
Choose grantor, grantee or another filter
The advanced form offers Both Names, Grantor and Grantee fields, along with document number, recording-date range, book/page and document types.
Search the receiving party as grantee and the transferring party as grantor. If the result is missing, try a broader both-names search.
Check the index coverage before giving up
The official kiosk currently describes name and document-type searches from 1960 onward, while document-number searches begin in 1949.
The index has a posted through-date that changes as new recordings are added. It should not be confused with today’s date or a guarantee of real-time availability.
Purchase the document image if needed
The county states that recorded document images are viewable only after purchase. Uncertified copies may be purchased online by credit card and downloaded after payment.
Certified copies must be obtained in person or by mail. If the record is not found, contact the Recorder before buying an unrelated document.
Tulare County Online Records: 1949, 1960 and Earlier Deeds
Different search methods have different index start dates. That does not mean all the underlying historical books began in those years or that every public record image is available for immediate online purchase.
| Search Type | Published Coverage | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Name search | 1960 to the current posted update | Owner and previous-owner deed research. |
| Document number | 1949 to the current posted update | When an instrument reference is already known. |
| Document type | 1960 to the current posted update | Filtering deeds, trust deeds and other classes of instruments. |
| Book and page | Available search option | Researching older deed or mortgage references. |
| Map book/page | Dedicated map search | Searching subdivision and parcel maps. |
| Older or unavailable records | Contact the Recorder | Microfiche or office research and copy requests. |
Tulare County Recorder Address, Phone, Office Hours and Map
Tulare County Recorder’s Office
Department: Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder
Physical and mailing address:
5951 South Mooney Boulevard
Visalia, CA 93277
Recorder telephone:
(559) 636-5050
General office hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Published recording hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–3:30 PM.
One county overview still refers to a 3:00 PM cutoff. Call before arranging a late-day recording.
Open Google Maps ↗How to Record a Deed in Tulare County, California
Tulare County offers in-person and mail recording for occasional submitters and electronic recording for authorized submitters. Before filing, the document must meet California law and the county’s published recording standards.
Prepare the correct deed or instrument
Choose the legally appropriate document for the transaction. Grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, trust-related deeds and corrective instruments can have very different consequences.
The Recorder cannot tell you which deed to use or provide legal advice about ownership rights. Consult a California attorney or title professional for complex transactions.
Check signatures, acknowledgment and legibility
Ensure the deed has the required signatures, valid acknowledgment and readable legal description. The county provides a separate Document Recording Requirements page detailing page size, margins, names and other statutory standards.
Complete the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
For a document evidencing a change in real-property ownership, include the required PCOR. Tulare County lists an additional $20 charge when an ownership-change instrument is submitted without a completed PCOR.
The Assessor uses PCOR information to evaluate possible property reassessment.
Determine documentary transfer tax and exemptions
Tulare County publishes a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 per $500, or fraction thereof, of applicable taxable value.
Where an exemption applies, the document should use the appropriate legal basis and required declaration. Transfers involving existing loans, trusts, gifts or related parties should be reviewed carefully.
Calculate the correct recording charge
Under the county’s 2026 schedule, an ordinary single-title document starts at $21 for the first page, while a document subject to documentary transfer tax, and covered concurrent documents, use a $14 first-page category. Each additional page costs $3.
Check applicable survey monument, SB-2, indexing and format-related charges separately.
Submit in person, by mail or through authorized e-recording
For in-person recording, visit 5951 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia during recording hours. For mail submission, send the properly prepared document and payment to the same published Recorder address.
Checks should be payable to Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder. Do not include cash in mailed recording packages.
Tulare County SB 255 and the New APN Recording Requirement
California Senate Bill 255 established a new property-owner notification requirement for certain recorded instruments. Tulare County has published a corresponding local operational change that will affect many deed submitters starting in 2027.
What Must Be Included?
Beginning January 1, 2027, the county says it will require an Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) on:
- Deeds
- Deeds of trust
- Mortgages
Applicants should verify the APN against official Assessor information before submitting.
Why Is the Rule Changing?
Beginning January 1, 2027, recorders must send property-owner notices within 30 days after specified instrument recordings under SB 255.
Accurate parcel identification helps the county direct notifications to the correct property owner.
