San Diego County Recorder: Search Deeds, Liens & Official Records
Use the San Diego County Recorder when you need a recorded deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien, easement, foreclosure notice, homestead filing, map or another document placed in San Diego County’s Official Records.
The fastest workflow depends on what information you already have. If you know a person or business name, search the Recorder’s Grantor/Grantee index. If you only know a property address or Assessor Parcel Number, identify the owner through the Assessor first and then continue to the Recorder.
Official-record index searches are available from 1970 to present.
$2 first page + $0.05 each additional page under the 2026 schedule.
$1 per document in addition to applicable copy charges.
1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260, San Diego, CA 92101.
Recorder procedures and fees reviewed October 17, 2026.
Go directly to your San Diego County Recorder task
Choose the section that matches what you are actually trying to accomplish.
Which San Diego County property record do you actually need?
A common mistake is treating the Recorder, Assessor and Tax Collector as one property-record system. They perform different jobs. Start with the office that controls the information you need.
Use the Recorder’s Official Records Index to locate the recorded conveyance and document number.
Search deed recordsStart with the Assessor rather than the Recorder when you need parcel identification or assessment information.
Open official Assessor property informationSearch the Recorder index for the original trust deed and any later reconveyance or related release.
Follow the loan-record trailSearch indexed parties and document types, but do not assume a simple Recorder search equals a professional title examination.
Research liens safelyUse the Recorder’s copy process after identifying the correct recording number and year.
See copy options and feesRecords predating the modern online index may require public kiosks or the San Diego County Archives.
Research older recordsHow to search San Diego County Recorder deeds online
The County’s online Official Records Index is primarily an indexed-document search. It is most useful when you know a person, trust, company, lender, document number or approximate recording period.
Open Official Records Index →
How to find a San Diego County deed when you only know the address
The Recorder’s online index is not a normal street-address deed search. When the street address is your only starting point, use a two-system workflow.
- Open San Diego County Assessor property information.
- Locate the property using available address or parcel tools.
- Confirm the correct parcel rather than a neighboring unit or lot.
- Write down the current owner name and APN.
- Open the Recorder Official Records Index.
- Search the identified owner as grantee to locate an acquisition deed.
- Search the same owner as grantor for later transfers.
- Check prior owners when tracing older deeds.
- Order the relevant recorded document when the index alone is insufficient.
What each San Diego Recorder search result tells you
Do not infer too much from the document title alone. For example, finding a Deed of Trust shows that a secured instrument was recorded, but it does not by itself prove the current balance. A later reconveyance may show that the security instrument was released.
Likewise, a Recorder index result is not necessarily proof that an individual currently owns the property exactly as you expect. A later deed, court proceeding, trust document, death-related filing or other instrument may affect the chain.
Common San Diego County recorded documents and what they usually mean
| Document | Typical purpose | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Deed | Common California deed used to transfer an interest in real property. | Grantee name, legal description, recording date and later conveyances. |
| Quitclaim Deed | Transfers whatever interest the grantor may have without the same implied warranties associated with a grant deed. | Reason for the transfer, parties involved and whether another deed followed. |
| Deed of Trust | Security instrument commonly associated with a real-estate loan. | Beneficiary, recording reference and later reconveyance or assignment. |
| Reconveyance | Commonly used to release a deed of trust after the secured obligation has been satisfied. | Reference to the original deed of trust and matching borrower/property information. |
| Abstract of Judgment | Can create a lien against real property of the judgment debtor when recorded. | Debtor identity, creditor, releases and whether the filing actually applies to the person/property researched. |
| Mechanic’s Lien | Recorded claim associated with unpaid labor, materials or work of improvement. | Claimant, owner, property reference and any later release. |
| Notice of Default | A recorded notice associated with the beginning of a nonjudicial foreclosure process under a deed of trust. | Referenced deed of trust, later rescission and trustee-sale filings. |
| Notice of Trustee Sale | Notice related to a scheduled foreclosure sale under a deed of trust. | Later rescission, postponement information or trustee’s deed. |
| Easement | Records certain rights to use land owned by another party. | Full document language, legal description, benefiting/burdened property and exhibits. |
How to get a copy of a San Diego County deed or recorded document
Once you identify the correct filing, use the Recorder’s own copy process. The County currently offers online ordering, in-person requests and mail requests.
