Contra Costa County CA Recorder: Deeds, Official Records, Copies, Recording Fees & Office Guide
The Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder records and maintains official public records for real-estate documents in Contra Costa County, California. If you searched for contra costa county recorder, you are likely trying to find a deed, order a certified copy, record a new document, check recording fees, or decide whether the Recorder, Assessor or Treasurer-Tax Collector is the correct office.
This guide explains how the official RecorderWorks index works, how to search by name, document number, book/page, document type, recording date, map, APN and legal description, how to avoid common deed-search mistakes, and where to go in Martinez for Recorder services.
What Does the Contra Costa County Recorder Handle?
Use the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder when the task involves a recorded document: grant deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, releases, maps, notices, homestead declarations, powers of attorney, affidavits, and official-record copies. Use the Assessor when you need APN, assessment, parcel map, property value or ownership-display details. Use the Treasurer-Tax Collector when you need tax bills, payments, redemption or delinquent-tax information.
Use the Recorder For
- Searching official recorded documents and deed images.
- Recording a prepared deed, release, lien, affidavit or map.
- Ordering regular or certified copies of recorded documents.
- Checking document number, book/page or recording date.
- Finding grant deed vs deed of trust records.
Use the Assessor For
- Finding the Assessor Parcel Number, also called APN.
- Viewing parcel maps, lot size and building information.
- Reviewing assessed values and assessment records.
- Property tax exemptions and assessment-roll questions.
- Address-based parcel research through CCMAP or ParcelQuest Lite.
Use the Tax Collector For
- Secured property-tax bills and payments.
- Tax payment receipts and balances.
- Defaulted taxes and redemption questions.
- Tax auction and delinquent-tax questions.
- Questions after assessment and recording are complete.
Why Contra Costa Deed Searches Need APN, Name and Date Strategy
Contra Costa County includes cities and communities such as Martinez, Concord, Richmond, Antioch, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Brentwood, Pittsburg, Lafayette, Danville, Pleasant Hill, El Cerrito, Oakley, Hercules and unincorporated areas. A street address alone is often not the best recorded-document search key.
Start With the Property System When You Only Have an Address
Contra Costa County’s property-information pages point users to CCMAP and ParcelQuest Lite for parcel details. ParcelQuest Lite can search by APN or street address, while CCMAP provides parcel data, maps and assessment-related details.
Save the APN, property address, legal description clues and any recorded-document references before moving into RecorderWorks.
Do Not Expect Full Owner Names in Every County Web Tool
Contra Costa’s Assessor map/property page explains that online ownership display is limited because of privacy and public-safety rules. That means a deed search often requires combining property-system clues with Recorder name, APN and document-number searches.
If ownership is critical, review the actual recorded document image rather than relying only on a summary result.
How to Search Contra Costa County Deeds and Official Records
The official Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder index is hosted through RecorderWorks. It supports multiple search paths, including name, document number, document type, map, recording date, book/page, old book, APN and legal description. Use the search path that matches the information you already have.
Open the Official RecorderWorks Index
Start from the official Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder index rather than a third-party deed page. The official index lets you view results, click the document number, and add selected records to a shopping cart when copies are available.
Search by Name in Last-Name-First Format
RecorderWorks asks users to enter a person’s last name, then first name, such as smith allison, or a fraction of the name, such as smith a. For businesses, trusts and LLCs, search the business or trust name.
Add a Partial First Name to Avoid Over-Broad Searches
The portal warns that only the last name is required, but adding a partial first name can help prevent lengthy searches from timing out. This matters for common names such as Smith, Garcia, Lee, Johnson or Nguyen.
Click a Document Number, Then Use the Name Menu
RecorderWorks explains that after you click a document number, you can click a desired name from the left-hand menu to list documents tied to that person by document type and recording date from 1986 to present.
Use APN Search Carefully
The RecorderWorks APN search is labeled as available on deeds recorded from March 3, 1997 to present. It may take up to one minute to produce results. If no APN result appears, search by name, document number, recording date or book/page instead.
