Clovis Property Deed Records
Deed records for Clovis are maintained by Fresno County Recorder. The city does not keep its own deed files. All property transfers in Clovis go through the county system in Fresno. You can search many records online or visit the county office in person. Clovis has over 120,000 residents and sits just northeast of Fresno in the Central Valley. The county uses Tyler Technologies software for online searches which lets you look up deeds by name, address, or document number. Many years of deed records are available online making it easy to research property ownership from your computer.
Clovis Quick Facts
Fresno County Recording Office
Fresno County Recorder handles all deed filings for Clovis. The office is at 2281 Tulare Street, Room 302, in Fresno which is just a few miles southwest of Clovis. Call (559) 600-5956 with questions. Hours are Monday through Friday during normal business times. Check their website for exact hours and closures.
Clovis residents can file deeds in person, by mail, or through electronic recording. Most real estate professionals use eRecording for speed. Documents submitted online typically get recorded within one or two business days. Paper documents take longer depending on volume. The county assigns a document number to each recorded deed and adds it to the searchable index.
For more information about Fresno County's deed recording services, visit the Fresno County deed records page where you can find detailed information about the recorder office, fees, online databases, and how to search for property documents throughout the county including Clovis and all other Fresno County cities.
Search Clovis Deeds Online
Fresno County uses Tyler Technologies for online deed searches. Go to fresnocountyca-web.tylerhost.net/web/ to access the portal. You can search by name, document type, date, or document number. The database covers many years of records. Check the site for exact coverage dates.
To find a Clovis deed, enter the property owner name or address. Results show all matching documents in Fresno County. Click on one to see details like the recording date, document type, and number of pages. You may be able to view the full deed image online. If you need a certified copy, you must request it from the county and pay the certification fee.
Most Clovis home sales use grant deeds. A grant deed transfers ownership with implied promises that the seller has not sold the property to anyone else and there are no hidden liens. Quitclaim deeds also appear for transfers between family members or to clear title issues. Deeds of trust are used for mortgages and refinancing.
The online system covers all Fresno County cities including Clovis, Fresno, and others. Make sure to verify the property address when you search. A person may own land in multiple cities so you want to confirm you have the right parcel before ordering copies.
Fees and Transfer Tax
Fresno County charges $19 for the first page of most deeds or $11 for deeds with transfer tax statements. Each additional page costs $3. Most deeds are two or three pages. Add the SB2 fee of $75 for real estate transactions. The SB2 fee funds affordable housing programs statewide.
If you need a certified copy of a deed, contact the Fresno County Recorder for current copy fees and certification charges. Certified copies have the county seal and a signed statement. Courts and lenders require certified copies. Plain copies without the seal cost less but are not accepted for legal matters.
Documentary transfer tax in Fresno County is 55 cents per $500 of the purchase price. This is the standard California rate. The city of Clovis does not charge an additional city transfer tax. You only pay the county rate. This makes Clovis less expensive for closing costs compared to cities with their own transfer taxes.
California Recording Laws
All deeds in California must follow state law. The main rule is in Civil Code Section 1091 which says real property transfers must be in writing and signed by the person transferring the property. You cannot transfer land with a verbal agreement in California.
Grant deeds in Clovis include implied covenants under Civil Code Section 1113 which says the seller promises they have not sold the property to anyone else and the property is free from liens except those disclosed. These promises are automatic when you use the word grant in the deed.
The county recorder must accept your deed if it meets legal requirements and you pay the fees. This rule comes from Government Code Section 27201 which lists the duties of county recorders. The recorder cannot give legal advice or tell you if your deed is valid. They only check format and signatures.
Recording a deed gives constructive notice under Civil Code Sections 1213-1214 which establish California's race-notice recording system. The first buyer to record usually wins if there are competing claims. Always record your deed as soon as possible after closing to protect your interest.
Other Fresno County Cities
Fresno County has one other city over 100,000 population. It uses the same county recorder. The nearby city is:
All Fresno County residents file deeds at the same county office in Fresno regardless of which city they live in. Recording fees and transfer tax rates are the same throughout the county. No Fresno County cities charge additional city transfer taxes.