Yolo County Recorder: Search Deeds, Official Records & Copies
Use the Yolo County Recorder when you need a recorded deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien, easement document, lis pendens, map, or another document recorded against real property in Yolo County. The office also accepts properly prepared real-property documents for recording.
The fastest route depends on what information you already have. If you know a grantor or grantee name or document number, go directly to the Recorder index. If you only know a street address or parcel number, start with the Assessor, identify the ownership or latest recorded-document reference, and then return to the Recorder.
Yolo County Clerk-Recorder, Room B01 in Woodland.
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., except holidays.
Party name, document number, type or recording date.
Selected deed and official-record books extend back to 1850.
530-666-8130 for Clerk-Recorder service questions.
Which Yolo County office has the record you actually need?
“Property records” can mean several different things. Sending every question to the Recorder creates unnecessary work because deeds, assessment data and property-tax bills are maintained by different county offices.
Use the Clerk-Recorder for deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, releases, lis pendens and other recorded instruments.
Search Recorder recordsUse the Yolo County Assessor for assessment-roll ownership information, parcel numbers, assessed values and property characteristics.
Start from an addressUse the Yolo County Tax Collector for current bills, delinquent taxes, installment payments and payment history.
Route tax questionsDissolution records are maintained by Yolo County Superior Court, not the Clerk-Recorder’s recorded-property index.
See office routingYolo County Recorder guide
Jump directly to the task you are trying to complete.
How to search Yolo County deeds and recorded documents online
Yolo County provides an official self-service index for recorded real-property documents. The county states that records can be searched by name, document number, document type or recording date. For many deed searches, the grantor and grantee names are the most useful starting points.
Open Yolo County Search Records Online →
Open official Self-Service →
If you only know the property address, do this first
A common mistake is trying to use the Recorder like an assessor parcel lookup. Recorder indexing focuses on the parties named in recorded instruments. The Assessor is usually the better first stop when all you have is an address.
Open Yolo County property lookup →
How to read a Yolo County Recorder index result
An index entry is a locator for a recorded document. It is not the same thing as reading the deed itself. Before paying for a copy, make sure the index record is consistent with the property transaction you are researching.
CHECKLIST
Do not confuse a deed with a deed of trust
A grant deed or other conveyance deed can transfer an ownership interest. A deed of trust is typically associated with a secured loan. A reconveyance generally relates to release of a deed of trust after the secured obligation has been satisfied. Seeing a person’s name on a deed of trust does not by itself tell you the complete ownership history.
How to order a Yolo County deed or recorded-document copy
Once you have the correct document reference, Yolo County lets you order recorded documents through its official records service. The county separates the search from the payment process, so adding a document to the online cart is not necessarily the final payment step.
Open Order Documents Online →
$5 first page
$2 each additional page
Useful for personal records, title research and document review when certification is not required.
Regular copy charges plus a $3 certification fee.
Use when an agency or transaction specifically requires Recorder certification. Delivery fees may be additional.
How far back do Yolo County deed records go?
Yolo County’s current records-search page lists Official Records and historical books of Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Lis Pendens and Miscellaneous records from 1850 to the present through its records resources. Older research often requires more patience because historical records may use book/page references rather than modern document numbers.
| Record collection | Current county guidance | Practical approach |
|---|---|---|
| Deeds | Historical deed books are included in the county’s searchable resources. | Search owner names and use advanced historical references when needed. |
| Deeds of Trust | Historical books are included in the listed online/search service collections. | Search borrower or party names and follow book/page references. |
| Lis Pendens / Miscellaneous | Listed among historical searchable books. | Use names, approximate date and document type. |
| Historical Bonds, Leases, Liens, Mortgages | County states an in-person search is required for these historical books. | Visit the Recorder office and bring every name/date/reference you already have. |
| Historical maps | Some historical map searches require an in-person visit. | Bring the map name, book, page, subdivision or parcel-map reference when available. |
How to record a deed with the Yolo County Recorder
Recording a deed is different from searching for one. The Recorder examines a submitted document for statutory recording requirements, but the office does not decide what deed you should use, draft the document, determine whether the transfer protects your legal interests, or give legal or tax advice.
