How do I search Santa Barbara County deed records online?

Use the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder Official Records Search. Available search methods include name, document type, document number, map book and page, and advanced search.

How much is a Santa Barbara County recorded document copy?

The county's 2026 copy schedule lists a regular real-estate record copy at $10 per document and a certified copy at $12 per document, with applicable order handling or delivery fees.

Where do I search older Santa Barbara County deeds?

Use the county Historical Index for records in the 1931 through 1975 historical index range. Earlier 1850 through 1931 indexes are available through office research resources.

Can the Recorder prepare a deed for me?

No. Recorder staff can explain recording requirements but are prohibited from providing legal advice or deciding which deed or legal instrument should be used.

Can I search a deed by property address?

Recorder searches work primarily from party names and recording references rather than ordinary street-address searches. Use Assessor or Surveyor property tools first when an address is your only starting information.

Does paying off a mortgage create a new deed?

Paying off a deed of trust generally results in a reconveyance or release of the security interest rather than a new ownership deed.

Santa Barbara County, California · Deeds, liens, official records, copies and recording

Santa Barbara County Recorder: Deeds, Records, Copies & Fees

Q: Where is the Santa Barbara County Recorder office?

The county lists a Clerk-Recorder office at 1100 Anacapa Street, Hall of Records, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, and another at 511 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 115, Santa Maria, CA 93455-1310.

Q: What is the Santa Barbara County documentary transfer tax rate?

The county's 2026 Recorder fee schedule lists documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500 of taxable consideration. Exemptions and filing requirements can affect the amount due.

Use the Santa Barbara County Recorder when you need to find a recorded deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien, easement, map reference or other official real-estate document. The Recorder also accepts recordable documents and provides regular or certified copies.

This guide takes you directly through the county systems: how to search names correctly, what to do when you only know an address, how older records are indexed, which reference you need before ordering a copy, current 2026 fees and when the Assessor, Tax Collector or Surveyor is actually the better office.

Search official records Search historical index Open Clerk-Recorder

Grantor or grantee name Document number Recording date Document type Book and page

Recorder, Assessor and Tax Collector records are not interchangeable. The Recorder maintains recorded legal instruments. The Assessor handles parcel and assessment information. The Treasurer-Tax Collector handles tax bills and payments. Start with the office that controls the record you actually need.

Main search

Official Clerk-Recorder self-service records system.

Historical index

Dedicated grantor/grantee research for older records.

Regular copy

$10 per real-estate record document on the 2026 schedule.

Certified copy

$12 per document before applicable handling or delivery.

Recorder phone

805-568-2250

Start with your actual task

Which Santa Barbara County property office should you use?

Recorded ownership Deed, lien or reconveyance

Use the Clerk-Recorder Official Records Search.

Search walkthrough

Old document Historical deed research

Use the grantor/grantee historical index to locate a book and page.

Historical steps

Street address only Find the APN or owner clue

Use Assessor or Surveyor tools first, then return to Recorder records.

Address-only workflow

Official evidence Regular or certified copy

Find the recording reference before ordering the document.

Copy instructions

New document Record a deed or instrument

Review recording requirements, taxes, PCOR requirements and fees first.

Recording checklist

Property taxes Bill, balance or payment

Use the Treasurer-Tax Collector rather than the Recorder.

Open property taxes

Santa Barbara County Recorder guide

Jump directly to the task you are trying to complete.

Official records lookup

How to search Santa Barbara County deed records online

The county’s self-service system provides several ways to locate recorded documents. A document number is the strongest identifier, but most homeowners begin with the name of a current or previous owner.

Best search sequence: use a known document number first; otherwise search the party name, broaden the name if necessary, filter by date or document type, and verify the parties and recording information before purchasing a copy.

Open the official Clerk-Recorder search Use the county-operated self-service system rather than a commercial public-record directory.
Open Santa Barbara County Official Records Search

Choose the search type that matches your information The system offers Name Search, Document Type Search, Document Number Search, Map Book/Page Search and Advanced Search.