Tulare County Recorder Fees, SB-2 Charges and Copy Costs
The county distinguishes ordinary document recording, documents connected with taxable transfers, and special filing types. Use the proper category before preparing payment.
| Fee Item | Published Amount | When Applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary single-title document, first page | $21 | Documents not recorded in connection with a qualifying documentary-transfer-tax transaction. |
| Taxable-transfer document, first page | $14 | Documents subject to documentary transfer tax and covered concurrent instruments. |
| Additional pages | $3 each | Second page onward. |
| Missing required PCOR | +$20 | Change-of-ownership documents lacking a completed PCOR. |
| Survey monument preservation fee | +$10 | Certain deeds; listed exemptions include quitclaim, easement, mineral and corrected deeds and deeds conveying recorded-tract-map lots. |
| SB-2 Building Homes and Jobs Act | Up to $75 per applicable title | Statutory exemptions and $225-per-transaction cap apply. |
| Extra nonconforming page fee | +$3 per affected page | Where statutory size, format or paper requirements are not met. |
| Extra recorded-document reference | +$1 per indexed reference | For additional prior-record references requiring indexing. |
| Extra indexed names | +$1 per additional group of 10 | After the first 10 names. |
| Documentary transfer tax | $0.55 per $500 or fraction | Applicable taxable consideration. |
| Uncertified document copy | $3 first page; $1 additional page | Online, in-person or mailed copies according to the Clerk’s instructions. |
| Document certification | +$2 per document | Available in person or by mail. |
| Map recording | $8 first page; $2 additional page | Specific recorded map filings. |
| Military record | No recording or copy charge | Subject to military-record confidentiality and access requirements. |
Tulare County Recording and Transfer Tax Calculator
Estimate a straightforward single-title document. This tool separates ordinary recording fees from applicable optional charges and documentary transfer tax.
Recording $24.00 • Selected fees $0.00 • Transfer tax $0.00 • Copies $0.00
Assumptions: one eligible single-title document, $3 each additional page, selected conditional charges, and county documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500 or fraction thereof of taxable consideration. Online-payment charges, exemptions, extra indexing, nonstandard pages, multiple titles and other taxes are excluded. Ask the Recorder for a final instrument-specific amount.
How to Get a Copy or Certified Deed in Tulare County
A key Tulare County distinction is that public index searching and purchasing document images are separate. The county says images can be viewed only after purchasing the relevant document.
Online Uncertified Copy
Search the Self-Service portal, add the document to the shopping cart and purchase with a credit card. After payment, an uncertified document image may be downloaded.
In-Person Certified Copy
Visit the Recorder at 5951 S. Mooney Blvd. Bring the recording reference and payment. Certification is available at the office.
Mailed Certified Copy
Use the county’s Recorded Document Request Form and send the request with a check or money order. Do not mail cash. Certified copies are not available for online download.
Can You E-Record a Document in Tulare County?
Yes. Tulare County accepts electronic recordings from eligible, authorized submitters. The Recorder identifies title insurers, title companies, institutional lenders and government entities among potential submitters, often working through California-approved secure delivery agents.
For occasional filers, the county recommends recording in person or by mail rather than assuming direct public e-recording access is available.
| Method | Who It Suits | What to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| In person | Individuals and occasional deed submitters | Document completeness, PCOR, taxes, payment and recording cutoff. |
| By mail | Submitters sending eligible paper originals | Correct address, required documents, check or money order and document return details. |
| Electronic recording | Authorized professional and institutional submitters | Vendor eligibility, document type and applicable electronic-submission fees. |
Five Tulare County Recorder Errors That Can Waste Time or Money
| Common Mistake | Why It Matters | Better Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Using the older 221 S. Mooney Blvd. office address | Archived county pages may still show the former location. | Use the current 5951 S. Mooney Blvd. listing and verify before visiting or mailing. |
| Assuming deed images are freely visible online | The county says images are viewable only after purchase. | Check index details before paying for a copy. |
| Forgetting the PCOR | Ownership-change recordings may incur a $20 charge when the required report is absent. | Include a completed PCOR when required. |
| Automatically adding SB-2 to a taxable deed | Some taxable transfers and residential transactions are exempt under state law. | Determine statutory fee applicability before payment. |
| Ignoring the 2027 APN requirement | Qualifying documents submitted after December 31, 2026 may be unrecordable without an APN. | Obtain and verify the APN before preparing a 2027 filing. |
Tulare County Recorder Deed Search, Fees and Recording Links
Official Tulare County Clerk-Recorder
Current office details and links to recorded documents, recording services, copies and vital records.
- Confirm the current Visalia address and phone number.
- Choose Official Records Search for land documents.
- Use the separate recording and copies sections for submissions or certified records.
Official Records Self-Service Search
Name, document number, recording date, book/page and document-type search.
- Enter an individual’s name as LAST FIRST.
- Choose grantor, grantee or both names.
- Use document date, number or type to narrow results.
- Check the result before purchasing the document image.