Grant deeds and quitclaim deeds are two common instruments used in California ownership transfers. Which instrument is appropriate depends on the transaction. If ownership rights, inheritance, trusts, divorce, creditor exposure, tax consequences or disputed title are involved, obtain appropriate professional advice before signing.
Prepare the deed package before you arrive
Do not forget the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
A transfer of real property will commonly require a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR / BOE-502-A). The county states that when a qualifying ownership-transfer document is presented without the required PCOR, an additional $20 recording fee may be assessed.
Choose how to submit the document
Take the completed document to 625 Court Street, Room B01, Woodland. The county’s recording page states documents presented by 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, are recorded the same day.
Mail the completed package and required payment to the Clerk-Recorder. The county currently lists mail recording at approximately 1–3 business days after receipt.
Professional submitters such as title companies, attorneys and lenders can use authorized electronic-recording agents. This is not the same as a general consumer upload portal.
Yolo County deed recording fees, transfer tax and possible surcharges
The total cost to record a deed cannot safely be reduced to one flat number. The amount can depend on page count, document type, documentary transfer tax, the Building Homes and Jobs Act fee, restrictive-covenant program charges, exemptions and other document-specific requirements.
| Possible charge | What it means | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Base recording fee | Depends on the recordable instrument and page count. | Use the current Recorder fee information or call 530-666-8130 for a fee quote. |
| Documentary transfer tax | Yolo County’s transfer-tax declaration form shows a calculation of $0.55 per $500 or portion thereof when the transaction is taxable. | Determine whether the transfer is taxable or qualifies for an exemption before submitting. |
| SB 2 fee | The Building Homes and Jobs Act can add $75 per qualifying real-estate instrument, subject to statutory exemptions and caps. | Use the county cover sheet and clearly state a valid exemption when applicable. |
| AB 1466 charge | A $2 restrictive-covenant program charge may apply to documents not exempt under the county’s published rules. | Check the current cover-sheet instructions before recording. |
| Missing PCOR | An additional $20 fee can apply when a required Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is not filed with the transfer document. | Complete and submit the PCOR whenever required. |
How to look for easements in Yolo County records
Easement research is more involved than simply opening an assessor parcel map. Yolo County explains that easements can be created by a recorded map, inside a deed, or through a separate agreement, and they may be recorded separately from the ownership deed.
Yolo County Recorder office address, hours and mailing information
625 Court Street, Room B01
Woodland, CA 95695
Phone: 530-666-8130
Fax: 530-666-8109
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., excluding holidays
P.O. Box 1130
Woodland, CA 95776
For mailed recordings, include the completed document package and the payment method required by the county. Review the current Recording page before mailing.
Why your Yolo County deed search may show no result
| Problem | Likely reason | What to try next |
|---|---|---|
| No result by address | Recorder records are indexed primarily by names and document references. | Use the Assessor to identify the owner or latest recorded-document information, then search the Recorder by name. |
| Too many name matches | Common surname, broad date range or multiple entities use similar names. | Add a date range, document type, first name, middle initial, trust name or business suffix. |
| Recent deed is missing | The online General Index may not yet reflect a newly recorded document. | Allow up to the county’s normal indexing window or call the Recorder if timing is critical. |
| Copy request cannot be completed | You may not have supplied a valid document reference. | Return to the index and capture the exact document number or book/page citation. |
| Old lien or mortgage is not online | Certain historical collections require an in-person search. | Visit Room B01 with the party names and approximate recording period. |
| Owner name differs from what you expected | Property may be held by a trust, entity, estate or another legal title holder. | Review the latest deed and trace the ownership documents rather than relying only on a mailing name. |
Where to go for taxes, values, parcel information and court records
| Your task | Correct office | Official next step |
|---|---|---|
| Search or copy a recorded deed | Clerk-Recorder | Search recorded documents |
| Find APN, current assessment or assessment-roll ownership | Assessor | Open Yolo County Assessor |
| Find or pay property-tax bill | Yolo County Tax Collector | Open Property Tax service |
| Search divorce / dissolution case | Yolo County Superior Court | Use the court’s Civil Division rather than the Recorder’s land-record index. |
| Investigate a physical property boundary | Survey / land professional | Use recorded maps and deeds as source documents, then obtain professional survey interpretation when legal boundary accuracy matters. |
What to do if you find a suspicious Yolo County property document
If an unfamiliar deed, transfer or other suspicious real-estate document appears under your name or property history, do not assume the Recorder can simply delete it. The Recorder maintains recorded documents and indexing; suspected criminal real-estate fraud is a separate issue.
