Yolo County Recorder: Deeds, Official Records, Copy Requests & Recording Fees
The Yolo County Recorder is the local office for recording and searching real property documents in Yolo County, California, including deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, maps and other official records. The Clerk-Recorder is located at the Erwin Meyer Administration Center in Woodland.
This guide explains how to search Yolo County recorded documents, order regular or certified copies, prepare a deed for recording, understand common fees, avoid rejected documents, and know when a question belongs to the Recorder, Assessor, Tax Collector, Surveyor or District Attorney instead.
What Does the Yolo County Recorder Do?
The Yolo County Recorder maintains the official public record of documents recorded against real property in Yolo County. Use this office when you need to record a deed, find a recorded deed, order a certified copy, search official records, request map copies, or understand recording document requirements.
Recorded Deeds & Official Records
Search and order copies of grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, notices, maps, lis pendens and other recorded documents. The online system supports name, document number, document type and recording-date searches.
Ownership Transfer Documents
Recording a deed is different from getting legal advice. A grant deed or quitclaim deed must be prepared, signed, notarized when required, paired with transfer-tax and assessor forms when applicable, and submitted with correct fees.
Copies and Certifications
Regular copies may be available by email, while certified copies are mailed. For online orders, Yolo County says payment is not processed inside the search cart; customers must call the Clerk-Recorder to provide credit-card payment details.
Yolo County Recorder vs Assessor vs Tax Collector
Many property tasks involve more than one Yolo County office. Use this table before calling so you do not lose time with the wrong department.
| Need | Best Office | What They Usually Handle | What They Usually Do Not Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find or copy a recorded deed | Yolo County Clerk-Recorder | Official records search, deed copies, certified copies, recording references, recorded maps and document copy orders. | Does not research records for customers without specific references and does not prove legal ownership for title insurance purposes. |
| Record a deed or lien | Yolo County Clerk-Recorder | Accepts documents that meet California recording requirements, collects recording fees, records the document and returns originals or conformed copies as applicable. | Does not prepare deeds, choose forms, calculate legal consequences or advise how title should be held. |
| Update assessed owner, mailing address or value | Yolo County Assessor | Property assessment roll, assessed value, change-in-ownership review, property-tax forms such as BOE-502-A and homeowner exemption forms. | Does not record deeds as public instruments; a document must be recorded with the Recorder when recordation is required. |
| Pay tax bill or ask about delinquent taxes | Yolo County Tax Collector / Treasurer-Tax Collector | Property-tax billing, tax payments, installment deadlines, penalties, delinquency and tax-defaulted property matters. | Does not record deeds and usually does not change ownership records without assessor/recorder updates. |
| Suspected deed or real estate fraud | Yolo County District Attorney and Recorder resources | Fraud complaints, investigation review and real estate fraud information where a recorded document may be involved. | The Recorder cannot remove or rewrite a recorded document just because a private dispute exists. |
How to Search Yolo County Recorded Deeds and Official Records
Yolo County provides an Official Records Search and Copies service through its Self-Service Online Queue. Public records may also be searched in person using the lobby kiosk and microfilm machine.
Open the Official Records Search and Copies Service
Start from the Yolo County Clerk-Recorder Official Records and Searches page. Use the county link, not an advertisement or a private deed-search website.
Choose the Best Search Method
The county says records can be searched by name, document number, document type or recording date. For deeds, name searches usually mean grantor and grantee names, not a people-search report.
Search Names Carefully
Try last name first for individuals and the full legal name for businesses, trusts and LLCs. If the result fails, try fewer words, remove punctuation, search the prior owner, or search a date range around the sale date.
Open the Matching Index Result
Check the document type, recording date, document number, parties and any book/page reference before ordering. A similar name does not guarantee the document belongs to your parcel.
Add the Record to the Cart if You Need a Copy
Yolo County says customers placing an online order should locate the record in the public indices, add it to the cart and enter a requester name.
Call to Complete Payment
Payment is not processed directly inside the online order cart. The county instructs customers to call 530-666-8130 to provide credit-card details after placing the order.
How to Order Yolo County Deed Copies and Certified Recorded Documents
A regular copy is often enough for personal records, research or review. A certified copy may be required when another agency, court, lender or legal process needs an official certified duplicate.
Regular Copy
Yolo County says regular copies can be emailed as PDFs, subject to additional fees. This is usually faster when you do not need certification.
Certified Copy
Certified copies are mailed to the requester. Make sure your delivery location is secure because the county states responsibility transfers once the order is handed to the shipping carrier.
