Stanislaus County CA Recorder Office: Address & Records

The Recorder maintains the official archive of recorded land instruments. It also collects documentary transfer tax on qualifying real estate transactions.

Recorded deeds are used to document property transfers. Deeds of trust, liens and reconveyances help show financing and other recorded interests.

The Recorder’s published office address is in downtown Modesto, near the intersection of I Street and 11th Street.

Google Map: Stanislaus County Recorder Office

Use the map below to locate 1021 I Street in Modesto. Call ahead if you need to verify the current service entrance or accessible counter.

Stanislaus County provides a public Official Records Index through its RecorderWorks system.

The index includes grantor and grantee information, document types, recording dates and document numbers.

Available search methods

Step-by-step: Find a deed by name

1. Open RecorderWorks.

   Select the Name Search option if it is not already active.

2. Enter the recorded party’s name.

   The county recommends entering the last name followed by the first name.

   Example format: Smith Allison.

3. Narrow the results.

   Add a partial first name or a recording date range when too many records appear.

4. Open the matching document entry.

   Click its document number to review the indexed information.

5. Explore related records.

   On the document page, select a party name in the left-hand menu to view records associated with that name.

6. Save the recording reference.

   Keep the document number, type, recording date and party names for future research or a copy request.

Can you see the full deed image online?

The county distinguishes public online index access from viewing recorded-document images.

According to its Recorder FAQ, document images are available for viewing at the Clerk-Recorder’s Office rather than through unrestricted online image access.

The search portal also provides a shopping-cart option for ordering a copy of a selected record.

The Stanislaus County Recorder preserves authorized documents affecting real property and other matters required to be recorded by law.

If a deed or mortgage was recorded in Stanislaus County, the Clerk-Recorder can provide a copy.

A certified copy may be needed for court proceedings, certain title transactions or other purposes requiring official certification.

Option 1: Start with the online index

1. Search RecorderWorks.

   Find the deed using a name, recording date or document number.

2. Select the matching entry.

   Check its document number and identifying information.

3. Use the available ordering option.

   The portal allows you to select an item and add it to the shopping cart.

4. Choose the appropriate copy service.

   Follow the county’s ordering instructions and verify whether certification is required.

Option 2: Request a copy by mail

The county provides a printable Copy Request Form — Official Records.

The form includes spaces for the document title, recording date, document number, volume/page, page count and certification request.

How much do recorded-document copies cost?

Additional ordering or delivery conditions may apply. Confirm the total before payment.

Recording a deed requires a properly prepared document that meets California recording law and the county’s requirements.

The Recorder can explain formatting and filing rules, but staff cannot prepare a deed or provide legal advice.

Deed information to check

Stanislaus County identifies the following information as important for a document transferring real property:

• Grantor names — the current owners or transferring parties
• Grantee names — the receiving parties
• Property’s legal description
• Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN)
• Documentary transfer tax declaration
• Recording requested by information
• When recorded mail to address
• Mailing address for future property-tax statements
• Property city or unincorporated location designation
• Required signatures and acknowledgment

Step-by-step filing

1. Prepare the correct deed type.

   Confirm whether the transaction requires a grant deed, quitclaim deed or another legal instrument.

   Consider professional legal help if the transfer involves an estate, trust, gift or change in ownership rights.

2. Include the property information.

   Use the correct legal description and Assessor Parcel Number.

3. Complete the required execution.

   The document must satisfy applicable signature and acknowledgment requirements.

4. Prepare the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.

   This form is generally required with California real estate transfers.

   A recording surcharge may apply if it is not submitted when required.

5. Review transfer tax and exemptions.

   Check the documentary transfer tax declaration and any claimed exemption.

6. Check recording fees.

   Include basic page charges and any applicable statutory fees.

7. Submit the document.

   Present the instrument at the Recorder’s counter or use the county’s mail-in process.

The County Clerk-Recorder publishes a recording fee schedule for deeds and other recordable documents.

The standard first-page charge is $14, with additional page fees and other statutory charges when applicable.

Basic recording examples

These are basic page-charge examples only. They are not complete deed recording quotes.

What is the $75 SB2 recording fee?

