Kern County Recorder: Search Deeds, Official Records, Maps, Copies, Fees & Office
The Kern County Recorder is part of the Kern County Assessor-Recorder office and maintains official recorded documents for Kern County, California. For real estate users, the main tasks are searching recorded documents or maps, recording a deed or other property document, and requesting plain or certified copies.
Kern County’s online Official Record Search is useful for grantor/grantee names, document numbers, document dates, document classes and recorded maps. However, online APN search was removed because of a California law change, so APN searches must be handled at in-person kiosks.
What Does the Kern County Recorder Do?
The Kern County Recorder records, indexes, images and archives official documents, including real property records and vital records, in accordance with California law. For deeds and property records, users generally need the recorded-document search, document recording page, copy request instructions or Hall of Records public services.
Use Recorder For
- Recorded deeds and grant deeds.
- Deeds of trust, reconveyances and releases.
- Recorded maps and document images.
- Recording real property documents.
- Plain and certified copies of recorded documents.
- Vital records handled by the Recorder where eligible.
Use Assessor For
- Property search by APN, ATN or address.
- Assessed values and property characteristics.
- Assessor parcel map searches.
- Tax rate area and parcel profile clues.
- Ownership assessment record questions.
Use Other Offices For
- Treasurer-Tax Collector for tax bills and payments.
- Superior Court for probate, divorce, lawsuits and court files.
- Attorney or title company for title searches and deed preparation.
- Surveyor or mapping professional for boundary questions.
- County Clerk services for non-recorder county clerk matters.
How to Search Kern County Deeds, Official Records and Maps
Kern County’s online Official Record Search offers several paths. Choose the search type based on the clue you already have rather than entering random terms.
Open the Official Recorded Documents or Maps Page
Start from Kern County’s official Search for Recorded Documents or Maps page. It explains the disclaimer, APN search change and available search types before sending you into the Recorder online search tools.
Use Grantor/Grantee Search for Names
For individuals, enter names as LAST-NAME FIRST-NAME without a comma. Kern County notes that the more specific you are, the faster you can find the document, and that legal documents may use legal names rather than nicknames.
Use Document Number Search When You Have the Instrument Number
If you already have a document or instrument number from a closing file, title report, prior copy, assessor clue or another document, search by document number. For one document, you do not need to enter a “to” value in the range field.
Use Date or Class Search for Broader Research
Document-date search can show records recorded from a date forward, but Kern County warns that an average day may include 1,000 to 2,000 recorded documents. Document-class search is better when you need a certain type, such as deeds of trust, releases, liens or other classes.
Use Recorded Map Search for Map Book and Page
When you are looking for a recorded map, use the Recorded Map Search path. Map searches work best when you already have book and page information or a map reference from property, title or survey materials.
Handle APN Searches In Person
Online APN search functionality was removed from the Official Record Search effective December 9, 2024. Kern County says APN searches remain available only at in-person kiosks at the Hall of Records and Recorder Annex locations.
Verify the Instrument Before Ordering Copies
Confirm document type, recording year, parties, document number, book/page, legal description and whether the record is the deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien, notice or map you actually need.
Request Copies by Mail or In Person
Kern County does not accept real property document copy requests by phone, fax, email or online. Prepare the required details and submit the request in person or by mail with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope when mailing.
What Records Can You Find Through the Kern County Recorder?
Recorder records answer recording and document-history questions. They do not replace assessor property profiles, tax bills, court files, legal advice or title-company searches.
