Amador County Recorder: Search Deeds, Official Records & Recording Fees
Looking for a grant deed, trying to locate an old deed of trust, or checking whether a lien was recorded against a property in Jackson, Sutter Creek, Plymouth, Ione, Amador City or elsewhere in Amador County?
The Amador County Clerk/Recorder maintains recorded land documents. Its online RecorderWorks Official Records Index lets you search names, document numbers, book/page references, recording dates, document types and additional property-related fields.
Below you’ll find direct official search instructions, the 2026 recording fee schedule, local counter hours and an important upcoming change to deed-recording notifications.
Where to Find Amador County Recorded Deeds
Go directly to the Amador County Official Records Index. The county’s system displays search options for Name, Document Number, Book and Page, Recording Date, Document Type, Map, Assessor Parcel Number (APN) and Legal Description.
Find an Existing Deed
Start with the owner’s name or a recording reference. Click a document number to review its index entry. The portal offers a shopping-cart process to purchase records.
Follow the exact search workflow →Record a New Document
Use the Clerk/Recorder’s official recording requirements and 2026 fee schedule before submitting a grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust or other recordable instrument.
Prepare a document for recording →Visit the Public Counter
The county lists 810 Court Street in Jackson. Public counter hours end at 4 PM, earlier than the 5 PM telephone closing time.
Office address and arrival details →How to Search Amador County Recorder Records Online
Unlike many county portals that offer only a basic party-name box, Amador County’s RecorderWorks has several search screens. The best choice depends on what information you already have.
Open RecorderWorks and Start With the Name Search
Open the official RecorderWorks portal. Select Name. The county instructs users to enter a person in Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial format, or enter a business name.
Use a Partial First Name if the Search Is Too Broad
RecorderWorks says only the surname is required, but recommends adding a partial first name when possible to reduce large-result searches and timeouts. The interface also offers Allow Partial Match.
If your first search produces too many results, add identifying information or narrow the recording-date range.
Click the Document Number in the Results
Once the results appear, open the correct entry by clicking its document number. Compare the recorded date, instrument type and indexed names before deciding it is your document.
Find Other Documents Indexed Under the Same Person
The portal has a useful shortcut: after opening a document, click the desired person’s name in the left-hand menu. RecorderWorks then lists documents tied to that person by document type and recording date, with the portal identifying this name-linked search history as covering 1991 to present.
Try Another Search Tab When You Have a Better Identifier
If you already know the document number, use Document Number instead of searching a common surname. The portal also offers Book and Page, Recording Date, Document Type, Map, APN and Legal Description searches.
Review the Record Before Purchasing
Make sure the names, recording reference and document type correspond with your property or transaction. The portal directs users who wish to purchase a record to select it and click Add to Shopping Cart. Review the displayed charges before completing an order.
Request Official Assistance for Older or Unclear Records
If you cannot identify a record online, contact the Recorder at (209) 223-6468. Bring the name, approximate date, instrument number or book/page reference when available. Older records may need additional research through the county’s historical index tools or public research area.
Which Amador County Recorder Search Should You Use?
| Information You Have | RecorderWorks Option | Useful Search Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Owner, seller or buyer name | Name | Last name first; add a partial first name to reduce excessive results |
| Instrument or recorded document ID | Document Number | Use the exact recording reference where possible |
| Historical volume and page | Book and Page | Enter the available book/page reference rather than guessing a modern document number |
| Approximate recording period | Recording Date | Use the portal’s MM/DD/YYYY fields and a reasonably narrow range |
| Grant deed, lien or release type | Document Type | Choose an indexed category and combine it with dates if necessary |
| Assessor Parcel Number | APN | Try the parcel identifier shown on your assessment or tax paperwork |
| Subdivision or parcel-map record | Map | Use a relevant map document category and any available recording date |
| Legal description | Legal Description | Search using known description details rather than relying on a mailing address |
The existence of an APN search does not mean that an APN is legally equivalent to a metes-and-bounds or lot-and-block legal description.
Deeds, Liens, Trusts and Other Amador County Recorded Documents
Grant Deed
A California grant deed generally documents a conveyance of real property and carries particular implied warranties under state law. Check the grantor, grantee, recording date, legal description and any supporting transfer documentation.
