Kern County, California • Recorder deeds & official records guide • Reviewed September 28, 2026
Kern County Recorder: Deeds, Records, Search Steps, Copies, Fees & Office Information
The Kern County Recorder records, indexes and preserves deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, maps and other official real-property documents.
Use the Recorder when you need a recorded instrument or certified copy. Use the Kern County Assessor when your starting point is a property address, APN, assessed value or parcel map.
Kern County’s online Official Records index can be searched by grantor/grantee, document number, document date and document class. Online APN searching was removed in December 2024 under a California law change.
Start here
Kern County Recorder Quick Facts
The Recorder division handles official recorded documents and land-record indexing.
Current elected Kern County Assessor-Recorder listed in county election records.
Recorder Main Office in Bakersfield, CA 93301.
Use for recording, official-record and copy questions.
Monday through Friday, except Recorder holidays.
Hall of Records, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
APN searches in Official Records are restricted to in-person kiosks.
Plus $3 for each additional page, before applicable extra charges.
The Assessor search finds a parcel from an address or APN. The Recorder search finds recorded legal instruments such as deeds, liens, releases and deeds of trust.
Office, address and map
Kern County Recorder Offices & Contact Information
Recorder Main Office
Use for: presenting original documents for recording.
Address:
1530 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 661-868-6400
Email: response@kerncounty.com
Recording fax: 661-327-3241
Recording hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Hall of Records
Use for: recorded-document copies, research and public access.
Address:
1655 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 661-868-6400
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
APN searches of Official Records remain available at county in-person kiosks, including the Hall of Records and Recorder Annex.
The Hall of Records is at the northwest corner of Truxtun and Chester Avenues. The Recorder Annex at 1530 Truxtun Avenue is directly adjacent.
Avoid the wrong office
Recorder vs Assessor vs Tax Collector: Who Handles What?
Recorder
Deeds, deeds of trust, liens, reconveyances, maps and recorded-document copies.
Assessor
Property address, APN, ATN, assessed value, property characteristics and parcel maps.
Treasurer-Tax Collector
Property-tax bills, tax payments, delinquent taxes and collection questions.
Title / legal professional
Title opinions, lien priority, deed preparation, ownership disputes and legal transfer advice.
Address or parcel → Assessor. Deed or lien document → Recorder. Tax bill → Treasurer-Tax Collector. Legal title problem → attorney or title professional.
Official records lookup
How to Search Kern County Recorder Deeds & Records
Kern County separates its Official Records search into several search methods.
Choose the method that matches the information you already know instead of trying to force an address or APN into the wrong search.
Grantor / Grantee
Best when you know the person, trust, lender or business named in the recorded document.
Document Number
Best when a prior deed, title report or Assessor record gives you the recorded instrument number.
Document Date
Useful for narrowing records when you know approximately when a deed, lien or release was recorded.
Document Class
Useful for narrowing results to deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances or another recorded-document category.
Kern County says California Assembly Bill 1785 removed APN searching from its online Official Records search. APN searches are still available at in-person kiosks.
Address-first workflow
If You Only Know the Property Address
Start with the Kern County Assessor Property Search rather than the Recorder index.
The Assessor allows address, APN and ATN searches. Owner-name searching is not available through the online Assessor search.
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Open Assessor Property Search.
Use the county’s parcel-search tool.
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Enter the street number and street name.
Kern County says not to enter the street type, city or ZIP code.
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Use a partial street name if needed.
The system returns streets beginning with the letters you enter.
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Open the correct parcel.
Confirm the property address and save the APN or ATN.
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Use recorded-document clues separately.
Move to the Recorder index when you need the deed or another legal instrument.
If you get too many results, add more of the street name. If you get none, remove the street suffix, city and ZIP and try only the core street name.
Record decoder
What Kern County Search Results Can—and Cannot—Tell You
APN: Assessor Parcel Number used to identify the assessment parcel.
ATN: another Kern County property identifier accepted by the Assessor search.
Property address: situs location used by the Assessor.
Document number: the Recorder reference used to identify a specific recorded instrument.
Grantor: a party conveying or granting an interest in a document.
Grantee: a party receiving the interest described in a document.
Document class: category such as deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien or notice.
Recorded map: subdivision, parcel, survey or other recorded mapping document.
