Chula Vista Property Deeds
Chula Vista deed records are maintained by the San Diego County Assessor, Recorder, County Clerk office. The city does not operate its own recording office. All property transfers in Chula Vista go through the county system. You can search these records online at the county portal but APN searches are no longer available online per state law AB 1785. You must use public kiosks for parcel number searches. Chula Vista is the second largest city in San Diego County so the county recorder handles a high volume of deeds for the city each year.
Chula Vista Quick Facts
San Diego County Recorder
San Diego County Assessor, Recorder, County Clerk manages all deed filings for Chula Vista. The main office is in downtown San Diego. They also have branch locations around the county. Phone is (619) 237-0502. Email is ARCCRecorderCountyClerk.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov. Hours vary by location so call ahead.
Chula Vista is in the south bay area of San Diego County. The county recorder office is about 10 miles north in downtown San Diego. You can file deeds in person, by mail, or electronically through certified vendors. Electronic filing has become standard for most real estate transactions.
The county has been modernizing its records system. Many older deeds are now digitized. Some very old documents still exist only in paper form. If you need something from before the digital era, you may have to visit the office and request the original book or microfilm.
For complete details about San Diego County recording services including all office locations, current fees, and online search instructions, visit the San Diego County deed records page which provides all contact information, hours of operation, database access, and guidance on filing or requesting copies of property documents throughout the county.
Online Deed Database
San Diego County offers an online search at arcc-acclaim.sdcounty.ca.gov. This is the official records index. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or document number. The system returns a list of matching records.
Due to AB 1785, the online system no longer allows searches by assessor parcel number. This change protects privacy. If you need to search by APN, you must visit a public kiosk at one of the recorder offices. These kiosks are available during business hours.
When you find a deed online, you can view basic info like the date recorded and parties involved. To get a copy of the full deed, you will need to pay. Fees are $2 for the first page and five cents for each extra page. Certification adds $1. You can order copies online or in person.
The database includes deeds, reconveyances, liens, and other documents. It updates regularly. Most deeds appear in the index within a few business days after recording. You can search from home any time.
Documentary Transfer Tax
San Diego County charges a documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of the property value. The city of Chula Vista does not add any extra city transfer tax on top of the county rate. This keeps costs lower than Bay Area cities with additional city taxes.
The tax applies to most sales and transfers. Some transfers are exempt like gifts between spouses or transfers to secure a debt. The deed must state the sale price or declare the exemption. The recorder will not accept a deed without proper transfer tax documentation.
The transfer tax is usually paid by the seller but parties can agree otherwise in the purchase contract. It gets paid when the deed is recorded. Include it in your closing cost calculations.
Recording Fees
San Diego County recording fees follow state and county schedules. The fee for the first page includes the base fee, SB2 housing fee, and fraud prevention fee. Each additional page costs $3. Most deeds are two or three pages so expect to pay around $90 to $93 total.
These fees apply to all deeds in San Diego County whether the property is in Chula Vista or another city. The county sets them. Cities do not charge separate recording fees. Transfer taxes are based on sale price and are separate from recording fees.
Copy fees are $2 for the first page and five cents for each additional page. Certification adds $1. If you need certified copies for legal purposes, request them when you order.
South Bay Cities
Chula Vista is in the south bay area of San Diego County. Nearby cities also use the county recorder. Here are some:
All San Diego County cities use the county recorder. No city maintains its own deed records.