Enter an individual’s name last name first The county search instructions use the format SMITH JOHN. Do not begin with commas or other punctuation.

Broaden a name when the exact search fails Try the surname plus first initial, or only the surname, then narrow the results with dates or document type. Trusts, middle initials and prior names can affect the index.

Search organizations as they are named For a bank, trust company, LLC, corporation or other organization, search the organization’s indexed name and test a shorter distinctive version when needed.

Verify before ordering Match the recording date, document title, grantor, grantee and document number. Do not assume the first person with the same surname is connected to your parcel.

Document-number format: if you already have a Recorder document number, enter it in the format shown by the county portal, such as 2014-0000001. A known document number is usually the fastest route to a specific instrument.

Search strategy

Use the right Recorder search field

Which official-record search should you use?
What you know	Best search	Practical method
Exact document number	Document Number	Enter the recorded number exactly and verify the document title and parties.
Current or former owner’s name	Name / Advanced	Start with LAST FIRST; broaden to surname and initial if necessary.
Seller or transferor	Grantor	Search the person or entity that transferred an interest.
Buyer or recipient	Grantee	Search the person or entity that received an interest.
Type of instrument	Document Type	Combine deed, lien, reconveyance or another type with names or dates.
Recorded map reference	Map Book/Page	Use the map book and page reference rather than an owner-name search.
Street address only	Assessor / Surveyor first	Find the APN and ownership clues, then return to the Recorder index.

Understand the result

What common Santa Barbara County recorded documents mean

Common documents you may encounter in the Recorder index
Document	Usually indicates	Do not assume
Grant Deed	A transfer of real-property interest from grantor to grantee.	That the index alone proves the complete current title history.
Quitclaim Deed	Transfer of whatever interest the grantor may hold.	That it guarantees a particular ownership interest.
Deed of Trust	A security instrument associated with real-estate financing.	That it is the ownership deed.
Reconveyance	Release of a deed-of-trust security interest after satisfaction.	That a new ownership deed must also be issued.
Lien / Abstract of Judgment	A recorded claim or encumbrance affecting a person or property interest.	That every lien is still enforceable without checking later releases or legal status.
Easement	Rights affecting use or access over real property.	That an Assessor parcel map fully explains the easement terms.

An index entry is not a title opinion. For a purchase, inheritance, trust transfer, boundary dispute or uncertain chain of title, use the actual recorded documents and obtain appropriate legal or title-professional assistance.

Older deeds and land records

How to search Santa Barbara County historical deeds

Santa Barbara County maintains real-estate documents dating back to the nineteenth century, but older records are not searched exactly like modern electronic indexes.

Important date nuance: the county’s main real-estate page labels the Historical Index as 1931–1974, while the dedicated historical system itself includes index-book ranges 1931–1958 and 1959–1975. For a document recorded during 1975, try the modern Official Records Search first and use the historical index as a second path when needed.

Open the County of Santa Barbara Historical Index Open Historical Index Search

Choose grantor or grantee Grantor generally identifies the transferring party; grantee generally identifies the receiving party. Search both sides if you are reconstructing ownership history.

Choose individual or corporation Business entities, public agencies, churches and similar organizations may be indexed separately from individuals.

Search primarily by surname or business name The historical tool recommends beginning with the last name. Very detailed name entries can miss an index entry.

Review pages by recording date Historical alpha-group pages are arranged by recording chronology within the group rather than as a simple modern alphabetical result list.

Write down the book and page Once the correct index entry is found, save the book-and-page reference. It is the key identifier for viewing or ordering an older document.

What about records before 1931?

The county’s historical-record help explains that Recorder documents extend back to 1850. Indexes and documents from approximately 1850 through 1931 require use of older index resources available through Recorder office research facilities. Staff are not authorized to perform the public’s title search for them.

Historical research tip: build a chain one transfer at a time. Start with the newest confirmed owner, identify the deed that transferred the property to that owner, then search the prior grantor backward. This is more reliable than searching one surname and assuming every result affects the same property.

