Can I search San Mateo County Recorder records by address?

RecorderWorks does not provide a normal street-address search. If you only have an address, use the county Assessor Maps service to identify the nine-digit APN, then search RecorderWorks by APN without dashes.

How far back does the online San Mateo County Recorder index go?

The online Grantor/Grantee name index covers recorded property documents from 1985 forward. Earlier documents may require a known recording date, document number, older index tools or research at the Recorder's public terminals.

Can I see the actual deed image online?

The county states that document images are not included in its public online index for privacy reasons. Copies can be ordered through the Recorder or inspected at the Recorder's office.

How much does a San Mateo County deed copy cost?

The county currently lists regular recorded copies at $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. A certified copy adds a $5 certification charge. Fees should be rechecked before ordering.

Where is the San Mateo County Recorder office?

The County Clerk-Recorder Division is at 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, California 94063. Published business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding applicable holidays.

Does the San Mateo County Recorder perform title searches?

No. The Recorder maintains and provides access to recorded documents but does not perform a title search or determine legal title for a customer.

What is a PCOR and when is it required?

A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is generally filed with a conveyance document, subject to listed exceptions. San Mateo County currently lists a $20 additional recording fee when a required PCOR is not filed with the property transfer.

What is the San Mateo County documentary transfer tax rate?

The county states that documentary transfer tax is generally calculated at 55 cents per $500, or $1.10 per $1,000, of taxable value when the transaction is subject to the tax. Exemptions and additional City of San Mateo taxes may apply.

Can the Recorder remove a lien from my property record?

No. The Recorder cannot independently cancel or release a lien. The appropriate party must execute or obtain the required release, satisfaction or other recordable document.

San Mateo County, California · Deeds, liens, maps, copies and recordings

San Mateo County Recorder: Search Deeds & Official Records

Q: Where can I search San Mateo County deeds online?

Use San Mateo County RecorderWorks, the official Grantor/Grantee index. It supports searches by name, document number, recording date, document type, book and page, APN and other criteria.

If you landed here because you need a deed, lien, release, recorded map, ownership document or certified copy, start with the San Mateo County Recorder. The Recorder Division of the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Elections office preserves documents affecting real property and operates the county’s official Grantor/Grantee index.

The most important shortcut is knowing which tool to use. RecorderWorks is best when you already know a person’s name, document number, recording date or parcel number. If all you have is a street address, first identify the property’s APN, then use that nine-digit number to search the Recorder index.

Search official RecorderWorks Order a recorded document copy Record a deed or document

Grantor or grantee name Recording number Recording date 9-digit APN Document type

Recorder, Assessor and Tax Collector are not interchangeable. Use the Recorder for recorded deeds, liens, releases, mortgages/deeds of trust, reconveyances and other official instruments. Use the Assessor for assessment information and parcel mapping. Use the Treasurer-Tax Collector for property-tax bills, balances and payments.

Official online index

RecorderWorks Grantor/Grantee Search.

Name-search coverage

Recorded property documents from 1985 forward.

Recorder office

555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City.

Published hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Details reviewed

Official county resources checked October 17, 2026.

Start with the right office

What are you trying to find?

A large share of failed property-record searches happen because the user starts in the wrong county system. Choose the task below before searching.

RECORDED DOCUMENT Deed, lien, release or deed of trust

Use the RecorderWorks index maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder.

Open official recorded-document search

ONLY HAVE AN ADDRESS Find the property’s APN first

Use the county Assessor Maps portal to locate the parcel and its Assessor Parcel Number.

Open official Assessor Maps instructions

COPY Regular or certified deed copy

Identify the recording first, then follow the Recorder’s copy-order procedure.

See official copy instructions

NEW RECORDING Record a deed or other instrument

Check formatting, signatures, acknowledgments, taxes, PCOR requirements and current fees before submitting.

Open official recording guide

PROPERTY TAX Tax bill, amount due or payment

The Recorder does not collect your annual secured property-tax bill.

Go to official property-tax lookup

TITLE QUESTION Formal title search or legal ownership opinion

The Recorder provides public records but does not perform a title search or tell you which legal document to prepare.

