Marin County Recorder: Deeds, Official Records, Copies, Maps & Recording Guide
The Marin County Recorder’s Office records and preserves official records related to real property ownership and encumbrances in Marin County, California. Use this office for deeds, deeds of trust, liens, recorded maps, easements, certified official-record copies, documentary transfer tax filing, public marriage certificate records, and certain vital-record copy services.
The Recorder’s public counter is at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 232, San Rafael, CA 94903. The office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but documents must be reviewed before 3 p.m. for same-day recording.
What Does the Marin County Recorder Handle?
Use the Marin County Recorder when your task involves a document that has been, or needs to be, officially recorded in Marin County’s public land-record system. Typical examples include deeds, deeds of trust, lien releases, easements, notices, maps, subdivision records, certified official-record copies, public marriage records issued in Marin County, and documentary transfer tax paperwork connected to real-property conveyances.
Recorded Real Estate Documents
The Recorder maintains a permanent public record of documents related to ownership and encumbrances of real property in Marin County and creates the Grantor/Grantee index used to locate those records.
Not a Property-Value Office
If you need assessed value, parcel characteristics, a mailing-address change, property-tax exemption questions, or ownership assessment processing, start with the Assessor side of the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.
Not Legal or Title Advice
Recorder staff do not prepare deeds, select forms, create title reports, interpret legal descriptions, decide boundary disputes, or advise whether your document accomplishes your intended legal result.
Marin County Recorder Office Address, Hours and Contact
The Recorder’s Office is inside the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael. For same-day recording, plan to arrive early enough for document review before the 3 p.m. cutoff.
Marin County Recorder’s Office
Street address:
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 232
San Rafael, CA 94903
Location note: Marin County Civic Center, Room 232, across from the cafeteria, with easy access through the center archway.
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except County of Marin holidays.
Same-day recording: Documents must be reviewed before 3 p.m.
Phone: 415-473-6092 California Relay Service: 711
Open Recorder Map ↗Are You in the Right Marin County Office?
Marin County combines Assessor, Recorder and County Clerk functions under one department, but the tasks are different. Use this decoder before calling or visiting.
| Your Task | Correct Starting Office | Why It Matters | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find a deed, deed of trust, lien, easement or recorded map | Recorder’s Office / Official Records Search | The Recorder indexes recorded documents and issues official-record copies. | Search the 1973-present Grantor/Grantee index by name, document number, book/page or document title. |
| Record a prepared deed or real-estate document | Recorder’s Office, Room 232 | Recording examiners review documents for recording requirements and fees. | Bring or mail the original document with payment and required forms. |
| Change property tax mailing address or ask about assessed value | Marin County Assessor | The Recorder does not update assessment values or mailing-address records simply by showing a recorded document. | Use the Assessor’s property and address-change resources. |
| Pay property taxes | Marin County Tax Collector / Department of Finance | The Recorder collects recording fees and transfer taxes, not annual property-tax bills. | Use the tax collector/payment system for tax-bill status and payment receipts. |
| Request court, divorce or criminal records | Marin County Superior Court | The Recorder does not maintain criminal or divorce case records. | Use the court record request process instead of the Recorder’s index. |
| Request birth, death or public marriage certificates | Recorder / Vital Records service | The Recorder may issue certified copies for qualifying Marin County vital events and public marriages. | Use the correct birth, death or public marriage certificate request process. |
How to Search Marin County Deeds and Official Records
Marin County’s online Recorder search is an index tool, not a replacement for legal title research. It helps you identify recorded documents and document reference information needed for copy orders.
Open the Official Recorder Search
Start on the official Marin County “Search Recorder’s Official Records” page. The county describes the online search as a Grantor/Grantee index from 1973 to present.
Search by Name First When You Do Not Know the Document Number
Use the grantor or grantee name that appears on the deed, trust deed, lien, release, easement or other recorded document. Marin County advises users to search all possible spelling variations and other criteria to maximize results.
Use Document Number for the Fastest Match
If a title report, escrow packet, prior copy, attorney letter or lender notice gives you a recorder document number, search that number directly. Marin County’s search instructions show document-number formats that include a four-digit year followed by digits.
Try Book and Page for Older References
Older deeds, maps, liens and title references may use book-and-page citations. If your title report lists a book and page, use that search option instead of guessing names.
Search by Document Title When You Know the Type
If you know the record type but not the parties, use the document-title search with a start date and end date. This can help when researching a narrow time period for maps, reconveyances, notices or certain lien documents.
