Marin County Recorder Office: Address, Hours, Deed Search & Official Records
Need a deed, recorded mortgage, property lien or certified document copy in San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Sausalito, Larkspur, Fairfax, Tiburon or elsewhere in Marin County?
The Marin County Recorder’s Office maintains the county’s recorded real-property documents. Its public Grantor/Grantee Index covers records from 1973 to the present, while earlier records can be researched using the office’s historical indexes.
You can visit the Recorder at the Marin County Civic Center, Room 232, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. This guide explains the correct entrance, office hours, same-day filing cutoff, online records search, certified copies and recording fees.
Where Is the Marin County Recorder Office?
The Marin County Recorder is located at 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 232, San Rafael, CA 94903. The office is inside the Marin County Civic Center, across from the former cafeteria area, with access through the center archway. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, excluding county holidays.
Visit the Recorder
Use Room 232 at the Civic Center for deed recording questions, document-copy services and official-record assistance.
For same-day recording, the document must be reviewed before 3 PM.
Office directions and arrival tips →Search Land Records
The county offers a public Grantor/Grantee Index beginning in 1973. Search recorded documents by the parties or available recording references.
The online index does not provide full recorded document images.
Follow the official search steps →Get a Certified Deed Copy
Marin County accepts official-record copy requests online and by mail, with in-person assistance available.
Find the document reference before ordering so you request the correct instrument.
See copy prices and ordering →Marin County Recorder Address, Phone Number and Office Hours
Marin County Recorder
Department:
Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
Physical address:
Marin County Civic Center
3501 Civic Center Drive
Room 232
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone:
(415) 473-6092
Fax:
(415) 473-7893
Public hours:
Monday–Friday
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Open during lunch
Closed on county holidays
Same-day recording review:
Before 3:00 PM
How to Find Room 232
The Recorder is inside the Marin County Civic Center, not at a separate downtown San Rafael recording counter.
- Enter through the Civic Center’s center archway.
- Go to Room 232, across from the former cafeteria area.
- The County Clerk is in nearby Room 234.
- The Assessor’s public office is in Room 208.
- Check posted signs when entering the building.
Parking at the Civic Center is generally free. Observe the signs for two-hour versus all-day parking spaces.
For accessibility assistance, the county lists the California Relay Service at 711.
Official County Contact Details ↗Map: Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, California. The Recorder is in Room 232.
Marin County Recorder Mailing Address and Delivery Instructions
The address for visiting the Recorder is different from the official mailing address. Using the correct destination helps avoid delays when sending a copy request or an original document for recording.
Regular U.S. Mail
Marin County Recorder
P.O. Box C
San Rafael, CA 94913
For recording, include the original document and applicable payment. For a copy request, use the official request form and provide the recording reference.
Express Delivery or In-Person Recording
Marin County Recorder
3501 Civic Center Drive
Room 232, Marin Civic Center
San Rafael, CA 94903
This is the county’s published physical destination for express-delivery recording submissions.
What Marin County’s Online Recorder Index Actually Shows
The online Recorder’s Index is useful, but it works differently from a typical property-address search website. Marin County describes the index as a guide to recorded documents rather than a replacement for the documents themselves.
How to Search Marin County Recorder Official Records Online
The county provides a free public index for documents recorded from 1973 onward. Use the steps below to locate a deed, mortgage, release or other recorded document, then save its reference for an official copy request.
Open the Official Recorder Search Page
Visit Search Recorder’s Official Records.
Select the county’s official search link to open its records-index application.
Review the Online Records Disclaimer
The county explains that the index is comparable to a library card catalog. It identifies records but should not be treated as the definitive contents of the underlying instrument.
Review the available search choices before entering information.
Search the Relevant Person or Business Name
Use the available name-search fields to find the person or organization associated with the document.
For a deed, the grantor is generally the transferring party, and the grantee is generally the receiving party.
For an older transfer, search the previous owner instead of relying only on the current owner.
Try Alternative Name Spellings
The county specifically advises searching possible spelling variations.
For example, a person may appear under a former surname, a trust name, a legal business entity or a slightly different name format.
If the search provides name-matching options, broaden or narrow them as needed.
Compare the Recorded Results
Review available recording information such as:
- Document type
- Recorded party names
- Recording date
- Document reference number
- Book/page or other recording reference
Several instruments may involve the same property, so do not assume every result is a deed transferring ownership.
Save the Exact Document Reference
Once you identify a likely instrument, record its reference number, document title and relevant names.
For an older instrument, retain any book/page information available.
