Imperial County Recorder: Deeds, Property Records, Fees, Search & Office
The Imperial County Recorder records and preserves deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, subdivision maps and other documents affecting property in Imperial County, California.
Its online RecorderWorks system lets you search recorded property documents by name, document number, book/page, recording date and assessor parcel number.
The Recorder’s Office is at 940 W. Main Street, Suite 202, El Centro, CA 92243. You can visit to inspect records or order plain and certified copies.
Imperial County Recorder Office at a Glance
County recording and public records services.
County’s elected Clerk-Recorder.
940 W. Main Street, Suite 202.
Recording and deed-transfer questions.
Monday–Friday, including lunchtime.
Searchable Grantor/Grantee records from 1986 onward.
The Recorder maintains recorded legal instruments. Property assessment and ownership information for tax purposes is handled separately by the Imperial County Assessor.
Imperial County Recorder Address, Hours, Phone Number & Google Map
Imperial County Clerk-Recorder
Clerk-Recorder: Chuck Storey
Address: 940 W. Main Street, Suite 202, El Centro, CA 92243
Main office: 442-265-1076
Recording Division: 442-265-1077
Official Records copies: 442-265-1075
Fax: 442-265-1091
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Before Visiting the Office
Bring the document number or book/page reference if you need a deed copy.
For recording, bring the properly prepared original instrument, applicable forms and payment.
Confirm the correct recording charges before mailing documents or visiting the counter.
The county publishes a holiday schedule. Check it before planning a visit near a public holiday.
Open official Clerk-Recorder contact information
How to Search Imperial County Deeds and Property Records Online
Imperial County uses the RecorderWorks Grantor/Grantee index for public searches of recorded property documents.
The index covers documents recorded since January 1986. Older records may require checking additional indexes at the Recorder’s Office.
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Open the official online records portal.
Use RecorderWorks, the public search system linked from the Imperial County Clerk-Recorder’s website.
Open Imperial County RecorderWorksAfter opening: Choose the appropriate search tab. Name, Document Number, Book and Page, Recording Date, Document Type, Map, APN and Legal Description searches are available. -
Search by owner or recorded party.
For an individual, enter the last name, followed by a comma and first name.
Example: Smith, Allison. You can also try a partial first name to narrow the results.
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Try another search type if needed.
Use the recorded document number, book/page, date range or document type if you already know that information.
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Open a matching result.
Click the document number to review its available indexed information.
Compare grantor, grantee, document type and recording date before choosing the correct record.
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Save the document reference.
Keep the document number or book/page reference for future research and official copy requests.
The public website provides searchable indexes. The county directs users to inspect official documents at its office or request copies using the document reference.
Can You Search by Assessor Parcel Number?
Yes. RecorderWorks includes an APN search option, along with searches by legal description and recorded party name.
However, a parcel-number result should not be treated as a complete title report. Some related records may not be indexed under the same parcel number.
Searching for Records Before 1986
The online Grantor/Grantee index begins in 1986. If you need older documents, contact the Recorder for access to additional historical indexes.
For formal title research, the Clerk-Recorder recommends using a licensed title company.
How to Record a Deed in Imperial County
Recording a deed makes the document part of the county’s public land records.
Recording does not guarantee that the deed is legally sufficient or that the grantor owns the property.
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Prepare the correct document.
A grant deed, quitclaim deed, affidavit of death or trust-transfer document can have different legal consequences.
Consult an attorney or title professional if you do not know which instrument fits your situation.
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Include the correct legal description.
Do not substitute the street address for the full legal description when one is required.
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Complete signatures and acknowledgment.
Confirm that the deed has the required execution details and a legally sufficient notarial acknowledgment.
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Check transfer-tax declarations.
Determine whether documentary transfer tax applies or an exemption statement is required.
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Check SB 2 recording charges.
Some real-property instruments may have a separate Building Homes and Jobs Act recording fee unless exempt.
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Submit the deed to the Recorder.
Include the recordable document, correct payment and any required accompanying forms.
