Alameda County, California • Clerk-Recorder deeds and records guide • reviewed September 19, 2026
Alameda County CA Recorder: Deeds, Official Records, Copies, Recording Fees and Office Guide
The Alameda County Recorder is part of the Alameda County Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder’s Office.
Use this office for recorded deeds, liens, official public records, real property document recording, certified copies, eRecording, transfer-tax guidance and restrictive covenant modification.
Use the Alameda County Assessor for APN, parcel maps, assessed value and ownership-reference help. Use the Treasurer-Tax Collector for property tax bills and payments.
Start here
Alameda County Recorder Quick Facts
The Clerk-Recorder records and maintains official public records for Alameda County.
The office name appears on official Alameda County Clerk-Recorder pages.
Oakland, CA 94607. This is the full-service Clerk-Recorder location.
Use this number for Clerk-Recorder customer service.
Also used for public record and recent recording questions.
Document recording cut-off is listed at 4:30 p.m.
Records from 1969 forward are electronically indexed and searchable online.
Older records must be searched in person or requested by mail.
If you need a deed copy, start with the Official Public Records page. If you only know the address or APN, use the Assessor first to identify the most recent deed instrument number.
Use the correct office
Recorder vs Assessor vs Treasurer-Tax Collector
Alameda County Clerk-Recorder
Use for: deeds, liens, official public records, real property document recording, copy orders, eRecording, transfer tax, UCC filings and restrictive covenant modification.
Address: 1106 Madison Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: 510-272-6362
Email: CROCustomerService@acgov.org
Open Clerk-Recorder OfficeTri-Valley Clerk-Recorder Office
Use for: select in-person Clerk-Recorder services, including document recording services and public record searches.
Address: 7600 Dublin Boulevard, Suite 160, Dublin, CA 94568
Important: mail transactions are not accepted at this location.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Open directions and hoursAlameda County Assessor
Use for: APN, parcel maps, assessed value, property ownership reference, mailing address and property characteristics.
Address: 1221 Oak Street, Room 145, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-272-3787
Email: AssessorWebResponse@acgov.org
Open Assessor ownership informationTreasurer-Tax Collector
Use for: property tax bills, tax payments, tax balances, due dates and tax collection questions.
Address: 1221 Oak Street, Room 131, Oakland, CA 94612
Office hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Open Treasurer-Tax CollectorRecorded document or certified copy → Clerk-Recorder. Parcel number or property ownership clue → Assessor. Property tax bill or payment → Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Search workflow
How to Search Alameda County Deeds and Official Public Records
Alameda County official public records date back to 1853, but online searching is not available for every year.
Records from 1969 to present are electronically indexed and may be searched online. Records from 1853 through 1968 must be searched in person or requested by mail.
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Open the Official Public Records page.
This is the official starting point for public record searching and copy ordering.
Open Official Public Records -
Decide whether you have the document reference.
Online copy orders need an instrument number, book/page number, or reel/image number.
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Search the online index for 1969–present records.
Search by names of parties identified on the document and confirm the instrument number.
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Use in-person or mail for older records.
Documents filed before 1969 cannot be searched online and must be searched in person or requested by mail.
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Verify document type and names.
Make sure the result is the deed, lien, release, deed of trust, reconveyance or other record you actually need.
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Save the instrument number.
You will need it for copy orders, certified copies, attorney review, title work or follow-up calls.
After opening the online record system
Enable JavaScript and cookies, search by party name, open the matching index result and write down the instrument number.
If you cannot find the newest deed, call the Assessor at 510-272-3787 with the address or APN and ask for the most recent deed instrument number.
Address and APN route
How to Search When You Only Know the Address or APN
Alameda County’s Clerk-Recorder does not index recorded documents by Assessor’s Parcel Number or property address.
If you only know the address or APN, start with the Assessor’s tools and then return to the Recorder with the owner name or instrument number.
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Open the Assessor Parcel Viewer.
Use the Assessor’s property and parcel map resources to confirm the APN and property location.
Open Assessor Parcel Viewer guidance -
Search by address or APN.
Download or review the parcel map and save the APN.
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Ask the Assessor for recent deed help if needed.
The Clerk-Recorder FAQ says the Assessor can provide the instrument number for the most recent deed on a property.
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Return to Official Public Records.
Use the instrument number, party name or book/page details to order or research the document.
Assessor parcel maps are for assessment purposes. They are not legal surveys and should not be used to resolve exact boundary disputes.