Use the Result to Order a Copy
Record the document reference number, document title, names on the document and number of pages before ordering. Marin County’s copy order process uses this information to identify the exact official record or recorded map.
Why a Marin County Recorder Search May Show No Result
Recorder indexes are sensitive to the way a name, entity, document title or reference number was recorded. A failed search does not automatically mean the document does not exist.
Try These Search Fixes
- Search all spelling variations of the person or entity name.
- Try only the surname or only the core business name.
- Search both grantor and grantee names when ownership changed.
- Remove punctuation, initials, middle names and extra spaces.
- Use a wider recording date range.
- Switch to document number if your title report has one.
- Use book and page for older title references.
- Visit or contact Room 232 for pre-1973 documents.
Do Not Assume These Things
- Do not assume the Recorder’s index is a complete title report.
- Do not assume an APN or property address is always the best way to find a deed.
- Do not assume recording proves legal accuracy.
- Do not assume the Recorder can remove an already recorded document.
- Do not use recorded owner information for tenant, employment, credit or insurance screening.
How to Request Marin County Deed and Official Record Copies
Marin County lets users order official record and recorded map copies online or by mail. Before ordering, search the Recorder’s Official Records index so you have the document reference number or map reference needed to identify the correct record.
Online Order
Use the Recorder Document or Map Order webstore when you want to order online and pay by credit card. The online form asks for requester information, mailing details, payment method and document or map reference details.
Important: Marin County states that all document copy sales through the website are final, so confirm the document before purchase.
Mail Order
Use the official record or map copy request form for mail requests. Include payment by cashier’s check, money order or personal check payable to Marin County Recorder.
Mailing address:
Marin County Recorder
PO Box C
San Rafael, CA 94913
In-Person Help
Visit Room 232 if you need help with older records, document reference lookups, recorded map references or copy questions. Bring names, document title, approximate recording date, book/page or other clues.
Phone: 415-473-6092
| Copy Type | Current Marin County Fee Listed | Best Use | Important Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official record copy | $4.00 first page + $2.00 each additional page | Deeds, liens, releases, easements and other recorded document copies. | Confirm the document reference before ordering; online sales are final. |
| Certification | Add $4.00 per document | When a certified copy is required by a court, agency, lender, title company or other official recipient. | Only complete documents can be certified. |
| Recorded map copy | $5.00 per map page | Recorded maps, subdivision maps, parcel maps or record-of-survey references. | Use the map reference from the Recorder search before ordering. |
| Map certification | Add $4.00 per map page | When an official certified map copy is needed. | Certified copies cannot be emailed. |
Marin Official Record Copy Fee Estimator
Educational estimate only. Confirm the current fee on Marin County’s official fee and order pages before mailing payment or submitting an online order.
How to Record a Deed or Document in Marin County
Marin County accepts prepared documents for recording in person or by mail. The Recorder’s examiners review documents for basic recording requirements and title-specific requirements set by California law. They do not create the document for you.
In Person
Bring the original prepared document, payment and required supporting forms to Room 232 at the Marin Civic Center. Documents must be reviewed before 3 p.m. for same-day recording.
By Standard Mail
Send the original document with payment to:
Marin County Recorder
PO Box C
San Rafael, CA 94913
By Express Mail
Send the original document with payment to:
Marin County Recorder
3501 Civic Center Dr.
Room 232, Marin Civic Center
San Rafael, CA 94903
| Recording Requirement | What Marin County Tells Submitters | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Legibility | Use black ink; avoid light ink, small print, colored paper or anything hard to read. | Documents must be reproducible and readable for the permanent public record. |
| Original signatures | Documents mailed or recorded in person must have original wet signatures. | A photocopied signature can delay or prevent recording unless a legal exception applies. |
| No fasteners | Do not use ribbons, rivets, seals or fasteners to attach pages. | Fasteners can interfere with scanning and permanent record processing. |
| Exhibits | Add each exhibit on its own page, label it clearly and reference it in the main document. | Unclear exhibits can create indexing, readability and title-reference problems. |
| PCOR | A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report may be required with documents that change how title is held. | Missing PCOR information can create additional assessment follow-up or fees. |
| Documentary transfer tax | Use the applicable documentary transfer tax transmittal form when a transaction requires it. | Transfer-tax treatment must be addressed before many real-property conveyance documents are recorded. |
| SB2 exemption cover page | Use the SB2 exemption cover page when claiming an exemption from SB2 fees. | Do not assume the exemption applies automatically; document-specific rules matter. |
Marin County Recorder Fees: What to Verify Before You Pay
Recording fees are not always a simple one-line charge. Marin County lists a basic recording fee, but additional mandatory fees can apply depending on document title, page size, SB2 status, documentary transfer tax, preliminary 20-day notices and other California-law requirements.