Use Document Number or Book/Page When You Have It
Contra Costa’s Recorder FAQ explains that prior to 1980, documents were numbered by book and page, while in 1980 the Recorder began using an annual continuous document or instrument number. Maps can still use a book/page style system.
Confirm the Document Type Before Ordering
A grant deed transfers title. A deed of trust is usually a loan/security document. A substitution of trustee and reconveyance often appears after a mortgage is paid off, refinanced or sold. Do not mistake a deed of trust for the current ownership deed.
Buy Regular or Certified Copies Only After Verification
Before adding a document to the shopping cart, compare the party names, APN or legal description, recording date, document title and document number. If the copy will be used for legal, lending or official purposes, ask whether a certified copy is required.
How to Read a Contra Costa Recorder Search Result
A Recorder result is an index entry and document-image pathway. It is useful, but it must be compared with the actual document image, the Assessor parcel record and the property’s legal description.
| Field / Clue | What It Usually Means | How to Use It | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document number | Annual instrument reference used for documents after Contra Costa moved away from older book/page numbering. | Save it for copy orders, title-company requests, reconveyance research and certified-copy requests. | Using the APN as if it were the Recorder document number. |
| Book/page | Older recording reference style and still relevant for some map-related records. | Use it when a deed, title report or older reference gives book/page instead of a modern document number. | Assuming all old records have a modern document number. |
| Grant deed | A document commonly used to transfer title to real property. | Compare grantor, grantee, legal description and recording date with the Assessor parcel record. | Assuming a deed of trust is the same thing as a grant deed. |
| Deed of trust | A loan/security document recorded when property secures a mortgage-type obligation. | Look for later reconveyance or release documents when checking whether the loan was satisfied. | Thinking a paid-off loan creates a brand-new deed. |
| Substitution of Trustee and Reconveyance | Often reflects that a mortgage or deed of trust was satisfied after payoff, refinance or sale. | Match it to the original deed of trust recording reference before assuming the lien is cleared. | Ignoring release/reconveyance documents when reviewing liens. |
| APN reference | Assessor Parcel Number used for assessment and parcel identification. | Use it to connect the Recorder document to the Assessor property record and maps. | Expecting APN search to find every historical document. |
| Legal description | The formal property description used in the recorded instrument. | Compare lot, tract, subdivision, parcel map or metes-and-bounds language before relying on the result. | Relying only on a street address. |
How to Record a Deed or Document in Contra Costa County
The Clerk-Recorder records documents that are legally recordable and meet recording requirements, but staff cannot choose your deed type, prepare legal wording, provide title advice or decide whether your transfer is tax-safe. Prepare the document correctly before submitting it.
Record in Person
Visit the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder at 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Published Recorder fee material lists office hours as 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; verify current public-counter hours before traveling.
Record by Mail
Mail the original document with correct fees and a clear return address. Contra Costa Recorder fee material lists P.O. Box 350, Martinez, CA 94553 for official-record mail, but confirm current mailing instructions before sending originals.
Search and Order Online
Use the RecorderWorks online index for searching and ordering copies where available. The portal tells users to select a document, choose regular or certified copy when ordering, recalculate, and check out.
Contra Costa County Recording Fees and California Document Rules
Recording cost depends on the document type, page count, number of titles, indexing, transfer-tax status, PCOR filing, SB2/Building Homes and Jobs Act fee status, and whether a special county or statutory charge applies. Use this section for planning only and verify the live fee schedule before submitting payment.