Copies and certification
How to Order Alameda County Deed Copies and Certified Copies
You can order official public record copies online, by mail or in person.
For online ordering, Alameda County says you need an instrument number, book and page number, or reel and image number.
Use for regular official public record copies.
Then $3.50 for each additional page.
Mail copy requests can take this long to complete.
Plan ahead if you need same-day copy help.
Copy requests received after 4:00 p.m. are processed the next day.
Mail orders use check, money order or traveler’s checks in U.S. dollars.
After opening the copy order page
Choose whether you have the instrument number. If yes, continue to order. If no, use the online search or in-person research path first.
For mail requests, include the filing number or document reference, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Recording a deed
Recording Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Liens and Real Property Documents
The County Recorder records documents that California law allows or requires to be recorded.
Recorder staff do not draft your deed, choose the correct document type, verify legal effect or provide legal advice.
Margins: each document needs at least a 1/2 inch margin on each vertical side.
First-page space: the top 2.5 inches of the first page must be reserved for return and recording information.
Cover sheet: if the first page lacks required space, attach a cover sheet and pay the additional cover-page fee.
Paper size: documents larger than 8.5 by 14 inches will not be accepted.
Non-standard size: if any page is not 8.5 by 11 inches, all pages may receive a supplemental fee.
Return address: the first-page recording area should show where the document should be returned after recording.
PCOR: documents evidencing a change of ownership may require a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report or an added fee.
Transfer tax: deeds and long-term leases may require county and city transfer tax review.
After opening recording requirements
Check margin space, document title, return address, notary acknowledgment, PCOR requirement, transfer tax, SB2 exemption status and payment.
If you are changing ownership, adding or removing someone from title, correcting title or transferring to a trust, talk to a California attorney or title professional before recording.
Costs
Alameda County Recorder Fee Snapshot
Basic recording fee for the first page of deeds and leases.
Additional page fee for deeds and leases.
Up to $225 per transaction unless a statutory exemption applies.
Plus $3 for each additional page and any special title fee.
If any page is not 8.5 by 11 inches, all pages may be charged.
Charged when the document needs a recording cover sheet.
Official public record plain copy fee.
Then $3.50 for each additional page.
Added lien notification fee when applicable, plus other recording fees.
Open simple recording fee estimator
Estimated recording fee: $14.00
Transfer taxes
Documentary Transfer Tax, City Transfer Tax and PCOR
Deeds and qualifying long-term leases may involve documentary transfer tax and city real property conveyance tax.
Alameda County’s fee schedule lists county documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500 or fraction of the value transferred.
Cities inside Alameda County may also impose their own real property conveyance tax, collected in addition to county documentary transfer tax.
County DTT: check the county documentary transfer tax rate before recording a conveyance.
City tax: Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Hayward and other cities may have separate rules or rates.
PCOR: California transfers often require a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.
PCOR missing fee: Alameda County guidance references an additional fee when a required PCOR is not filed with a change-of-ownership document.
Exemptions: transfer-tax exemptions and SB2 exemptions are legal-specific and should be reviewed before filing.
Open simple county transfer tax estimator
Estimated county documentary transfer tax: $550.00
Submit electronically
eRecording in Alameda County
Alameda County uses the California Electronic Recording Transaction Network Authority platform, known as CeRTNA.
eRecording is normally used by title companies, escrow companies, lenders, law firms, government agencies and other frequent submitters.
Delivery method: eRecording submits document images and data electronically through approved agents.
Approved agents: Alameda County directs interested submitters to CeRTNA approved agents.
Review still applies: documents must still meet recording, fee, tax and image requirements.
Legal caution: eRecording does not make an incorrect deed legally correct.
After opening eRecording information
Review CeRTNA requirements, contact an approved agent and confirm your document type, fees and taxes before submitting.
Fraud and alerts
Real Estate Fraud, Lien Research and Recording Notices
Alameda County’s District Attorney explains that real estate fraud can include forged deeds, fraudulent transfers and suspicious land deals.
Alameda County’s public materials also reference owner notification activity when real estate documents are recorded against property.
Search the index: use the Recorder’s online index for lien and document references.
View images in office: Alameda County explains that document images are not posted online for home viewing.
Check recent documents: for documents recorded within the last three months, search online or call customer service for the instrument number.
Suspicious recording: contact the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit or seek legal help quickly.
