San Joaquin County, California • Stockton deed & official-record guide • Reviewed September 2026
San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk: Deeds & Records
The San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk in Stockton records deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, court decrees, maps and many other documents affecting real property.
Use the Recorder when you need a recorded document, recording reference, certified copy or deed filing. Use the Assessor when you need parcel data, assessed value or change-of-ownership assessment information.
The county maintains recorded documents dating to 1851. Its online Grantor/Grantee Index covers records from January 1, 1968 forward, while older documents can be researched through the Recorder’s archival systems.
Fast answer
San Joaquin County Recorder Quick Facts
The recording division is part of the San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.
San Joaquin County’s current Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.
Second Floor, Suite 260, Stockton, CA 95202.
Use for recording, copy, fee and official-record questions.
Weekdays except county holidays.
The general Recorder office remains open until 4:30 PM.
The Recorder says it maintains 168 different recorded-document types.
Older deeds are available through digital and film records at the office.
If you only know the property address, first identify the owner and Assessor Parcel Number through the Assessor. Then use party names and recording details in the Recorder’s Grantor/Grantee Index.
Stockton location
San Joaquin County Recorder Address, Phone, Hours & Google Map
Office of the Recorder-County Clerk
Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk: Steve J. Bestolarides
Address:
44 North San Joaquin Street
Second Floor, Suite 260
Stockton, CA 95202
Phone: 209-468-3939
Fax: 209-468-8040
General office hours: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM weekdays, except holidays.
Document recording: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Recorded-document copies: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM.
The building may remain open after 4:00 PM, but the county currently lists document-recording service only through 4:00 PM.
Choose Recorder for deeds and real-property records. Use County Clerk only for services such as fictitious business names, notary filings and other Clerk functions.
Official-record lookup
How to Search San Joaquin County Deeds Online
San Joaquin County provides a public Self-Service Portal with a Grantor/Grantee Index for official records.
The county describes the index as a catalog that points to recorded documents. It recommends searching all reasonable spelling variations before concluding that no record exists.
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Open the county Self-Service Portal.
Use the official Tyler Technologies portal linked by San Joaquin County.
Open Official Records SearchAfter opening:Read the disclaimer and select I Accept. Then open the official-record search rather than a vital-record or marriage application.
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Search party names.
Try grantor and grantee names, including spelling variations, initials and prior names when relevant.
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Add recording dates when known.
A narrower date range helps when searching a common surname or business name.
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Compare document types.
Look for grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien, release, easement or the document relevant to your research.
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Save the recording reference.
Keep the document number, recording date and party names for copy requests or deeper research.
The Recorder warns users not to rely on index information alone when making a legal determination about the underlying document.
Historical documents
What If the San Joaquin County Deed Is Older Than 1968?
The public Grantor/Grantee Index covers January 1, 1968 to the present.
Deeds and other official records from before January 1, 1968 are available digitally and on film through the Recorder’s Office.
Start with the online Grantor/Grantee Index.
Use the Recorder’s in-office digital or film records.
Subdivision, survey and parcel maps date back to 1851.
Check the date of the record. For pre-1968 documents, plan an office visit or contact Recorder staff with the party name, approximate year and document type.
Right office first
Recorder vs. Assessor: Which San Joaquin County Office Do You Need?
Recorder-County Clerk
- Grant and quitclaim deeds
- Deeds of trust and mortgages
- Reconveyances and releases
- Liens and easements
- Subdivision and parcel maps
- Certified recorded-document copies
County Assessor
Address: 44 N. San Joaquin Street, Suite 230, Stockton, CA 95202
Phone: 209-468-2630
- Assessor Parcel Number
- Assessed value
- Change of ownership
- Supplemental assessments
- Property tax exemptions
Find the APN and parcel details with the Assessor, then use grantor/grantee names and recording references to locate the actual deed through the Recorder.
Recording workflow
How to Record a Deed in San Joaquin County
San Joaquin County accepts recordable documents over the counter and by mail or UPS.
A deed affecting ownership normally requires additional California transfer documentation, so do not treat recording as simply mailing a signed deed with a base fee.
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Confirm the property is in San Joaquin County.
A Recorder records documents affecting property within that county.
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Prepare a legible recordable document.
Use the correct legal description, signatures, acknowledgment and statutory wording for the transaction.
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Add return information.
Include the name and address where the recorded document should be returned.
