San Francisco CA Recorder: Deed Search, Property Records, Official Copies & Recording Fees
The San Francisco County Recorder is part of the City and County of San Francisco Office of the Assessor-Recorder. It preserves grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, property maps and other recorded documents.
Searching for county recorder San Francisco CA? You can look up recorded property documents through the city’s online public records system, inspect available document images and obtain copies. For older documents, new deed filings and certified records, City Hall’s Room 190 is the main service location.
Where Can You Search San Francisco County Deeds?
Use the official San Francisco recorded-document search for a deed, deed of trust, lien, reconveyance or related public filing. It is a separate task from searching assessment values or paying property taxes.
Find a Recorded Document
Search by an available name, recording reference or block-and-lot identifier. Review the document’s recording date, indexed parties and document type.
Follow search stepsObtain a Deed Copy
View available images and choose an electronic copy or a certified copy depending on what the receiving organization requires.
Compare copy optionsRecord a New Instrument
Prepare the original document, required ownership and transfer-tax paperwork, and applicable recording charges before submission.
See filing checklistHow to Search San Francisco Deeds and Recorded Documents Online
San Francisco’s Recorder system provides online access to records dating from approximately 1990 onward. The city expanded free document viewing in 2024, making many document images accessible without first purchasing a copy. Account registration may be required for viewing functions.
Open the Official Recorder Portal
Visit recorder.sfgov.org. Use the recorded documents or public index search interface, rather than the Assessor’s taxable-value system.
Choose the Available Search Field
The Recorder’s published guidance identifies searches by party name, document number and San Francisco block-and-lot identifier. Use a document number when you already have a recording stamp or reference from another deed or title report.
Match the Correct Recording
Compare the indexed grantor and grantee names, date of recording, document category and any property identifiers. A common name alone is not enough to establish that a document belongs to the correct property.
Open the Available Preview
If the portal requires registration, follow its on-screen account instructions. Open the available record image, verify the legal description and parties, and check that you have the correct instrument.
Save the Recording Reference
Record the document number, recording date, instrument type and associated party names. These details help when asking City Hall for a certified or historical copy.
Search by Name, Document Number or Block and Lot
Grantor or Grantee Name
Search for the person, trust or business associated with the transaction. A grantor generally transfers an interest, while a grantee generally receives one.
Best for: Finding deeds when you know a buyer, seller or former owner.
Recording Number
Use the document reference printed on an existing recorded instrument or title document. Match the resulting recording date and document type.
Best for: Requesting a specific document without sorting through similar names.
Block and Lot
San Francisco’s property identification system commonly uses a block-and-lot combination. This is useful where a mailing address differs from the property identifier in official land records.
Best for: Connecting a known parcel to associated recorded instruments.
What if you only have a street address?
An address search and a deed search answer different questions. Address-based assessment data can help identify the parcel, but you still need to review the actual recorded instrument to understand a conveyance, lien or reconveyance.
What Do San Francisco Recorder Document Types Mean?
The document title often tells you why an instrument was recorded. These are common categories in San Francisco’s public property-record system.
| Recorded document | What it generally means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Deed | Transfers an ownership interest with statutory implied covenants. | Grantor, grantee, execution date and legal description. |
| Quitclaim Deed | Transfers whatever interest the grantor may have, without the same implied ownership covenants. | Parties, property description and the interest purportedly conveyed. |
| Deed of Trust | Typically secures a loan against real estate. | Borrower, lender/beneficiary, trustee and recording reference. |
| Full Reconveyance | Generally documents release of a deed-of-trust security interest after the secured obligation has been satisfied. | Whether it references the correct loan or deed of trust. |
| Substitution of Trustee | Identifies a replacement trustee under a deed of trust. | Trustee names and related original recorded instrument. |
| Lien or Notice of Lien | Records a claimed obligation or encumbrance. | Filing party, amount if stated, related case/account and release documents. |
| Notice of Default | May signal a default under a secured loan and a stage of foreclosure proceedings. | Recorded date, trustee, referenced deed of trust and subsequent filings. |
| Parcel or Subdivision Map | Documents mapped parcel or subdivision information. | Map reference, lot configuration and related recorded documents. |
How to Obtain a San Francisco Recorded Deed Copy
You may not need a certified copy for routine personal research. The city offers document viewing and self-service electronic copies, while formal transactions may require a certified record issued by the Recorder.