Only have a street address?

Find deed records when you do not know the owner’s indexed name

Recorder indexes are document indexes, not ordinary real-estate listing databases. If you start with only an address, first collect better identifiers from the county’s parcel tools.

Open Santa Barbara County property information Use the Assessor’s property-information resources to obtain parcel details and an APN when available.
Open Assessor Property Information

Confirm the physical parcel If location or map context is important, use the County Surveyor interactive map, which supports searches by address or Assessor Parcel Number.
Open Surveyor Interactive Map

Collect useful Recorder clues Save the APN, current owner or prior-owner names, subdivision or map references and approximate transfer date.

Return to the Official Records Search Search the owner or prior owner’s name and compare the resulting deed references with the property information you collected.

Do not treat an APN as proof of legal boundaries or legal title. Santa Barbara County’s Surveyor explains that tax parcel information and mapping can differ from actual legal boundaries and title conditions. Use recorded documents and an appropriate survey/title professional when legal precision matters.

Copies and certification

How to order a Santa Barbara County deed copy

The Recorder requires a recording reference for a copy order. For newer records, this is generally the document number. For older records, it may be a book-and-page reference.

Find the recording reference first Search the modern Official Records index or historical index before submitting a copy request. Recorder staff are not authorized to conduct your search for you.

For newer records, order from the official search workflow After locating a post-1975 document, the county system allows eligible regular or certified copies to be added to the order process.

Choose regular or certified A regular copy is useful for research and personal records. Request certification when the receiving agency, court, lender or other recipient specifically requires a certified Recorder copy.

For older records, use the copy order form Pre-1975 orders require the relevant book-and-page reference. Follow the county copy-order instructions for payment and return method.
Open official copy instructions

2026 Santa Barbara County real-estate record copy costs
Request	Published fee	Important detail
Regular copy	$10 per document	A recording reference is required.
Certified copy	$12 per document	Certification is appropriate when an official certified record is required.
First-class mail / email handling	$2 per order	Applies according to the county’s return-method schedule.

Email option for regular copies: the county states that regular copies may be emailed upon request. For an online order, contact the Clerk-Recorder help desk within 24 hours and include the copy-order number in the subject as directed by the county. Certified copies are mailed.

Recording a new instrument

Before recording a deed in Santa Barbara County

Recording a deed is different from searching an existing deed. The Recorder determines whether a submitted document meets recording requirements, but staff cannot choose a deed for you, prepare the legal document or tell you whether a transfer accomplishes your legal goal.

Confirm the correct legal instrument has been prepared.

Verify names and vesting exactly as intended.

Include an adequate legal description where required.

Check signature and acknowledgment/notary requirements.

Determine documentary transfer tax treatment.

Determine whether a PCOR must accompany the transfer.

Review Building Homes and Jobs Act fee treatment.

Calculate all pages, document titles and other recording fees.

Provide the return address required for the recorded document.

Recheck the county fee schedule immediately before submission.

Changing a name on title is a legal-document issue, not an Assessor editing request. Adding a spouse, removing an owner, transferring property to a trust, handling an inheritance or changing ownership after divorce can have legal and tax consequences. The Recorder can record an acceptable instrument but cannot select or draft it for you.

Open Real Estate Records Check current Recorder fees

2026 recording costs

Santa Barbara County Recorder fees you should know

Recording totals vary substantially because a document may trigger several separate statutory charges. Do not estimate the total using only a single “first page” figure.

Selected fees from the county’s 2026 Clerk-Recorder schedule
Fee item	2026 amount	When it matters
Base fee	$14	County schedule lists this per qualifying document with standard 8½ × 11-inch pages.
Additional page	$3	Charged for each additional page under the applicable schedule.
Building Homes and Jobs Act	$75	Applies per qualifying document title unless an exemption applies; county notes a $225 transaction cap.
Real Estate Fraud fee	$10	Applies to covered real-estate instruments under the county schedule.
PCOR fee in lieu	$20	Can apply when a change-of-ownership document is presented without the required concurrent PCOR.
Documentary transfer tax	$0.55 per $500	Applies to taxable transfers according to California and local filing rules.

