Hayward Deed Records
Hayward deed records are stored at the Alameda County Clerk Recorder office in Oakland. The city does not keep its own property deed files. All real estate transfers in Hayward must be filed with the county. You can search these records online going back to 1969 or visit the county office for copies. Hayward is in southern Alameda County with about 162,000 residents. The city has a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and industrial zones. This creates steady deed recording activity as properties change hands throughout the year.
Hayward Quick Facts
Recording Office Location
Alameda County Clerk Recorder handles all deed filings for Hayward. The office is at 1106 Madison Street in Oakland. That is about 15 miles north of Hayward. You can call (510) 272-6362 or email CROCustomerService@acgov.org. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Hayward does not have its own local recorder. All cities in Alameda County use the same county office in Oakland. When you buy a home in Hayward, your deed gets sent to Oakland. The county records it and adds it to the public index. Then anyone can search for it online or in person.
For complete information about Alameda County recording services, visit the Alameda 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 Hayward.
Alameda County offers eRecording through certified vendors like Simplifile and Direct Legal. Most title companies and real estate lawyers use electronic submission because it is faster than paper. Documents submitted electronically often record within one or two business days. Paper deeds take longer depending on mail delivery and processing time.
Search Hayward Deeds Online
Alameda County has an online deed search portal that goes back to 1969. Go to the county's search website and select your search method. You can search by name, document number, or legal description. The database gets updated daily with new recordings.
To search by owner name, enter the last name first. Then add the first name if you know it. The system shows matching records. Click on one to see basic details like recording date and document type. The index is free to search. If you want the full deed image, you must pay a fee.
Most Hayward deeds are grant deeds. This is the standard form for home sales in California. The seller grants the property to the buyer. By law, this implies the seller has not sold to anyone else and there are no surprise liens except what the deed discloses. Grant deeds protect buyers even without extensive warranties.
Quitclaim deeds also appear in Alameda County records. These transfer whatever interest the grantor has without any warranty. People use quitclaim deeds for family transfers, divorces, or clearing up title problems. Lenders will not accept quitclaim deeds for purchase transactions because they provide no title protection.
Hayward City Transfer Tax
Hayward has its own city transfer tax on top of the county tax. The city rate is $8.50 per $1,000 of the sale price. This is in addition to the Alameda County documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500. So when you buy a home in Hayward, you pay both taxes at closing.
To calculate the total transfer tax, first figure the county tax. Divide the sale price by 500 and multiply by 0.55. Then figure the city tax. Divide the sale price by 1,000 and multiply by 8.50. Add them together. For a $600,000 home, the county tax is $660 and the city tax is $5,100, for a total of $5,760.
The seller usually pays transfer taxes at closing. But buyers and sellers can negotiate who pays. Check your purchase contract to see what you agreed to. Hayward's city transfer tax is higher than most California cities. Other Alameda County cities with high transfer taxes include Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville.
Transfer tax applies when consideration exceeds $100. Most home sales trigger the tax. Some transfers are exempt. Gifts, inheritances, and transfers between spouses for no consideration may not owe tax. If you think you qualify for an exemption, ask your title company or lawyer. You may need documentation to prove it.
Recording Fee Schedule
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. A two-page deed costs $92. A three-page deed costs $95.
If you need a certified copy of a deed, the county charges for each page plus certification. Plain copies cost less but do not have the official seal. You can order copies online or in person at the Oakland office. Online orders usually process within a few business days and get mailed to you.
The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, or credit card. If you mail a deed for recording, include a check or money order. Do not send cash. Write your return address clearly so the county can mail the recorded deed back to you after processing.
Other Alameda County Cities
Hayward is in southern Alameda County. Other cities in the county use the same recorder in Oakland. Below are nearby cities:
All Alameda County cities share the same deed index. If you own property in multiple cities in the county, all your deeds are in one system. This makes title research easier because you only need to search one database.
Note: Oakland and Berkeley also have their own city transfer taxes with tiered rates based on sale price. These can significantly increase closing costs for high-value properties.