Sacramento County, California • Recorder deeds and official records guide • Reviewed September 18, 2026
Sacramento County CA Recorder: Deeds & Records
The Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder records and preserves legally recordable documents for real property in Sacramento County.
Use this office for deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, assignments, liens, maps, recorded-document copies and recording questions.
Use the Assessor for parcel numbers, assessed values and ownership display. Use the Tax Collector for property-tax bills and payments.
Start here
Sacramento County Recorder Quick Facts
Records deeds, liens, maps and other legally recordable documents.
Suite 110, Sacramento, CA 95864.
Use for recording, copy and general Clerk/Recorder questions.
Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Main office documents received before 3:00 PM may record the same day if acceptable.
The online public index identifies recorded documents but does not show the document image.
Non-certified recorded-document copies are $8 first page and $1 each additional page.
Certified copies are $9 first page and $1 each additional page.
Additional pages and statutory surcharges may apply.
Sacramento’s online index helps you identify documents, but it does not display the actual recorded document. Use it to find the book/page, document number or recording details, then order copies if needed.
Local office details
Sacramento County Recorder Offices, Hours and Map
Sacramento County publishes two Clerk/Recorder customer locations. Same-day document recording is tied to the main office.
Main Clerk/Recorder Office
Address: 3636 American River Drive, Suite 110, Sacramento, CA 95864
Phone: 916-874-6334
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Same-day recording: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
After 3:00 PM: documents are recorded the next business day, and payment must be cash or check.
Open official location pageSatellite Office — South
Address: 8239 E. Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95828
Phone: 916-874-6334
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Recording note: same-day recording is not available at this location.
Payment note: recording fees at the satellite office must be paid by cash or check.
Check satellite detailsMain Office Map
Use this map for the main Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder office. Arrive before 3:00 PM if you need same-day document recording.
Search workflow
How to Search Sacramento County Deeds and Recorded Documents
Sacramento County provides online public access to the index of recorded documents. The index covers documents recorded in Sacramento County since 1849.
Commonly indexed documents include deeds, deeds of trust, deeds of reconveyance, assignments of deed of trust and liens.
The index is the correct starting point for deed, lien and reconveyance lookup.
Open Recorder index pageSacramento explains that its index can be searched online by party name and year of recording.
Look for document type, grantor/grantee names, year, book/page or document reference.
The official page says the index helps identify documents, but you cannot view the actual document through the online index.
Use the recorded-document copy process by mail, fax, phone or office visit.
The Recorder index is a recorded-document index, not a parcel-value database. If you need the parcel number, assessed value or parcel map, use the Sacramento County Assessor’s parcel tools.
Recording workflow
How to Record a Deed or Real Property Document in Sacramento County
The two common documents used to transfer real property ownership are grant deeds and quitclaim deeds. Sacramento County states that forms and information are available from the Sacramento County Public Law Library.
The Recorder can tell you the recording requirements, but it cannot give legal advice or choose the correct deed for you.
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Prepare the document before recording.
Use an appropriate deed or recordable instrument. Get legal or title advice if you are unsure what form to use.
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Include the required ownership-transfer information.
For ownership transfers, Sacramento looks for grantor, grantee, Sacramento County property description, APN, transfer-tax declaration, return address, tax-statement mailing address, city or unincorporated status, grantor signature and notarized acknowledgment.
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Attach the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, Form BOE-502-A, must accompany the deed. If it is not presented at recording, an additional $20 fee is assessed.
Open Assessor website for property forms -
Check first-page formatting.
The first page must reserve the top 2.5 inches for recording information. The left 3.5 inches of that area is used for the recording request and return address.
Open recording rules -
Check title and notary requirements.
Document titles must be captioned on the first page, and signatures that require acknowledgment must be properly notarized.
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Submit in person, electronically or by mail.
Documents received before 3:00 PM in person or electronically may record the same day if they meet recording requirements.
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Pay the correct fee.
Recording fees can include base fees, page fees, Building Homes and Jobs Act fees, fraud fees, transfer tax and extra indexing fees.
Sacramento County Recorder, 3636 American River Drive, Suite 110, Sacramento, CA 95864. Make checks or money orders payable to “Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder.”
Fees and taxes
Sacramento County Recorder Fees and Transfer Tax Notes
For 8.5 x 11 first page/title, before possible added fees.
Applies when all additional pages are 8.5 x 11.
Real-estate documents may be assessed this fee unless a listed exemption applies.
Each additional page is $1.
Each additional page is $1.
Uncertified self-service copies may be purchased in person.
Applies to qualifying transfers when net consideration or value exceeds $100.
The City of Sacramento collects a separate additional real property transfer tax.
Additional indexing is charged for each group of 10 names or fraction after the first 10.
Fees can change and some document types have special statutory charges. Always check the official fee schedule before mailing or presenting a document.
Open official fee scheduleCopies and certificates
How to Get Sacramento County Recorded Document Copies
Sacramento County says documents such as grant deeds, deeds of trust and liens recorded since 1850 are available for viewing at its office locations.
The online index helps identify the document, but copy orders are separate from simply searching the index.
Find the party name, year, book/page or document information needed for the order.
Use a certified copy when a court, agency, lender, title company or legal process requires certification.
Sacramento County lists mail/fax order form, office visit and telephone ordering at 916-874-6334.
Provide names, year of recording, document title, book/page or other index details to avoid delays.
Court orders, divorce decrees and wills are not obtained from the Recorder. Sacramento County directs those requests to Sacramento Superior Court.