2027 fee change already announced: the Clerk-Recorder has posted notice that California AB 2224 changes Recorder fees beginning January 1, 2027, including increases to certain first-page and additional-page fee components. If your document will be recorded in 2027, do not rely on a 2026 estimate.

Ownership transfers

Documentary Transfer Tax and the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report

Documentary Transfer Tax

Santa Barbara County’s 2026 Recorder fee schedule lists documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500 of taxable consideration. Whether tax is due—and which value is used—depends on the transaction and any applicable statutory exemption.

The county states that a Documentary Transfer Tax Affidavit is required when transfer tax is not being paid. Do not simply write “$0” without confirming the applicable exemption and required documentation.

Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR)

Many ownership-changing documents are accompanied by California’s Preliminary Change of Ownership Report. The PCOR provides information used by the Assessor to evaluate a change in ownership and possible reassessment.

Missing PCOR can cost more: the county’s 2026 schedule lists a $20 fee in lieu when a document evidencing a change of ownership is presented for recording without the required concurrent PCOR.

The county’s Real Estate Records area routes users to both documentary transfer tax and Preliminary Change of Ownership Report information. Review those instructions before finalizing a transfer package.

No result or wrong result

Fix common Santa Barbara County Recorder search problems

Search problem → practical fix
Problem	Likely reason	What to try next
Full owner name returns nothing	Index spelling, initials or name order differs.	Use LAST FIRST, then surname plus first initial, then surname only.
Too many people have the same surname	Name search is too broad.	Add a recording date range, first initial or document type.
You only know the address	Recorder index is party/document based.	Find the APN and owner clue through Assessor or Surveyor resources.
Current owner does not appear	Wrong spelling, trust/entity name, recent recording or different title holder.	Search trust/entity names, prior owner and recent recording dates.
Old deed cannot be found	Record belongs in historical index books.	Use the 1931–1975 historical system or office-based older index resources.
You found a deed but not the mortgage payoff	Payoff evidence may be indexed as a reconveyance or release.	Search later dates for reconveyance/release instruments tied to the borrower or lender.
Need a legal boundary	A deed index or Assessor map does not establish surveyed boundaries by itself.	Review the deed, recorded map/survey and consult a licensed land surveyor when necessary.

Clerk-Recorder contact

Santa Barbara County Recorder offices, hours and mailing address

Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder

1100 Anacapa Street
Hall of Records
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Santa Maria Clerk-Recorder

511 Lakeside Parkway
Suite 115
Santa Maria, CA 93455-1310

Hours and contact

Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM.

The county advises visitors to arrive no later than 4:00 PM when conducting business; same-day service is not guaranteed.

Phone: 805-568-2250
Email: Clk-RecHelpDesk@countyofsb.org

Mailing documents or correspondence

Regular mail
Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder
PO Box 159
Santa Barbara, CA 93102

Express / courier
1100 Anacapa Street, Hall of Records
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Before visiting: check the official Clerk-Recorder page for holiday closures, fee changes and service notices. Bring the document number or book/page reference when your purpose is to obtain a copy.

Official links with micro-guides

Use the exact Santa Barbara County resource for your task

Official Records Search

Best for finding modern deeds, liens, reconveyances and other Recorder documents.

Open the portal.
Select name, document number, type, map or advanced search.
Search individuals last name first.
Verify date, parties and document title.

Open official records search

Historical Index

Best for older grantor/grantee index research.

Select grantor or grantee.
Select individual or corporation.
Search the surname/business name.
Save the book and page when found.

Open historical index

Real Estate Records Hub

County hub for modern search, historical records, recording and copy information.

Open Real Estate Records.
Select the date range.
Use Document Recording for new filings.
Use Copy Ordering after finding the reference.