Understand the difference

San Mateo County deeds and records guide

Jump directly to the task you need to complete.

Official search walkthrough

How to search San Mateo County Recorder deeds and records

The county’s official public index is RecorderWorks. It provides multiple entry points rather than forcing every user into a name search.

Open the official RecorderWorks portal Go directly to the county’s Grantor/Grantee index. Confirm the domain is apps.smcacre.org before entering search information.
Open RecorderWorks

Select the strongest search method you have Use Name when you know a party; Document Number when you already have the recording number; APN when you know the parcel number; or use recording date, document type, book/page, map or legal-description tools when appropriate.

For a person, enter last name first The county directs users to enter the person’s last name followed by first name. A partial first name can help prevent an overly broad or slow search. Business names can also be searched.

Use partial matching carefully If an exact spelling produces no result, try a shorter first name, prior surname, trust name or business-name variation. Narrow the date range when many people share the same name.

Open a document number from the results Review the indexed parties, document type and recording date. Do not assume that every deed or lien under a common name relates to the same property.

Follow the person’s linked name when researching a chain of records The portal instructs users to open a matching document, then click the desired person’s name to list additional documents associated with that person from 1985 forward.

Record the document number before leaving Save the recording number, date, document type, party names and page count. You will need these details when ordering the actual document.

The index entry is not the deed itself. San Mateo County states that images are not included in the public online index for privacy reasons. Use the index to identify the correct recording, then obtain a copy through the Recorder.

Best RecorderWorks search method for common situations
Your information	Search option	How to enter it	Best use
Person’s name	Name	Last name, then first name or partial first name	Deeds, liens and other records connected to a person
Business or trust name	Name	Enter the business or entity name	Corporate, trust or lender-related records
Known recording number	Document Number	Enter the official document number	Fastest way to retrieve a known recording
Nine-digit parcel number	APN	Enter all 9 digits without dashes	Finding instruments indexed to a known parcel
Approximate filing period	Recording Date	Enter start and end dates	Narrowing a transaction to a specific period
Grant deed, lien, reconveyance, etc.	Document Type	Select the type and narrow by date	Filtering a large result set
Historic book/page reference	Book and Page	Enter the known book and page	Older records with legacy references

When you only know the street address

How to find deeds when RecorderWorks does not search by address

Many homeowners naturally begin with a street address. RecorderWorks is organized around recorded-document indexing, so an address is not the strongest starting key. The practical solution is to convert the address into an Assessor Parcel Number (APN).

Open San Mateo County Assessor Maps The county’s official mapping instructions support searching parcels by street address.
Open Assessor Maps instructions

Choose the address-search option Follow the county instructions to find parcels by address, enter the property address and open the matching parcel.

Write down the APN Confirm you have the parcel that matches the correct property location. Keep the full nine-digit parcel number.

Return to RecorderWorks Choose the APN search and enter the nine digits without dashes.
Search RecorderWorks by APN

Verify each relevant document A parcel can have many recordings over time. Compare the document type, dates and parties instead of assuming the newest result is automatically the deed you need.

Useful shortcut: if you are researching a recent purchase, start with the APN, then look for a grant deed or other conveyance recorded near the closing date. Next inspect related deeds of trust, reconveyances or other instruments only if they are relevant to your question.

Historical records

How to find San Mateo County Recorder documents from before 1985

The county describes the online Grantor/Grantee name index as covering property documents recorded from 1985 forward. RecorderWorks also states that documents recorded before 1985 may require the document number and/or recording date.

If you know the old document number Use the Document Number tool. RecorderWorks notes that older document-number formats differ, and documents older than 1982 may permit the first portion of the number to be left blank.

If you know only an approximate date Use the historic index-book tools where available, or research the public records at the County Clerk-Recorder office. Call the Recorder if you need help understanding which public-search method is available.

Open historic search tools See Recorder office details

Get the actual document

How to order a deed or recorded-document copy

Before ordering, use RecorderWorks to identify the exact record. The County Recorder asks copy customers to gather the grantor/grantee names, document type, recording date and recording number. The online index can also show the page count needed to calculate copy fees.