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Complete the PCOR when required.
Ownership-change documents generally need a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.
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Determine documentary transfer tax.
The deed needs the appropriate transfer-tax declaration or valid exemption language.
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Check all recording fees.
Base recording, page fees, SB 2, fraud-related or other statutory charges may apply.
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Submit and retain proof.
Keep the receipt and recorded document number after acceptance.
Review the over-the-counter and mail-in sections. Confirm legibility, return address, PCOR, payment method and the mailing address before submitting the original document.
Grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, trust transfers, survivorship changes and estate transfers can have different legal and tax consequences. Use a California attorney or qualified title professional when the correct instrument is uncertain.
California ownership form
Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR)
California uses the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, commonly called a PCOR, when many documents transfer real property.
The transferee or buyer completes the form. San Joaquin County states that a PCOR should accompany each qualifying conveyance presented to the Recorder.
BOE-502-A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.
The transferee or buyer.
The Recorder may charge an additional $20 recording fee when a required PCOR is not filed concurrently.
A purchase can trigger a supplemental assessment that is separate from escrow’s ordinary tax handling.
Download the BOE-502-A form, answer every applicable section, sign the certification and include it with the ownership-changing document when required.
Transfer cost
San Joaquin County Documentary Transfer Tax
Documentary Transfer Tax generally applies to taxable conveyances when the property value exceeds $100.
San Joaquin County currently publishes the county tax rate as $0.55 for each $500, or fractional portion of $500, of taxable real-property value after qualifying recorded liens or encumbrances.
Applies to taxable value under the county’s published rule.
The tax is collected when the transfer document is recorded.
The transfer-tax declaration must appear on the document.
If no transfer tax is due, San Joaquin County instructs filers to show zero on the tax line and provide a completed exemption affidavit with the applicable Revenue and Taxation Code basis.
Open Documentary Transfer Tax guidanceReview the $0.55-per-$500 formula, then check the county’s common exemption examples. Recorder staff cannot determine which legal exemption applies to your private transaction.
Use this only if your transaction qualifies for an exemption. Complete it in full and file it with the deed at the time of recording.
Recording costs
San Joaquin County Recorder Fees
California recording fees can include several statutory components, so the base first-page fee may not equal the total amount due.
The standard first-page fee increased to $16 effective July 1, 2025.
Listed in the county Recorder fee schedule for additional recording pages.
May apply when an ownership-changing document is recorded without the required PCOR.
Separate from ordinary recording fees when the conveyance is taxable.
Published copy charge for subdivision, survey and parcel maps.
Additional certification fee for a recorded map.
The California Building Homes and Jobs Act fee and other statutory charges may apply depending on the document and available exemptions. Check the current official schedule before writing a check.
Identify your exact document type, count pages and titles, then check whether SB 2, fraud, indexing, transfer-tax, PCOR or other statutory charges apply.
Document copies
How to Get a San Joaquin County Deed Copy
If you need a deed for research, first find its index reference through the Self-Service Portal.
If a court, lender or agency needs an official copy, request Recorder certification rather than relying on an ordinary photocopy.
For copies made through the county’s self-assisted process.
Published fee when Recorder staff make the copy.
Added when an officially certified document copy is required.
San Joaquin County states that certified recorded-document copies may be used in place of originals for court proceedings and legal purposes.
Open recorded copy feesDecide whether you need a self-assisted copy, staff-assisted copy or certified copy. Have the document number, recording date and party names ready.
Mail-in recording
How to Mail a Deed for Recording
San Joaquin County accepts recordable documents by mail or UPS.
Confirm county: the property must be located in San Joaquin County.
Check legibility: unreadable documents can create recording problems.
Add requester details: include the name of the person requesting recording.
Add return address: state where the document should be returned.
Include PCOR: ownership-changing documents generally require it.
Include payment: use check, cashier’s check or money order for mail service.
Office of the County Recorder
44 N. San Joaquin Street
Second Floor, Suite 260
Stockton, CA 95202
Make checks or money orders payable to the San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk.
South County option
San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk Lathrop Office
San Joaquin County also operates a Recorder-County Clerk satellite location inside Lathrop City Hall.
Lathrop Satellite Office
Address: 390 Towne Centre Drive, Lathrop, CA 95330
Recorder-County Clerk phone: 209-941-5050
Hours: Wednesday & Thursday, 8:00 AM–3:30 PM
Recorder services available
Document recording services are available at this location.