| Item | Planning Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Base page recording | Contra Costa’s Recorder fee schedule lists a first-page fee and an additional-page fee for official records. | Long deeds, attachments, legal descriptions and cover pages increase the page count. |
| Real estate fraud prosecution fee | The county fee schedule lists an added fraud-prosecution charge for certain real-estate documents, such as deed of trust, assignment of deed of trust, notice of default, request for notice and reconveyance. | A loan, default or reconveyance-related document may cost more than a simple one-page copy estimate. |
| PCOR / BOE-502-A | California BOE explains that a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is ordinarily filed with the county recorder when a sales or transfer document is recorded. | If a change-of-ownership document is recorded without a concurrent PCOR, an additional fee may apply and the Assessor may later request ownership information. |
| SB2 / Building Homes and Jobs Act | California Government Code § 27388.1 generally adds a $75 fee to many real-estate instruments unless an exemption applies, such as certain owner-occupier residential transfers or documents subject to documentary transfer tax. | Do not assume the $75 fee applies or is exempt; the document must show the correct exemption basis when one is claimed. |
| Documentary transfer tax | California counties may impose documentary transfer tax on qualifying real-property conveyances when the consideration or value exceeds the statutory threshold. | Transfer tax depends on consideration/value and exemptions. The Recorder may require a statement or tax calculation on the deed. |
| Recording requirements | California recording rules require a recordable, photographically reproducible document with indexable information and proper statutory formatting. | Margins, first-page information, signatures, notary acknowledgment and recording references can affect acceptance. |
| Certified copy | A certified copy is usually needed when an official agency, lender, court or title professional requires proof of a recorded document. | Contra Costa’s FAQ notes original recorded documents are not generally accepted for legal purposes and a certified copy may be needed. |
Contra Costa Recorder Fee Planning Calculator
This calculator is only an educational planning tool. It uses common fee-schedule items visible in Contra Costa’s Recorder fee materials and California recording-law add-ons, but the official Recorder controls the actual amount due.
Default base calculation uses $7 first page + $3 each additional page and $7 per added title/function for planning. This tool does not calculate documentary transfer tax, city transfer tax, map fees, certification fees, payment-processing fees or every statutory exception.
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder Office Address, Phone, Mail & Map
The Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder is located in Martinez. Bring the document number, APN, owner/entity name, recording date, book/page reference or legal description before visiting so staff can route your request efficiently.
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder
Street address:
555 Escobar Street
Martinez, CA 94553
Mailing address for official records:
P.O. Box 350
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: 925-335-7900
Counter-hours planning note: Recorder fee materials list 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for office hours. Confirm current public-counter hours and holiday closures before traveling.
Open Recorder Map ↗Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer-Tax Collector in Contra Costa County
These offices are connected, but they do not do the same job. Use this table before calling or visiting.
| Office | Address / Phone | Use This Office For | Do Not Use It For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk-Recorder | 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553 925-335-7900 |
Recorded documents, deeds, official-record images, certified copies, recording prepared documents and RecorderWorks support. | Property valuation, tax bill payment, legal advice, deed preparation or mobilehome HCD title transfers. |
| Assessor | 2530 Arnold Drive, Suite 100, Martinez, CA 94553 925-313-7400 |
APN, assessed value, parcel maps, property characteristics, ownership display and assessment questions. | Recording a deed or issuing a certified copy of a recorded document. |
| Treasurer-Tax Collector | 625 Court Street, Room 100, Martinez, CA 94553 925-608-9500 |
Tax bills, payments, payment history, defaulted taxes, redemption, tax auction and installment questions. | Changing legal title or recording a deed. |
| California HCD | State manufactured/mobilehome registration and titling program | Manufactured/mobilehome registration and title documents when the home is handled through HCD rather than county real-property recording. | Regular county grant-deed copies for site-built real property. |
Official Contra Costa Recorder, Assessor, Tax Collector and California Links
Use these official resources to search documents, verify fees, order copies, find APNs, check tax bills and understand California recording add-ons. Each link includes what to do after opening it.
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder — Official Records Index
Official RecorderWorks portal for recorded documents, name search, document-number search, APN search, map search, book/page search and copy ordering.
- After opening this link: choose the search tab that matches what you know: Name, Document Number, Document Type, Map, Recording Date, Book and Page, Old Book, APN or Legal Description.
- For people, enter last name then first name, such as smith allison; for entities, enter the business, trust or LLC name.
- Use a partial first name when the last name is common so the search does not become too broad.
- Click the document number, review the parties and document type, then add the item to the cart only after confirming it is the correct record.
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder / County Clerk Contact
Official contact path for Recorder/County Clerk phone, address and county directory information.
- After opening this link: confirm the current street address and phone number.
- Use the listed phone number before mailing original documents, especially if fees or return instructions are unclear.