Option 1: Order a copy online
Option 2: View or request the document in person
Visit a Recorder/Clerk service location. Public kiosks can be used to research and view available recorded-document images. Appointments are generally not required for ordinary Recorder copy services.
Option 3: Request a copy by mail
Prepare all four identifying items the Recorder asks for:
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
ATTN: Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
| Service | Published fee | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| First page | $2.00 | Applies to ordinary document copies up to the published size limit. |
| Each additional page | $0.05 | Added after the first page. |
| Certification | $1.00 per document | Use a certified copy when the receiving agency or transaction specifically requires certification. |
| Card payment surcharge | $2.50 | The Recorder currently lists an additional surcharge for applicable credit/debit-card payments. |
How to research San Diego County deeds recorded before 1970
The modern online Recorder search covers records from 1970 forward, but San Diego County’s historic collections extend much further back.
County Archives information identifies historic holdings that include early deeds, grantor/grantee indexes, miscellaneous records, numeric indexes, Official Records and recorded maps. Public kiosks and Archives resources can therefore be important when researching an old property chain.
County office kiosks provide access to a broader set of recorded information and are especially useful when modern online search options are insufficient.
For historical research, contact the San Diego County Archives and describe the record type, names, approximate dates and property/location information you already know.
Recording a deed with the San Diego County Recorder
Recording a new document is different from searching an existing deed. The Recorder can accept recordable instruments that satisfy applicable California and local requirements, but the office cannot choose the correct legal instrument for you or provide legal advice about how to prepare it.
Basic document checklist
Where to submit
Ordinary recordable documents may be submitted in person at Recorder/Clerk service locations or by mail. Kearny Mesa is currently listed by the County as not providing Recorder/Clerk services, so verify the location before traveling.
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
590 3rd Avenue, Suite 204
Chula Vista, CA 91910
San Diego County Recorder fees, transfer tax, PCOR and SB2
Recording costs are not one flat deed fee. The total can depend on document type, number of pages, number of titles, additional indexing, Documentary Transfer Tax, SB2 status and other document-specific charges.
| Item | Published amount | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| First page — title not associated with real-estate fraud fee | $14 | Base recording charge; other fees may still apply. |
| First page — title associated with real-estate fraud fee | $17 | Certain deeds of trust and related foreclosure/security documents fall within this category. |
| Each additional standard page | $3 | Added to applicable first-page/title charges. |
| SB2 / Atkins fee | $75 | May apply per real-estate instrument, subject to statutory exemptions and a $225 cap per single transaction. |
| Documentary Transfer Tax | $0.55 per $500 or fraction | Applies to qualifying taxable conveyances under the County’s published guidance. |
| PCOR additional charge when required but not submitted | $20 | A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is generally required with qualifying conveyances. |
Documentary Transfer Tax
San Diego County’s Recorder guidance lists Documentary Transfer Tax at $0.55 per $500, or fraction thereof, for qualifying taxable conveyances over $100, based on the applicable value or consideration after permitted adjustments.
Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) is generally required when real property is transferred. Failing to submit the required PCOR with the recorded conveyance can trigger an additional $20 Recorder charge.
SB2 / Building Homes and Jobs Act
Some recorded real-estate instruments may be subject to an additional $75 SB2 fee. Statutory exemptions apply, including certain documents associated with transfers already subject to Documentary Transfer Tax and certain owner-occupier residential transfers. Do not assume the fee applies—or does not apply—without checking the specific document and exemption.
How to check deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens and foreclosure filings
Users often land on a Recorder page because they are trying to answer a more specific question: “Is there a lien?”, “Was the mortgage released?”, or “Did a foreclosure document get recorded?”
Shows a recorded security instrument associated with an obligation. Note the borrower/trustor, beneficiary and recording reference.
Commonly records the release of a deed of trust after satisfaction of the secured obligation. Match it to the original instrument.
Can create a general lien on real property belonging to the judgment debtor in the county when properly recorded.
May arise from unpaid labor or materials associated with a work of improvement.
Typically identifies the beginning of a nonjudicial foreclosure process under a deed of trust.
May follow a Notice of Default when a trustee sale is scheduled, subject to applicable law and later filings.
Use San Diego County OWNER ALERT for new recorded-document notifications
San Diego County offers OWNER ALERT, a free notification service designed to alert subscribers when qualifying documents are recorded under registered names or Assessor Parcel Numbers.
