Fontana Property Deeds
Fontana property deed records are managed by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office in San Bernardino. Fontana does not have its own deed recording office. All real estate transactions in Fontana go through the county recorder which is about 15 miles east in San Bernardino. You can search the online index from 1958 forward but full deed images are not available online. You must visit the recorder office or mail a request to get copies of complete deeds. Fontana is the second largest city in San Bernardino County so the county processes a high volume of property transfers for the city each year.
Fontana Quick Facts
San Bernardino County Recorder
San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk handles all deed filings for Fontana. The office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino CA 92415. Phone is (909) 387-8306. Hours are Monday through Friday.
Fontana is in western San Bernardino County. The recorder office is in the city of San Bernardino. You can file deeds in person, by mail, or electronically through certified vendors. Electronic filing has become the standard for most commercial real estate transactions.
If you visit in person to file a deed, bring the original signed and notarized document. Bring payment for recording fees and documentary transfer tax. The counter staff will review it to make sure it meets basic requirements. They cannot give legal advice but can tell you if something is obviously wrong.
For complete information about San Bernardino County recording services including detailed fee schedules, office locations, and filing procedures, visit the San Bernardino County deed records page which provides all contact details, hours of operation, online index access, and guidance on filing or requesting copies of property documents.
Online Index Access
San Bernardino County offers an online index at arcselfservice.sbcounty.gov/web. The index goes back to 1958. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, or document number. The system returns a list of matching records with basic information like recording date and document number.
The online system is index-only. You cannot view full deed images online. To get a copy of a deed, you must visit the recorder office in person or mail a request with payment. Copy fees are $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certification adds $1.
The index includes grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, and other recorded documents. It updates regularly. Most new deeds appear in the index within a few business days of recording.
Most Fontana home sales use grant deeds. This type includes implied warranties under California law. The seller promises they have not already transferred the property and there are no undisclosed liens. Quitclaim deeds are also recorded but provide no such warranties.
Documentary Transfer Tax
San Bernardino County charges the standard California documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of property value. The city of Fontana does not add any additional city transfer tax. This keeps closing costs lower than cities with extra 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 office checks this before accepting the deed.
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 Bernardino County charges $24 for the first page of a deed including the fraud prevention fee. Each additional page costs $3. Most deeds are two or three pages so expect to pay around $27 to $30 just for recording fees. Add the SB2 housing fee of $75 for most real estate transactions.
These fees apply to all deeds in San Bernardino County whether the property is in Fontana 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 $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certification adds $1. If you need certified copies for legal purposes, request them when you order.
Inland Empire Cities
Fontana is in the western Inland Empire. Nearby cities also use San Bernardino County Recorder. Here are some:
All San Bernardino County cities use the county recorder. No city maintains its own deed records.