The reference is needed when ordering a copy through the county’s official records service.
Order the Full Document If Needed
The county does not display full recorded document images in the public online index.
Use the official document and map ordering system, the mail request form or the Recorder’s Office to obtain a copy.
Marin County Deed Search: Which Information Should You Use?
| What You Know | Best Starting Point | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Previous owner’s name | Recorder Grantor/Grantee Index | Search the former owner and compare possible deed results. |
| Buyer’s recorded name | Recorder Grantor/Grantee Index | Search the grantee or relevant party name. |
| Trust or company name | Recorder Grantor/Grantee Index | Try the complete legal entity name and possible variations. |
| Document reference | Recorder Index / Copy Order Service | Use the available recording-reference information to identify or order the document. |
| Book and page | Recorder Office / Copy Order Service | Provide the book/page citation, especially for older records. |
| Assessor’s Parcel Number | Marin County Assessor | Use the Assessor’s parcel search, not a Recorder address search. |
| Street address only | Assessor or other reliable property records | Identify the relevant property and recorded party before using the Recorder index. |
| Subdivision or survey map reference | Recorder Map Records | Identify the map book/page or other map reference and request a copy. |
How to Find Older Marin County Deeds Not Available in the Online Index
A search that returns no result for a deed recorded before 1973 does not mean the deed is missing. Marin County directs researchers to its in-office historical indexes for that period.
Search Historical Indexes at the Civic Center
Visit the Recorder’s public lobby during business hours and ask how to use the available historical records.
Bring:
- Previous owner names
- Approximate transaction year
- Any known book/page reference
- Related document or map references
Understand What Staff Can Do
Recorder employees can explain how to use the indexes but do not perform a complete property title search for customers.
For an extensive ownership-history investigation, a title company or qualified California real-estate professional may be more appropriate.
How to Order a Certified Marin County Deed Copy
Marin County offers official-record copy ordering online and by mail. A certified copy carries the Recorder’s official certification and may be required by a court, lender or other institution.
Option 1: Order Online
- Search the official Recorder index.
- Identify the exact document reference.
- Open the county’s Document or Map Order page.
- Choose Add Official Record Request.
- Provide the required reference and requester information.
- Select whether certification is needed.
- Review charges and delivery before paying.
Option 2: Request by Mail
- Find the document reference in the online or in-office index.
- Download the Official Record Request form.
- Enter requester contact details.
- List the document reference, title and names.
- Specify plain or certified copy and number of copies.
- Calculate payment using the current fee schedule.
- Mail the request and payment to the Recorder.
Mailing address:
Marin County Recorder
P.O. Box C
San Rafael, CA 94913
Marin County Recorder Copy Fees
| Copy or Certification Service | Published Fee | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| First page of an official-record document | $4.00 | Charged per requested document. |
| Each additional page | $2.00 | Added to the document’s first-page fee. |
| Certification under seal | Additional $4.00 | Only complete documents can be certified. |
| Subdivision, parcel or survey map copy | $5.00 per page | Applies to recorded map copies. |
| Map certification | Additional $4.00 | Confirm whether charged for each requested certified map page. |
| Courtesy acknowledgment copy at recording | No fee | Requester must provide the copy; a self-addressed stamped envelope is required for mailed return. |
Plain copy: $4 for the first page + $2 for each of three additional pages = $10.
Certified copy: $10 in page charges + $4 certification = $14.
These are the county’s published basic charges. Verify any additional delivery or transaction fees before ordering.
Marin County Deed Recording Fees in 2026
Marin County’s fee schedule lists a $14 first-page recording charge and $3 for each additional standard-size page. However, the county expressly warns that additional mandatory fees apply to many documents.
| Recording Item | County-Published Charge | When It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| First 8.5 × 11-inch page | $14.00 | Basic recording amount per document title. |
| Each additional standard page | $3.00 | Added for additional pages. |
| Nonstandard page-size penalty | $3.00 per page | May apply to every page of an oversized document. |
| Small-print penalty | $1.00 | Applies when the document triggers the statutory small-print standard. |
| SB 2 — Building Homes and Jobs Act | $75.00 per applicable document title | Subject to statutory exemptions and the applicable transaction cap. |
| Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Trust | $10.00 per applicable document title | Additional mandatory fee under the county’s published schedule. |
| Preliminary Change of Ownership Report omitted | $20.00 | Applies when a required PCOR is not filed with the transfer. |
| County Documentary Transfer Tax | $0.55 per $500 or fraction | For qualifying transfers, based on the applicable taxable value. |
A hypothetical three-page standard-size document has a base page charge of:
$14 + $3 + $3 = $20.
