Solano County Recorder: Deeds & Records

The Recorder is part of the Solano County Assessor/Recorder Department, led by elected Assessor/Recorder Glenn Zook.

The Recorder preserves real-property documents. The Assessor handles property assessments, parcel information and certain tax exemptions.

Solano County provides an Official Records Search system for recorded documents.

The index helps you find recording dates, document numbers, parties, document types and related details.

Search a deed in five steps

1. Open the search portal.

   Read the official disclaimer and select Agree to continue.

2. Use Simple Search.

   Enter an owner’s name and approximate recording year.

   For example, search a name followed by a year, such as Jane Doe 2024.

3. Switch to Advanced Search if needed.

   Search by grantor/grantee name, document date, document number or document type.

4. Review matching records.

   Compare the parties, recording date, document title and available reference number.

5. Save the document reference.

   Keep the document number, recording date and page count for your copy request.

After opening: review the Simple Search and Advanced Search explanations. Use the recorded document number when you need a specific deed.

Which search method should you use?

Solano County’s Recorder search does not directly index documents by street address.

If you only know the address, begin with the Assessor’s property-search service to identify the parcel number.

1. Open Property and Assessment Search.

   This is Solano County’s official property and parcel lookup.

   Open Assessor Property Search →
2. Select Real Estate Search with Mapping.

   Enter the property address into the search box.

3. Find the APN/PIN.

   The Assessor’s Parcel Number appears with the property details.

4. Return to Official Records Search.

   Search using the available parcel details or the parties’ names.

5. Confirm the correct instrument.

   Compare recording dates, parties and document type before ordering a copy.

After opening: follow the county’s steps for Property and Assessment Search, then use the APN/PIN in the Official Records Search.

The office is in the Solano County Government Center in downtown Fairfield.

The building houses multiple county departments. Follow the signs for the Assessor/Recorder on the second floor.

What should you bring?

After opening: find the Assessor-Recorder department. Check the address, public counter hours and Document Recording Contact Information.

The Recorder accepts documents permitted for recording under California law.

Your deed must be properly prepared, contain the required information and be suitable for electronic imaging.

Before submitting a deed

Recording process

1. Prepare the correct instrument.

   Confirm whether your transaction needs a grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust or another document.

2. Complete signatures and acknowledgment.

   A deed normally requires proper execution and notarization under California recording requirements.

3. Check the page layout.

   The document must leave space for the Recorder’s filing information and remain legible when scanned.

4. Prepare tax and ownership forms.

   Determine whether a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report and transfer-tax information are required.

5. Submit the document and fees.

   Deliver it to the Fairfield Recorder or use an accepted alternative filing method.

6. Keep your recording reference.

   Save the document number and recording date for future transactions or copy orders.

After opening: review General Recording Requirements, document definitions and recording cover pages before printing or submitting the original.

Some property transfers require supporting forms in addition to the deed.

The county keeps commonly used recording and assessment forms together on one official page.

After opening: find Change in Ownership Statements, Recording Cover Pages or Recorder Copy Request Form, depending on your transaction.

Solano County publishes an itemized recording fee schedule and a separate fee document effective July 1, 2026.

The fee depends on the type of instrument, page count, titles, indexing and any applicable special charges.

What is California SB 2?

The Building Homes and Jobs Act can add $75 for qualifying recorded real-estate instruments, subject to statutory exemptions and a $225 transaction cap.

Certain transfers subject to documentary transfer tax and certain owner-occupied residential transfers may qualify for exemptions.

The required exemption declaration must be completed correctly when claiming relief.

Simple recording-fee example

This is only a base-fee illustration, not a complete recording quote.

After opening: review the July 1, 2026 fee document, then compare Basic Recording Fees, Additional Recording Fees and Special Recording Fees.

Many property transfers involve documentary transfer tax in addition to document recording fees.

Solano County’s documentary transfer tax rate is $0.55 per $500, or fractional part thereof, of taxable consideration.

This calculation is for the county documentary transfer tax only.

Additional municipal transfer taxes may apply. For example, transfers involving property in Vallejo need a separate check of city requirements.

After opening: review Documentary Transfer Tax, SB 2 and PCOR requirements. Confirm any municipal tax directly with the applicable city.

Solano County provides regular and certified copies of recorded documents.

You can request copies in person or by mail.

Published deed copy fees

Confirm the number of pages before sending payment.

The current official copy-fee page lists a $5 certification charge. Older county pages may show a different amount.

Request a copy in person

1. Search the online index first.

   Find the correct recording reference.

2. Visit the Fairfield office.

   Go to 675 Texas Street, Suite 2700.

3. Provide the document details.

   Have the recording number, recording date or parties’ names ready.

4. Choose regular or certified copies.

   Ask which type the receiving institution requires.

Request a deed copy by mail

Send a written request with the document details and applicable payment.

Include the document title, recording date, document number or book/page reference, parties’ names and a contact phone number.

The Recorder does not provide ordinary recorded-document copies by email.

After opening: compare regular and certified copies, check the published fees and select the in-person or mail request process.

Solano County introduced a Recording Notification Program in summer 2025.

The program sends an automatic letter to the owner of record when certain documents are recorded against the property.

What if you receive an unexpected recording notice?

1. Read the letter carefully.

   Note the document type, recording date and reference information.

2. Search the official recording index.

   Check whether the named instrument appears under your property or name.

3. Request the actual document if necessary.

   Review the recorded instrument instead of relying only on the notice.

4. Contact the appropriate authorities.

   If you suspect fraud, speak with the Recorder and seek legal or law-enforcement assistance as appropriate.

After opening: review the documents that trigger notices and use the county’s APN/PIN instructions to check recent activity.

Restrictive Covenant Modification

California law prohibits discriminatory restrictions in real-property documents.

Solano County provides a Restrictive Covenant Modification process for qualifying recorded documents containing unlawful discriminatory language.

The county also maintains a broader historical-document review program under California AB 1466.

After opening: review the modification instructions and use the official form if a recorded covenant contains prohibited discriminatory language.

Historical deeds and microfilm

Records from 1954 and earlier require research through the Recorder’s historical resources.

Call before visiting if you need a nineteenth-century deed, old book-and-page reference or historical chain of ownership.

Birth, death and marriage records

The same Recorder Division also provides certain vital-record services.

These are different from real-estate document requests and have their own eligibility and certification rules.

Vital Records phone: 707-784-6294

Several Solano County departments handle property-related information.

Choosing the right office is often faster than making an unnecessary trip to the Recorder.

Communities served

The Solano County Recorder maintains eligible recorded property documents for the entire county.

This includes properties in Fairfield, Vallejo, Vacaville, Dixon, Benicia, Suisun City, Rio Vista and unincorporated areas of Solano County.

These resources are maintained by Solano County or its official public-record service providers.