Mail request: micro step-by-step

Locate the document in RecorderWorks Confirm the correct parties and recording date. Write down the recording number and page count.

Decide whether you need a regular or certified copy A regular copy is a photocopy of the recorded document. A certified copy adds the Recorder’s certification that it is a true and correct copy of the official record.

Calculate the fee using the current county schedule Do not estimate from an old third-party website.
Check official copy fees

Prepare payment The county’s mail-copy instructions currently accept a preprinted check drawn on a U.S. bank, money order or cashier’s check payable to San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder.

Include a self-addressed stamped envelope Provide a return envelope with sufficient postage so the requested copy can be mailed back.

Mail the request to the Recorder Send the written request, payment and return envelope to:
San Mateo County Assessor Clerk-Recorder
Attn: Customer Service Desk
555 County Center, 1st Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063

Official copy instructions Find recording details first

Current county pricing

San Mateo County recorded-document copy fees

The following fees were checked against the county’s official published schedule on October 17, 2026. Always recheck the official page before sending payment because county fees can change.

Recorder copy fees published by San Mateo County
Copy type	Current published fee	What you receive
Regular / recorded copy	$5 first page; $1 each additional page	A photocopy of the recorded document
Certified copy	Regular-copy charges + $5 certification	A copy signed, dated and sealed by the Recorder as a true and correct copy
Conformed copy	$10 per copy	You supply the copy or duplicate original; the Recorder applies recording details

Example: using the current published schedule, a one-page regular deed copy costs $5. A one-page certified copy would be $10 because the $5 certification charge is added to the regular-copy fee. A three-page certified document would be $12: $5 first page + $2 for two additional pages + $5 certification.

Verify the current official copy-fee schedule

Submitting a new recording

How to record a deed or other document in San Mateo County

Recording a deed is different from searching for an existing deed. The Recorder examines a submitted document for statutory recording requirements; the office does not determine whether the instrument is legally correct for your situation and cannot tell you which deed or legal form to use.

Confirm the property is in San Mateo County A real-property document must be presented to the county where the property is located.

Read the official recording requirements before signing Check document title, signatures, acknowledgment/notarization where required, page dimensions, first-page formatting, margins and return-address requirements.
Review official recording requirements

Determine whether a PCOR must accompany the deed Most conveyance documents require a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, although the county lists specific exceptions.
Open official PCOR information

Complete the Documentary Transfer Tax Affidavit when required San Mateo County publishes a current 2026 DTTA for conveyance transactions.
Open the official DTTA page

Calculate recording fees and applicable transfer taxes The total depends on page count, document titles, parcels, statutory surcharges, possible exemptions and the transaction itself.
Check the current recording-fee schedule

Submit in person or by mail/carrier The county accepts qualifying documents in person and publishes instructions for mail, FedEx and UPS submissions. Electronic recording is also used through participating title-company channels.

If mailing, use the official Recorder address Send the document and proper payment to:
San Mateo County Recorder
Recorder Division
555 County Center, 1st Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063-1665

Request a conformed copy if you need immediate proof details returned The county instructs mail submitters to include an exact copy of the document and a stamped self-addressed envelope when requesting a conformed copy.

For an in-person submission that satisfies the recording requirements and includes the proper fees, the county states that the document can be recorded while you wait. The original is retained for processing and permanent imaging, then mailed to the return address; the county currently advises that return of the original may take approximately four to six weeks.

Read the county’s complete How to Record a Document guide

Before you submit

Recording requirements that commonly matter for deeds

A deed can be legally meaningful yet still be rejected for recording if its format or accompanying material does not satisfy California recording rules. This checklist summarizes the county’s published requirements rather than trying to replace legal advice.

Property is located in San Mateo County.

Document is authorized or required by law to be recorded.

Document title appears on the first page.

Names to be indexed are legible.

Original signatures are present where required.

Acknowledgment or verification is included when required.

Notary signature and seal are complete where applicable.

Document is sufficiently legible for photographic reproduction.