Open real-estate records

Recorder Fee Schedule

Use immediately before mailing or presenting a recordable document.

Open current Clerk-Recorder fees.
Identify base and page fees.
Check BHJA and fraud-fee treatment.
Add tax or PCOR charges when applicable.

Check current fees

Assessor Property Information

Use when you know the property but not the correct Recorder search name.

Open property information.
Locate parcel details or APN.
Identify ownership clues.
Return to Recorder records.

Open property information

Surveyor Interactive Map

Use for APN/address location research and recorded survey/map context.

Search the address or APN.
Confirm the parcel location.
Review available recorded map references.
Do not treat the map as a legal boundary survey.

Open Surveyor map

Practical answers

Santa Barbara County Recorder FAQs

Where is the Santa Barbara County Recorder office?

The county lists its Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder office at 1100 Anacapa Street, Hall of Records, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. It also lists a Santa Maria office at 511 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 115, Santa Maria, CA 93455-1310. The Recorder phone number is 805-568-2250.

How do I search Santa Barbara County deed records?

Start with the Official Records Search. Search by individual or organization name, document number, document type, map book/page or advanced criteria. For individuals, the portal instructs users to enter the last name first.

Can I search Santa Barbara County Recorder records by address?

A street address is not the strongest Recorder-index search field. If address is your only clue, use the county Assessor property tools or Surveyor interactive map to obtain the APN and ownership clues, then search Recorder records by party name.

How much does a copy of a Santa Barbara County deed cost?

The county’s 2026 real-estate record copy schedule lists a regular copy at $10 per document and a certified copy at $12 per document. Applicable handling or delivery charges may also apply.

Where can I search Santa Barbara County deeds from before 1975?

Use the County of Santa Barbara Historical Index. The historical system covers index-book ranges beginning in 1931 and extending through 1975. Older 1850–1931 index resources require additional historical-record research through the Recorder.

What is the difference between a grantor and a grantee?

For a typical deed, the grantor is the party transferring an interest and the grantee is the party receiving it. When researching a property’s history, searching both sides can help connect successive transfers.

Can the Santa Barbara County Recorder prepare a deed for me?

No. The county states that Recorder staff may provide recording requirements but are prohibited from providing legal advice. They cannot choose the correct deed, determine how title should be held or advise whether a proposed transfer accomplishes your legal objective.

What happens after I pay off a deed of trust?

Paying off real-estate financing generally leads to a reconveyance or release of the deed of trust rather than issuance of an entirely new ownership deed. Search later Recorder entries for the appropriate reconveyance/release if you are confirming that the security instrument was cleared.

What is the Santa Barbara County documentary transfer tax rate?

The county’s 2026 Clerk-Recorder fee schedule lists documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500 of taxable consideration. The actual amount depends on the transfer and any applicable exemption. Review the Recorder’s current instructions before recording.

Do I need a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report with a deed?

Many documents evidencing a change in ownership require a PCOR to be submitted with the recording. The 2026 county schedule lists a $20 fee in lieu when a qualifying change-of-ownership document is presented without the required concurrent PCOR.

Are Santa Barbara County Recorder fees changing in 2027?

Yes. The Clerk-Recorder has announced changes under California AB 2224 that take effect January 1, 2027. Anyone recording after that date should use the new county fee schedule rather than relying on 2026 amounts.

Bottom line

Use the Recorder index as a document trail, not just a name lookup

The fastest way to solve most Santa Barbara County deed questions is to identify the right record reference. Start with the official modern Recorder search when you have a person, organization, document number or approximate date. Use the Historical Index when the transaction belongs to an older index period. If all you know is the street address, obtain the APN and ownership clues from the Assessor or Surveyor first.

Once you identify the correct instrument, save its document number or book-and-page reference. That reference lets you order the actual deed or other recorded instrument, request certification when necessary, and continue backward or forward through related transfers, liens and reconveyances without depending on third-party property-record websites.

Search Santa Barbara official records Search historical records Visit Clerk-Recorder