Deed of Trust
Frequently used to secure a property loan in California. It is different from a grant deed. When reviewing an older loan, search for a later reconveyance or related instrument rather than assuming the loan remains outstanding.
Quitclaim Deed
Transfers whatever interest the grantor may have without the warranties associated with a grant deed. It does not itself establish that the grantor had a valid ownership interest to transfer.
Maps, Easements and Restrictions
Parcel maps, records of survey, easements and recorded restrictions can contain information relevant to land boundaries, permitted access or land use. A deed alone may not capture every restriction affecting a property.
Amador County Recorder Fees: What the Official 2026 Schedule Says
Amador County published a Recorder fee schedule effective January 1, 2026. The base recording fee is only part of the calculation. Document size, multiple titles, the Building Homes and Jobs Act fee, transfer tax, missing ownership forms and special indexing can affect the total.
| Recording Item | County-Published Amount | When It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Regular first page | $12.00 | Standard first page, limited to 8½ × 11 inches |
| Each additional page | $3.00 | Added for additional pages |
| Nonstandard page-size surcharge | $3.00 per page | For a document containing a page larger or smaller than 8½ × 11 inches; county schedule applies surcharge to all pages |
| Combined documents | $12.00 per additional applicable title | When multiple recordable document titles are combined |
| Penalty print | $1.00 per page | When the print penalty applies |
| Survey monument fee | $10.00 | When the county’s stated transfer-tax condition applies |
| Building Homes and Jobs Act / SB 2 | $75.00 when applicable | Statutory exemptions and transaction limits must be checked |
| Missing or incomplete PCOR | $20.00 penalty | When a required Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is omitted or incomplete |
| Additional indexed reference | $1.00 | When reference indexing is required |
| Additional names | $1.00 per additional group of 10 or portion | After the first 10 names, where applicable |
| Documentary transfer tax | $0.55 per $500 of taxable consideration/value | When a taxable transfer occurs under applicable law |
Open Official 2026 Recorder Fee PDF ↗
The linked county fee schedule is authoritative for the published charges. Confirm the complete amount with the Recorder for unusual transfers, combined instruments, exemptions and current filing circumstances.
How to Prepare a Deed for Recording in Amador County
Finding an old document and recording a new one are separate tasks. If you’re recording a California grant deed, quitclaim deed or deed of trust, review the following items before visiting or mailing anything.
Confirm That the Property Is in Amador County
Check the legal description and county location. The Recorder handles documents affecting land in Amador County, including properties in Jackson, Ione, Plymouth, Sutter Creek, Amador City and unincorporated areas.
Use a Properly Prepared Instrument
Check the grantor, grantee, legal description, document title and applicable signature and acknowledgment requirements. The Clerk/Recorder states that its staff cannot give legal advice or supply blank legal documents.
For an unfamiliar transfer, ask the preparing title company or qualified California attorney to review the instrument.
Review the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
California property transfers commonly require a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) to accompany the deed. The county’s 2026 schedule lists a $20 penalty for a missing or incomplete PCOR when required.
Check the Assessor’s instructions for the current report and exceptions rather than assuming every transfer is treated identically.
Determine Whether Documentary Transfer Tax Applies
The Recorder’s schedule lists documentary transfer tax of $0.55 per $500. The calculation and exemptions depend on the transaction. A transfer between family members, trust-related conveyance or other special transaction should not be assigned a tax amount without examining the applicable law.
Check the SB 2 Fee or Applicable Exemption
Some California recorded instruments are subject to the $75 Building Homes and Jobs Act charge. Other instruments and transactions are exempt. Review the county’s SB 2 exemption declaration and determine whether an exemption applies before calculating your fee.
Confirm Payment, Mailing and Return Requirements
The County Clerk’s published instructions identify cash, check and money order as accepted counter payment methods, not debit or credit cards. Call before sending payment or using an online purchase service, because available payment options may differ by transaction.
The Recorder’s 2026 fee schedule says documents requested to be conformed and returned must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Amador County SB 255: New Recording Notifications and APN Rules
Amador County has published a notice about changes under California Senate Bill 255. This matters to property owners preparing deeds and to anyone receiving an unexpected recording notice.
First-Page APN Requirement
The county’s notice explains a new first-page Assessor Parcel Number requirement for specified deed and mortgage-related instruments. Missing the required APN can cause a document to be rejected and returned unrecorded.