Open OWNER ALERT →
San Diego County Recorder office locations
Recorder/Clerk service availability can change by branch. The County currently lists the following major locations, with ordinary weekday hours generally shown as Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Confirm current hours before traveling.
1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260
San Diego, CA 92101
Santee, CA 92071
Chula Vista, CA 91910
San Marcos, CA 92078
Recorder/Clerk general phone: (619) 237-0502. Document-recording inquiries are also listed by the County at (619) 238-8158.
Why your San Diego County deed search may return no result
| Problem | Likely reason | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Searching by APN online fails | Online APN search was removed from the Recorder system effective December 9, 2024. | Identify the owner through Assessor data and search by name, or use an in-person public kiosk. |
| Owner name gives too many results | The name is common. | Add an approximate recording date and document type; verify related parties. |
| Owner name gives no result | Property may be held in a trust, LLC, spouse’s name or another vesting name. | Check Assessor information and prior documents for the exact indexed ownership name. |
| Older lender/business name is missing | Historic indexing may use abbreviations or earlier business names. | Try name variants and older abbreviations. |
| Recently recorded deed is missing | Index updates are not always instantaneous. | The County advises that recent recordings may take approximately 24–48 hours to appear publicly. |
| You found only index data | The online public system does not provide the complete document image in the standard result. | View the filing at a kiosk or purchase a copy. |
| You need a record before 1970 | The modern online index does not cover the complete historical collection. | Use public kiosks or contact County Archives. |
| You need probate, divorce or a will | Those are not ordinary Recorder Official Records. | Use the San Diego Superior Court or the agency that maintains the specific court record. |
Use these San Diego County government links for the final action
Search indexed recorded documents from 1970 forward.
arcc-acclaim.sdcounty.ca.govRecording requirements, copies, fees, PCOR, transfer tax, SB2 and forms.
Open official Recording pageUse when you need the parcel, address, owner information or Assessor records before searching deeds.
Open official Property InformationHistoric deeds, indexes, maps and older official-record research.
Open County ArchivesFree County notification service for qualifying newly recorded documents.
Register for OWNER ALERTConfirm Recorder/Clerk service availability, addresses and current hours.
Find an ARCC officeSan Diego County Recorder FAQs
Where can I search San Diego County deeds online?
Use the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Official Records Index. The County states that online recorded-real-property searching covers 1970 to the present.
Can I search San Diego Recorder documents by APN online?
No. San Diego County removed APN searching from its online Official Records Search effective December 9, 2024. APN-based searches remain available through in-person county kiosks. If you are researching remotely, use the Assessor to identify the owner and then search the Recorder index by indexed name.
Can I search a deed by street address?
Not directly in the same way as a parcel-search website. Start with San Diego County Assessor property information to identify the parcel and owner, then search the Recorder’s Grantor/Grantee index using that party name.
Can I see the full deed image online?
The Recorder’s standard online index shows indexed information, not the complete document image. To see the full recorded document, use a public kiosk or obtain a copy through the Recorder.
How much is a San Diego County deed copy?
Current Recorder guidance lists $2 for the first page, $0.05 for each additional page and $1 per document for certification. A $2.50 surcharge currently applies to qualifying card payments.
How do I know if a deed was successfully recorded?
Search the Official Records Index by a grantor or grantee name. San Diego County notes that a recently recorded document may take approximately 24–48 hours to appear publicly. If a mailed/submitted document remains unresolved for an extended period, contact the Recorder with the party names, submission method, mailing tracking details and payment information.
What is the difference between a Grant Deed and a Deed of Trust?
A Grant Deed is commonly used to transfer an interest in real property. A Deed of Trust is a security instrument associated with a debt. A Deed of Trust therefore should not be interpreted as another ownership-transfer deed.
How can I tell whether a deed of trust was released?
Search for a later Reconveyance or related release and match it to the original Deed of Trust recording reference. Do not assume that the absence of an obvious online result proves that an obligation remains unpaid.
Where do I find San Diego County deeds older than 1970?
Use County public kiosks and the San Diego County Archives. Historic holdings include early deeds, grantor/grantee indexes, Official Records and recorded maps.
Does a Recorder search prove that a property has clear title?
No. Recorder records are extremely useful for tracing recorded instruments, but the Recorder does not issue a legal title opinion. Complex ownership, purchase, refinance, estate or lien questions may require a title company or qualified real-estate attorney.