Open Imperial County Recorder Services and Recording Forms
Imperial County states that Recorder staff cannot provide legal advice, choose forms or instruct you how to change title. Title changes can also affect property reassessment and taxes.
Imperial County Recording Fees, SB 2 and Documentary Transfer Tax
A deed recording can involve more than one charge. The amount depends on the document type, pages, indexing and any statutory taxes or surcharges.
Use the Recorder’s current fee schedule for the base recording charge. Do not estimate a document’s entire fee from page count alone.
How the SB 2 Fee Works
California Government Code §27388.1 imposes a $75 fee on many real-property instruments recorded under specified conditions.
The law also provides exemptions, including certain transfers subject to documentary transfer tax and certain residential transfers to owner-occupiers.
Do not mark an exemption merely to avoid the fee. The facts of the transaction must meet the legal requirement.
Documentary Transfer Tax
California’s general county documentary transfer tax framework is $0.55 for each $500 or fraction of $500 of taxable consideration, subject to applicable law.
For an illustrative taxable value of $300,000, that rate produces a $330 tax before considering any applicable local rules or exemptions.
Check whether the property is within city limits and whether a city-imposed transfer tax or other local provision affects the transaction.
The taxable amount may differ from the purchase price. Transfers involving existing debt, gifts, trusts or other special circumstances require transaction-specific review.
View the official Recorder Fee Schedule
How to Request a Plain or Certified Deed Copy
Imperial County provides plain and certified copies of deeds, liens, maps and other instruments recorded in the county.
The Recorder requires a document number or book/page reference. The office does not perform the research needed to identify an unknown document.
Request in Person
Search for the document reference before arriving.
At the office, use the customer kiosk to complete a copy request.
The county states that in-person official-record copy requests are completed the same day.
Request by Mail
Find the document number or book/page in RecorderWorks.
Complete the Official Record and Map Copy Request Form.
Mail the request with the required check or money order payable to Imperial County Clerk-Recorder.
Open the county’s Official Records copy instructions
Warning About Expensive Deed Copy Mailers
Imperial County has warned homeowners about private mailers offering deed copies for excessive fees.
You can obtain a certified copy directly from the County Clerk-Recorder at the applicable official fee.
Read Imperial County’s deed-copy scam warning
Imperial County Recorder Forms and Transfer Requirements
The Clerk-Recorder publishes several recording forms that can accompany a deed or other property instrument.
Used to state an applicable exemption from the Building Homes and Jobs Act recording fee.
Provides recording and return information for the submitted instrument.
Used to report transfer-tax information or support a relevant exemption statement.
Used to request a plain or certified copy of an identified recorded instrument.
Open the official Recording Forms section
Transfer Into or Out of a Trust
Imperial County identifies transfers into and out of living trusts among transactions that may qualify for documentary transfer tax exemptions.
The relevant statutory provision and wording depend on the circumstances. The deed may also require separate assessor reporting.
Property Transfer After a Death
Depending on how title was held, an affidavit of death, court order, probate document or another instrument may be required.
The Recorder will record qualifying instruments but cannot determine which legal document your family needs.
Recorder vs. Assessor vs. Tax Collector vs. Court
Use Imperial County Clerk-Recorder and RecorderWorks.
Contact the Imperial County Assessor.
Contact the Imperial County Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Contact the Imperial County Superior Court at 760-482-2200.
Use a licensed title company or qualified real estate attorney.
Open Imperial County’s official department directory
Military Discharge Records and Restrictive Covenant Modifications
Military Discharge Records — DD-214
Imperial County maintains military discharge records that were recorded in Imperial County.
For a certified discharge copy, the applicant must satisfy the county’s identification and authorization requirements.
A mailed request requires a completed application and notarized acknowledgment.
Restrictive Covenant Modifications
The Recorder publishes information about California’s program for modifying unlawfully restrictive covenants in recorded real-property documents.
This process addresses discriminatory language; it does not function as an ordinary deed correction or ownership transfer.