This example excludes all additional mandatory fees and taxes. It is not a complete recording quote.
When Does Marin County Charge the Additional $75 SB 2 Fee?
California Government Code §27388.1 requires an additional fee on many recorded real-estate instruments. Marin County publishes specific exemption guidance and an official cover page for eligible recordings.
Documents That May Be Exempt
Common exemption situations identified by the county include:
- Instruments subject to documentary transfer tax when the tax is shown.
- Documents recorded concurrently with a transfer-taxable instrument.
- Certain transfers of residential property to an owner-occupier.
- Documents not related to real property.
- Qualifying government instruments.
- Transactions where the statutory fee cap has already been reached.
The exemption must actually apply to the transaction.
How to Claim an Exemption
- Review the official SB 2 exemptions page.
- Determine whether a specific statutory exemption applies.
- Include the required exemption declaration on the recorded instrument or use the county cover page.
- Check whether the additional cover page affects recording fees.
- Confirm the filing package and total charges with the Recorder.
Marin County Recorder Document Requirements and Filing Steps
Marin County reviews documents for California’s basic recording standards and any instrument-specific requirements. Prepare the document before visiting the public counter or mailing an original.
Choose the Correct Instrument
A grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, reconveyance or other instrument has different legal consequences.
The Recorder does not select forms, prepare documents or provide legal advice.
Consult a qualified California attorney or title professional if you are uncertain which document your transaction requires.
Use the Required Paper and Layout
Marin County’s basic recording requirements include:
- White paper measuring 8.5 × 11 inches.
- Paper weight of at least 16-pound bond.
- Legible black-ink text.
- A return-address area in the upper-left portion of the first page.
- A blank Recorder’s area approximately 2.5 inches high and 5 inches wide at the upper right.
- The document title immediately beneath the upper address and recording areas.
If the first page lacks enough recording space, an additional cover page may be necessary.
Check Signatures and Attachments
Documents submitted in person or by mail must have original wet signatures where required.
Make sure exhibits are separately identified, legible and properly referenced in the main instrument.
The county instructs submitters not to attach pages using ribbons, rivets or similar fasteners.
Include Change-of-Ownership Reporting When Applicable
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, commonly called a PCOR, generally accompanies documents transferring title.
Marin County lists a $20 charge when a required PCOR is not submitted.
The Assessor uses the report for property-tax assessment purposes.
Review Transfer Tax and SB 2
Determine whether documentary transfer tax applies and whether the recorded instrument qualifies for an SB 2 exemption.
The county provides official transfer-tax transmittal and SB 2 exemption cover-page resources.
Confirm the Fee Before Submission
Call (415) 473-6092 with the document type, page count and relevant transaction details.
Prepare the applicable payment and any required attachments.
Submit Before 3 PM for Same-Day Recording
Present the completed document at Room 232 or use the county’s official mail instructions.
For same-day recording, the document must be reviewed before 3 PM. Later submissions may be accepted for next-business-day recording.
Retain the Recording Reference
Keep the recorded document reference and any acknowledgment or receipt.
Use the online index to confirm the recorded entry when it becomes available.
Can You Search Marin County Property Records by Address?
Marin County has a specific online privacy limitation that is easy to miss. Its Assessor’s public records search uses an Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) rather than a public owner-name or street-address search.
When You Have an APN
- Open the Marin County Assessor records-and-maps search.
- Select the parcel-number search.
- Enter the APN from your property-tax bill.
- The county describes the parcel number as an eight-digit identifier, commonly formatted as 999-999-99.
- Review the corresponding assessment record.
When You Only Have an Address
The county does not permit public owner-name or address searches through its Assessor tax-roll website.
If you do not know the APN or need help identifying the owner information maintained for an assessment account, call the Assessor at:
The Assessor provides ownership-related assistance subject to applicable public-record and privacy rules.
How to Find a Recorded Marin County Map or Easement
Marin County provides unusually detailed guidance for researching recorded maps and easements. These records may help when a property’s legal description refers to an old subdivision map, survey or recorded access agreement.
Recorded Maps
The Recorder maintains filed subdivision maps, parcel maps and records of survey.
For recorded survey research, the county suggests searching the Recorder index using a term such as:
Replace SMITH with the relevant owner’s surname.
A matching index entry may identify a marker page with the map’s book/page reference rather than displaying the survey itself.
The county also uses references such as OS or RS with a book/page or year/page identifier.