Basic Recording Fee
Marin County’s fee page lists a basic recording fee for the first 8.5-by-11-inch page per document title, with a warning that additional mandatory fees apply to most documents.
Non-Standard Pages
A penalty fee may apply to non-standard pages. Keep documents on standard letter-size pages unless the recording requirements or document type say otherwise.
Payment Options
For in-person recording, Marin County lists cash, check or money order payable to Marin County Recorder, and debit or credit cards with additional fees. The office does not accept bills larger than $20.
Special Marin County Recorded Records to Know
Many users search “Marin County recorder” because they need more than a basic deed copy. These special-record categories often require different reference information or forms.
Recorded Maps
Recorded map orders require a map reference, such as map name and book/page details. Use the Recorder search to identify the map reference before ordering.
Easements
Easement records may be found through grantor/grantee names, document number, date range or title references. The Recorder can provide copies but does not interpret the boundary or legal effect of an easement.
Restrictive Covenant Modifications
Marin County provides restrictive covenant modification resources for unlawful discriminatory restrictions. Submit the correct modification cover page and follow the Recorder’s instructions.
Official Marin County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
Use these official links to complete the task. Each micro-guide explains what to click, search or verify after the page opens.
Marin County Recorder’s Office Home
Main Recorder page for office location, hours, same-day recording cutoff, recording resources, official-record copies, maps, easements, vital records and restrictive covenant links.
- Confirm Room 232, public counter hours and the 3 p.m. same-day recording cutoff.
- Choose whether your task is recording, official-record copies, vital records, maps, easements or restrictive covenants.
- Use the official Recorder page rather than a paid third-party lookup site.
- Read the service limitations before asking staff for legal or title advice.
Search Recorder’s Official Records
Official Marin County Grantor/Grantee index search for recorded documents from 1973 to present.
- Open the Recorder’s official search page.
- Select the search path that fits your information: name, document number, book/page or document title.
- Search all likely spelling variations of names and entity names.
- Write down the document reference number and document title before ordering a copy.
- For records before 1973, contact or visit the Recorder’s Office in Room 232.
Recorder Document or Map Order
Official online order page for official record and recorded map copy requests.
- Use the Official Records search first to find the document reference number or map reference.
- Enter requester name, phone, email, mailing address and payment method.
- Choose document copy, map copy and certification options carefully.
- Review the no-refund notice before submitting the order.
- Do not request certification for selected pages only; Marin County says only complete documents can be certified.
Official Record or Map Copy Request Form
Use this official form when ordering by mail with check payment instead of ordering online.
- Download or open the official copy request form.
- Fill in the document reference, document title, names on the document and number of copies.
- Mark whether you need complete copies, selected pages or certification.
- Make payment payable to Marin County Recorder.
- Mail the form and payment to Marin County Recorder, PO Box C, San Rafael, CA 94913.
Recording a Document
Official Marin County recording page with same-day cutoff, cover pages, transfer-tax transmittals, PCOR and recording resources.
- Confirm whether you need a blank cover page, SB2 exemption cover page or restrictive covenant modification cover page.
- Open the documentary transfer tax transmittal if your document transfers real property.
- Attach BOE-502-A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when required.
- Review basic recording requirements before mailing or visiting.
- Arrive before 3 p.m. if you need same-day recording.
Basic Recording Requirements
Official requirements for legibility, exhibits, no fasteners, original wet signatures and related recording forms.
- Check legibility, paper size, black ink and notary seal readability.
- Put each exhibit on its own clearly labeled page.
- Remove ribbons, rivets, seals and page fasteners before submitting.
- Confirm original wet signatures for mail or in-person recording.
- Use the listed forms only when they match your document type.
Where Do I Record a Document?
Official in-person, standard-mail and express-mail instructions for submitting prepared documents to the Marin County Recorder.
- Choose in person, standard mail or express mail.
- For standard mail, use Marin County Recorder, PO Box C, San Rafael, CA 94913.
- For express mail, use 3501 Civic Center Dr., Room 232, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael, CA 94903.
- Include the original document and payment.
- Use the payment methods listed by the county and avoid mailing cash.
Marin County Recorder Fees
Official fee page for recording fees, non-standard page penalties, preliminary notice fees and related Recorder charges.
- Find the Recorder fee section, not only the Assessor or County Clerk section.
- Check the basic recording fee and any additional mandatory fees.
- Look for non-standard page, preliminary notice, certification, copy and title-specific charges.
