Riverside Deed Records Search
Riverside deed records are kept by the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder office. The city does not maintain its own recording system. All property transfers in Riverside go through the county which has offices in Riverside, Indio, and other locations. You can search these records online at the county portal. The city of Riverside has its own transfer tax at $1.10 per $500 which is double the standard county rate making it more expensive than most California cities that do not charge extra city taxes.
Riverside Quick Facts
Riverside County Recorder
Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder manages all deed filings for the city of Riverside. The main office is in Riverside but there are branch offices in other parts of the county. Phone is (951) 486-7000 or toll-free (800) 696-9144. Hours vary by location so call ahead.
You can file deeds in person, by mail, or electronically. Electronic recording has become standard for most real estate transactions. The county processes online filings within 48 hours typically. Mail processing takes 1 to 2 weeks. If you pay by credit card, the county charges a 2.15% processing fee.
The county offers a fee calculator on its website. This helps you figure out the total cost before you file. You enter the number of pages and document type and it calculates the fees. This is helpful for budgeting your closing costs.
For complete details about Riverside County recording services including office locations, current fees, and online search instructions, visit the Riverside County deed records page which provides all contact information, fee calculator access, database search guidance, and step by step instructions for filing or requesting property documents.
Online Deed Database
Riverside County offers an online search at webselfservice.riversideacr.com/Web. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or document number. The system returns matching records with basic details like recording date and parties involved.
Click on a record to view more information. To get a copy of the full deed, you may need to pay depending on the county policy. Copy fees are $8 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certification adds $2.
The database includes grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, and liens. It updates regularly. Most new deeds appear within a few business days of recording. You can search 24/7 from anywhere with internet access.
Most Riverside 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.
Riverside City Transfer Tax
The city of Riverside charges its own transfer tax of $1.10 per $500 of the sale price. This is double the standard county rate. Most California cities do not charge extra city taxes. Riverside is one of the few that does.
The county documentary transfer tax is 55 cents per $500. Combined with the city tax, you pay $1.65 per $500 total when you buy property in Riverside. For a $400,000 home, that is about $1,320 in transfer taxes alone. This is on top of recording fees and other closing costs.
Some transfers are exempt from the tax. Gifts between spouses, transfers to secure a debt, and certain other transactions do not pay transfer tax. The deed must state the exemption and provide the reason. The recorder office checks this before accepting the deed.
The transfer tax is usually paid by the seller but parties can agree to split it or allocate it differently in the purchase contract. It gets paid when you record the deed. Make sure to factor this into your budget when buying or selling Riverside property.
Recording Fees
Riverside County recording fees follow state and county schedules. The fee for the first page includes the base fee, fraud prevention fee, and other charges. Each additional page costs $3. Most deeds are two or three pages.
The SB2 housing fee of $75 applies to most real estate transactions. This is a state fee that funds affordable housing programs. It is separate from the per-page recording fee.
Use the county fee calculator at acrfeecalculator.rivcoacr.org to estimate your total cost. Enter your document details and it shows the breakdown. This helps avoid surprises at closing.
Nearby Cities
Riverside is the largest city in Riverside County. Other cities in the county also use the county recorder. Here are some nearby cities:
Note: The city of Riverside has its own transfer tax. Check whether other cities in the county charge extra taxes before closing.