Copies of deeds, liens and other records can also be requested.
Not available there
Recording or copies of maps are not offered at the satellite office.
Some specialized County Clerk services remain Stockton-only.
Confirm the service you need is offered at Lathrop and check the current Wednesday/Thursday schedule before driving there.
Property protection
San Joaquin County Recorder Fraud Notification Program
San Joaquin County strengthened its real-estate fraud notification protections in 2026.
Under the county’s Recorder Notification Program, property owners can receive notice when key ownership-related documents such as deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages or deeds of trust are recorded.
County guidance says notifications are sent within 30 days, giving owners an opportunity to investigate an unfamiliar recording.
Compare the notice with your recent sale, refinance, trust, estate or title activity. If you do not recognize the transaction, obtain the recorded document and act promptly.
Review which documents trigger notification and what the county recommends when a mailed notice shows a transaction you did not authorize.
Avoid delays
Common San Joaquin County Recorder Mistakes
Searching only one spelling: the county specifically recommends searching name variations in the Grantor/Grantee Index.
Expecting the index to prove title: it is a finding aid, not a legal determination about the underlying document.
Using the Recorder for assessed value: assessed-value and parcel-assessment questions belong with the Assessor.
Missing PCOR: a required Preliminary Change of Ownership Report omitted from a transfer can add a $20 fee.
Ignoring transfer tax: the $16 standard first-page fee is not necessarily the entire cost of recording a deed.
Arriving after the recording counter closes: document recording currently ends at 4:00 PM even though some office services continue later.
Assuming all records are online: the public Grantor/Grantee index starts in 1968, while the county holds older records back to 1851.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
Search the Grantor/Grantee Index, save the recording number and request a copy if needed.
Use the Assessor to identify the APN and current assessment record, then search Recorder names.
Locate the document first, then request Recorder certification at the published copy rate.
Review PCOR, documentary transfer tax, recording requirements and the current fee schedule.
For pre-1968 material, contact or visit the Recorder for digital or film archive research.
Get the recorded document immediately and consider contacting law enforcement and qualified legal counsel.
Important caution
Independent Information, Legal Caution & Public Records Notice
This page is an independent informational guide. It is not the official San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk website.
The Recorder records documents presented in recordable form. Recording does not guarantee that the document is legally valid, that ownership is undisputed or that title is clear.
Deed drafting, trust transfers, probate, divorce, ownership changes and title defects can affect important legal rights. Use qualified California legal or title assistance when appropriate.
Recording fees, office schedules, forms, statutory surcharges and online portal features can change. Verify current information with the county before recording or paying.
Do not use public property records for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another FCRA-regulated purpose. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.
Fast answers
San Joaquin County Recorder FAQs
What is the San Joaquin County Recorder called?
The recording office is part of the San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. Steve J. Bestolarides is the current Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.
Where is the San Joaquin County Recorder in Stockton?
The main Recorder-County Clerk office is at 44 North San Joaquin Street, Second Floor, Suite 260, Stockton, California 95202.
What are the San Joaquin County Recorder hours?
General office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays. Document recording is currently offered from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
How do I search San Joaquin County deeds online?
Use the official county Self-Service Portal and accept the disclaimer to search the Grantor/Grantee Index. The public index covers January 1, 1968 to the present.
How do I find a San Joaquin County deed from before 1968?
The Recorder states that pre-1968 deeds and other official records are available digitally and on film through the office.
How much is the standard San Joaquin County recording fee?
The standard first-page recording fee increased to $16 effective July 1, 2025. Other page, SB 2, fraud, transfer-tax and statutory fees may also apply.
How much does a certified San Joaquin County deed copy cost?
The county lists self-assisted copies at $1 per page, staff-assisted copies at $3 per page and certification at an additional $2 per document.
What is the San Joaquin County documentary transfer tax rate?
The county publishes a rate of $0.55 for each $500, or fractional portion, of taxable real-property value, subject to statutory exemptions.
Do I need a PCOR when recording a deed?
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is generally required with qualifying documents that change ownership. The Recorder may charge an additional $20 when a required PCOR is not filed concurrently.
Is there a San Joaquin County Recorder office outside Stockton?
Yes. The Recorder-County Clerk has a Lathrop satellite office at 390 Towne Centre Drive. Current published hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Official resources