Action: Check the implementation date and recording instructions for the date you intend to submit your document.
Recording Notification Program
The county describes a program under which notices are mailed after certain documents are recorded, using the pre-recording tax-bill mailing address associated with the affected APN.
The notice describes an additional $10 charge for specified documents beginning January 1, 2027. These notifications do not establish that a transaction is fraudulent.
How to Get an Amador County Deed Copy or Research Historical Documents
Order Through RecorderWorks
- Open the Official Records Index.
- Search by person, recording number or book/page.
- Open the matching document number.
- Select the record and choose Add to Shopping Cart.
- Review available copy options and charges before checkout.
Ask the Recorder whether the format offered meets your recipient’s certified-copy requirements.
Research at the Recorder’s Office
- Bring the owner’s name, approximate recording date and any document reference.
- Visit the Recorder’s public counter at 810 Court Street, Jackson.
- Ask about the public research area and historical index books.
- Compare possible documents before ordering a copy.
- Confirm the current copying and certification charges.
The county’s SB 255 guidance says visitors can inspect referenced records without a viewing fee in its public research area.
Amador County Clerk/Recorder Office Address, Hours and Directions
Amador County Clerk/Recorder
Kimberly L. Grady, County Clerk/Recorder
Address:
810 Court Street
1st Floor, East Wing
Jackson, CA 95642
Phone: (209) 223-6468
Public counter: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Telephone hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Hours exclude applicable county holidays and temporary closures.
Get Directions ↗Before You Visit
- Look for the county administrative offices at 810 Court Street.
- The county facility directory identifies the Clerk/Recorder on the first floor, East Wing.
- For a recording transaction, take the complete document and required supporting forms.
- For a copy, take the recording reference and names involved.
- Ask about applicable payment methods before arriving.
- Call ahead for accessibility, parking or unusual document-handling questions.
The county’s department page and facility directory publish different broader business-hour descriptions. This guide uses the department’s more specific 8 AM–4 PM public counter hours.
Amador County Recorder vs. Assessor vs. Tax Collector
All three deal with real property, but they maintain different records. Contacting the right office avoids unnecessary searches and office visits.
| What You Need | Correct Office | Contact or Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust or lien | County Clerk/Recorder | (209) 223-6468; RecorderWorks |
| Certified copy or historical recording reference | County Clerk/Recorder | Find document number, then order or visit |
| Assessor Parcel Number or assessed value | County Assessor | (209) 223-6351; assessment inquiry |
| Change-of-ownership assessment or PCOR question | County Assessor | (209) 223-6351 |
| Tax payment or delinquent property tax bill | Treasurer/Tax Collector | (209) 223-6364 |
| Tax rates or special assessments | Auditor-Controller | (209) 223-6362 |
| Court case, judgment or court filing question | Amador County Superior Court | (209) 257-2600 |
| Legal title defect or ownership dispute | Qualified attorney or title professional | Request title analysis or document preparation advice |
The Amador County Assessor states that recorded deeds can trigger a change-of-ownership review and possibly a supplemental assessment. A recorded transfer and a property-tax reassessment are therefore related, but not identical, administrative processes.
Fix Common Amador County Recorder Search Problems
Name Search Returns Too Many Documents
- Add a partial first name instead of entering only a common surname.
- Use a shorter date range.
- Confirm whether the recorded party was an individual, business or trust.
- Compare recording references rather than relying on names alone.
Document Number Doesn’t Match
- Check every digit in the reference.
- Confirm the recording year.
- Try Book and Page if your reference uses an older format.
- Check whether the document belongs to Amador County or an adjacent county.
APN Search Finds Nothing
- Verify the parcel number with the Assessor.
- Check whether the property has been split, merged or assigned a new APN.
- Try the person’s name or document number.
- Remember that an APN is a tax-assessment identifier, not a complete legal description.
Looking for an Old Deed
- Try the index-book tools in RecorderWorks.
- Check historical book/page information.
- Contact the Recorder for help locating its public research materials.
- Don’t assume all historic records have the same modern online search coverage.
Amador County Recorder Search, Fee Forms and Property Resources
Use these government resources for specific actions. Each link is paired with instructions rather than requiring you to work out the next step on your own.