Property Easements
An easement may appear:
- In a deed’s legal description.
- On a recorded map.
- In a separately recorded agreement.
Marin County recommends reviewing the preliminary title report from your purchase, if available, because it may identify relevant easement documents and recording references.
The Recorder cannot interpret the legal scope or location of an easement.
Does Marin County Notify Owners About New Property Recordings?
Yes. Marin County operates a recording-notification program in cooperation with its District Attorney’s Office. This is a locally relevant protection that property owners should know about.
How the County Program Works
Beginning October 1, 2021, Marin County established a program to mail notices when certain documents affecting property title are recorded.
The notification includes the first two pages of the newly recorded document and is mailed to the homeowner’s address on file with the Assessor.
What to Do If You Receive an Unexpected Notice
- Review the document title and recorded parties.
- Compare the filing with any legitimate recent transaction.
- Do not ignore a document you do not recognize.
- Use the contact information provided in the county notice.
- Report suspected fraudulent transfer activity to the appropriate county authorities.
Marin County Recorder vs. Assessor vs. County Clerk
The Assessor, Recorder and County Clerk belong to the same elected department, but they perform different public services. Their offices are in different rooms of the Civic Center.
| Your Question | Correct Office | Where to Go or Call |
|---|---|---|
| Where can I search a recorded deed? | Recorder | Official Grantor/Grantee Index or Room 232. |
| How do I obtain a certified deed? | Recorder | (415) 473-6092; Room 232. |
| How do I record a new conveyance? | Recorder | Review recording requirements and submit the document. |
| What is my assessed property value? | Assessor | Room 208; (415) 473-7215. |
| How do I ask about reassessment after a transfer? | Assessor — Change in Ownership | (415) 473-7231. |
| Where can I find an Assessor parcel map? | Assessor Mapping Division | (415) 473-5073. |
| How do I apply for a Homeowners’ Exemption? | Assessor — Exemptions | (415) 473-3794. |
| Where can I obtain a marriage license? | County Clerk | Room 234; (415) 473-6772. |
| Where do I get a divorce decree? | Marin County Superior Court | Contact the court’s records division. |
| Who can determine clear property title? | Title company or qualified attorney | Request a professional title examination. |
Why a Marin County Recorder Search May Return No Results
| Problem | Possible Explanation | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| No match for an owner’s name | The name may be indexed differently. | Try spelling variations, former names or a related legal entity. |
| Street address search unavailable | The Recorder index is name-based. | Identify a recorded party before searching deeds. |
| APN search does not find a deed | An APN is not the Recorder’s primary search identifier. | Use the Assessor system for APN information. |
| Document predates 1973 | It is outside the published online index period. | Visit the Recorder’s lobby for historical indexes. |
| The full document is not displayed | The public index does not provide full recorded images. | Order a document copy using the recording reference. |
| Too many matching names | Several unrelated transactions may involve the same name. | Compare available recording dates and document types. |
| Recently filed document is missing | Index availability may lag behind recording activity. | Allow for updating and confirm time-sensitive matters with the office. |
| Map index result has no map image | The result may only identify a map marker page. | Use the map reference to order the actual map. |
| Certified copy was expected by email | The county does not email certified document copies. | Select an eligible delivery method through the official ordering service. |
Marin County Recorder Office, Deed Search, Copy Forms and Recording Links
Use the following official resources for the specific task you need. Each includes practical instructions so that you can locate the correct service without searching through unrelated county pages.
1. Marin County Recorder’s Office
Official location, opening hours, same-day recording cutoff and Recorder services.
- Confirm the Room 232 Civic Center location.
- Review the same-day recording deadline.
- Select Search Recorder’s Official Records for the index.
- Use Recording a Document for submission requirements.
- Check office hours before visiting.
2. Search Recorder’s Official Records
The county’s public Grantor/Grantee Index, covering 1973 to the present.
- Open the official records search page.
- Select the public index link.
- Use the relevant recorded party name or available search method.
- Compare possible matches.
- Save the document reference.
- Order the underlying document when needed.
3. Order Official Documents and Maps
County-operated webstore for ordering recorded-document and map copies.
- Choose Official Record Request or Map Request.
- Enter the correct document or map reference.
- Specify the requested copies.
- Choose certification when required.
- Review the nonrefund policy and total charges before payment.
4. Official Record Request by Mail
County form for requesting plain or certified official-record copies by mail.
- Complete the requester information.
- Enter the recording reference and document title.
- List the names on the document.
- Specify page count, copies and certification.
- Calculate the payment.
