Fresno County, California • Recorder, deeds and official records • Reviewed September 18, 2026
Fresno County CA Recorder: Deeds, Official Records, Copies, Fees and Office Guide
The Fresno County Recorder records deeds, liens, releases, maps and other official documents that give public notice of real-estate activity in Fresno County.
The Recorder also provides copies of recorded documents online, in person and by mail. The office is part of the Fresno County Assessor-Recorder operation.
If you need a deed copy, start with the official records search. If you need to record a new deed or transfer document, review the recording requirements before mailing or visiting.
Fast answer
Fresno County Recorder Quick Facts
Records and preserves public records, including property documents and other official filings.
Fresno, CA 93721. The county states the Recorder is no longer in the Hall of Records.
Monday through Friday, excluding Fresno County holidays.
Use this number for recorded-document and property-record questions.
Use this number for birth, death and marriage certificate questions.
The self-service index covers documents recorded on or after January 1, 1981.
Older grantor-grantee indexes are scanned images and do not work like a modern search box.
Certified copies require a live signature and official seal, so they are mailed.
People searching “fresno county recorder” usually want a deed copy, lien search, recorded document image, recording fee, office address or help knowing whether the Recorder, Assessor or Tax Collector handles their issue.
Address, phone and map
Fresno County Recorder Office Location
Fresno County Recorder
Street address: 1250 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93721
Property records phone: 559-600-3471
Vital records phone: 559-600-3476
Fax: 559-600-1484
Email: recorderwebmail@fresnocountyca.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, excluding county holidays.
Assessor-Recorder: Paul Dictos, CPA
Arrival tips
The county says the Recorder has moved from the Hall of Records to 1250 Van Ness Ave.
For recorded-document copies, the county says free parking is available for customers at the new location.
Bring the document number, names on the document, document type and payment method if you are ordering in person.
Map: Fresno County Recorder, 1250 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93721
After opening: confirm the latest hours, phone numbers and office notices before visiting. Use the Recorder page for recorded documents, forms, fee schedule, property-owner alert and vital-record links.
Official records search
How to Search Fresno County Deeds and Official Records Online
Fresno County’s online self-service system is the practical starting point for deeds and recorded documents from January 1, 1981 forward.
The county warns that the online index is similar to a library card catalog. It is a guide to recorded documents, not a complete title opinion.
-
Open the official self-service search.
Read the disclaimer and select “I Accept” if you agree.
Open Fresno County Recorder Self-Service -
Select “Official Records Search and Copies.”
This is the county’s recorded-document search and copy workflow.
-
Search by name first.
The county says the best search result is often by last name, first name.
-
Try spelling variations.
The official disclaimer advises users to search all possible spelling variations and other criteria.
-
Open the matching document index.
Review document type, recording date, document number, grantor and grantee names.
-
Download and save immediately.
The county warns that the image can be lost if it is not saved before closing or moving on.
Search the grantor and grantee side. A deed, lien, release, reconveyance or notice may appear under different names, business names, trusts or prior owners.
How to search older Fresno County indexes before 1981
Fresno County states that documents before January 1, 1981 are available through scanned grantor-grantee index books.
These images do not currently have normal search options. Select the index, choose the year range, select the letter or name range and continue through the index.
If you find the book/page or document reference, use it when requesting a copy from the Recorder.
Open Fresno recorded documents pageCopies and certified copies
How to Get a Copy of a Fresno County Deed or Recorded Document
Search the self-service system, pay online and download/save the image.
The county says you can use second-floor computers and the Eagle Recording Kiosk workflow.
Include document details, return address and a check or money order. Do not send cash.
What to include in a mail request
Document or instrument number: include book and page if the document has one.
Pre-1981 record: include book, page and year when available.
Party name: include at least one grantor or grantee name from the document.
Document type: grant deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien, release, map or other type.
Return information: include the name and address where copies should be returned.
Payment: include a check or money order payable to Fresno County Recorder. Do not send cash.
After opening: choose online, in-person or mail. If ordering online, save the downloaded image right away. If requesting a certified copy, expect it to be mailed because the certification requires live signature and seal.
Recording deeds and documents
Recording Requirements for Fresno County Deeds and Real-Estate Documents
The Recorder records documents that are authorized or required by California law, contain required information and are photographically reproducible.
Recorder staff cannot provide legal advice or prepare deeds, quitclaim deeds, affidavits of death or other title documents for you.
Fresno County property: the property must be located in Fresno County.
Authorized document: the document must be authorized or required by law to be recorded.
Fees and taxes: recording fees and required transfer taxes must accompany the document.
Readable original: the document must be legible and photographically reproducible.
Original signatures: signatures must be original unless an exception applies for a certified copy.
Notary acknowledgment: most deeds need a proper California all-purpose acknowledgment.
APN requirement: documents transferring an interest in real property must include the Assessor’s Parcel Number.
Return address: include “Recording requested by and mail to” information for return after recording.
PCOR: a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is required for many ownership transfers.
Common reasons a recording can be delayed or rejected
Illegible text, dark backgrounds, fax copies, colored/shaded areas, unreadable notary seals and missing return-address space can create problems.
If there is not enough room for the Recorder’s stamp on the first page, the county may add a cover page and charge the applicable fee.
If a PCOR is required but missing, the county may charge the additional ownership-change fee.
After opening: download the correct cover page, Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration, Preliminary Change of Ownership Report or restrictive covenant form. Do not use a form without checking whether it fits your specific legal situation.
Fees snapshot
Fresno County Recorder Fees to Check Before Ordering or Recording
Recorder fees can change. Always confirm the current Fresno County fee schedule before mailing a request or bringing documents to record.