Online Preview
Use available free document-viewing features to inspect the correct record before purchasing anything.
Typical use: Personal review, researching a transaction or identifying the correct deed.
Electronic Official Copy
The 2025 Recorder fee schedule listed a reduced flat charge for eligible self-service electronic copies.
Typical use: Saving a complete recorded instrument when certification is not required.
Certified Copy
Certification may be requested when documentation must carry the Recorder’s official certification.
Typical use: Some court proceedings, estate administration, lender requirements or government transactions.
Official Recorded Document Copy Service
Use the government’s instructions for obtaining ordinary and certified records.
- Open the official copy service and check whether your document can be obtained online.
- Locate it using the recording number or available index search.
- Choose the appropriate copy type rather than automatically selecting certification.
- Verify the displayed cost, delivery method and current requirements before payment.
- Save the document and transaction reference securely.
San Francisco Recorder Fees: Copies, Recording and Other Charges
Recording a deed and ordering an existing deed are two different transactions. The examples below come from the official Recorder Division fee schedule effective July 1, 2025. Because local copy fees are subject to annual adjustment, confirm the current 2026–27 amount before payment.
| Fee item | Published 2025 schedule | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Self-service electronic recorded-document copy | $1.81 per document | Electronic self-service only; check current portal checkout amount. |
| Office-supplied official record copy, first page | $9.70 | Traditional copy request, rather than eligible automated self-service. |
| Each additional office-supplied copy page | $0.39 | Added to the first-page charge. |
| Certified copy surcharge | $1.00 per document | Additional certification charge, subject to current fee verification. |
| Standard recording first page | $14.00 | Other category-specific charges and surcharges may apply. |
| Additional standard recording page | $3.00 | Check page format and document category. |
| Missing PCOR when a report is required | $20.00 | Not a substitute for checking all other ownership-change reporting requirements. |
| California Building Homes and Jobs Act fee | $75 when applicable | Subject to statutory exemptions and transaction limits; not every document owes this charge. |
Official Recorder Division Fee Schedule
Use the posted schedule to confirm copy, recording, filing and related charges.
- Identify whether you need a copy, certification or a new recording.
- Find the corresponding fee category and any page-based charges.
- Review statutory surcharges and exemption conditions.
- Check for an updated fiscal-year schedule before preparing payment.
How to Record a Grant Deed or Quitclaim Deed in San Francisco
Recording is the process of placing an eligible legal instrument into the county’s permanent public record. The Recorder checks recording formalities but does not provide individualized legal advice or guarantee the legal effect of a deed.
Prepare the Correct Legal Instrument
Confirm the grantor, grantee, property legal description, execution requirements, document formatting and any applicable notarial acknowledgment. A grant deed and a quitclaim deed have different legal consequences.
Review the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
California generally requires a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) with deeds transferring ownership, subject to statutory requirements and exceptions. The report helps the Assessor evaluate whether reassessment rules apply. A missing report can trigger an additional fee.
Complete San Francisco Transfer Tax Documentation
Review the local Transfer Tax Affidavit requirements. If you claim an exemption, identify the actual statutory or ordinance basis; a no-cash transfer is not automatically free of all taxes or reporting obligations.
Calculate the Full Recording Charges
Check the current fee schedule for the number of pages, recording category, SB 2 applicability and other charges. Consider documentary transfer tax separately from recording fees.