- Mail the request to Marin County Recorder, P.O. Box C, San Rafael, CA 94913.
5. Recording Requirements and Forms
Official rules for document formatting, signatures, cover pages and filing.
- Read the paper-size and layout requirements.
- Check the first-page recording space.
- Confirm original signatures and legibility.
- Review the Recorder’s cover-page and transfer-tax resources.
- Verify current fees before submission.
6. Marin County Recorder Fees
Current county-published recording, copying and certification charges.
- Review the Recording Fees section.
- Check basic page fees and additional mandatory charges.
- Review Copy Fees for deeds and maps.
- Use the SB 2 exemption page when relevant.
7. Marin County Assessor Records and Maps
Official tax-roll and Assessor parcel-map resources.
- Locate the APN on the property-tax bill.
- Enter the parcel number in the Assessor search.
- Review the relevant tax-roll information.
- Use map book/page fields for Assessor parcel maps.
- For an address-only or owner-name question, contact the Assessor instead of assuming an online search is supported.
8. Marin County Property Fraud Information
Official notification program for newly recorded documents affecting property title.
- Review how the county’s mailed notification program works.
- Understand which document details may appear in a notice.
- Check that the Assessor has the correct mailing address.
- Follow official instructions when a recorded document is unfamiliar.
What to Do After Finding a Marin County Deed or Recorded Document
If You Found the Correct Deed
Save the document reference and obtain a complete copy if you need to review the legal description or use the document in an official transaction.
If the Tax Bill Shows the Wrong Owner
Compare the recorded deed with the Assessor’s records. Contact the Assessor’s Change in Ownership section if the recorded document is correct but the assessment record has not been updated.
If You Found a Mortgage or Lien
Search for related releases or reconveyances. A recorded deed of trust does not establish the current loan balance, and finding a release requires matching the correct underlying instrument.
If You Cannot Find an Older Record
Try former owners, alternate name spellings or an existing book/page reference. For records before 1973, ask about the historical indexes in the Recorder’s lobby.
Marin County Recorder Office FAQs
Where is the Marin County Recorder’s Office located?
The Marin County Recorder is located at 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 232, San Rafael, CA 94903, inside the Marin County Civic Center. The office is across from the former cafeteria area and can be reached through the center archway.
What are the Marin County Recorder’s office hours?
The Recorder is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, excluding county holidays. The office remains open during lunch. Documents must be reviewed before 3 PM for same-day recording.
What is the Marin County Recorder’s phone number?
The Marin County Recorder’s main telephone number is (415) 473-6092.
Can I search Marin County deeds online?
Yes. Marin County provides an online Grantor/Grantee Index for documents recorded from 1973 to the present. The index is searched by party name rather than street address or parcel number, and full recorded document images are not displayed online.
How far back do Marin County online recorder records go?
The public online Recorder’s Index covers records from 1973 onward. For earlier recorded documents, researchers should consult historical indexes at the Recorder’s Office during public business hours.
Can I search Marin County deeds by property address?
Not directly in the Recorder’s name-based index. Marin County also restricts public online Assessor searching to parcel numbers rather than owner names or addresses. Contact the Assessor if you need assistance identifying a parcel or the relevant recorded owner.
How much does a Marin County certified deed copy cost?
Marin County charges $4 for the first page of an official-record document and $2 for each additional page, plus $4 for certification. Only complete documents can be certified. A four-page certified deed therefore has a published basic copy-and-certification charge of $14.
Can Marin County email a certified deed copy?
No. Marin County’s official copy-order service states that certified copies cannot be emailed. Choose an eligible delivery method and review the order details before payment.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Marin County?
The published basic recording fee is $14 for the first standard-size page and $3 for each additional page. Other charges, including applicable SB 2, real estate fraud and documentary transfer tax fees, can increase the total.
Can I mail a deed to the Marin County Recorder?
Yes. Standard-mail recording submissions should be sent to Marin County Recorder, P.O. Box C, San Rafael, CA 94913, with the original recordable document and applicable payment. Express deliveries use the physical Civic Center address.
Will the Marin County Recorder perform a title search?
No. Recorder staff can explain how to search the indexes, but they do not perform property research, prepare title reports, give legal advice or interpret recorded legal descriptions. A title company or qualified attorney can assist with a formal title investigation.
What should I do if I receive a suspicious deed recording notice?
Marin County mails notices about certain recorded documents affecting property title. If you receive a notice about a transaction you do not recognize, review the enclosed document information and follow the county’s reporting instructions for potentially fraudulent transfers.