Fraud awareness: be cautious with paid deed-copy mailers, unexpected title-transfer offers and pressure to sign documents.
After opening fraud information
Compare the suspicious document or notice with the Recorder’s public index. Save the instrument number, recording date and party names.
If it looks unauthorized, contact the DA Real Estate Fraud Unit, a California attorney, your title company or law enforcement.
Historic records
Restrictive Covenant Modification in Alameda County
California law allows certain unlawful discriminatory language in recorded property documents to be addressed through a restrictive covenant modification process.
Alameda County says the Clerk-Recorder forwards submitted restrictive covenant modification documents to County Counsel for legal review.
Find the original document: obtain a complete copy of the recorded document containing the unlawful restrictive language.
Complete the form: use the county’s restrictive covenant modification route.
County Counsel review: County Counsel determines whether the original document contains unlawful restrictions and whether redactions are authorized.
Do not alter records yourself: the Recorder cannot simply change or remove text from an already recorded historic document outside the legal process.
Visit in person
Alameda County Recorder Office Map and Arrival Tips
Oakland Clerk-Recorder Office
1106 Madison Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: 510-272-6362
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Document recording cut-off: 4:30 p.m.
Printing note: official public record printing stops at 4:15 p.m.
Arrival tip: bring the instrument number, book/page, reel/image number, party names, APN, payment and photo ID if needed.
Tri-Valley Office
7600 Dublin Boulevard, Suite 160
Dublin, CA 94568
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Important: mail transactions are not accepted at this location.
Arrival tip: confirm the exact service before visiting because not every transaction is available the same way at both offices.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
I need a deed copy: search the Official Public Records index, save the instrument number and order a plain or certified copy.
I only know the address: contact or search the Assessor first to identify APN and most recent deed instrument number.
I need to record a deed: review margins, first-page space, cover sheet, PCOR, SB2, transfer tax and city tax before submitting.
I need an older record: records before 1969 must be searched in person or requested by mail.
I need a tax bill: use the Treasurer-Tax Collector, not the Recorder.
I need parcel value or maps: use the Assessor Parcel Viewer and Assessor office resources.
I suspect deed fraud: save the instrument number, search the index and contact the DA Real Estate Fraud Unit or a California attorney.
I need title certainty: contact a licensed California title company or attorney. The Recorder is not a title company.
Important caution
Independent Information, Legal Caution and Public-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Alameda County, the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder, Assessor, Treasurer-Tax Collector or any California government agency.
This article is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice or a substitute for an official recorded document, title report or attorney review.
Recording requirements, fees, transfer-tax rules, forms, online systems, office hours and service availability can change. Verify current details directly with the responsible office before recording, paying or relying on a document.
Public property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any FCRA-regulated consumer-reporting purpose.
FAQs
Alameda County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Alameda County Recorder located?
The main Alameda County Clerk-Recorder office is at 1106 Madison Street, Oakland, CA 94607. A Tri-Valley office is located at 7600 Dublin Boulevard, Suite 160, Dublin, CA 94568.
How do I search Alameda County deed records?
Open the Official Public Records page and search the online index for records from 1969 to present. Records before 1969 must be searched in person or requested by mail.
Can I search Alameda County Recorder records by address or APN?
The Clerk-Recorder does not index recorded documents by APN or property address. Start with the Assessor to identify the APN or most recent deed instrument number.
How much is an Alameda County recorded document copy?
Plain official public record copies are listed at $3.50 per page. Certified copies are listed at $4.50 for the first page and $3.50 for each additional page.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Alameda County?
The deeds and leases page lists a $14 basic recording fee for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Other fees, transfer taxes, SB2 fees or city taxes may also apply.
What is the Alameda County SB2 recording fee?
Alameda County states that Government Code Section 27388.1 adds $75 per title up to $225 per transaction unless a statutory exemption applies.
Does Alameda County post deed images online?
No. The Clerk-Recorder FAQ states that Government Code section 7928.215 prohibits the office from posting document images online for home viewing.
Does Alameda County offer eRecording?
Yes. Alameda County uses the CeRTNA electronic recording platform and directs interested submitters to approved CeRTNA agents.
Who handles Alameda County property tax bills?
The Treasurer-Tax Collector handles property tax bills and payments. The Clerk-Recorder handles recorded documents.
Does the Alameda County Recorder give legal advice?
No. The Recorder records qualifying documents but does not draft deeds, determine legal correctness, perform title searches or provide legal advice.
Official resources