| Record Type | What It Usually Shows | Best Search Clue | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Deed / Deed | Transfer of real property from grantor to grantee with legal description and recording data. | Grantor, grantee, document number, recording year or book/page. | Assuming the assessor profile is a certified deed. |
| Deed of Trust | Loan-security document recorded against real property. | Borrower, lender, trustee, document number or recording date. | Confusing a deed of trust with the deed that transferred ownership. |
| Reconveyance / Release | Document showing a lien, deed of trust or similar interest has been released or reconveyed. | Borrower, lender, original document reference or recording year. | Expecting a new deed after loan payoff instead of checking for a release/reconveyance. |
| Notice of Default / Notice of Trustee’s Sale | Foreclosure-related recorded notices. | Borrower name, trustee, lender, document class, date range or document number. | Waiting too long to verify foreclosure notices or seek professional help. |
| Recorded Map | Recorded map book/page or map image when available through the map search. | Map book and page, subdivision name or related document reference. | Using an online GIS map as a substitute for a recorded map or survey. |
| UCC / Real Estate-Related Filing | Financing statement or related real-estate filing where recorded in county records. | Debtor name, secured party, document class or filing reference. | Searching court records when the filing is in recorded official records. |
| Vital Records | Birth, marriage and death records for eligible requesters and qualifying Kern County events. | Registrant name, event date and eligibility category. | Using deed-record search when the need is a vital record certificate. |
How to Record a Deed or Property Document in Kern County
Kern County records documents at the Recorder Main Office. Document examiners review whether the document meets recording requirements; they are prohibited from giving legal advice or helping prepare the document.
Core Recording Requirements
- Use black ink on white paper.
- Paper must be at least 8.5 x 11 inches and no larger than 8.5 x 14 inches.
- Documents must reserve the recorder label area at the top right of the first page.
- Include requesting party and return mailing address in the proper top-left area.
- Document title must appear on the first page.
- Land documents must include a legal description and recording references when applicable.
- Original signatures or certified copies of originals are required where applicable.
- Documents affecting title must be properly acknowledged before a notary.
Common Recording Problems
- Trying to record a page larger than 8.5 x 14 inches.
- Missing the return address or recorder-label space.
- Using an incomplete legal description.
- Missing APN, tax rate area or transfer-tax declaration on ownership-transfer documents.
- Failing to include a signed Preliminary Change of Ownership form when needed.
- Submitting documents with more than the last four digits of a Social Security number.
- Expecting Recorder staff to choose or draft the document.
Kern County Recorder Fees for Recording, Copies and Transfer Tax
Recorder fees can include the base recording fee, additional page charges, penalties for non-standard page size, copy charges, certification under seal, documentary transfer tax, Real Estate Fraud Fee and the Building Homes & Jobs Act fee when applicable. Use the official fee schedule for the final amount.
Common Recording Fees
- Standard recording fee: $13 for the first regular-size page.
- Each additional page: $3.
- Penalty for pages larger or smaller than 8.5 x 11 inches: $3 per page.
- Recorded copy of first page with recording information: $3.
- Documentary transfer tax: $0.55 per $500 when applicable.
- Real Estate Fraud Fee: $10 on listed real estate instruments.
- Building Homes & Jobs Act fee may add up to $225 when not exempt.
Recorded Document Copy Fees
- First 8.5 x 11 page per document: $3.
- Each additional 8.5 x 11 page after the first: $0.50.
- Certification under seal: $0.50 additional per document.
- No fee for military records.
- Copy requests are made in person or by mail.
- Mail requests require full payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Kern County Recorder Fee Estimator
This estimator is for planning only. It does not calculate every possible title, parcel, SB2, transfer-tax, real-estate-fraud, mail, payment, title-company, attorney or special statutory charge.
Why a Kern County Deed or Record Search May Not Work
Kern County has several search paths, so a failed search often means the wrong clue or wrong office was used.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Better Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| You searched APN online in Official Record Search. | Online APN search was removed effective December 9, 2024. | Use in-person kiosks for APN search or start with the Assessor property search for parcel clues. |
| Owner name search returns too many results. | Kern County has many official records, and broad names create long result lists. | Add first name, date range, document class or document number when available. |
| The name format does not work. | Individual names should be entered as LAST-NAME FIRST-NAME, and punctuation may not be indexed as expected. | Try surname plus first initial, legal name, trust/business variation or lender name. |
| You only know the street address. | Recorder searches are document-index searches, not ordinary real estate listing searches. | Use the Assessor property search by address/APN/ATN first, then bring recorder clues back to the document search. |
| You need a certified copy but only found an online result. | An index result is not the same as a certified copy under seal. | Request a copy in person or by mail and add certification under seal when official proof is needed. |
| You need legal title confirmation. | Recorder staff cannot provide legal advice or act as a title company. | Contact a California real estate attorney, escrow officer or title company. |
Kern County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours and Map
Kern County lists separate Recorder locations and hours. Use the Recorder Main Office for document recording and the Hall of Records for recorded document copy requests and records services.