Copies of Recorded Documents
Instructions for paid online images, paper copies and certified documents.
- Find the document using the online search.
- Choose uncertified online copy or certified office/mail request.
- Calculate page and certification costs.
- Use the county’s documented ordering and payment instructions.
Record a Document
Current county filing methods and upcoming APN requirements.
- Read the requirements for in-person, mail or authorized electronic recording.
- Check PCOR and deed-information requirements.
- Review the January 1, 2027 APN notice if filing next year.
- Confirm payment and the current Visalia address.
2026 Recorder Fee Schedule
Official document fees, SB-2 information, copies and special charges.
- Identify whether the document qualifies for the $14 or $21 first-page category.
- Count additional pages and indexed references.
- Review SB-2 and survey monument exemptions.
- Check final cost before submitting the document.
Tulare County Assessor and Property Information
Property assessment and parcel data for use before recording or deed research.
- Locate Maps and Property Information.
- Find the parcel or ownership details associated with your address.
- Check the APN and use it when preparing a deed or 2027 filing.
- Use owner names in the Recorder’s separate document search.
What Should You Do Next?
| Situation | Recommended Action | Start Here |
|---|---|---|
| Need a current deed | Search owner or previous-owner names in the Official Records portal. | Recorder Self-Service |
| Have a 1953 instrument number | Try document-number search, which the county lists from 1949 onward. | Recorder Self-Service |
| Need a certified deed | Identify the record, then order in person or by mail. | Recorder Copies |
| Record a new property transfer | Prepare the deed, check PCOR and transfer tax, and calculate filing charges. | Recorder |
| Record a deed in January 2027 | Confirm the APN appears on the deed as required by the county’s announced rule. | Assessor + Recorder |
| Check parcel value or tax assessment | Use the county Assessor rather than a deed index. | Assessor |
| Check whether a deed of trust was released | Search the original security instrument and later reconveyances. | Recorder / Title Professional |
| Need an ownership legal opinion | Request a title examination or attorney review. | Title Company / Attorney |
Tulare County CA Recorder FAQs
Where is the Tulare County Recorder office in Visalia?
The current official Recorder address is 5951 South Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, California 93277. Older county pages may still reference 221 South Mooney Boulevard.
What is the Tulare County Recorder phone number?
The Tulare County Recorder’s telephone number is (559) 636-5050.
What are the Tulare County Recorder office hours?
General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Current service pages list recording until 3:30 PM, while another overview lists 3:00 PM, so confirm before arriving late in the day.
Can I search Tulare County recorded deeds online?
Yes. The county’s Self-Service Kiosk offers name, document-number, document-type and advanced recorded-document searches. It states that images are viewable only after purchase.
How far back does the Tulare County online recorder index go?
The county’s online menu lists name and document-type searches from 1960 onward and document-number searches from 1949 onward. Contact the Recorder about older records and unavailable images.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Tulare County?
For 2026, the Recorder lists a $14 first-page fee for qualifying documentary-transfer-tax instruments and a $21 first-page fee for ordinary single-title documents. Each additional page costs $3. Applicable other fees or taxes are separate.
What is the Tulare County documentary transfer tax rate?
The county publishes a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 for each $500, or fraction thereof, of applicable taxable value. Exemptions and transaction-specific rules may affect the calculation.
How much does a certified Tulare County deed copy cost?
The first copied page costs $3, each additional page of the same document costs $1, and certification adds $2 per document. Certified copies are ordered in person or by mail.
Is an APN required on a Tulare County deed?
Tulare County has announced that, beginning January 1, 2027, deeds, deeds of trust and mortgages submitted for recording must include the Assessor’s Parcel Number. Missing APNs on covered documents will prevent processing until corrected.
Can Tulare County Recorder prepare a deed for me?
No. The Recorder cannot advise you which deed form to use or prepare a legal transfer document for you. Seek guidance from an attorney or qualified real-estate professional when necessary.
Independent Recorder Information Guide
This article is an independent educational guide. It is not operated by or affiliated with Tulare County government, the Tulare County Recorder, the Assessor, the County Clerk or the State of California.
Office addresses, recording cutoffs, rules, fees and digital record availability may change. Verify current requirements and any instrument-specific charges directly with the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder before making a filing.
Public records are not a title insurance policy, legal ownership opinion or complete lien search. This information must not be used as a regulated consumer report for credit, employment, housing or insurance eligibility screening.
Research basis: Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder official website, Self-Service Kiosk, Recording a Document, 2026 Recorder Fee Schedule and Copies of Recorded Documents. The article body contains no H1 because WordPress/Yoast can supply the page’s primary heading.