Fresno Deed Records Online

All deed records for Fresno properties are maintained by the Fresno County Recorder office located at 2281 Tulare Street in downtown Fresno. The city of Fresno does not have its own recording office. Every property transfer in Fresno goes through the county recorder whether you are buying a house, refinancing a mortgage, or recording a lien. You can search these deed records online using the Tyler Technologies portal that Fresno County uses for public access to recorded documents from recent years.

Fresno County Recorder

Fresno County Recorder handles all deed filings for the city of Fresno. The office sits at 2281 Tulare Street, Room 302, Fresno CA 93721. Phone is (559) 600-5956. Hours are Monday through Friday with some variation during holidays. Call ahead if you plan to visit.

This office serves the whole county. Fresno is the largest city but smaller cities like Clovis also use the same system. The recorder accepts deeds in person, by mail, or electronically. Electronic recording has become the standard for most real estate transactions.

If you need to file a deed in person, bring the original signed document. Make sure it is notarized. Bring payment for recording fees and documentary transfer tax. The counter staff will review the document to make sure it meets basic requirements. They cannot give legal advice or help you fill out the deed but they can tell you if something is obviously wrong like missing a signature or notary stamp.

For detailed information about Fresno County recording services including current fee schedules, online search instructions, and how to request copies of recorded documents, visit the Fresno County deed records page which provides complete contact details, office hours, eRecording options, and step by step guidance for filing or searching property records.

Search Fresno Property Deeds

Fresno County uses Tyler Technologies for its online records database. Go to fresnocountyca-web.tylerhost.net/web/ to access the search portal. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or document number. The system returns a list of matching records.

The database includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents. Coverage goes back many years but not all old records are digitized. If you need something from decades ago, you may have to visit the recorder office to access microfilm or original books.

When you find a deed online, you can view basic information like the recording date and document number. To get a copy of the full deed, you may need to pay a fee depending on the county policy. Contact the recorder office for current pricing on document copies.

Most Fresno home sales involve grant deeds. This type of deed includes implied warranties under California law. The seller promises they have not already sold the property and that there are no hidden liens beyond what the deed lists. Quitclaim deeds are also common for family transfers or to clear title problems but they provide no warranties.

Documentary Transfer Tax

Fresno County charges the standard California documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of the property value. The city of Fresno does not add any additional city transfer tax on top of the county rate. This keeps closing costs lower compared to cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles that have extra city taxes.

The transfer tax applies to most sales and transfers. Some transfers are exempt such as gifts between spouses or transfers to a trust where the beneficial owner stays the same. The deed must state whether the transfer is exempt and provide the reason. Failing to properly declare the tax or exemption can delay recording.

The tax is usually paid by the seller but parties can agree otherwise in the purchase contract. It gets paid when the deed is recorded. The recorder office collects it along with the recording fees. Make sure to include it when calculating your closing costs.

Cost to Record Deeds

Fresno County charges $19 for the first page of a standard deed. If the deed includes a documentary transfer tax declaration, the first page fee drops to $11. Each additional page costs $3. Most deeds run two to three pages so expect to pay around $14 to $17 plus any applicable transfer tax.

These fees cover the base recording fee, fraud prevention fee, and other statutory charges. The SB2 housing fee of $75 also applies to most real estate transactions. This fee funds affordable housing programs statewide. It is separate from the per-page recording fee.

Recording fees can change when new state laws pass. Always verify the current fee schedule before filing. You can find the latest fees on the county recorder website or by calling the office. Bring exact payment or a check when filing in person. Some offices accept credit cards but may charge a processing fee.

Other Central Valley Cities

Fresno County includes several smaller cities that also use the county recorder. Other large cities in the Central Valley have their own counties. Here are some nearby cities:

• Clovis (Fresno County)
• Visalia (Tulare County)
• Modesto (Stanislaus County)
• Stockton (San Joaquin County)
• Bakersfield (Kern County)

Each county has its own recorder office with different fees and systems. Make sure to contact the right county for the property you are researching.