San Diego County, California • Official records and deed search • Updated October 26, 2026
San Diego County CA Recorder Search: Deeds, Property Records, Fees & Office
The San Diego County Recorder search helps you find recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, reconveyances and other real estate documents in San Diego County, California.
The county provides an online Official Records Index covering documents from 1970 to the present.
You can search recorded-document information online, request copies by mail, or visit a county office to view document images on public computers.
The service is managed by the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, currently led by Jordan Z. Marks.
Start here
San Diego County Recorder Search: Quick Facts
Maintains official property recordings and provides public access.
San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk.
Older documents may be researched through county office kiosks and archives.
Find recorded documents using names and available index criteria.
Official Recorder/County Clerk customer service.
Monday through Friday, excluding county closures.
The online Official Records Index shows recording information, not full document images.
The county allows people to view recorded documents on public kiosks at available county offices without purchasing a copy.
Find the right service
Which San Diego County Property Record Do You Need?
Use the Recorder’s Official Records Index.
Open deed indexUse the Assessor’s secured assessment roll or parcel resources.
Open assessment searchOrder the recorded document through the Recorder.
See copy instructionsReview recording requirements, taxes and applicable fees.
See recording stepsUse office kiosks or ask the County Archives about older records.
Historical records informationRegister for the county’s free OWNER ALERT service.
Open OWNER ALERTOnline deed lookup
How to Search San Diego County Recorder Records Online
San Diego County uses an online Official Records Index to make recording information searchable.
The county’s published search coverage begins in 1970. Earlier deeds and indexes may require an office visit or historical research.
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Open the official record search.
Use the county’s Official Records Index rather than an unrelated third-party deed directory.
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Search using a recorded party’s name.
Start with the grantor or grantee associated with the deed.
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Narrow the results.
Use the available date, document type or recording-reference options when supported.
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Open the matching index entry.
Compare the names, recording date, document number and document type.
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Save the document information.
Keep the recording year and document number for future reference.
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Request a document copy if necessary.
The full recorded document is not provided as an ordinary online image download through the county index.
Official Records Index
Search San Diego County Official RecordsWhat information helps find a recorded deed?
The person or organization transferring a property interest.
The person or organization receiving a property interest.
A recording identifier assigned to the filed instrument.
Helps distinguish between deeds, mortgages and later releases.
What if a deed does not appear in the search?
Search another known owner’s name or a business or trust name associated with the property.
Check for spelling differences. A property may also have multiple recorded deeds from different years.
Recently recorded documents may take approximately 24–48 hours to appear in the public index.
If the document is older than 1970, try the county archives or a public research kiosk.
Address and parcel lookup
Can You Search San Diego Recorder Records by Address or APN?
Not directly through the online Recorder APN search. California Assembly Bill 1785 changed online search access beginning December 9, 2024.
APN searching remains available through the county’s in-person research kiosks.
If you only know a street address, the Assessor’s property tools can help identify the parcel.
Find a parcel using the Assessor’s 2026 search
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Open the 2026 Secured Assessment Roll Search.
Use the official county Assessor page.
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Select Address Search.
Enter the street number and street name.
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Review the matching assessment record.
Check the parcel number, assessed value and property details.
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Use another permitted lookup method.
For an APN-based Recorder search, contact an available office about its public kiosks.
The county’s 2026 assessment search states that ownership information cannot be provided through that online service.
Finding a parcel number does not automatically identify its current legal owner.
Another option: ParcelQuest
The county also links to ParcelQuest for property characteristics, maps and parcel research.
The county’s disclaimer describes up to 25 searches within a 30-day period without charge. Further searches or additional reports may require payment.
ParcelQuest is a separate vendor. Its pricing and document-delivery methods are not the same as the county Recorder’s direct copy-order service.
Open Official ParcelQuest Access InformationCopies and certified records
How to Get a Copy of a San Diego County Deed
San Diego County offers three main ways to obtain recorded real estate documents: online ordering, mail requests and in-person service.
You can search index information online, but the county does not provide purchased document images as ordinary digital downloads or email attachments.
Order a copy online
Search the Official Records Index and add the selected recording to your cart.
Create an account when prompted. Make sure the mailing address in your account profile is correct.
Request a copy by mail
Send the document reference and required payment to the Recorder’s Real Estate Records unit.
Visit a county office
Use a public kiosk to review available recorded documents.