Open official real-estate-fraud guidance →
Yolo County Recorder resources worth bookmarking
County instructions and access to official property-record indices.
Open search page →Direct official index entry point for customer searches.
Open Self-Service →Instructions for purchasing regular and certified recorded-document copies.
Order documents →In-person, mail and professional electronic-recording instructions.
Open recording guide →PCOR, cover sheets and other Recorder forms.
View forms →Office policies, hours, delivery rules and index disclosures.
Plan your visit →Yolo County Recorder FAQs
How do I search Yolo County deeds online?
Open the official Yolo County Search Records Online page and continue to the Recorder Self-Service index. Search using a document number when known; otherwise use the grantor or grantee name, document type or recording-date range.
Can I search the Yolo County Recorder by address?
The Recorder’s real-property index is primarily name and document-reference based. If all you know is an address, begin with the Yolo County property lookup or Assessor to identify the relevant owner, parcel or latest recorded-document information, then search the Recorder index.
Can the Recorder’s staff search for my deed?
Yolo County states that Clerk-Recorder staff do not perform customer record searches. Use the public index first and obtain the document number, book/page reference or other specific document information needed for your copy request.
How much is a copy of a recorded deed?
The county currently lists a recorded-document copy at $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page. Certification is an additional $3. Delivery charges may also apply, so confirm the current amount before ordering.
How far back can I search Yolo County deeds?
The county’s current search page lists Official Records and historical books of Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Lis Pendens and Miscellaneous records from 1850 to the present. Historical Bonds, Leases, Liens, Mortgage books and historical Maps may require an in-person search.
Where is the Yolo County Recorder located?
The Clerk-Recorder is at the Erwin Meyer Administration Center, 625 Court Street, Room B01, Woodland, CA 95695. The public counter lists hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding county holidays.
Can I record a deed by mail?
Yes. Mail properly prepared documents with the required payment to Yolo County Clerk-Recorder, P.O. Box 1130, Woodland, CA 95776. The county says documents received by mail are generally recorded within one to three business days.
What is a PCOR and do I need one?
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, commonly called a PCOR, provides information to the Assessor about a property transfer. It commonly accompanies a document that changes ownership. Yolo County states that a $20 additional recording fee may apply when a required PCOR is not submitted with the transfer document.
Where can I find a Yolo County property-tax bill?
Use the Yolo County Tax Collector’s property-tax service rather than the Recorder. The Recorder maintains recorded documents; the Tax Collector handles property-tax bills, balances and payments.
The fastest way to get the right Yolo County property record
Start with the information you already have. If you know a party name or document number, go directly to the Yolo County Recorder’s official records search. If you have only a street address, use the Assessor first to identify the ownership or document reference and then move to the Recorder. Once you find the index entry, save the exact instrument or book/page reference before ordering a copy.
For a new deed, prepare the document, signatures, notary acknowledgment, PCOR, tax declarations, exemption statements and applicable fees before submitting it. Use the Recorder for the public document, the Assessor for assessment information and the Tax Collector for the actual property-tax bill. Following that sequence prevents most failed searches and unnecessary third-party searches.