Return address and recording-request information are provided.

Prior recording references are accurate when modifying or releasing an earlier record.

Attachments or exhibits are properly labeled.

Correct fees and applicable taxes accompany the recording.

Page and first-page standards

San Mateo County document-format guidance
Requirement	County guidance	Why it matters
Standard page size	8.5 × 11 inches	Nonstandard pages can trigger additional fees
Maximum accepted size	Up to 8.5 × 14 inches	Larger sheets cannot be recorded
First-page print	Minimum 10-point type	Helps satisfy reproduction and formatting standards
Side margins	At least 1/2 inch	Required recording space and readability
Top-right space	Right 5 inches of top 2.5 inches reserved for Recorder	Needed for official recording information
Top-left space	Left 3.5 inches of top 2.5 inches for return/request information	Identifies requester and return destination
Deed tax-statement address	Placed at bottom of first page	Required first-page information for deeds

Social Security numbers: unless state or federal law specifically requires otherwise, the county says a document presented for recording should not display more than the last four digits of a Social Security number.

Review the complete official requirement list before submitting

Fee planning

San Mateo County Recorder filing fees

Recording totals are not always just “first page plus extra pages.” A document can trigger separate surcharges based on the document type, number of titles, number of parcels and whether a statutory exemption applies.

Selected published Recorder fees reviewed October 17, 2026
Fee item	Published amount	Important note
Recording — first page	$14	Base recording charge
Each additional page	$3	Applies to additional pages of the recording
Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Fee	$6 per applicable title	Depends on the document and statutory rules
SB 2 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee	$75 per applicable parcel, per title	Exemptions and statutory limits may apply
Survey Monument Preservation Fee	$10 when applicable	Applies to qualifying grant-deed property descriptions listed by the county
Missing required PCOR	$20 additional fee	Applies when a required Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is not filed with the transfer
Undersized print penalty	$1 per affected page	Formatting penalty
Non-8.5 × 11 page penalty	$3 per affected page	Standard-size requirements still apply
Conformed / proof of recording copy	$10	Separate from standard copy pricing

Do not calculate a deed-recording total from this table alone. The $75 SB 2 fee, fraud-prevention fee, transfer tax and other charges can depend on facts that are not visible from page count. Use the county’s current fee schedule and, when legal interpretation is required, an attorney, escrow officer or authorized real-estate professional.

Open the official San Mateo County recording-fee schedule

Property transfers

PCOR, Documentary Transfer Tax and the 2026 tax affidavit

Preliminary Change of Ownership Report

San Mateo County states that a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) must generally be completed, signed and filed with a conveyance document. The county lists exceptions including easements, Trustee’s Deeds Upon Sale, Deeds in Lieu of Foreclosure and certain Affidavits of Death involving a beneficiary under a deed of trust.

When a required PCOR is not submitted at recording, the county’s published fee schedule adds $20. The PCOR information assists the Assessor with change-in-ownership and reassessment review and is treated as confidential rather than a normal public-record image.

Official PCOR page Recorder forms

County Documentary Transfer Tax

The county currently states that Documentary Transfer Tax applies to taxable conveyances when the consideration or fair market value exceeds $100, unless an applicable exemption applies. The published county rate is $0.55 per $500, or $1.10 per $1,000, of the applicable taxable amount.

Existing liens or encumbrances that remain on the property can affect the county tax calculation under the published rules. A signed transfer-tax declaration must appear on the face of a conveyance document. When an exemption is claimed, the county instructs filers to show no tax due and cite the applicable exemption and Revenue & Taxation Code authority.

Transfer-tax exemption is not the same as property-tax reassessment exclusion. A transfer may qualify for one treatment and not the other. Do not assume that a trust, gift, family transfer or name change is automatically exempt from every tax or reassessment rule.

Read San Mateo County’s official Documentary Transfer Tax guidance

2026 Documentary Transfer Tax Affidavit

San Mateo County publishes a 2026 Documentary Transfer Tax Affidavit (DTTA). The affidavit helps the Recorder understand the nature of a conveyance and any claimed transfer-tax exemption. Supporting documents may be required for an exemption.