Request an ordinary or certified copy at the public counter when needed.
San Diego County deed copy fees
Fees are based on the county’s January 1, 2026 schedule. Additional services or payment-processing conditions may affect the total.
Mail a recorded-document copy request
Include the document number, recording year, at least one party’s name and the type of document.
San Diego Recorder/County ClerkATTN: Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
The county says online orders are printed the following business day and mailed through USPS.
It advises allowing approximately 3–5 business days for delivery, with additional time for out-of-state addresses.
Recording costs
San Diego County Recorder Fees in 2026
San Diego County’s current Recorder/County Clerk fee schedule took effect on January 1, 2026.
The recording total depends on document type, number of pages, additional indexing, taxes and statutory fees or exemptions.
These are individual fee components, not a flat deed-recording quote. The county’s schedule identifies certain documents, including deeds of trust and reconveyances, as fraud-fee categories.
SB 2 fee: Why some recordings cost more
California’s Building Homes and Jobs Act may add $75 to applicable real estate documents.
The maximum is $225 for a single transaction, subject to statutory limitations and exemptions.
Qualifying transfers subject to documentary transfer tax and certain owner-occupied residential transfers may be exempt.
The Recorder allows qualifying exemption declarations on the document or a designated SB 2 cover page.
If the declaration is missing or invalid, the fee may be assessed.
Official 2026 Recorder Fee Schedule
Open January 2026 Fee Schedule PDFSan Diego County has announced an additional $5 recording charge for deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages and deeds of trust beginning January 4, 2027.
The county also announced that the APN must appear on the first page of those document types under the new SB 255 requirements.
Read the 2027 change notice on the official homepageDeed recording instructions
How to Record a Deed in San Diego County
The County Recorder records documents authorized by California law.
Recording does not mean the Recorder has verified legal ownership, resolved a title dispute or approved the document’s legal effect.
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Prepare the correct document.
Common instruments include grant deeds, quitclaim deeds and deeds of trust.
Use a qualified legal or title professional when ownership rights are changing.
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Verify the property and APN.
Check that the real estate is in San Diego County.
The county’s recording guidance requires an Assessor Parcel Number on deeds.
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Check the document’s execution.
Use original signatures when required and a complete notary acknowledgment unless an exemption applies.
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Prepare the recording area.
Leave the required first-page recording space and provide a return-mailing address.
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Complete the PCOR when required.
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is normally required for a real property transfer.
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Check transfer taxes and SB 2 fees.
Identify any documentary transfer tax, applicable recording fee and valid statutory exemption.
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Submit the document and payment.
Record in person or by mail using the county’s current instructions.
San Diego County recording format checklist
Paper: standard 8½ × 11 inches is preferred.
First-page top area: reserve 2½ inches for recording information.
Side margins: at least ½ inch on each side.
Document title: place it clearly on the first page.
Return address: identify where the recorded original should be mailed.
Signatures: originals are generally required unless an authorized exception applies.
Notarization: ensure the notary acknowledgment and seal are readable.
Exhibits: include all necessary legal descriptions and referenced attachments.
California law prevents the Recorder from choosing a deed type or providing legal document-preparation advice.
The county supplies courtesy forms, but using a form does not guarantee that it meets your legal needs.
Official grant deed and quitclaim deed forms
The county’s recording page contains courtesy forms for grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, affidavits of death and other common recordings.
Open Recorder Forms and Recording RequirementsTransfer-related costs
Documentary Transfer Tax, PCOR and SB 2 Exemptions
Documentary transfer tax is separate from the basic recording charge.
San Diego County’s published schedule states a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 for each $500, or fraction thereof, of taxable value.
What is a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report?
A PCOR provides information about a property transfer to the Assessor.
The county states that failing to submit a required PCOR at recording may result in an additional $20 charge.
Download Official PCOR Form (BOE-502-A)SB 2 exemption cover page
San Diego County also provides an exemption cover page for qualifying transactions.
Use the proper statutory exemption statement rather than assuming every owner-occupied or family transaction is exempt.
Official SB 2 Exemption Cover PageAfter submitting a document
How to Check if Your San Diego County Deed Was Recorded
After a document is recorded and indexed, you can normally find it through the Official Records Index.
The county says new entries may take approximately 24–48 hours to appear.
First: search the grantor or grantee name.
Next: review the recording date and document number.