Review DD-214 and Restrictive Covenant Modification resources
Imperial County Deed Search and Recording Troubleshooting
I cannot find a deed by the current owner’s name
Try a former owner, spouse, trustee or business name. You can also search by APN, document type or recording date if that information is available.
The deed was recorded before 1986
The searchable Grantor/Grantee index begins in 1986. Contact the Recorder about older historical indexes and book/page references.
My search returns too many results
Add part of the first name, a recording date range or a document-type filter. The portal advises narrowing broad searches to avoid timeouts.
I need a certified deed but do not know the document number
Search RecorderWorks first. Imperial County requires the document number or book/page for official-record copy requests.
A recorded mortgage still appears after the loan was paid
Look for a separately recorded reconveyance or release. The original deed of trust remains in the historical records.
I want to correct a name or legal description
Ask an attorney or title professional whether a corrective instrument is appropriate. Recorder staff cannot rewrite the original recorded document.
I received an expensive offer to buy a certified deed copy
Compare the private offer with the county’s official copy price. Imperial County specifically warns homeowners about excessive deed-copy solicitations.
What Should You Do Next?
Open RecorderWorks and search by grantor, grantee, document number or APN.
Save the document reference and use the county’s Official Records Copy Request instructions.
Have the document legally prepared and confirm transfer taxes, assessor reporting and recording fees.
Contact the Assessor, not the Recorder, about valuation and change-in-ownership reporting.
Call the Recording Division and ask how to inspect historical indexes.
Imperial County Recorder FAQs
1. Where is the Imperial County Recorder’s Office?
The Imperial County Clerk-Recorder is located at 940 W. Main Street, Suite 202, El Centro, California 92243.
2. Who is the Imperial County Recorder?
Chuck Storey is the Imperial County Clerk-Recorder.
3. What is the Imperial County Recorder phone number?
The Recording Division phone number is 442-265-1077. The main Clerk-Recorder office number is 442-265-1076.
4. What are the Imperial County Recorder office hours?
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, including lunchtime, except for scheduled holidays.
5. Can I search Imperial County deeds online?
Yes. RecorderWorks offers public index searches by name, document number, book/page, recording date, document type, APN and other fields.
6. How far back does the online deed index go?
The online Grantor/Grantee index includes recorded documents from January 1986 onward. Older records may require historical index research at the office.
7. How much does a certified deed copy cost?
The county’s published official-record request form lists $2.50 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Verify the current fee before ordering.
8. Does Imperial County charge SB 2 recording fees?
Qualifying real-property instruments may be subject to a $75 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee, with statutory exemptions and a $225 transaction cap.
9. Can Recorder staff prepare my deed?
No. Imperial County states that Recorder staff cannot prepare forms, choose the correct deed or provide legal advice about changing title.
10. Does the Recorder provide a complete title search?
No. The Recorder provides public access to recorded documents but does not conduct formal title searches. The county recommends contacting a licensed title company.
Official Imperial County Recorder Resources
- Imperial County Clerk-Recorder — office homepage, hours and service navigation.
- Clerk-Recorder Contact Information — address, department numbers and holiday schedule.
- RecorderWorks Official Records Search — recorded deed and document index.
- Recorder Services — recording fees, forms, copy instructions and title-transfer information.
- Official Deed Copy Scam Warning — county guidance on excessive deed-copy solicitations.
- Imperial County Master Fee Schedule — countywide fee schedule directory.
- California Government Code §27388.1 — Building Homes and Jobs Act recording-fee rules.
- California Revenue and Taxation Code §11911 — documentary transfer tax authority.
Verify current recording fees, form requirements, processing rules and holiday closures with Imperial County before submitting a document.
Legal and Public Records Notice
This is an independent informational guide. It is not operated, endorsed or maintained by Imperial County, the Clerk-Recorder or another California government agency.
This article is not legal advice, a certified record, a professional title search or proof of ownership. A document’s recording does not guarantee that every title defect or lien has been resolved.
Do not use public property records for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other purposes regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This website is not a consumer reporting agency.