Garden Grove Deed Records
Garden Grove deed records are stored at the Orange County Recorder office in Santa Ana. The city does not keep its own property deed files. All real estate transfers in Garden Grove must be recorded with the county. You can search these records online or visit the county office in person for copies. Garden Grove sits in central Orange County with about 171,000 residents. The city has a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and commercial properties. This creates steady deed recording activity as properties change hands throughout the year.
Garden Grove Quick Facts
Recording Office Location
Orange County Recorder handles all deed filings for Garden Grove. The office is at 601 North Ross Street in Santa Ana. That is about 3 miles south of Garden Grove. You can call 714-834-5043 or the toll-free number at 855-886-5400. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Garden Grove does not have its own recorder. All cities in Orange County use the same county office. When you buy a home in Garden Grove, your deed goes to Santa Ana. The county records it and puts it in the public index. Then anyone can search for it online or in person.
For full details about Orange County recording services, visit the Orange County deed records page where you will find information about fees, online databases, eRecording options, and how to search for property documents throughout the county including Garden Grove.
Orange County has processed over 11 million electronic recordings. Most title companies now use eRecording because it is faster than paper. Documents submitted electronically often record the same day if received before the cutoff. Paper deeds take longer. If you need a deed recorded quickly, ask your title company about electronic submission.
Search Deeds Online
Orange County uses RecorderWorks for online deed searches. Visit the county's search portal and select your search type. You can search by name, document type, recording date, or legal description. The database goes back many years and gets updated daily.
To search by name, enter the last name first. Then add the first name. The system shows all matching deeds. Click on one to see details like the recording date and document number. If you want the full deed image, you must pay a fee. The county charges per page for copies.
Most Garden Grove deeds are grant deeds. This is the standard type for home sales. The seller grants the property to the buyer. California law implies two covenants in every grant deed. One, the seller has not sold to anyone else. Two, there are no hidden liens except what the deed discloses. These implied warranties protect buyers even if the deed does not state them explicitly.
Trust deeds also appear in search results. These are not ownership transfers. A trust deed is a security instrument for a loan. When you get a mortgage, the lender records a trust deed. When you pay off the loan, the lender records a reconveyance releasing the trust deed. Both documents show up in the official records index.
Transfer Tax Information
Garden Grove does not have its own city transfer tax. You only pay the standard Orange County documentary transfer tax. The rate is 55 cents per $500 of the sale price. This is the state minimum rate. Some California counties charge more, but Orange County uses the base rate.
To calculate the tax, divide the sale price by 500. Then multiply by 0.55. For a $650,000 home, that is 1,300 times 0.55, which equals $715. The seller typically pays this at closing. But buyers and sellers can negotiate who pays. Check your purchase contract to see what you agreed to.
Transfer tax applies when consideration exceeds $100. Most home sales trigger the tax. Some transfers are exempt. Gifts between family members, inheritances, and transfers between spouses for no consideration may not owe tax. If you think you qualify for an exemption, talk to your title company or real estate attorney. You may need to provide documentation to prove it.
Recording Fee Schedule
Orange County charges $12 for the first page of a deed. Then add $75 for the SB2 housing fee. The maximum SB2 fee is $225 for multi-property transactions, but most single-family deeds only pay $75. Each additional page costs $3. A two-page deed costs $90 total. A three-page deed costs $93.
If you need a certified copy of a deed, the county charges $1 per page plus $1 for certification. So a certified two-page deed costs $3 total. Plain copies cost $1 per page without the certification. You can order copies online, by mail, or in person at the Santa Ana office. Online orders usually process within a few days.
The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Credit card payments may have a processing fee. If you mail a deed for recording, include a check or money order made out to Orange County Recorder. Do not send cash by mail. Write your return address clearly so the county can mail the recorded deed back to you.
Other Orange County Cities
Garden Grove is located in central Orange County. All cities in the county use the same recorder. Below are other nearby cities where you can find deed information:
If you own property in multiple Orange County cities, all your deeds are in the same county index. This makes title research easier because you only need to search one database. Orange County has one of the best online systems in California with free access to millions of recorded documents.