- Check whether the county links you to the current Clerk-Recorder website or updated service page.
Contra Costa Recorder Fee Schedule
Official fee document for Recorder charges, including base recording, additional pages, fraud-prosecution fees, missing-PCOR fee and other Recorder fee items.
- After opening this link: identify your document type before looking at the price line.
- Count every page, including attachments and cover pages.
- Check whether the document evidences a change in ownership and whether a PCOR is included.
- Call the Recorder at 925-335-7900 before mailing if you are unsure about total fees.
Contra Costa County Assessor — Maps & Property Information
Official county page for CCMAP, ParcelQuest Lite, parcel maps, assessed values, building/lot details and APN lookup guidance.
- After opening this link: use CCMAP or ParcelQuest Lite if you only know the property address.
- Find the APN and parcel details before opening the Recorder index.
- Remember that online owner-name display may be limited; use Recorder documents when ownership history is important.
- Download assessor maps only when the map, not the deed image, is what you need.
Contra Costa County Assessor
Official Assessor office page for assessed value, property ownership display, assessment roll, exemptions and property-characteristic questions.
- After opening this link: use the Assessor if you need value, APN, property characteristics, parcel maps or assessment questions.
- Save the APN and owner-display details for Recorder searching.
- Contact the Assessor if the tax bill owner display is confusing or the assessment data appears wrong.
Contra Costa Treasurer-Tax Collector — Tax Lookup
Official tax lookup for property-tax accounts, secured tax bills, balances and payment status.
- After opening this link: search the tax account using the parcel or bill information requested by the Tax Collector system.
- Review current installment status, due dates, balances and payment history.
- Do not use the Tax Collector site as proof of legal title; use the Recorder for recorded instruments and the Assessor for assessment details.
California BOE — Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
Statewide form and guidance for BOE-502-A / PCOR, commonly filed with real-property conveyance documents.
- After opening this link: confirm whether your deed or transfer document requires a PCOR.
- Complete the property, transfer, buyer/transferee and transfer-type sections carefully.
- Submit the PCOR with the document at recording when required.
- Ask the Assessor if a parent-child, grandparent-grandchild, legal-entity or other reassessment issue is involved.
California Government Code § 27388.1
State law for the $75 Building Homes and Jobs Act recording fee and common exemptions.
- After opening this link: read which real-estate instruments are generally covered.
- Review exemptions, including certain owner-occupier residential transfers and documents subject to documentary transfer tax.
- Put the correct exemption statement on the document or cover sheet when claiming an exemption.
- Verify the final fee with the Contra Costa Recorder before submitting.
California HCD — Manufactured / Mobilehome Registration & Titling
Use this state resource when the issue is manufactured/mobilehome title, not a regular county-recorded grant deed.
- After opening this link: determine whether the home is titled through HCD or treated as real property on a permanent foundation.
- Use HCD forms when the mobilehome/manufactured home registration is handled by HCD.
- Use the county Recorder only when a real-property document is actually recordable in Contra Costa County.
Common Contra Costa County Recorder Mistakes
Mistakes That Waste Time
- Searching only by street address in RecorderWorks when the APN or name is a better key.
- Entering only a common last name and causing the search to return too many results or time out.
- Assuming an APN search will find every deed, including pre-1997 deed records.
- Confusing a deed of trust with a grant deed.
- Expecting a new deed after paying off a mortgage instead of looking for a reconveyance.
- Using the Recorder when you really need the Assessor’s APN, parcel map or assessed value.
- Assuming the Recorder created a lien because its name appears on the recorded lien document.
- Recording a legal document without PCOR, transfer-tax or SB2 fee review.
Better Workflow
- Use CCMAP or ParcelQuest Lite to get APN and property clues first.
- Search names last-name-first and add partial first name when needed.
- Use document number when available from a title report or prior deed.
- Match the legal description, not just the address.
- Review both deed and reconveyance documents when mortgage payoff is involved.
- Use certified copies for legal or official proof when required.
- Call 925-335-7900 before mailing documents with uncertain fees.