Get the official 2026 DTTA

Extra tax for property inside the City of San Mateo

Do not confuse San Mateo County with the incorporated City of San Mateo. The county warns that property within City of San Mateo limits can also be subject to a separate city conveyance tax and requires an additional declaration on the conveyance.

The City of San Mateo Municipal Code currently states a city real-property transfer-tax rate of 0.5% when the consideration or value is below $10 million and 1.5% when it is $10 million or more, subject to the city’s definitions and exemptions.

Because the city tax is materially larger than the county’s basic documentary transfer-tax rate, verify whether the parcel is actually inside City of San Mateo limits before preparing the deed or calculating taxes.

Check the official City of San Mateo transfer-tax code

Avoid a returned recording

Why the Recorder may return a deed or document unrecorded

San Mateo County publishes a practical returned-document checklist. Use it before mailing an original instrument because a rejection can delay a transfer, lien release or other time-sensitive recording.

Payment problem Confirm the amount, payee and signature on the check or voucher. A fee shortage can stop recording.

Signature or acknowledgment problem Check original signatures, exact name matching, proper signer, acknowledgment wording, notary signature and seal.

Property-identification problem The property must be in San Mateo County and the document needs a description sufficient to identify the property.

Prior-record reference problem A release, modification or correction that refers to an earlier recording needs an accurate document number or book/page reference.

Formatting problem A missing first-page recording area, cover sheet, return address, title, legibility or exhibit label can cause trouble.

Wrong document for recording California law must authorize or require the type of instrument to be recorded. Recorder staff cannot choose a legal instrument for you.

Open official rejection checklist Recorder FAQs

Important limitation

Recorder search vs. a real property title search

RecorderWorks is extremely useful for locating public recordings, but searching a person’s name or APN is not the same as determining marketable legal title.

What the Recorder can and cannot do
Question	Recorder function	What you may need instead
Was a deed recorded?	Search the official index and obtain the recorded document	RecorderWorks / Recorder copy
Is there a recorded lien under a name?	Search public indexed documents	Review the actual lien and property identifiers
Who has legally insurable title today?	Recorder does not issue a title opinion	Title company or qualified attorney
Which deed should I use?	Recorder cannot provide legal advice or select forms	Attorney or authorized real-estate professional
Can the Recorder cancel a lien for me?	No	The lien claimant, court or other authorized party must create the proper release/satisfaction

Common-name warning: a lien appearing under someone with the same name does not automatically belong to you or your parcel. The county notes that its records are indexed by name and multiple people can share the same name. Review the actual recording and identifiers before drawing a conclusion.

Suspicious recordings

What to do if you find a deed or lien you do not recognize

If a search reveals a deed, deed of trust, lien or other instrument you did not authorize, do not assume the Recorder can simply delete it. A recorded document is part of the public record and correcting or invalidating it can require a separate legal process.

Open and identify the exact recording Save the document number, recording date, parties and document type.

Obtain a copy of the actual document Do not rely only on the index entry. Review signatures, property description and other identifying information.

Contact the appropriate authorities if fraud is suspected San Mateo County advises contacting local law enforcement when you discover property documents you do not recognize or believe were altered.

Use the county’s real-estate-fraud guidance The county identifies the District Attorney’s investigative function for real-estate-fraud complaints.
Open official Real Estate Fraud Alert guidance

Redwood City office

San Mateo County Recorder address, hours and contact information

County Clerk-Recorder Division

555 County Center
1st Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063

Document recordings / copies of deeds and maps: (650) 363-4500
In-person appointment services: (650) 599-1713
Recorder email: recorder@smcacre.gov

Published public hours

Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

The county states that walk-ins are welcome and appointments are optional for listed Clerk-Recorder services, subject to normal service availability and holidays.

Verify office hours & services County Clerk-Recorder homepage

Frequently asked questions

San Mateo County Recorder FAQs

Where can I search San Mateo County deeds online?

Use the official RecorderWorks Grantor/Grantee index. It supports searches by name, document number, recording date, document type, book/page, APN, map and other criteria.