If mailed: retain the mailing tracking information.
If still missing: allow for normal recording-processing time before contacting staff.
The Recorder reports that routine processing generally takes around 7–10 business days.
If six weeks have passed without a recorded document, returned original or rejection notice, contact the office.
Office visit information
San Diego County Recorder Office Address, Phone, Hours & Google Map
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk Main Office
Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk: Jordan Z. Marks
County Administration Center1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-237-0502
Hours: Monday–Friday
8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Email: ARCCHELP@sdcounty.ca.gov
Parking: Free underground parking for up to three hours while conducting county business during published business hours.
Parking and public transportation
The County Administration Center has a parking-garage entrance on Ash Street, between Pacific Highway and North Harbor Drive.
The County Center/Little Italy station on the San Diego Trolley’s Green and Blue lines provides another travel option.
Recorder/Clerk services are in Suite 260. Assessor services at the same complex are in Suite 103.
Official San Diego County Office LocationsOther public counters
San Diego County Recorder Branch Office Locations
The county offers in-person recording services at four public office locations.
General document recording does not require an appointment at the locations listed below.
Downtown San Diego
1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260
San Diego, CA 92101
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM
Service: Recorder/Clerk and recorded-document copies.
Chula Vista — South County
590 Third Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM
Service: Recorder/Clerk services and copies.
Santee — East County
10144 Mission Gorge Road
Santee, CA 92071
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM
Service: Recorder/Clerk services and County Archives.
San Marcos — North County
141 E. Carmel Street
San Marcos, CA 92078
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM
Service: Recorder/Clerk services and copies.
The county lists an Assessor office at 9225 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, but Recorder/Clerk services are not currently available there.
Choose one of the other four locations if you need to submit a deed or request Recorder/Clerk counter service.
Before traveling to a branch office
Check Official Locations and HoursSubmitting documents by mail
Where to Mail a Deed for Recording in San Diego County
San Diego County provides different mailing instructions for regular US mail and express deliveries.
Regular US mail
San Diego Recorder/County ClerkP.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
Overnight or express delivery
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk590 3rd Avenue, Suite 204
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Send the original document with a check or money order covering the applicable recording fees and taxes.
Before mailing, confirm the correct payment amount and make sure the document includes the required return-mailing information.
Follow the county’s separate express-mail instructions when using overnight carriers.
Older property records
Historical San Diego Deeds and County Archives
The online Recorder index begins in 1970, but San Diego County has land records going much further back.
The County Archives identifies historical deeds from 1845–1930 and grantor/grantee indexes from 1846–1969.
Other historical collections include miscellaneous records, recorded maps and official records from 1931–1989.
Useful for tracing nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century conveyances.
Useful for locating records before the modern online indexing period.
May provide subdivision and survey-record references.
Help researchers follow older land-record transactions.
Where are the County Archives?
San Diego County Archives10144 Mission Gorge Road
Santee, CA 92071
Phone: 619-237-0502
Email: archives@sdcounty.ca.gov
The Archives does not directly fulfill recorded-document copy requests. Those requests go through the Recorder/County Clerk.
Official San Diego County ArchivesProtect your property
San Diego County OWNER ALERT: Free Property Recording Notifications
San Diego County offers a free service called OWNER ALERT.
It sends email notifications when newly indexed recordings match names or APNs registered by a subscriber.
You can register up to 10 names and/or 10 APNs for each registered email address.
How to register for OWNER ALERT
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Open the official OWNER ALERT page.
Review how the notification service works.
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Start registration.
Provide an email address and the names or APNs you want monitored.
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Enter applicable name variations.
Consider a personal name, trust name or business name when relevant.
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Confirm the subscription.
Save your confirmation and review future notification emails.
It provides notice after a matching document is indexed.
If an alert appears suspicious, obtain the document information and contact the appropriate authorities or a qualified attorney.
Report suspected real estate fraud
The county directs suspected real estate fraud complaints to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit.
Complaint packet request: 619-531-3552
Understanding records
Types of Documents You Can Find in San Diego Recorder Records
A commonly recorded instrument transferring an interest in real property.
Transfers whatever interest the grantor has, without guaranteeing title quality.
Documents a security interest commonly used in California real estate financing.
May document the release of a deed-of-trust interest after an obligation is satisfied.
May be recorded during a nonjudicial foreclosure process.
