San Bernardino Property Deed Records
San Bernardino deed records are maintained by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office at 222 West Hospitality Lane. The city does not operate its own deed recording system. All real estate transactions in San Bernardino go through the county recorder. You can search the online index from 1958 to the present but full deed images are not available online. You must visit the office or order copies to view complete documents. San Bernardino is the county seat so the recorder office is right in the city which makes it convenient for local residents.
San Bernardino Quick Facts
County Recorder Office
San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk handles all deed filings for the city of San Bernardino. The office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino CA 92415. Phone is (909) 387-8306. Hours are Monday through Friday with some variation for holidays.
San Bernardino is the county seat. The recorder office is in the city which makes it easy for residents to access. You can file deeds in person, by mail, or electronically through certified vendors. Electronic filing has become standard for most commercial real estate transactions.
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 wrong like a missing signature.
For complete information about San Bernardino County recording services including detailed fee schedules, office locations, and filing procedures, visit the San Bernardino County deed records page which provides all contact details, hours of operation, online index access, and guidance on filing or requesting copies of property documents.
Online Index Search
San Bernardino County offers an online index at arcselfservice.sbcounty.gov/web. The index goes back to 1958. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, or document number. The system returns a list of matching records with basic information.
The online system is index-only. You cannot view full deed images online. To get a copy of a deed, you must visit the recorder office in person or mail a request. Copy fees are $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certification adds $1.
The index includes grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, and other recorded documents. It updates regularly as new documents get recorded. Most deeds appear in the index within a few business days.
Most San Bernardino home sales use grant deeds. This type includes implied warranties under California law. The seller promises they have not already transferred the property and there are no undisclosed liens. Quitclaim deeds are also common for family transfers or to clear title issues.
Documentary Transfer Tax
San Bernardino County charges the standard California documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of property value. The city of San Bernardino 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.
Cost to Record
San Bernardino County charges $24 for the first page of a deed including the fraud prevention fee. Each additional page costs $3. Most deeds are two or three pages so expect to pay around $27 to $30 just for recording fees. Add the SB2 housing fee of $75 for most real estate transactions.
These fees apply to all deeds in San Bernardino County whether the property is in the city of San Bernardino 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 $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certification adds $1. If you need certified copies for legal purposes, request them when you order. The county seal makes the copy acceptable for court filings.
Inland Empire Cities
San Bernardino is in the Inland Empire. Other nearby cities also use the county recorder. Here are some:
All San Bernardino County cities use the county recorder. No city maintains its own deed records.