California’s Building Homes and Jobs Act established an additional $75 fee for certain real estate instruments.

Several exemptions exist, including qualifying documents associated with transactions subject to documentary transfer tax and certain residential transfers to owner-occupiers.

Whether this fee applies depends on the specific document and transaction.

Property transfer costs can include documentary transfer tax in addition to recording charges.

Stanislaus County’s published tax rate is $0.55 per $500 of taxable consideration, equivalent to $1.10 per $1,000.

This example assumes the entire $300,000 is taxable under the stated rate. Exemptions, assumed liens and applicable local taxes can change the result.

Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR)

California generally requires a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, commonly called a PCOR, when ownership is transferred.

The county lists a $20 charge when a required PCOR is omitted at recording.

The PCOR assists the Assessor with property-tax administration and is not an ordinary public recorded deed.

Before filing, confirm the document is legible, properly signed and contains the information required by California law.

The county’s requirements page addresses signatures, acknowledgments, page dimensions and margins.

A recording cover page may be necessary when the document’s first page lacks sufficient space for recording information.

The county states that its cover page counts as an additional recording page.

Stanislaus County accepts eligible recording documents over the counter and by mail.

The Recorder’s published recording instructions should be reviewed before mailing legal documents or payments.

Recorder forms and resources

How can you pay recording fees?

The county lists cash, cashier’s checks, certified checks, personal checks and money orders among accepted methods for applicable office transactions.

Checks should be payable to Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder. Third-party checks are not accepted under the published policy.

Confirm payment arrangements before mailing, especially if your recording may require transfer tax or other additional charges.

Different Stanislaus County offices handle recorded ownership documents, assessed property values and tax payments.

Contacting the right department can save an unnecessary visit.

How to find a Stanislaus County property by parcel number

The Assessor provides a public property inquiry service.

Its instructions specify that parcel numbers should be entered with dashes, in a format similar to 000-000-000.

RecorderWorks can help identify lien and financing documents filed under an individual’s or business’s name.

The Recorder also maintains reconveyance documents that may be recorded after a deed of trust has been satisfied.

Checking a recorded lien

1. Search the affected party’s name.

   Use RecorderWorks Name Search and review relevant document types.

2. Identify the lien instrument.

   Save the recording date, document number and associated parties.

3. Search for a later release.

   Look for a release, satisfaction or other document that refers to the original lien.

4. Contact the lienholder if necessary.

   A Recorder cannot simply remove a validly recorded lien at a property owner’s request.

What happens after a mortgage is paid off?

In California, paying off a deed of trust generally does not create a new grant deed for the property owner.

Instead, an appropriate reconveyance documents the release of the security interest.

The county FAQ explains that a document titled Substitution of Trustee and Reconveyance may appear after a payoff, refinance or sale.

A forged deed or fraudulent title transfer can create serious property problems.

The fact that a document is recorded does not mean the Recorder has determined that the transaction is legitimate.

Stanislaus County’s District Attorney investigates qualifying real estate fraud complaints.

How to report suspected real estate fraud

1. Locate the suspicious document.

   Search RecorderWorks for the document number, date and recorded parties.

2. Obtain the document.

   Order or request a copy if needed to understand the transaction.

3. Collect supporting information.

   Keep copies of relevant deeds, loan papers, escrow documents, correspondence and other evidence.

4. Prepare a written complaint.

   Use the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s real estate fraud complaint instructions.

5. Consider legal advice.

   Resolving a cloud on title may require civil legal action in addition to any criminal investigation.

Stanislaus County combines Clerk and Recorder responsibilities in one department.

If you need something other than a deed, use the correct Clerk-Recorder service instead of the land-records index.

This website is an independent informational resource. It is not operated by Stanislaus County, the County Clerk-Recorder, the California Department of Justice or another government agency.

Office locations, counter assignments, recording fees, available forms and government services can change. Verify essential details with the responsible official office.

This guide is not legal advice, a certified record, a title report, an abstract of title or a guarantee that a property has clear ownership.

Property-record information must not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other purposes governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.

Use these government resources for current instructions, forms, fees and office information.

Information reviewed against county and California government resources: October 26, 2026.