Fremont Deed Records
Fremont property deed records are managed by the Alameda County Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder office at 1106 Madison Street in Oakland. Fremont does not have its own deed recording office. All real estate transactions in Fremont go through the county system in Oakland which is about 20 miles northwest of Fremont. You can search these records online from 1969 to the present. Unlike some other Alameda County cities, Fremont does not charge its own city transfer tax which keeps closing costs more predictable for buyers and sellers.
Fremont Quick Facts
Alameda County Recorder
Alameda County Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder handles all deed filings for Fremont. The office is at 1106 Madison Street, Oakland CA 94607. Phone is (510) 272-6362. Email is CROCustomerService@acgov.org. Hours are Monday through Friday.
Fremont is in southern Alameda County. The recorder office is in Oakland. You can file deeds in person at the Oakland office, by mail, or electronically through certified vendors like Simplifile and Direct Legal. Electronic filing has become the standard for most real estate transactions.
The county accepts deeds during business hours. If you file in person, bring the original signed and notarized deed plus payment for all fees and taxes. 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 Alameda County recording services including detailed fee schedules, office hours, and online search instructions, visit the Alameda County deed records page which provides all contact details, database access, eRecording options, and step by step guidance for filing or requesting copies of property documents.
Search Fremont Deeds
Alameda County offers an online search at rechart1.acgov.org/RealEstate/SearchEntry.aspx. The database goes back to 1969. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or document number. The system returns matching records with basic details.
Click on a record to see more information. You can view the recording date, book and page, and parties involved. To get a copy of the full deed image, you may need to pay depending on county policy. Contact the recorder office for current fees on document copies.
The database includes grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, and other documents. It updates regularly. Most new deeds appear in the index within a few business days of recording. You can search 24/7 from home or anywhere with internet access.
Most Fremont home sales involve grant deeds. This is the standard type in California. The seller grants the property to the buyer with implied warranties that they have not already sold it and there are no undisclosed liens. Quitclaim deeds are also used for family transfers or to clear title issues.
Transfer Tax
Alameda County charges the standard California documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of property value. The city of Fremont does not add any additional city transfer tax. This is different from other Alameda County cities like Oakland, Berkeley, and Hayward which all have their own 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 along with the recording fees. Include it in your closing cost calculations.
Recording Fees
Alameda County charges $89 for the first page of a deed. This 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 $92 to $95 just for recording fees.
These fees apply to all deeds in Alameda County whether the property is in Fremont 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 vary. Contact the recorder office for the current copy fee schedule. Certified copies include the official seal and are required for legal purposes like court filings.
East Bay Cities
Fremont is in the southern East Bay. Nearby cities also use Alameda County Recorder. Here are some:
Note: Hayward has its own city transfer tax. Check local rates before closing on property in that city.