Reference Required
The county says document references are required for recorded-document copy fees, and Clerk-Recorder staff are not certified to research records or perform searches for customers.
How to Record a Deed or Real Property Document in Yolo County
Recording is the public process that places a real property document into Yolo County official records. The Recorder can explain acceptance requirements, but the party submitting the document is responsible for choosing the correct document, preparing it correctly and understanding legal consequences.
Choose the Correct Document Before You Go
Common ownership-transfer documents include grant deeds and quitclaim deeds. The Recorder does not decide which deed is appropriate for your situation. For estate, trust, divorce, LLC, gift, refinance, title or family-transfer questions, speak with a qualified professional before recording.
Make Sure the Document Meets California Recording Rules
Yolo County lists basic recording requirements including requester name, return address, required margins, title of the document, legibility, original signatures or certified copies when required, and proper acknowledgment for many real property instruments.
Include the Property and Transfer Information
For ownership-transfer documents, Yolo County expects information such as grantor, grantee, property description, Assessor’s Parcel Number, documentary transfer tax declaration, “when recorded mail to” address, future tax statement mailing address, city or unincorporated area, and acknowledged grantor signatures.
Attach the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report When Required
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, Form BOE-502-A, generally accompanies documents that transfer ownership. Yolo County’s recording fee schedule lists a $20 fee when the PCOR is not presented with certain documents at the time of recording.
Prepare Fees Before Submitting
Recording fees may include the first-page fee, additional pages, nonconforming-page charges, indexing charges, documentary transfer tax, SB 2 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee, AB 1466 restrictive-covenant fee and special document-title fees.
Submit Early Enough for Same-Day Review
Yolo County’s forms guidance recommends arriving before 3:30 p.m. for same-day recording. The public counter is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; documents that cannot be fully reviewed before cutoff may be recorded the next business day.
Yolo County Recording Fees, Copy Fees and Transfer Tax Basics
Use this as a planning guide only. Recording fees depend on document title, number of pages, number of indexed names, format, transfer tax, exemptions and current county fee rules.
| Fee Item | Current County-Listed Amount | When It Matters | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard first page | $15.00 | First page of many 8.5" × 11" documents, except special title categories. | Some deed-related titles use the higher first-page fee with fraud-prevention charge. |
| First page with fraud-prevention fund fee | $25.00 | Applies to listed document titles such as deed of trust, quitclaim deed, declaration of homestead, lien, easement and trustee’s deed upon sale. | Check the county fee page because title classification matters. |
| Additional page | $3.00 per page | Each additional page per document. | Long attachments can increase the recording cost. |
| SB 2 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee | $75.00 | May apply to documents accepted for recording unless an exemption applies. | The total SB 2 charge can depend on document count and titles. |
| AB 1466 Restrictive Covenants Program fee | $2.00 | Applies to recorded documents unless an exemption applies. | County notes documents qualifying for SB 2 exemption are exempt from this $2 fee. |
| Documentary transfer tax | $1.10 per $1,000 | Commonly relevant when real property is transferred for consideration. | Documentary transfer tax can be more important than the base recording fee on sales. |
| PCOR not presented | $20.00 | When a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is not presented with certain documents at recording. | Bring BOE-502-A when required to avoid this added fee. |
| Recorded document copy | $5.00 first page; $2.00 each additional page | Ordering regular recorded document copies. | Delivery fees may apply. |
| Certification fee | $3.00 per document | When an official certified copy is needed. | Certified copies are mailed by the county. |
Yolo County Recorder Fee Estimator
This lightweight tool estimates common recording costs from county-published fee items. It does not replace the official fee schedule or a recording specialist’s fee determination.
Formula used here: selected first-page fee + $3 for each additional page + optional SB 2 + optional PCOR fee + estimated documentary transfer tax at $1.10 per $1,000. Indexing, nonconforming page charges, AB 1466, combined-document fees and other charges may still apply.
Yolo County Recorder Forms and Deed-Related Attachments
The form you need depends on the document. Do not attach every form to every recording. Match the form to the transaction, then verify with the Recorder or Assessor when the transfer affects property-tax assessment.
BOE-502-A PCOR
The Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is commonly used when a document changes ownership. It helps the Assessor review assessment consequences after recording.
Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration
This declaration helps the Recorder determine transfer tax due on documents submitted for recording in connection with a real property transfer.