1. Amador County Official Records Index
Search recorded land documents using RecorderWorks.
- Select Name, Document Number, Book and Page or another suitable search category.
- Enter the known identifying information.
- Click a document number to inspect its index record.
- Use Add to Shopping Cart if you need to purchase a record.
2. Amador County Recorder/Clerk Department
Official responsibilities, counter hours, legal-document limitations and contact information.
- Review the department’s current public hours.
- Confirm the address and contact details.
- Call if you need advice about accepted submission procedures or record-copy availability.
3. Amador County Recorder Fee Schedule
Official 2026 PDF with base charges, recording surcharges, statutory fees and penalties.
- Find the applicable recording category.
- Count pages and check whether standard page sizing applies.
- Review transfer tax, PCOR and SB 2 issues.
- Call to verify the final total before mailing payment.
4. Amador County SB 255 Recording Notification Guidance
Official explanation of the future notification program, APN requirements and additional fees.
- Check which documents are covered.
- Review the 2027 effective-date information.
- Follow the county’s instructions if you receive an unfamiliar recording notification.
5. Amador County Property Assessment Information
Separate Assessor resource for parcel values, change-of-ownership reassessment and assessment questions.
- Review the change-in-ownership explanation if you recently recorded a deed.
- Use the county’s Assessor resources for parcel identification.
- Contact the Assessor regarding PCOR questions or supplemental assessments.
What to Do Next With an Amador County Recorded Document
If You Found Your Deed
Save the document number, recording date and the indexed names. Compare the legal description to your paperwork. If a certified copy is needed, ask about the Recorder’s official ordering options.
If Ownership Information Looks Wrong
First check the actual recorded document. If the Recorder’s document is correct but the assessment roll is outdated, contact the Assessor. If the deed itself contains a substantive error, consult a qualified document-preparation professional.
If You Found an Unexpected Lien
Check the document type, names, dates and subsequent releases. If you suspect fraud, preserve the recording reference and follow county guidance on reporting suspicious activity.
If You Recently Bought Property
Keep the recorded deed and closing documents. The Assessor may review the ownership change and issue a supplemental assessment. Do not assume the seller’s historical property taxes will be your future tax amount.
Amador County Recorder FAQs
How do I search Amador County recorded deeds online?
Open the Amador County RecorderWorks Official Records Index. Select Name, Document Number, Book and Page or another suitable search option. Review matching results and click a document number to view its index details.
What is the Amador County Recorder’s address?
The Amador County Clerk/Recorder is located at 810 Court Street, 1st Floor, East Wing, Jackson, CA 95642. The telephone number is (209) 223-6468.
What are the Clerk/Recorder’s public counter hours?
The department lists public counter hours as Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, and telephone hours from 8 AM to 5 PM, excluding applicable closures.
Can I search Amador County deeds by APN?
Yes. RecorderWorks offers a search by Assessor Parcel Number. However, an APN is an assessment identifier, not a legally sufficient property description by itself.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Amador County?
The county’s fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 lists $12 for the first standard-size page and $3 for each additional page. Other charges, transfer taxes and statutory fees may apply depending on the instrument and transaction.
What happens if I forget the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report?
Amador County’s 2026 Recorder fee schedule lists a $20 penalty for a missing or incomplete PCOR when required. Check with the Assessor about applicable requirements and exceptions.
Can I see an older recorded deed in Amador County?
RecorderWorks provides modern electronic searches and historical index-book tools. If you cannot find the document, contact the County Recorder and provide names, approximate dates and any book/page reference available.
Does Amador County notify owners when deeds are recorded?
Amador County has published guidance about recording notifications under SB 255. Its notice describes requirements affecting certain deeds and mortgages, with a related fee increase effective January 1, 2027. Review the official county notice for implementation details.
Can the County Recorder help prepare or correct my deed?
The Clerk/Recorder states that its office cannot provide legal advice or blank legal documents. For deed drafting, substantive corrections or disputed ownership, consult a qualified California attorney or title professional.
Does a recorded deed automatically update property taxes?
Not automatically in the sense of fixing a final bill. The Assessor reviews recorded changes of ownership and determines whether reassessment is required. A supplemental property-tax assessment may follow a qualifying transfer.