- Contact the Recorder if the document has multiple titles, multiple parcels, transfer tax or SB2 uncertainty.
Mistakes to Avoid With Marin County Deeds and Recorder Records
High-Risk Mistakes
- Using the Recorder when you actually need the Assessor, Tax Collector or Superior Court.
- Arriving after the 3 p.m. same-day recording review cutoff.
- Mailing a photocopy when the original wet-signed document is required.
- Assuming the Recorder can prepare, correct or legally validate a deed.
- Sending only the basic recording fee when additional statutory fees may apply.
- Ordering a copy before confirming the document reference number.
- Expecting pre-1973 records to work like current online index records.
Better Local Workflow
- Identify whether you need search, copy, recording, map, vital record or assessor help.
- Use the Recorder’s official index before ordering a document.
- Save the document reference number, document title and page count.
- Review basic recording requirements before signing and mailing.
- Check whether PCOR, documentary transfer tax or SB2 cover page rules apply.
- Keep receipts, order confirmations and conformed/certified copies.
- Ask legal counsel or a title company when title effect matters.
What Should You Do Next?
| If Your Situation Is… | Do This First | Then Check |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of a deed, lien, release or easement. | Search the 1973-present Recorder index by name, document number, book/page or title. | Order a plain or certified copy using the document reference number. |
| You need to record a prepared deed. | Review basic recording requirements, wet signatures, notary, PCOR and transfer-tax needs. | Submit in person before 3 p.m., by standard mail or by express mail with payment. |
| You need parcel value, APN details or a mailing address update. | Use the Marin County Assessor, not the Recorder’s official-record index. | Confirm whether a recorded document also triggered an assessment change. |
| Your record is older than 1973. | Contact or visit the Recorder’s Office in Room 232. | Bring names, approximate year, book/page reference or title-company clues. |
| You found an unlawful discriminatory covenant. | Open Marin County’s restrictive covenant modification resources. | Use the correct cover page and follow recording requirements. |
| You are unsure whether your deed is legally correct. | Do not rely on Recorder staff for legal review. | Contact a California real-estate attorney, title company or qualified legal professional. |
Marin County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Marin County Recorder’s Office located?
The Marin County Recorder’s Office is located at 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 232, San Rafael, CA 94903, inside the Marin County Civic Center. The county describes Room 232 as across from the cafeteria with access through the center archway.
What are the Marin County Recorder’s Office hours?
The Recorder’s Office is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except County of Marin holidays. Documents must be reviewed before 3 p.m. for same-day recording.
How do I search Marin County deeds online?
Use Marin County’s official Recorder records search. The county lists the online Grantor/Grantee index as covering 1973 to present. You can search by name, document number, book/page or document title, depending on what information you have.
Can I search Marin County Recorder records by property address?
The Recorder’s official-record search is mainly a recorded-document index. For parcel characteristics, APN or assessment information, use Marin County Assessor property resources first, then return to the Recorder search if you need a recorded document.
Are Marin County records before 1973 online?
Marin County lists the online Grantor/Grantee index as 1973-present. Documents recorded before 1973 may need to be viewed or researched through the Recorder’s Office in Room 232 at the Marin Civic Center.
How much does a Marin County official record copy cost?
Marin County’s copy order page lists official record copies at $4.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page. Certification adds $4.00 per document, and only complete documents can be certified.
Can certified copies be emailed?
No. Marin County’s order page states that certified copies cannot be emailed. If you need certification, provide a correct mailing address and confirm the order details carefully.
Where do I mail a document for recording?
For standard mail, send the original document with payment to Marin County Recorder, PO Box C, San Rafael, CA 94913. For express mail, send it to Marin County Recorder, 3501 Civic Center Dr., Room 232, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael, CA 94903.
Does the Marin County Recorder prepare deed forms?
No. Marin County says the Recorder does not provide forms for recording, help prepare documents, give legal advice, create title reports, interpret legal descriptions or property boundaries, or perform property record research.
Is this website affiliated with Marin County?
No. County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent educational resource. It is not the Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, the County of Marin, a court, a title company, a law firm or a consumer reporting agency.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational resource. It is not affiliated with the County of Marin, the Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, the Marin County Recorder’s Office, Marin County Assessor, Marin County Tax Collector, Marin County Superior Court, or any title company.
Recording acceptance, document indexing, official copy certification, recording fees, documentary transfer tax treatment, legal validity, title effect, property boundaries and public-record access are determined by official agencies and applicable law. This page is not legal, title, tax or financial advice.
Public property and recorded-document 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.