- Use HCD for mobilehome title records when the home is not county-recorded real property.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Tool |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of your deed. | Search RecorderWorks by name, document number, book/page, APN or legal description, then order regular or certified copy after confirming the record. | Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder Official Records Index |
| You only know the property address. | Use CCMAP or ParcelQuest Lite to find the APN and parcel clues, then search RecorderWorks. | Contra Costa Assessor property information tools |
| You just paid off a mortgage. | Search for a Substitution of Trustee and Reconveyance or related release, not a new deed. | RecorderWorks document search |
| You found a lien under your name. | Open or order the lien to identify the agency that prepared it; the Recorder records liens but usually does not create them. | Recorder record + agency named on lien |
| You are recording a grant deed or transfer deed. | Prepare the deed, check notary/signature requirements, calculate fees, review PCOR, transfer tax and SB2 exemption language. | Clerk-Recorder + BOE PCOR + California law |
| Your tax bill shows only one owner. | Contact the Assessor if the tax bill display is confusing; the Recorder FAQ notes tax-bill display and deed ownership are not the same issue. | Contra Costa Assessor |
| You need property-tax payment information. | Use the Tax Collector lookup rather than RecorderWorks. | Contra Costa Treasurer-Tax Collector |
| You own a mobilehome or manufactured home. | Check whether the record is handled by California HCD rather than a standard county deed record. | California HCD Registration & Titling |
Contra Costa County Recorder FAQs
What is the Contra Costa County Recorder?
The Contra Costa County Recorder is part of the County Clerk-Recorder office. It records and maintains official public records such as grant deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, releases, maps, affidavits and other instruments affecting real property in Contra Costa County, California.
Where is the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder located?
The Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder is listed at 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553. The Recorder/County Clerk phone number is 925-335-7900. Published Recorder fee material lists office hours as 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but visitors should confirm current counter hours before traveling.
How do I search for a Contra Costa County deed?
Open the official RecorderWorks index and search by name, document number, book/page, document type, recording date, APN, map or legal description. If you only know the property address, use the Assessor’s CCMAP or ParcelQuest Lite tools first to find the APN and parcel details.
What name format should I use in RecorderWorks?
RecorderWorks asks for a person’s last name followed by first name, such as “smith allison.” It also allows partial-name searching, such as “smith a,” and business-name searching. Adding a partial first name can help avoid long searches for common surnames.
Can I search Contra Costa Recorder records by APN?
Yes, but the APN search is labeled as available on deeds recorded from March 3, 1997 to present. If an APN search fails, search by name, document number, book/page, recording date or legal description instead.
What is the difference between a grant deed and deed of trust?
A grant deed is commonly used to transfer title to real property. A deed of trust is a loan/security document recorded when property secures a mortgage-type obligation. Do not assume a deed of trust is the ownership deed.
Will I receive a new deed after paying off my mortgage?
No, paying off a mortgage generally does not create a new deed. Contra Costa Recorder FAQ guidance explains that documents such as a Substitution of Trustee and Reconveyance may reflect that the mortgage or deed of trust has been satisfied.
Does the County Recorder create liens?
The Clerk-Recorder records liens and releases prepared by other agencies or parties. If a lien appears under your name, review or obtain the lien to identify the agency or party that created it, then contact that agency about correction, release or dispute options.
Are mobilehome deeds recorded with the Contra Costa County Recorder?
Not always. Contra Costa Recorder FAQ guidance says mobilehome documents are filed with the California Department of Housing and Community Development. If the manufactured or mobilehome is on a permanent foundation or treated as real property, confirm the correct record path with HCD, the Assessor or a qualified professional.
Can I use Recorder records for tenant screening or background checks?
No. This guide is for property-record and recorded-document research. Public property records and owner names should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder, Contra Costa County Assessor, Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector, California State Board of Equalization, California Department of Housing and Community Development, any title company, court, escrow company or government agency.
Recording acceptance, fees, document validity, title status, copy availability, indexed search results, office hours, tax consequences, transfer-tax status and legal effect are controlled by official agencies, California law and the content of recorded documents. This page is not legal, tax, title, escrow, estate-planning or real-estate advice.
Public owner names and property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.