May provide notice of a scheduled foreclosure sale.
Can describe a right to use or access another property.
May show recorded parcel divisions, lots and associated map references.
Where are wills, divorce records and probate documents?
The County Recorder does not maintain every type of legal record.
Wills and probate proceedings are generally handled through the San Diego Superior Court, not the Recorder’s property-document index.
San Diego Superior CourtImportant local distinctions
San Diego County Recorder Search Mistakes to Avoid
Trying to search by APN online: the county removed this function in December 2024.
Expecting free online deed images: the public index primarily shows recorded-document information.
Expecting an instant email copy: county online copy orders are normally mailed, not delivered as image downloads.
Using the Kearny Mesa office for deed recording: Recorder/Clerk counter services are not available there.
Confusing the Assessor and Recorder: the Assessor handles assessment data, while the Recorder maintains recorded instruments.
Forgetting SB 2 fees: some documents require an additional $75 unless a valid exemption applies.
Missing the PCOR: an additional charge may apply when a required ownership report is absent.
Assuming an old mortgage disappears: a reconveyance is usually recorded as a separate document.
Assuming the county performs title examinations: a complete ownership and lien investigation may require a title company or attorney.
Using 2026 fees for 2027 recordings: San Diego has announced a January 2027 fee increase for specified instruments.
Simple next steps
What Should You Do Next?
I need an existing deed → search the Official Records Index by grantor or grantee.
I only have the address → use the Assessor’s property search first.
I have the APN → visit an available public research kiosk for an APN-based Recorder search.
I need a certified copy → order through the Recorder, not a general third-party property-data website.
I am recording a deed → check the document, PCOR, transfer tax and recording fees before submitting.
I need a deed from before 1970 → start with historical indexes and the County Archives.
I want fraud notifications → register for the free OWNER ALERT service.
I suspect an unauthorized deed → preserve the recording reference and contact the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit.
Frequently asked questions
San Diego County Recorder Search FAQs
How do I search San Diego County Recorder records online?
Open the official San Diego County Official Records Index and search using the grantor or grantee name and other available recording information.
How far back do San Diego County Recorder records go online?
The county’s online Official Records Index covers recorded real estate documents from 1970 to the present. Older records may be available through office kiosks and historical collections.
Can I search deeds by APN online?
No. San Diego County removed online Recorder APN searching effective December 9, 2024. APN searches remain available through in-person county research kiosks.
Can I download deed images directly from the county’s search site?
The county’s online index displays recorded-document information rather than downloadable images. Copies ordered directly from the Recorder are normally delivered by mail.
How much is a copy of a recorded deed?
The county lists $2 for the first page, $0.05 for each additional page and $1 per document for certification. Card payments may include a $2.50 surcharge.
Where is the San Diego County Recorder’s main office?
The main Recorder/County Clerk office is at 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260, San Diego, CA 92101.
What are the Recorder office hours?
The published regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays and other closures.
How much does it cost to record a deed in 2026?
The January 2026 schedule lists a $14 standard first-page charge for document types not subject to the fraud fee. Additional pages, recording fees, documentary transfer tax and applicable statutory charges can increase the total.
What is the documentary transfer tax in San Diego County?
The county’s published schedule lists $0.55 for each $500, or fractional part, of taxable conveyance value. The actual amount depends on the transaction and applicable rules.
What is a PCOR?
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report provides property-transfer information to the Assessor. A $20 charge may apply when a required PCOR is missing at recording.
Does San Diego County provide free property fraud alerts?
Yes. The county’s free OWNER ALERT service can send email notifications for newly recorded documents matching registered names or parcel numbers.
Can the County Recorder prepare a deed?
No. Recorder staff cannot provide legal document-preparation advice. A qualified attorney or other authorized professional can help with legal requirements.
Official research sources
San Diego County and California Government Resources
The resources below were used to verify the county’s online access rules, office locations, copy procedures, fees and recording requirements.
Independent Public Records and Legal Notice
County-appraisal-district.org is an independent informational website. It is not operated by San Diego County, the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, the District Attorney or the State of California.
This article is not legal advice, a title insurance report, an official recorded-document copy or a certified ownership determination.
Recording fees, laws, forms, office hours and search access can change. Confirm current details with the responsible government office before recording documents or sending payments.
Public property records should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or other decisions regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
This website is not a consumer reporting agency.