Can I search San Mateo County Recorder records by street address?

Not through a normal address field in RecorderWorks. If you only know the address, use the official Assessor Maps service to identify the parcel’s APN. Then enter the nine-digit APN without dashes in RecorderWorks.

How far back does RecorderWorks go?

The county describes its Grantor/Grantee online search as covering recorded property documents from 1985 forward. For earlier recordings, use known document numbers or recording dates, historical index tools or the public research resources at the Recorder office.

Can I view the actual deed image online for free?

The county states that images are not included in the public online index for privacy reasons. Recorded documents can be viewed at the Recorder office, and copies can be ordered using the county’s official copy process.

How much is a copy of a recorded deed?

The county’s current published fee is $5 for the first page of a regular recorded copy and $1 for each additional page. A certified copy adds a $5 certification charge. Always verify current fees before mailing payment.

What is the difference between a regular and certified deed copy?

A regular copy is a photocopy of the recorded document. A certified copy includes the Recorder’s signed, dated and sealed certification that the copy is a true and correct copy of the official record.

Does the Recorder tell me who legally owns a property?

The Recorder provides access to recorded instruments, but the office does not conduct a formal title search or issue a legal opinion about title. When ownership is disputed, complex or important to a transaction, use a title company or qualified attorney.

What happens if I record a property transfer without a required PCOR?

San Mateo County’s current published schedule adds a $20 fee when a required Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is not filed with the property transfer. Review the county’s PCOR page because specific document types are excepted.

What is San Mateo County’s documentary transfer tax?

The county currently publishes a base rate of 55 cents per $500, equivalent to $1.10 per $1,000, of the applicable taxable value. Exemptions may apply. Property inside the incorporated City of San Mateo can also be subject to a separate city transfer tax.

Can the Recorder remove a lien that should not be there?

The Recorder does not independently erase or release a lien. A proper release, satisfaction, court order or other authorized instrument must generally be created and recorded by the appropriate party. Seek legal advice when a lien is disputed.

Primary-source directory

Official San Mateo County Recorder resources

Use these government resources for live searches, current forms, current fees and final filing instructions.

RecorderWorks Grantor/Grantee Index

Search names, APNs, document numbers, dates, types and other recording criteria.

Open RecorderWorks

Search Grantor-Grantee Information

County explanation of public searching and the online-image limitation.

Open search information

Obtain a Recorded Document Copy

Official requirements for requesting deeds and other recorded copies.

Open copy instructions

Copy Fee Schedule

Regular, certified and conformed copy charges.

Check copy fees

How to Record a Document

Submission methods, mailing instructions and conformed-copy guidance.

Open recording guide

Recording Requirements

Formatting, signatures, acknowledgments, margins and other document rules.

Check recording requirements

Recording Fees

Current base charges, surcharges and penalties.

Check current fees

PCOR

Preliminary Change of Ownership Report instructions and forms.

Open PCOR resources

Documentary Transfer Tax

County tax rate, declaration rules and common statutory exemptions.

Open transfer-tax guidance

2026 Transfer Tax Affidavit

Current DTTA and supporting information.

Open DTTA page

Assessor Maps

Find an APN by address and retrieve assessor or recorded-map information.

Open Assessor Maps

County Clerk-Recorder Office

Address, hours, contact numbers and available in-person services.

Verify office information

Bottom line

Use the Recorder index to identify the document, then complete the right next step

For most people searching the San Mateo County Recorder, the fastest path is straightforward: open RecorderWorks, search by the strongest identifier available, verify the document number and recording date, and then obtain the actual document if you need more than the index entry.

If all you have is a property address, first use the county’s Assessor Maps system to identify the APN. If you are recording a new deed, do not stop at the basic recording fee—review the document-format rules, PCOR requirements, 2026 Documentary Transfer Tax Affidavit, transfer-tax rules and any City of San Mateo tax that applies to property inside city limits.

Search San Mateo County records Get a deed or record copy Record a document

San Mateo County Recorder: Search Deeds, Records, Copies & Recording Fees