The fee schedule lists $0.50 for each additional 8½ x 11 page.
This is an additional fee when a certified copy is requested.
Listed for the first page of each document, subject to other applicable fees.
Listed for each additional page of a document submitted for recording.
Listed when ownership changes and the required Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is not submitted.
The Affordable Housing and Jobs Act fee may apply to recorded documents unless exempt.
The fee schedule lists a Survey Monument Preservation Fee effective May 23, 2024.
Applies to taxable conveyances over $100, based on value conveyed excluding existing liens.
After opening: check both “Document Recording” and “Copies of Recorded Documents.” If recording a deed, check transfer tax, PCOR, SB2 and any page-size or cover-page fee before mailing payment.
Fraud awareness
Fresno County Property Owner’s Protection Alert
Fresno County offers a Property Owner’s Protection Alert service for activity related to property records.
The county says there is no charge for the service, and it applies only to documents recorded after your subscription is activated.
Email content: the alert may include document number, recording date, document type, grantor/grantee names and a link to view index information.
Limit: not all APNs and names are entered in the Official Records Index.
Common-name caution: common surnames or first names can produce extra alerts that may not apply to you.
Document contents: staff will not interpret the contents of a document for you.
Fraud concern: if you suspect fraudulent title activity, Fresno County directs owners to the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit.
After opening: register the name or property information you want monitored. Save the confirmation. Remember that alerts are not a substitute for legal review, title insurance or a full title search.
Avoid the wrong office
Recorder vs Assessor vs Tax Collector in Fresno County
Recorder
Use for: deeds, recorded documents, liens, releases, maps, official records, copy requests and recording requirements.
Office: 1250 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93721
Property phone: 559-600-3471
Assessor
Use for: assessed value, APN questions, exemptions, ownership transfer processing and parcel maps.
Office: Hall of Records, 2281 Tulare Street, Room 201, Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-600-3534
Auditor-Controller / Treasurer-Tax Collector
Use for: tax bills, tax payments, delinquent taxes and property-tax collection questions.
Office: Hall of Records, Room 105, 2281 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Property tax phone: 559-600-3482
Clerk of the Board
Use for: assessment appeals and official Board of Supervisors records.
Office: Hall of Records, Room 301, 2281 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: 559-600-3529, Option 4
A recorded deed gives public notice of a document. It does not mean the Recorder has verified every legal title issue, property boundary, value, tax amount or private agreement.
Common mistakes
Common Fresno County Recorder Mistakes to Avoid
Expecting a new deed after paying off a mortgage: Fresno County explains that you generally already received the grant deed when you bought the home; payoff usually results in a release or reconveyance-type document.
Assuming the county has one full property file: the Recorder says there is no single county file containing every deed, easement and related record for a property.
Searching only one name: also search name variations, business names, trusts, prior owners and alternate spellings.
Closing the online image too soon: download and save the image before leaving the online copy screen.
Sending cash by mail: the county says mail orders require check or money order and no cash.
Recording without PCOR review: many transfers require a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.
Asking Recorder staff to prepare a deed: state law prohibits the office from giving legal advice or helping prepare legal documents.
Using Recorder records for screening: do not use public records for employment, tenant screening, credit, insurance or other FCRA-regulated decisions.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
Use the official records search first. Search by last name, first name, then save the document image after payment.
Order through the Recorder. Expect the certified copy to be mailed because it requires live signature and official seal.
Review recording requirements, PCOR rules, transfer tax and fees before bringing or mailing the document.
Contact the person, company or agency that placed the lien and ask them to record a release if appropriate.
Use the Fresno County Assessor, not the Recorder, for assessed value, parcel maps and assessment questions.
Review the Property Owner’s Protection Alert and contact the Fresno County District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit if needed.
Important caution
Independent Information, Legal Caution and Public-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Fresno County, the Fresno County Recorder, the Assessor-Recorder, the Tax Collector or any government agency.
This guide is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice or a substitute for a title company, attorney, escrow officer or official county determination.
Recording fees, office hours, portal behavior, forms and document requirements can change. Verify current requirements with the responsible Fresno County office before recording or ordering copies.
Public property records should not be used for employment, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act or similar laws. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.
FAQs
Fresno County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Fresno County Recorder office?
The Fresno County Recorder is located at 1250 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93721.
What is the Fresno County Recorder phone number for property records?
The Recorder lists 559-600-3471 as the property records phone number.
How do I search Fresno County deeds online?
Open the Fresno County Recorder self-service system, accept the disclaimer and choose Official Records Search and Copies.
What years are searchable online in Fresno County official records?
The online index covers documents recorded on or after January 1, 1981. Older records are available through scanned grantor-grantee index images.
Can I get a certified copy of a Fresno County deed online?
You can order through the county’s recorded-document process, but certified copies are mailed because they require a live signature and official seal.
How much is a regular recorded-document copy?
The Fresno County fee schedule lists $1.50 for the first 8½ x 11 page and $0.50 for each additional 8½ x 11 page. Verify the current fee schedule before ordering.
What is the basic recording fee for the first page?
The Fresno County fee schedule lists $19.00 for the first page of each document, with other fees and taxes possible depending on the document.
Does Fresno County Recorder prepare deeds?
No. Recorder staff cannot give legal advice or help prepare deeds, quitclaim deeds, affidavits of death or other title documents.
Do I get a new deed after paying off my mortgage?
Usually no. Fresno County explains that you already own the grant deed recorded when you purchased the home; payoff usually results in a document showing the lender’s claim was released.
Which office handles assessed value and APN questions?
The Fresno County Assessor handles assessed value, parcel maps, APN and assessment questions. The Recorder handles recorded documents and copies.
Official resources