Submit Through an Accepted Channel
The public counter is at City Hall, Room 190. Published in-person recording hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, excluding applicable holidays. Contact the office for current mailing or electronic-recording options relevant to your transaction.
Verify the Recorded Instrument
Retain the receipt or recording reference. After indexing, search the public records system to confirm the instrument appears with the expected recording date, parties and document type.
San Francisco Documentary Transfer Tax Is Separate From Recording Fees
San Francisco has its own graduated documentary transfer-tax structure. The tax can be substantial on high-value transfers, and the applicable rate is generally based on the taxable consideration or value for the entire transaction within the relevant bracket.
| Taxable transaction value | Published transfer-tax rate | Equivalent rate per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Over $100 through $250,000 | $2.50 per $500 | $5.00 |
| Over $250,000 but less than $1 million | $3.40 per $500 | $6.80 |
| $1 million but less than $5 million | $3.75 per $500 | $7.50 |
| $5 million but less than $10 million | $11.25 per $500 | $22.50 |
| $10 million but less than $25 million | $27.50 per $500 | $55.00 |
| $25 million or more | $30.00 per $500 | $60.00 |
Confirm the applicable transaction rules and current rates with the Assessor-Recorder. A transfer-tax exemption and an exclusion from California property-tax reassessment are different legal issues.
San Francisco County Recorder Office: Address, Hours, Phone and Google Map
Office of the Assessor-Recorder
San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Room 190
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 628-652-8100
Email: assessor@sfgov.org
General office: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM
In-person document recording: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM
Closed for applicable public holidays.
Before You Visit City Hall
- Bring the recording number if requesting a specific deed copy.
- For a new recording, bring the complete instrument and any required supporting forms.
- Arrive before the published 4 PM recording cutoff.
- Confirm accepted payment methods and document-submission instructions.
- Allow for building entry procedures and check current accessibility and holiday notices.
Arrival tip: City Hall is near Civic Center Plaza. Room 190 is the office destination; do not confuse it with other city departments in the building.
Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer: Which San Francisco Office Do You Need?
Recorder Division
Use for: Recorded deeds, liens, deeds of trust, reconveyances, maps, recording numbers and certified document copies.
The Recorder preserves recorded instruments and collects applicable transfer taxes.
Assessor Division
Use for: Property assessment values, reassessments, ownership-related assessment records and property-tax exemptions.
Both divisions are part of the San Francisco Office of the Assessor-Recorder.
Treasurer & Tax Collector
Use for: Property-tax bills, payment status, secured and unsecured tax collections and delinquent property-tax matters.
Official site: San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector.
Why Can’t You Find a San Francisco Deed or Lien?
| Problem | Likely explanation | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| No results using an address | The Recorder’s index may require a name, recording reference or block and lot. | Find the block/lot through assessment information and try the supported search fields. |
| Too many matching names | Multiple recorded parties share the same or a similar name. | Compare document date, type, legal description and party information. |
| Deed predates 1990 | It may be outside current online image coverage. | Contact the Recorder for historical research options at City Hall. |
| Recently recorded deed is missing | Indexing and public availability may not be immediate. | Use your receipt/reference and ask the office to confirm status. |
| Old mortgage still appears | The historical deed of trust remains indexed even if later reconveyed. | Look for a matching reconveyance rather than expecting deletion of the original record. |
| Recorded instrument has an error | A recorded legal instrument generally cannot simply be edited in place. | Ask a California title professional or attorney whether a corrective instrument is appropriate. |
| Need ownership proof for a transaction | A public-index hit alone is not a complete title examination. | Obtain the actual recorded instrument and consider professional title research. |
Official San Francisco Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening
1. Public Index Search
Find deeds, liens, reconveyances and other recorded instruments.
- Choose the records-search function.
- Enter an available name, document number or block/lot.
- Confirm the correct recording from the results.
- View the available image or request the required copy type.
2. Recorded Document Copies
Check the city’s official electronic, mail and certification options.