Cover Pages and Corrective Forms
Cover pages may be needed for formatting or exemption statements. Corrective affidavit forms may apply only to certain minor corrections, not every deed mistake.
Yolo County Clerk-Recorder Address, Hours, Phone and Visitor Tips
The Clerk-Recorder branch is located in Room B01 on the basement level of the Erwin Meyer Administration Center. Stairs and an elevator are available from Level 1.
Yolo County Clerk-Recorder
Physical address:
The Erwin Meyer Administration Center
625 Court Street, Room B01
Woodland, CA 95695
Mailing address:
Yolo County Clerk-Recorder
P.O. Box 1130
Woodland, CA 95776
Phone: 530-666-8130
Fax: 530-666-8109
Email: clerk-recorder@yolocounty.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding county holidays.
Parking
The county lists free 30-minute parking and 2-hour curbside parking on Court Street. Bring extra time if you are recording multiple documents or need staff review.
Accessibility
Main entrances are on the west and east sides of the building and include wheelchair-accessible ramps. The Clerk-Recorder office is on the basement level in Room B01.
Cutoff Timing
The service counter cutoff for recorded documents is 4:00 p.m., and the county recommends arriving before 3:30 p.m. for same-day recording review.
Why a Yolo County Deed Search or Recording May Fail
Most problems happen because the search uses the wrong name, the record is too new, the customer does not have a document reference, or the document does not meet California recording requirements.
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Try |
|---|---|---|
| No search result by address | Recorder records are commonly indexed by grantor/grantee names and document references, not like an assessor parcel search. | Search by owner name, prior owner name, document number, recording date or document type. |
| Name search shows too many results | The name is common, business entity spelling varies, or the search is too broad. | Add a recording date range, document type, middle initial, business suffix or known document number. |
| Recent deed is missing online | The online index is generally updated within two business days of recording. | Call the Recorder if the document was recorded very recently and timing matters. |
| Copy order delayed | Missing document reference, payment not completed, large order size or delivery issue. | Save the document number first, place the order, then call 530-666-8130 for payment. |
| Document rejected for recording | Missing notary acknowledgment, return address, margins, title, legibility, signatures, PCOR or correct fee. | Compare the document against Yolo County’s Basic Recording Requirements before resubmitting. |
| Property owner is wrong after a deed | Recorder indexing and assessor roll updates are different processes. | Confirm recording with the Recorder, then contact the Assessor about assessment-roll timing and change-in-ownership review. |
Official Yolo County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
Use these official pages for final verification before recording, ordering copies, paying fees or making a legal/tax decision based on a recorded document.
Yolo County Clerk-Recorder Main Page
Official office page for address, hours, phone, service status and links to Recorder services.
- Confirm the office address, hours and any current closure notices.
- Use the left-side or service navigation for Official Records, Recording, Forms or Fees.
- Call 530-666-8130 if you need a recording specialist before mailing a document.
Official Records & Searches
Official page for searching and ordering real property record copies through the Self-Service Online Queue.
- Open the Self-Service Online Queue from the county page.
- Search by grantor/grantee name, document number, document type or recording date.
- Add the correct record to the cart and enter the requester name.
- Call the Recorder to provide credit-card payment details because payment is not processed online inside the cart.
Yolo County Basic Recording Requirements
Official requirements page for margins, title, return address, legibility, signatures, acknowledgments and recording-readiness.
- Compare your deed or document against every requirement before visiting or mailing.
- Check the first-page space and margin requirements.
- Confirm the document title appears where the Recorder can index it.
- Verify original signatures and acknowledgment requirements before submission.
Yolo County Recording Fees
Official county fee page for first-page fees, additional pages, SB 2, AB 1466, transfer tax and PCOR-related charges.
- Identify your document title first because the fee can change by title.
- Add first-page, additional-page and special indexing charges if applicable.
- Check whether SB 2, AB 1466 and documentary transfer tax apply.
- Call the Recorder if your document combines multiple titles or has unusual attachments.
Yolo County Forms
Official forms page for PCOR, documentary transfer tax declaration, cover pages, corrective forms and copy requests.
- Choose Online, Self-Service or Printable forms based on the service you need.
- For deed recording, look under real property record documents and attachments.
- Download the PCOR or transfer-tax declaration only when your transaction requires it.
- Mail requests to the official P.O. Box if using USPS.
Yolo County Visitor Information
Official page for hours, processing times, payment rules, parking, building entrances and document-search policies.
- Confirm walk-in hours and appointment-only services before going.
