Ontario Deed Records
Ontario property deed records are stored at the San Bernardino County Assessor, Recorder, Clerk office. The city does not keep its own deed files. All real estate transactions in Ontario must be recorded with the county. You can search these records online or visit the county office in person for copies. Ontario is located in southwestern San Bernardino County with about 175,000 residents. The city sits near the LA County line and has Ontario International Airport. The mix of residential, commercial, and industrial properties creates steady deed recording activity throughout the year.
Ontario Quick Facts
Recording Office Location
San Bernardino County Assessor, Recorder, Clerk handles all deed filings for Ontario. The main office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane in the city of San Bernardino. That is about 20 miles east of Ontario. Call 909-387-8306 for information. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Ontario does not have its own local recorder. All cities in San Bernardino County use the same county office. When you buy a home in Ontario, your deed gets sent to San Bernardino. The county records it and puts it in the public index. Then anyone can search for it online or in person.
For complete information about San Bernardino County recording services, visit the San Bernardino County deed records page where you will find details about fees, online databases, eRecording options, and how to search for property documents throughout the county including Ontario.
San Bernardino County offers electronic recording through certified vendors. Most title companies now use eRecording because it is faster than paper submission. Documents submitted electronically often record within one or two business days. Paper deeds take longer, especially during busy times. If you need a deed recorded quickly, ask your title company about electronic filing.
Search Ontario Deeds Online
San Bernardino County has an online self-service portal for deed searches. Visit the county's search website and select your search method. You can search by name, document number, or legal description. The online index goes back to 1958. Older records exist but are not available online.
To search by owner name, type the last name first. Then add the first name. The system shows all 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 Ontario deeds are grant deeds. This is the standard form used for home sales in California. The seller grants the property to the buyer. California law implies two covenants. One, the seller has not sold to anyone else. Two, there are no hidden liens except what the deed discloses. These protections apply even if the deed does not state them explicitly.
Quitclaim deeds also appear in search results. These transfer whatever interest the grantor has without any warranty. People use quitclaim deeds for family transfers, divorces, or clearing up title problems. Lenders usually will not accept quitclaim deeds for purchase transactions because they provide no title protection. But they work fine for non-sale transfers.
Documentary Transfer Tax
Ontario does not have its own city transfer tax. You only pay the standard San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino County uses the base rate.
To calculate the tax, divide the sale price by 500. Then multiply by 0.55. For a $450,000 home, that is 900 times 0.55, which equals $495. 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. Certain transfers are exempt. Gifts, 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 lawyer. You may need documentation to prove it.
Recording Fee Schedule
San Bernardino County charges $24 for the first page of a deed with the fraud prevention fee included. Each additional page costs $3. Most residential deeds are two or three pages. A two-page deed costs $27. A three-page deed costs $30. These fees do not include the SB2 housing fee which adds $75 for most single-property transactions.
If you need a certified copy of a deed, the county charges $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certification adds $1. So a certified two-page deed costs $5 total. Plain copies cost $3 for the first page and $1 for additional pages without certification. You can order copies online, by mail, or in person at the county office.
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 made out to San Bernardino County Recorder. Do not mail cash. Write your return address clearly so the county can send the recorded deed back to you.
Other San Bernardino County Cities
Ontario is located in southwestern San Bernardino County. Other cities in the county use the same recorder. Below are nearby cities:
All San Bernardino 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 simpler because you only need to search one database.