San Joaquin County, California • deeds and recorded property documents • reviewed September 2026
San Joaquin County Recorder: Deeds, Records Search, Copies, Fees & Office Guide
The San Joaquin County Recorder records deeds, deeds of trust, court decrees and other documents affecting real property in San Joaquin County.
The office is part of the San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, led by Steve J. Bestolarides.
Use this guide to search recorded documents, request a deed copy, understand current recording fees, prepare a deed for recording and contact the correct county office.
Fast answer
San Joaquin County Recorder Quick Facts
Records and preserves documents affecting real property in San Joaquin County.
The county identifies Bestolarides as the current Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.
Second Floor, Suite 260, Stockton, CA 95202.
Use for recording, copy and official-record questions.
Weekdays except county holidays.
General office hours extend later than same-day recording hours.
The county says 168 recorded-document types can be researched.
The Grantor/Grantee Index covers January 1, 1968 to present.
Documents submitted by 4:00 PM are generally recorded the same day. Documents submitted after 4:00 PM and by 4:30 PM are recorded the next business day.
Local office details
San Joaquin County Recorder Address, Hours & Contact
Office of the Recorder-County Clerk
Address:
44 N. San Joaquin Street
Second Floor, Suite 260
Stockton, CA 95202
Phone: 209-468-3939
Fax: 209-468-8040
General hours: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM weekdays, excluding holidays.
Document recording: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Open official Recorder pageMailing a Document for Recording
Documents may be submitted by mail or UPS.
Mail to:
Office of the County Recorder
44 N. San Joaquin Street
Second Floor, Suite 260
Stockton, CA 95202
Include the original recordable document, correct payment, requesting-party information and a complete return name and address.
Checks and money orders should be payable to San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk.
Google Map
The Recorder is on the second floor in Suite 260. The Assessor is also on the second floor in Suite 230, while the Treasurer-Tax Collector is on the first floor in Suite 150.
Online deed search
How to Search San Joaquin County Deeds and Official Records
San Joaquin County provides a public Self Service Portal for its Recorder records.
The online Grantor/Grantee Index covers January 1, 1968 to present. Earlier deeds and official records are available digitally and on film through the Recorder’s Office.
-
Open the official Self Service Portal.
Use the county-linked Tyler portal rather than an unofficial deed website.
Open San Joaquin County Self Service PortalAfter opening: choose the official-record or recording search option, then enter the party name or other available document information. -
Search every reasonable name variation.
The county warns that the Grantor/Grantee Index works like a library card catalog.
-
Check both grantor and grantee names.
This is useful for sales, quitclaim deeds, trust transfers and older ownership changes.
-
Use recording information when available.
A document number or recording date can reduce unrelated results.
-
Open the matching index result.
Confirm the parties, date and document type before ordering a copy.
San Joaquin County says the index is only a guide to the documents referenced. Review the underlying recorded document before relying on it.
Records Before 1968
If your deed predates January 1, 1968, visit or contact the Recorder’s Office.
The county says older deeds and official records are available digitally and on film and can be copied or certified.
Recorded document types
What Records Does the San Joaquin County Recorder Keep?
Grant deeds: commonly used California instruments for transferring title.
Quitclaim deeds: transfers whatever interest the grantor has without title warranties.
Deeds of trust: security instruments commonly used with California real-estate loans.
Reconveyances: documents showing that a deed of trust has been released after payoff.
Liens: mechanic’s liens, judgment-related recordings and other recordable lien documents.
Easements: recorded rights affecting access, utilities or other property uses.
Subdivision, survey and parcel maps: maps dating back to 1851 are available through Recorder records.
Court decrees: recordable court documents affecting title to real property.
UCC filings: Uniform Commercial Code filings are also maintained through the division.
Deed recording workflow
How to Record a Deed in San Joaquin County
Recording a new deed is different from searching for an existing deed.
A deed must be properly prepared before the Recorder can accept it. The Recorder does not decide which deed type is legally appropriate for your situation.