- Identify your document using its recording reference.
- Decide whether you need an ordinary or certified copy.
- Verify the displayed fee and delivery requirements.
3. Assessor-Recorder Department
Check office services, contact details, recording and assessment information.
- Open the department’s service listings.
- Choose the recording, copy, document or assessment task that applies.
- Check current forms, office access and submission directions.
4. Recorder Fee Schedule
Review the official published schedule before calculating filing costs.
- Identify the document and service category.
- Review base charges, surcharges and exemptions.
- Check for a newer schedule covering the current fiscal year.
5. Official Assessor-Recorder Responsibilities
See the distinction between public recordings and property-tax assessments.
- Review the Recorder’s public-record preservation role.
- Compare that with the Assessor’s valuation role.
- Contact the correct division for your question.
What Should You Do Next?
If You Need a Deed
Search the official index, match the recording information and download or request the correct copy.
Start Deed Search ↗If You Need to Record a New Deed
Confirm the deed’s legal form, PCOR, transfer-tax paperwork and current fees before submission.
Review Filing StepsIf a Lien Seems Wrong
Identify the filing party and related recording. Contact the filer or seek legal advice about a release or correction.
Understand Lien RecordsIf You Have a Tax-Bill Question
Go to the Treasurer & Tax Collector for payment issues rather than the Recorder’s document counter.
Tax Collector ↗San Francisco CA County Recorder FAQs
1. Where is the San Francisco County Recorder located?
The Recorder division is part of the Office of the Assessor-Recorder at San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 190, San Francisco, CA 94102.
2. How do I search San Francisco recorded deeds online?
Visit recorder.sfgov.org and use the available recorded-document search fields, including names, document references or block-and-lot identifiers. Compare results before selecting a document.
3. Are San Francisco recorded documents available for free viewing?
Many available recorded-document images dating from 1990 onward can be viewed online without a document-copy purchase. The portal may require account registration. Official copies and certification can still involve fees.
4. How far back does the San Francisco online Recorder index go?
The city’s modern online recorded-document service primarily covers records from approximately 1990 onward. Older recordings may require historical research through the office.
5. Can I search by street address instead of block and lot?
If the recorded-document search does not support the address you have, first identify the property’s San Francisco block-and-lot number using assessment or parcel information, then use the Recorder’s supported search fields.
6. How much does a San Francisco deed copy cost?
The official Recorder fee schedule effective July 1, 2025 listed $1.81 for an eligible self-service electronic document copy, with separate charges for traditional copies and certification. Verify the current fiscal-year rate before ordering.
7. What is the San Francisco Recorder phone number?
The main Office of the Assessor-Recorder phone number is 628-652-8100. Its public office is in City Hall, Room 190.
8. What time does San Francisco deed recording close?
Published in-person recording hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, while general office hours extend to 5 PM. Confirm holiday schedules and current hours before visiting.
9. Do I need a PCOR to record a property transfer?
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is generally required with qualifying ownership transfers. Missing the report when required can result in an additional fee. Review the deed’s reporting obligations and local Transfer Tax Affidavit requirements.
10. Does a recorded San Francisco deed prove clear title?
No. Recording creates a public record of an instrument, but the Recorder does not guarantee that it establishes valid, marketable or lien-free title. A qualified California title professional or attorney can investigate those questions.
Source and Editorial Disclosure
This independent guide describes San Francisco’s public recording services using the city’s Assessor-Recorder information, official recorded-document portal, published fee schedule and related California recording procedures. It is not an official government website.
County-Appraisal-District.org is not affiliated with the City and County of San Francisco or the Office of the Assessor-Recorder. Recorded-document information is public-record information, not an individualized title opinion, legal determination or property-tax assessment. Verify changing fees, forms and service hours directly with the government.
Public property data should not be used as a consumer report for employment, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated FCRA purposes. This website is not a consumer reporting agency.