Recorder Main Office
Address:
1530 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 661-868-6400
Email: response@kerncounty.com
Recordings fax: 661-327-3241
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except Recorder holidays.
Use for: Recording deeds and property documents.
Open Recording Office Map ↗Hall of Records
Address:
1655 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 661-868-6400
Vital records fax: 661-868-6432
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Recorder holidays.
Use for: Recorded real property document copy requests and records services.
Open Hall of Records Map ↗Local Arrival Tips
- The Hall of Records is near Truxtun and Chester in downtown Bakersfield.
- The Recorder Annex is directly adjacent at 1530 Truxtun Avenue.
- Bring document number, recording year, party name and document type for copy requests.
- Bring check or money order for mailed recording or copy requests.
- Use in-person kiosks when you need APN-based Official Record Search access.
Kern County Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer-Tax Collector vs Court
Kern County combines Assessor and Recorder functions in one department, but each task still has a different workflow.
Recorder
Use for recording deeds, official records, recorded maps, document images, real estate document copies and certified copies.
Assessor
Use for APN/ATN/address property search, assessed value, tax rate area, parcel characteristics and assessment record questions.
Tax Collector
Use for tax bills, payments, delinquency, parcel tax payments and tax-sale/payment questions.
Court / Legal Help
Use court resources for lawsuits, probate and judgments. Use a lawyer or title company for title opinions and deed drafting.
Official Kern County Recorder Links
Use these official Kern County resources instead of third-party people-search, background-check or scraped property-record sites. Each link includes what to do after opening it.
Kern County Assessor-Recorder — Records
Official records hub for recorded document search, document recording, copy requests, Recorder FAQ, fee schedule and related services.
- Open the official Records page.
- Choose “Search for Recorded Documents or Maps” for record lookup.
- Choose “Document Recording” if you need to record a deed or other property document.
- Choose “Request Copies of Recorded Documents” when you need plain or certified copies.
Search for Recorded Documents or Maps
Official Kern County page for grantor/grantee, document number, date, document class and recorded map searches.
- Read the disclaimer and APN search notice first.
- Select the best search type: grantor/grantee, document number, document date, class or recorded map.
- Use date range and specific names when possible.
- Save the document number, recording year, party name and document type for copy requests.
Kern County Official Document Search Menu
County-linked menu for Official Records index searches.
- Use the search menu after reading the county’s APN and disclaimer notice.
- Choose name search for grantor/grantee research.
- Choose document number search when you know the instrument number.
- Choose map search when you have a map book/page or recorded map clue.
Grantor / Grantee Name Search
Official name search page with Kern-specific formatting rules.
- Enter individual names as LAST-NAME FIRST-NAME without a comma.
- Try legal names, initials, business names and partial names if needed.
- Use the date-range fields to narrow large result lists.
- Verify whether the party is grantor, grantee or either.
Kern County Document Recording
Official page for recording office address, recording standards, timelines, payment rules and fee details.
- Confirm the document will be recorded at 1530 Truxtun Avenue.
- Review black-ink, paper-size, margin, return-address and notary requirements.
- Check APN, tax rate area, transfer-tax declaration and PCOR requirements for title transfers.
- Prepare check or money order because credit cards are not accepted for recording fees.
Request Copies of Recorded Documents
Official page for copy request methods, required details, payment rules and copy fees.
- Gather document/instrument number, recording year, party name and document type.
- Choose in-person or mail request; phone, fax, email and online copy requests are not accepted.
- For mail, include check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Add certification under seal if an official certified copy is required.
Recorder Forms
Official forms page for SB2 exemption cover page, transfer-tax materials and other Recorder forms.
- Use this page when a recording page asks for a specific Recorder form.
- Download the SB2 exemption cover page if claiming a Building Homes & Jobs Act exemption.