-
Confirm the property is in San Joaquin County.
Real-property documents must be recorded in the county where the property is located.
-
Prepare a legible recordable document.
Make sure all names, signatures, acknowledgments and legal-description information are complete.
-
Add return information.
Include the name of the person requesting recording and the name and address where the recorded document should be returned.
-
Complete a PCOR when ownership changes.
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report normally accompanies a conveyance affecting ownership.
-
Calculate documentary transfer tax.
Include the required transfer-tax declaration or valid exemption information on the deed.
-
Determine SB2 and fraud-fee treatment.
The total recording fee can vary significantly depending on statutory exemptions.
-
Submit the document and correct payment.
Record over the counter or use the county’s permitted mail-in process.
California-specific form
Preliminary Change of Ownership Report: Why the PCOR Matters
California uses the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, commonly called the PCOR, when a document changes real-property ownership.
The transferee normally completes the form before the ownership-transfer document is presented for recording.
The PCOR is used throughout California.
The form asks questions used by the Assessor to review the ownership change.
The county may charge an additional recording fee when a required PCOR is not submitted.
The county notes that a property transfer may trigger a supplemental assessment that is separate from the regular tax bill and may not be included in an escrow account.
2026 fee schedule
San Joaquin County Recorder Fees
The current Recorder fee schedule was updated for 2026.
Do not calculate the total recording cost from the $16 base fee alone. SB2, fraud, page, title and other charges may apply.
Standard 8½ × 11 first page when exempt from SB2.
Current first-page fee including the $75 SB2 charge.
Applies to listed document categories when neither statutory fee exemption applies.
Charged for each additional page.
Applies to listed instruments such as quitclaim deeds, liens and deeds of trust when applicable.
Applies per qualifying real-estate instrument, subject to statutory exemptions and caps.
A one-page deed can cost much more than $16 when SB2, fraud, transfer-tax or other statutory charges apply.
Deed transfer cost
San Joaquin County Documentary Transfer Tax
San Joaquin County collects Documentary Transfer Tax when a taxable interest in real property is conveyed.
The county rate is $0.55 for each $500, or fractional part of $500, of taxable real-property value after allowable liens or encumbrances.
Simple transfer-tax example
If the taxable consideration is $500,000 and no other adjustment applies:
$500,000 ÷ $500 = 1,000 units.
1,000 × $0.55 = $550 documentary transfer tax.
Each taxable deed needs a transfer-tax declaration. If no tax is due, the exemption must be properly stated.
Open Documentary Transfer Tax GuideDeed copies
How to Get a San Joaquin County Deed Copy or Certified Copy
Search the Grantor/Grantee Index first whenever possible.
Once you identify the correct document, you can use the Recorder’s copy service rather than paying for staff research on the wrong instrument.
Self-Assisted Copy
$1 per page
Use this when you locate and reproduce the desired recorded document yourself.
Staff-Assisted Copy
$3 per page
Applies when Recorder staff provides the photocopy service.
Document Certification
$2 per document
Certification is added when you need an officially certified recorded-document copy.
Recorded Map Copy
$5 per copy
Subdivision, survey and parcel maps may also be copied and certified.
San Joaquin County states that certified recorded-document copies can be submitted in place of originals for court proceedings and legal purposes.
Property protection
San Joaquin County Recorder Notification & Real Estate Fraud Protection
San Joaquin County strengthened its real-estate fraud notification protections in 2026.
The county says Recorder notifications cover key ownership-related documents such as deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages and deeds of trust.
Under the expanded program, qualifying notifications are to be sent within 30 days of recording.
Unexpected deed notice: do not ignore it.
Search the document: use the Recorder portal to identify the instrument.
Order a copy: review the actual recorded document rather than relying only on the index.
Report suspected fraud: contact appropriate county law enforcement or legal assistance if the transaction is unauthorized.
Avoid the wrong office
Recorder vs. Assessor vs. Treasurer-Tax Collector
Recorder-County Clerk
Deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, maps, recorded copies and document recording.