Avoid the wrong office
Recorder vs Assessor vs Tax Collector in Sacramento County
Clerk/Recorder
Use for: deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, recorded document copies, maps, notary filings and other official recordings.
Not for: parcel valuation, tax amounts, legal drafting or ownership advice.
Assessor
Use for: Assessor Parcel Number, property ownership display, assessed value, exemptions and property transfer processing.
Office: 3636 American River Drive, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95864.
Open Sacramento County AssessorDepartment of Finance / Tax Collector
Use for: property-tax bills, payments, prior-year delinquent taxes and tax account questions.
Office: 700 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 for in-person tax assistance.
Open Tax Collection and LicensingA deed can be recorded before the Assessor and tax systems finish updating ownership display, mailing address or tax records. Contact the office responsible for the specific record you are checking.
Document types
Common Sacramento County Recorded Documents
Grant deed
Commonly used for real property ownership transfers.
Usually requires grantor/grantee details, legal description, APN, transfer-tax declaration, notarized grantor signature and PCOR.
Quitclaim deed
Often used to transfer whatever interest the grantor may have.
Get legal advice before using it because the Recorder cannot decide if it is right for your situation.
Deed of trust
Often recorded in connection with a loan secured by real property.
Assignments and reconveyances may later refer back to the original recording.
Deed of reconveyance
Generally recorded when a deed of trust has been paid and the lien is released.
Search by name, year or document reference if you need to confirm it was recorded.
Affidavit-death forms
Used after the death of a joint tenant, trustee or trustor.
Sacramento County looks for a certified death certificate attachment and property identification.
Restrictive covenant modification
Used when a recorded document contains unlawfully restrictive covenant language.
Sacramento County publishes a process and form for this program.
Record result decoder
What a Sacramento County Recorded Document Search Result Can Tell You
Grantor: the person or entity giving, transferring or encumbering an interest.
Grantee: the person or entity receiving the interest or benefit.
Document title: the indexed document type, such as grant deed, deed of trust, reconveyance or lien.
Recording year/date: the time the document became part of the official records.
Book/page or document number: the reference needed to order a copy or discuss the document with the office.
Not a title opinion: an index result does not prove that title is clean, complete or legally valid.
Common mistakes
Common Sacramento County Recorder Mistakes to Avoid
Expecting to see the document image online: the official online index identifies documents but does not show the actual document.
Missing the PCOR: a transfer deed without Form BOE-502-A can trigger a $20 additional recording fee.
Arriving after 3:00 PM for same-day recording: documents deposited after 3:00 PM are recorded the next business day.
Using the wrong payment method: after 3:00 PM at the main office and at the satellite office, recording fees must be paid by cash or check.
Ignoring first-page margins: nonconforming first pages may require a lead sheet and additional recording fees.
Confusing APN with recording reference: APN belongs to the Assessor parcel system; book/page or document number belongs to Recorder records.
Asking the Recorder for legal advice: the Recorder can explain recording requirements, but cannot choose forms or advise on title consequences.
Requesting court records from the Recorder: divorce decrees, court orders and wills are handled by Sacramento Superior Court, not the Recorder.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
I need a copy of a deed
Search the index by party name and year, then order a non-certified or certified recorded-document copy.
I need to record a deed
Prepare the deed, PCOR, transfer-tax declaration, notary acknowledgment and correct fee before visiting or mailing.
I need the parcel number
Use the Sacramento County Assessor parcel tools, not the Recorder index.
I need to pay taxes
Use Sacramento County Department of Finance / Tax Collector property-tax tools.
I found a lien
Save the document reference, order the image if needed and contact the agency or party that recorded the lien.
I need legal deed help
Contact a California real estate attorney, title company or the Sacramento County Public Law Library for legal-information resources.
Important caution
Independent Information, Legal Caution and Property-Records Notice
This page is independent informational content. It is not the official website of Sacramento County, the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder, the Assessor, the Department of Finance or any government agency.
Recording rules, fees, payment methods, office hours and copy procedures can change. Verify current requirements directly with Sacramento County before recording or ordering documents.
This page is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice or a substitute for a title company, attorney, surveyor or public official.
Do not use property-record information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act or similar laws. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.
FAQs
Sacramento County Recorder FAQs
Where is the Sacramento County Recorder’s main office?
The main Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder office is at 3636 American River Drive, Suite 110, Sacramento, CA 95864.
How do I search Sacramento County recorded deeds online?
Use the Sacramento County online index of recorded documents. It lets you identify documents recorded in Sacramento County since 1849, but it does not show the actual document image.
Can I view the actual deed online?
No. Sacramento County says the online index is useful for identifying documents or ordering copies, but you will not be able to view the actual document through the index.
How do I order a copy of a recorded deed?
Use the online index to find document details, then order by mail or fax using the order form, visit an office location or call 916-874-6334.
How much is a certified copy of a recorded document?
A certified copy is $9 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
How much is a non-certified recorded-document copy?
A non-certified copy is $8 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
What is the Sacramento County same-day recording cutoff?
Documents presented at the main office before 3:00 PM Monday through Friday may be recorded the same day if they meet recording requirements.
What happens if I record after 3:00 PM?
Documents submitted after 3:00 PM are recorded the next business day, and payment must be made by cash or check.
Do I need a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report?
Yes, for documents transferring real property ownership, Form BOE-502-A must accompany the document. If it is not presented at recording, an additional $20 fee is assessed.
Should I contact the Recorder, Assessor or Tax Collector?
Contact the Recorder for recorded documents and copies, the Assessor for parcel numbers and assessed value, and the Tax Collector for tax bills and payments.
Official resources