- Review transfer-tax and ownership-change forms before recording a deed.
- Do not expect Recorder staff to tell you which legal form to use.
Assessor Property Search
Official property search path for address, APN and ATN research before searching Recorder documents.
- Use this if you only know the property address, APN or ATN.
- Review property profile clues, tax rate area and parcel details.
- Save the owner or document clues shown in the property materials.
- Return to Recorder search to locate the actual recorded document.
Contact Assessor-Recorder
Official contact page for Recorder phone, email, fax, location and office hours.
- Use this page to confirm the current Recorder location and hours.
- Choose Recorder contact details for recording/copy questions.
- Choose Assessor contact details for property-value, APN or assessment questions.
- Check holiday links before visiting in person.
What Should You Do After Finding a Kern County Deed or Record?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Office / Resource |
|---|---|---|
| You found a document but need official proof. | Request a certified copy under seal in person or by mail. | Kern County Recorder / Hall of Records |
| You need to record a deed or release. | Review recording requirements, prepare payment, and submit at or mail to 1530 Truxtun Avenue. | Recorder Main Office |
| You only have an address or APN. | Use Assessor property search first; online Recorder APN search is not available. | Kern County Assessor |
| You need a map or tract reference. | Use Recorded Map Search or Assessor Parcel Map Search depending on whether you need recorded map or assessment map details. | Recorder / Assessor Mapping |
| You suspect a lien or foreclosure document. | Search names, document class and date ranges; use a title company or attorney for legal title conclusions. | Official Record Search / title professional |
| You need legal deed wording or title advice. | Do not ask Recorder staff to prepare documents; contact an attorney, escrow officer or title company. | Legal / title professional |
Kern County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Kern County Recorder office?
The Recorder Main Office is at 1530 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Kern County also lists the Hall of Records at 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 for records and copy services.
What is the Kern County Recorder phone number?
The Recorder phone number listed by Kern County is 661-868-6400. The Recorder email listed on the county contact page is response@kerncounty.com.
How do I search Kern County recorded documents online?
Use Kern County’s official Search for Recorded Documents or Maps page. Search options include grantor/grantee, document number, document date, document class and recorded map search.
Can I search Kern County Recorder records by APN online?
No. Kern County says APN search functionality is no longer available in the online Official Record Search effective December 9, 2024. APN searches remain available only at in-person kiosks at the Hall of Records and Recorder Annex locations.
How do I request a copy of a Kern County deed?
Copies of recorded real property documents may be requested in person or by mail. Kern County says it does not accept copy requests by phone, fax, email or online. Include the document number, recording year, party name, document type, return name/address and page count when possible.
How much is a Kern County recorded document copy?
Kern County lists copy fees at $3 for the first 8.5 x 11 page per document, 50 cents for each additional 8.5 x 11 page after the first, and 50 cents for certification under seal per document. Military records are listed with no fee.
What is the basic Kern County recording fee?
The document recording page lists the standard recording fee for a single regular-size document as $13 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Other charges, transfer tax, fraud fees, SB2 fees and page-size penalties may apply.
Can I record a deed by mail in Kern County?
Yes. Mail the original document, appropriate recording fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Recorder Main Office at 1530 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Payment should be check or money order payable to Kern County Recorder.
Can Kern County Recorder staff help prepare my deed?
No. Kern County says document examiners are prohibited by law from providing legal advice or assisting in document preparation. Use a California real estate attorney, escrow officer, title company or qualified professional for deed preparation and legal advice.
Can I use Kern County Recorder records for tenant screening or background checks?
No. This guide is for public-record and real-property research only. Do not use property-owner or recorded document information from this site for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes.
Independent Public Records Guide
This website is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with Kern County Assessor-Recorder, Kern County Government, Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Kern County Superior Court, California Secretary of State, any title company or any law firm.
Recorded documents, certified copies, copy fees, recording fees, transfer-tax treatment, document acceptance, APN kiosk access, map availability, vital-record eligibility and official record decisions are controlled by the responsible Kern County office and California law.
This page is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice or a substitute for a California real estate attorney or title professional. Property-owner and public-record information 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.