- Review accepted payment types and the no split-payment policy.
- Use the parking and building entrance notes before arriving at 625 Court Street.
- Read the online-index and document-search policy if you plan to order copies.
Yolo County Change of Ownership Information
Assessor page for reassessment, exclusions, Proposition 19, parent-child transfer rules and ownership-change assessment questions.
- Use this page after or before recording if the transfer may affect property taxes.
- Read the reassessment exclusion sections for spouse, domestic partner, parent-child, grandparent-grandchild and other transfer types.
- Call the Assessor at 530-666-8135 for assessment questions, not the Recorder.
Yolo County Recorder Decision Path
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Office / Resource |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of an old deed. | Search the Official Records system by name, document number, document type or recording date, then order a regular or certified copy. | Yolo County Clerk-Recorder Official Records & Searches |
| You want to add or remove someone from title. | Get legal/tax guidance first, prepare the correct deed, attach required forms and then submit to the Recorder. | Attorney/title professional + Yolo County Clerk-Recorder |
| You recorded a deed and the tax roll has not changed. | Confirm the recording reference, then ask the Assessor about assessment-roll update timing and change-in-ownership review. | Yolo County Recorder + Yolo County Assessor |
| You believe a recorded deed is fraudulent. | Preserve copies and follow the county’s real estate fraud reporting guidance. | Yolo County District Attorney / Recorder fraud resources |
| You only need to pay property taxes. | Use the tax office, not the Recorder. | Yolo County Treasurer-Tax Collector |
Yolo County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Yolo County Recorder located?
The Yolo County Clerk-Recorder is located at the Erwin Meyer Administration Center, 625 Court Street, Room B01, Woodland, CA 95695. The mailing address is Yolo County Clerk-Recorder, P.O. Box 1130, Woodland, CA 95776.
What are the Yolo County Recorder hours?
The public counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding county holidays. Yolo County recommends arriving before 3:30 p.m. when you want same-day recording review.
How do I search Yolo County recorded deeds?
Use the official Yolo County Clerk-Recorder Official Records and Searches page. Records can be searched by name, document number, document type or recording date. Deed searches commonly use grantor and grantee names.
Can the Yolo County Recorder search for a deed for me?
The county states that document references are required for recorded-document copy requests and that Clerk-Recorder personnel do not perform searches for customers. Search the index first or visit the lobby kiosk and microfilm machine.
How do I order a certified copy of a Yolo County deed?
Find the recorded document in the official index, add it to the Self-Service Online Queue cart and provide a requester name. Yolo County says payment is not processed online in the cart, so call 530-666-8130 to provide credit-card payment details. Certified copies are mailed.
What is the fee for a regular recorded document copy?
Yolo County lists $5.00 for the first page of a recorded document copy and $2.00 for each additional page. Certification is listed as an additional $3.00 per document, and delivery fees may apply.
What is the basic Yolo County recording fee for a deed?
The basic first-page fee may be $15.00 or $25.00 depending on the document title and whether the mandated fraud-prevention fund fee applies. Additional pages are listed at $3.00 per page, and other charges such as SB 2, AB 1466, documentary transfer tax, indexing or PCOR fees may apply.
Does a Yolo County deed need a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report?
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, Form BOE-502-A, generally accompanies documents that transfer real property ownership. Yolo County lists a $20.00 fee when a PCOR is not presented with certain documents at recording.
Can the Recorder tell me whether to use a grant deed or quitclaim deed?
No. The Recorder can explain recording requirements, but cannot give legal advice, choose the correct deed, draft language, decide how title should be held, or explain every tax consequence of a transfer. Use a qualified attorney, title professional or tax advisor when needed.
Is the Recorder the same as the Yolo County Assessor?
No. The Recorder maintains official recorded documents. The Assessor handles assessment-roll information, assessed value, homeowner exemption forms, Proposition 19 and other change-in-ownership assessment questions. Some property transactions involve both offices.
Independent Educational Guide
County-Appraisal-District.org is an independent informational website. It is not the Yolo County Clerk-Recorder, Yolo County Assessor, Yolo County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Yolo County District Attorney, California State Board of Equalization, a title company, a law firm or a government office.
Recording acceptance, copy fees, certification rules, transfer-tax calculations, assessment updates, legal ownership questions and fraud complaints are controlled by official agencies, California law and the facts of the document. Always verify current requirements directly with the responsible office before recording or relying on a document.
Public property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other regulated consumer-reporting purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.