Kern County explains that Recorder records are maintained by document number and grantor/grantee name. A title company may be appropriate when you need a complete title or lien investigation.
Recording workflow
How to Record a Deed or Other Document in Kern County
Recording examiners review documents for statutory recording requirements. They cannot give legal advice or prepare a deed for you.
Walk-in recording is handled at the Recorder Main Office at 1530 Truxtun Avenue.
Paper: black ink on white paper.
Standard size: 8½ × 11 inches.
Maximum size: 8½ × 14 inches.
Side margins: at least ½ inch on both vertical sides.
Recorder space: reserve the right-hand 5 inches of the top 2½ inches on the first page.
Return information: use the left-hand 3½ inches of that top area for the requesting party and return mailing address.
Document title: identify each title on the first page.
Land documents: include the legal description and applicable recording references.
Legibility: the document must reproduce as a readable photographic record.
Walk-in recording
Documents are recorded from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on county business days.
Kern County says original walk-in documents are generally returned to the mailing address within about 3–4 weeks after recording.
Recording by mail
Mail the original document, correct fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Recorder Main Office.
Kern County says mailed originals are generally returned about 4–6 weeks after receipt.
Recording payments may be made by check or money order payable to Kern County Recorder. Credit cards are not accepted for document recording.
Recording costs
Kern County Recorder Fees & Extra Charges
Regular 8½ × 11 document.
Charged for each additional standard page.
Applies if a page is larger or smaller than 8½ × 11, within the accepted maximum.
Applies to specified real-estate document titles.
$75 per transaction, parcel and title when applicable.
Available with recording information as an additional purchase.
Estimate the basic standard recording fee
Basic recording estimate: $13.00
This estimate covers only the $13 first-page fee plus $3 for each additional standard page. Fraud fees, SB 2 charges, transfer tax, additional titles, references, oversized pages and other statutory charges are not included.California recording charges can include documentary transfer tax, the $10 Real Estate Fraud Fee, Building Homes & Jobs Act fees and other document-specific charges.
Official copies
How to Request a Kern County Deed or Certified Copy
Recorded real-property document copies are available in person or by mail.
Kern County does not accept real-property copy requests by phone, fax, email or online.
What to provide
Document or instrument number.
Recording year.
Name of at least one party.
Document type.
Return name and address.
Copy fees
$3 for the first 8½ × 11 page per document.
$0.50 for each additional page.
$0.50 additional certification fee per document.
Mail copy requests to the Hall of Records, 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
Include the full amount by check or money order payable to Kern County Recorder plus a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Open Copy Request InstructionsKern County says the fee is retained as a statutory search fee if staff cannot locate the requested official record, so identify the document carefully before ordering.
Deed-transfer cost
Documentary Transfer Tax & SB 2 Recording Fees
Documentary transfer tax
For taxable real-property or easement transfers, Kern County lists documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500, or fraction thereof.
The county says the calculation is generally based on the greater of the unencumbered assessed value or purchase price, subject to applicable California exemptions and rules.
Building Homes & Jobs Act fee
An additional SB 2 fee can be $75 per transaction, parcel and document title, up to a $225 transaction cap when the fee applies.
If an exemption applies, Kern County provides SB 2 exemption cover pages through its Recorder Forms section.
Open Recorder FormsCorrections and legal help
Can the Recorder Fix a Deed or Recorded Document?
Recorder staff cannot provide legal advice or tell you which legal document you need to prepare.
Re-recording requirements changed under California law in 2017. Most re-recorded documents must be executed and acknowledged again unless the correction qualifies as a statutory minor correction.
Kern County provides a Corrective Affidavit form for qualifying minor corrections.
If you need to add a spouse, remove an owner, transfer property to a trust, correct a vesting issue or resolve competing ownership claims, consider a California real-estate attorney or title professional before recording.
Special Recorder services
Restrictive Covenants, Liens, Maps & Other Kern County Records
Restrictive Covenant Modification
California law allows discriminatory restrictions in older recorded documents to be addressed through a Restrictive Covenant Modification process.
Kern County says the submission is reviewed by County Counsel. When unlawful language is confirmed, the modification is signed and recorded with the unlawful restriction redacted.
