Sacramento Property Deed Search

Property deed records for Sacramento are kept by the Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder office at 3636 American River Drive. The city does not maintain its own deed files. All real estate transactions in Sacramento go through the county system which has one of the oldest continuous deed indexes in California dating back to 1849. You can search these records online for free through the county portal. Documents submitted before 3pm get recorded the same day which makes Sacramento one of the faster recorder offices in the state.

Sacramento County Recorder

Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder manages all deed filings for the city of Sacramento. The office is at 3636 American River Drive, Suite 110, Sacramento CA 95864. This is not downtown. It is in the northeast part of the county. Phone is (916) 874-6334 or toll-free (800) 313-7133. Hours are Monday through Friday.

Sacramento County has a same-day recording policy. If you submit a document before 3pm, it gets recorded that day. This is helpful for time-sensitive transactions. After 3pm, the document gets recorded the next business day. This policy applies to both paper and electronic filings.

The county accepts deeds in person, by mail, or through eRecording. Most title companies use eRecording now. This is faster and reduces errors. If you file in person, go to Suite 110 at the American River Drive office. Bring the original document with all required signatures and notarizations. Pay the recording fees and any transfer tax at the counter.

For complete details about Sacramento County deed recording services including current fees, processing times, and office locations, check the Sacramento County deed records page which provides all contact info, online search instructions, fee schedules, and guidance on filing or requesting copies of property documents.

Online Deed Database

Sacramento County offers a free online search at recordersdocumentindex.saccounty.net. This database goes back to 1849 making it one of the most complete historical deed collections in California. You can search by name, document number, or other criteria. The system shows matching records with basic details.

To view the full deed image, click on the document number. The county allows free viewing of most deed images online. This is unusual for California. Many counties charge per page. Sacramento lets you view and print for free which saves money for people doing research.

The database includes grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, and other recorded documents. It updates regularly. Most new deeds appear in the index within 24 hours of recording. You can search 24/7 from home or anywhere with internet access.

Very old deeds from the 1800s and early 1900s may only be available as scanned images. The handwriting can be hard to read. Legal descriptions use old surveying terms. If you need help interpreting an old deed, consider hiring a title researcher or attorney who specializes in historical property records.

Transfer Tax Rates

Sacramento County charges the standard California documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of property value. The city of Sacramento does not add any additional city transfer tax. This keeps costs lower than Bay Area cities with extra taxes.

The tax applies to most sales. Exempt transfers include gifts between spouses, transfers to a trust where the beneficial interest stays the same, and 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 buyers and sellers can agree to split it or allocate it differently in the purchase contract. It gets paid when you record the deed. Bring a check or use the online payment system if filing electronically.

Recording Fees

Sacramento County charges $20 for the first page of a deed. Each additional page costs $3. Most deeds run two or three pages so expect to pay $23 to $26 just for recording fees. This does not include the SB2 housing fee which is $75 for most real estate transactions.

Copy fees are $8 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certification adds $1. If you need a certified copy, ask for it when you order. The county seal and signature make it acceptable for court filings and other legal purposes. Plain copies are fine for your own records but not for official use.

Fees can change when the state passes new laws. Always check the current fee schedule on the county website or call the office before filing. This ensures you bring enough payment.

Nearby Cities

Sacramento County includes several cities that all use the county recorder. Here are other cities in the region:

• Elk Grove (Sacramento County)
• Roseville (Placer County)
• Davis (Yolo County)
• Folsom (Sacramento County)

Each county has its own recorder office. Make sure you know which county the property is in before you start searching.