Modesto Deed Records

Modesto deed records are kept by the Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder office at 1021 I Street in downtown Modesto. The city does not maintain its own recording office. All property transfers in Modesto go through the county system which is located right in the city. You can search these records online using the RecorderWorks portal which provides access to deeds from 1978 to the present. Modesto is the county seat so residents have easy access to the recorder office for in-person filings or document requests.

Stanislaus County Recorder

Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder manages all deed filings for Modesto. The office is at 1021 I Street, Suite 101, Modesto CA 95354. Phone is (209) 525-5250. Hours are Monday through Friday with some variation for holidays. Call ahead if you plan to visit.

Modesto is the county seat. The recorder office is in downtown Modesto which makes it convenient for city residents. You can file deeds in person, by mail, or electronically. Electronic filing has become the standard for most real estate transactions especially commercial deals.

If you visit in person, bring the original signed and notarized deed. 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 but can tell you if something is obviously missing.

For complete details about Stanislaus County recording services including current fee schedules, office hours, and online search instructions, visit the Stanislaus County deed records page which provides all contact information, database access, eRecording options, and step by step guidance for filing or requesting copies of property documents.

Search Modesto Deeds

Stanislaus County uses RecorderWorks for online deed searches. Go to crweb.stancounty.com/RecorderWorksInternet and select your search type. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or document number. The database goes back to 1978.

The system returns matching records with basic details like recording date and parties involved. Click on a record to see more information. To get a copy of the full deed image, you may need to pay depending on county policy. Copy fees are $6.75 for the first page, $3 for each additional page, and $2 for certification.

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 anywhere with internet access.

Most Modesto home sales use grant deeds. This type includes implied warranties under California law. The seller promises they have not already sold the property and there are no undisclosed liens. Quitclaim deeds are also recorded but provide no such warranties.

Transfer Tax

Stanislaus County charges the standard California documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of property value. The city of Modesto 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

Stanislaus County recording fees follow state and county schedules. The fee for the first page includes the base fee, fraud prevention fee, and other statutory charges. Each additional page costs $3. Most deeds are two or three pages so expect to pay around $90 to $93 total including the SB2 housing fee of $75.

These fees apply to all deeds in Stanislaus County whether the property is in Modesto 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 $6.75 for the first page, $3 for each additional page, and $2 for certification. If you need certified copies for legal purposes, request them when you order.

Central Valley Cities

Modesto is the largest city in Stanislaus County. Other cities in the Central Valley have their own counties. Here are some nearby cities:

• Turlock (Stanislaus County)
• Ceres (Stanislaus County)
• Stockton (San Joaquin County)
• Tracy (San Joaquin County)

Each county has its own recorder office with different systems and fees. Make sure you know which county the property is in before searching.