There is no recording fee for the restrictive covenant modification process described by the county.
Open Restrictive Covenant Modification GuideLiens and releases
You can search official records under the relevant names to locate liens and recorded releases.
If a paid lien has not been released, the Recorder cannot create the missing release. Contact the person or agency that recorded the lien.
Recorded maps
Kern County provides a separate Recorded Map Search as part of its Official Records tools.
Avoid wasted trips
Common Kern County Recorder Search & Recording Mistakes
Trying an online APN Official Records search: Kern County removed this option in December 2024; use an in-person Recorder kiosk for APN-to-record research.
Using Recorder search for assessed value: assessed values belong in the Assessor Property Search.
Going to Hall of Records to record an original: recording itself is handled at 1530 Truxtun Avenue.
Mailing cash: use a check or money order for mailed Recorder transactions.
Using credit cards for recording: Kern County states credit cards are not accepted for document recording.
Forgetting a return envelope: include a self-addressed stamped envelope with mailed recording and copy requests.
Using oversized pages: pages larger than 8½ × 14 inches will not be accepted.
Assuming one $13 fee covers everything: transfer tax, fraud fees, SB 2 fees and document-specific charges may apply.
Expecting Recorder staff to interpret title: use a title or legal professional for ownership and lien-priority conclusions.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
Search the Assessor first, save the APN and then move to Recorder research.
Use the Official Records Grantor/Grantee search.
Use the Recorder’s Document Number search for the fastest lookup.
Identify the instrument first, then request the certified copy in person or by mail.
Review recording standards, transfer tax and possible SB 2 fees before submitting the original.
Determine the correct legal instrument first; Recorder staff cannot prepare it for you.
Contact the lienholder or agency responsible for recording the release.
Consider a title company or qualified attorney rather than relying on one county database.
Important notice
Independent Information, Legal Caution & Public-Records Notice
This page is an independent informational guide. It is not the official website of Kern County or the Kern County Assessor-Recorder.
It is not legal advice, a title report, a lien search, a deed-preparation service or an official certification of ownership.
Recorder fees, forms, processing times, office hours and recording requirements can change. Verify current requirements directly with Kern County before submitting an original document.
Public property and Recorder records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another purpose governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.
Fast answers
Kern County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Kern County Recorder office?
The Recorder Main Office is at 1530 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. The Hall of Records is at 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
What is the Kern County Recorder phone number?
The Recorder’s main phone number is 661-868-6400. The office also publishes response@kerncounty.com for Recorder contact.
How do I search Kern County deeds online?
Use the Kern County Official Records search and choose Grantor/Grantee, Document Number, Document Date or Document Class.
Can I search Kern County Recorder records online by APN?
No. Kern County removed online APN searching from Official Records effective December 9, 2024. APN searches remain available at in-person Recorder kiosks.
How do I find a property if I only know its address?
Use the Kern County Assessor Property Search. Enter the street number and street name without the street type, city or ZIP code.
How much does Kern County charge to record a deed?
The standard recording fee is $13 for the first regular-size page and $3 for each additional page, but documentary transfer tax, Real Estate Fraud fees, SB 2 fees and other charges may also apply.
How much is a copy of a recorded Kern County deed?
The county lists $3 for the first 8½ × 11 page, $0.50 for each additional page and an additional $0.50 per document for certification.
Can I order a recorded real-property document online?
Kern County says real-property document copy requests are accepted in person or by mail, not by phone, fax, email or online.
Can Kern County Recorder staff prepare or correct my deed?
Recorder staff cannot provide legal advice or prepare legal documents. Certain minor errors may qualify for a Corrective Affidavit, while other changes may require a newly executed document.
Does Kern County keep one complete property file?
No. The Recorder explains that official records are maintained by document number and grantor/grantee name. A title company may be needed for a complete title or lien investigation.
Official resources
Kern County Recorder Official Resources
Main official hub for recorded-document services.
Official index search for deeds and other recorded instruments.
Search property by address, APN or ATN.
Recording standards, submission methods, fees and return timing.
In-person and mail instructions for deed and official-record copies.
SB 2 exemption cover pages, Corrective Affidavit, PCOR and other Recorder forms.
County answers about liens, title research, document forms and Recorder services.
California process for removing unlawful restrictive language from historical records.