San Jose Property Deed Records
Property deed records in San Jose are handled by the Santa Clara County Recorder office. The city of San Jose does not have its own recorder. Every deed filed in San Jose goes through the county system at 110 West Tasman Drive in San Jose. This includes all real estate transfers, mortgages, and liens on property within city limits. You can search these records but the online search system was taken down per county policy. You must visit in person or contact the office to request copies of deeds.
San Jose Quick Facts
Santa Clara County Recorder
Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder manages all deed filings for the city of San Jose. The office is located at 110 West Tasman Drive, First Floor, San Jose CA 95134. This building serves the whole county. Phone is (408) 299-5688. Email is clkmail@rec.sccgov.org.
The office is open Monday through Friday. Hours are posted on the county website. If you need to file a deed in person, go to the first floor counter. Bring the original document plus any required fees and taxes. Staff will review it and give you a receipt. The deed will be recorded and stamped with the date and document number.
Santa Clara County switched to eRecording years ago. Most title companies and lenders use electronic filing now. This speeds up the process. Paper deeds still get accepted but can take longer to process.
For complete details about Santa Clara County recording services including current fees, processing times, and how to request document copies, check the Santa Clara County deed records page which provides all contact info, office locations, online resources, and step by step instructions for filing or searching property documents.
How to Search Deeds
Santa Clara County used to offer an online search of the official records index. That system was shut down per a directive from the county executive. You can no longer search the deed index online from home. This change affects everyone trying to look up San Jose property records.
To search deeds now, you must visit the recorder office in person. Public terminals are available at the office during business hours. You can search by name, document number, or other criteria. Staff cannot help you search but they can show you how to use the terminals.
Another option is to hire a title company or document retrieval service. These companies have access to private databases and can pull deeds for a fee. Many real estate agents and lawyers use these services when they need records quickly.
Once you find the deed you need, you can order a copy. The fee is $4 for the first page and $2 for each additional page. Certification adds $2. You pay at the counter and they give you the copies right away if you are there in person. Mail requests take longer.
San Jose Transfer Tax
San Jose passed Measure E which adds a city transfer tax on high-value property sales. If a property sells for more than $2.3 million, the city charges an additional tax. The rate depends on the sale price. This is on top of the county documentary transfer tax.
The county transfer tax is 55 cents per $500 of value. This applies to all sales in the county including San Jose. Measure E adds extra tax only for sales above the threshold. The revenue goes to affordable housing programs and other city services.
To learn more about how Measure E transfer tax is calculated and what sales qualify, visit the official City of San Jose Measure E page which explains the tax structure, exemptions, payment requirements, and how the funds are used to support affordable housing initiatives in the city.
Not all San Jose property sales trigger Measure E. Transfers between spouses, gifts, and other exempt transactions do not pay the tax. The deed must state whether the transfer is exempt and why. If you are buying or selling property worth over $2.3 million in San Jose, talk to your attorney or title company about the tax before closing.
Measure E makes San Jose one of several California cities with its own transfer tax. Others include San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. These city taxes can add significant costs to high-value transactions. Always check local rules when buying property in California cities.
Recording Fees
Santa Clara County charges $25 for the first page of a deed. This includes the fraud prevention fee. Each extra page is $3. Most deeds run two or three pages so expect to pay around $28 to $31 just for recording fees.
These fees do not include the documentary transfer tax or city transfer tax. Those are separate. The recording fee is what you pay to get the deed stamped and entered into the public records. The transfer taxes are based on the sale price and go to the county and city governments.
Fees can change when the state or county passes new laws. Always check the current fee schedule before you file. You can find it on the county recorder website or call the office.
Other Cities in the Area
San Jose is the largest city in Santa Clara County. Other cities in the county also use the county recorder. Here are links to nearby cities:
Note: Some smaller cities in Santa Clara County like Palo Alto and Mountain View have their own city transfer taxes. Check with the city or your title company before closing on property.