Rancho Cucamonga Deed Records
Rancho Cucamonga deed records are maintained by the San Bernardino County Assessor, Recorder, Clerk office. The city does not have its own deed recording office. All real estate transfers in Rancho Cucamonga must be filed with the county. You can search these records online going back to 1958 or visit the county office for copies. Rancho Cucamonga sits in the southwestern corner of San Bernardino County with about 178,000 residents. The city has grown rapidly over recent decades with new housing developments in the foothills and along the valley floor creating lots of deed activity.
Rancho Cucamonga Quick Facts
Where Deeds Get Recorded
San Bernardino County Assessor, Recorder, Clerk handles all deed filings for Rancho Cucamonga. The main office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane in the city of San Bernardino. That is about 30 miles east of Rancho Cucamonga. You can call 909-387-8306. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Rancho Cucamonga does not have its own recorder. All cities in San Bernardino County use the same county office. When you buy a home in Rancho Cucamonga, your title company sends the deed to San Bernardino. The county records it and adds it to the public index. Then anyone can search for it.
For complete details about San Bernardino County recording services, visit the San Bernardino 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 Rancho Cucamonga.
San Bernardino County offers eRecording through certified vendors. Most title companies and real estate lawyers use electronic filing because it is faster than paper. Documents submitted electronically often record within one or two business days. Paper deeds take longer to process, especially during busy periods. If you need fast recording, ask your title company about eRecording.
Find Deeds Online
San Bernardino County has a self-service portal for online deed searches. Go to 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 you must visit the county office to access them.
To search by owner name, enter the last name first. Then add the first name if you know it. The system shows all matching records. Click on one to see basic details like the recording date and document type. The online system shows index information for free. If you want the full deed image, you must pay a fee.
Most deeds in Rancho Cucamonga are grant deeds. This is the standard form for home sales. The seller grants the property to the buyer. California law implies two covenants in every grant deed. First, the seller has not sold to anyone else. Second, there are no hidden encumbrances except what the deed lists. These protections apply automatically even if the deed does not state them.
You may also see trust deeds in your 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 against your property. When you pay off the loan, the lender records a reconveyance that releases the trust deed. Both documents appear in the official records.
Transfer Tax Information
Rancho Cucamonga 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. 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 example, a $500,000 home has a transfer tax of $550. The seller usually 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, 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 lawyer. You may need to submit documentation to the county to prove the exemption.
Cost to Record
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 long. 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 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. Plain copies cost $3 for the first page and $1 for additional pages without certification. You can order copies online or in person at the San Bernardino 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. Do not send cash. Write your return address clearly so the county can mail the recorded deed back to you after processing.
Other San Bernardino County Cities
Rancho Cucamonga is in southwestern San Bernardino County near the LA County line. 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 easier because you only need to search one database instead of visiting multiple offices.