County Assessor
Assessment number, fee parcel number, property value, assessment records and change-of-ownership review.
Treasurer-Tax Collector
Secured property-tax bills, payments, delinquent taxes, receipts and tax-payment problems.
San Joaquin County Assessor
The Assessor is in Suite 230 at the same 44 N. San Joaquin Street building.
Use the Assessor when you know an address but need the assessment number, fee parcel number, assessed value or property information.
Phone: 209-468-2630
Open Assessor Property InformationSan Joaquin County Treasurer-Tax Collector
The Tax Collector is in Suite 150 on the first floor of the same county building.
Address: 44 N. San Joaquin Street, Suite 150, Stockton, CA 95202
Phone: 209-468-2133
Email: tax@sjgov.org
Open Property Tax Search & PaymentUnderstand your result
Recorded Document Search Decoder
The person or entity transferring an interest.
The person or entity receiving the interest.
Deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien, easement or another recorded instrument.
The date the Recorder accepted the document into the official record.
The unique recording reference used to identify the document.
The property description contained in the actual instrument.
Decision path
What Should You Do Next?
I need a deed copy → search the Grantor/Grantee Index, identify the correct document and then order or make a copy.
I only know the address → start with the Assessor to identify the property and owner, then return to Recorder records.
I am recording a deed → prepare the instrument, PCOR, transfer-tax declaration and exact recording fees.
I paid off my mortgage → search for the recorded Substitution of Trustee and Reconveyance or related release document.
I need a certified deed → find the document first, then request Recorder certification.
I found an unexpected deed → retrieve the actual document and respond quickly if fraud is suspected.
My assessed value is wrong → contact the Assessor rather than the Recorder.
My tax bill is wrong → contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Important caution
Legal, Title, Privacy & FCRA Notice
This is an independent informational guide and is not the official San Joaquin County website.
The Recorder records documents but does not determine whether a deed is legally appropriate for your personal situation.
Use a qualified attorney or title professional for deed preparation, title defects, trust transfers, estate issues, ownership disputes or uncertain documentary-transfer-tax exemptions.
A Recorder index result is not a complete title search. Review the actual instrument and other relevant records before making a legal or financial decision.
Do not use property or recorded-document information for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, insurance underwriting or another FCRA-regulated consumer-reporting purpose.
This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.
Frequently asked questions
San Joaquin County Recorder FAQs
Where is the San Joaquin County Recorder’s Office?
The Office of the Recorder-County Clerk is at 44 N. San Joaquin Street, Second Floor, Suite 260, Stockton, California 95202.
Who is the San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk?
San Joaquin County identifies Steve J. Bestolarides as the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.
Where can I search San Joaquin County deeds online?
Use the official San Joaquin County Self Service Portal. The Grantor/Grantee Index contains information from January 1, 1968 to present.
How far back do San Joaquin County Recorder records go?
The Recorder says land and official records date back to 1851. Records before January 1, 1968 are available digitally and on film through the office.
How much is the basic San Joaquin County recording fee?
The 2026 fee schedule lists $16 for the standard first page and one title when the document is exempt from SB2. Additional statutory fees can increase the total significantly.
What is San Joaquin County documentary transfer tax?
The county lists documentary transfer tax at $0.55 for each $500, or fractional part of $500, of taxable real-property value after applicable adjustments.
Do I need a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report?
A PCOR is generally required when recording a document that changes ownership of California real property. The county may charge an additional $20 when a required PCOR is not filed with the conveyance.
How much is a certified copy of a recorded document?
San Joaquin County lists self-assisted copies at $1 per page, staff-assisted copies at $3 per page and certification at an additional $2 per document.
What time must I submit a document for same-day recording?
The Recorder says documents submitted through 4:00 PM are recorded the same day. Documents submitted between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM are recorded the next business day.
Who handles San Joaquin County property tax bills?
The Treasurer-Tax Collector handles property-tax bills and payments. The Recorder handles recorded deeds and other official real-property documents.
Official resources