Vallejo Property Deed Files

Vallejo deed records are kept by Solano County in Fairfield. The city does not maintain property records. All deed transactions in Vallejo go through the county recording office. Solano County handles recording for seven cities including Vallejo, Fairfield, and Vacaville. You can search these records online or request copies from the county. The county office is at 675 Texas Street, Suite 2700 in Fairfield which is about 15 miles northeast of Vallejo. Vallejo sits on the north shore of San Pablo Bay in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city has about 121,000 people and covers 30 square miles. It is home to the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

Solano County Recording Office

Solano County handles all deed recordings for Vallejo. The recorder office is in Fairfield at 675 Texas Street, Suite 2700. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. You can submit documents in person, by mail, or through electronic recording.

Most real estate transactions use electronic recording now. Title companies submit documents through certified vendors. This speeds up processing compared to paper submissions. Electronic documents often get recorded the same day or next business day.

Recording creates an official public record that protects your property ownership. Under California law, recording gives constructive notice to everyone of your interest in the property. This prevents others from claiming they did not know about your ownership.

For more information about Solano County recording, visit the Solano County deed records page which covers recording fees, online search options, eRecording information, office hours and locations, and how to request certified copies of recorded documents for Vallejo and all other cities in the county.

Search Vallejo Deeds Online

Solano County provides online deed searches through its records portal. Go to the Solano County online records system to search for Vallejo property documents. You can search by name, address, or document number.

To search by owner name, enter the last name first. The system shows all matching records with basic information. Click a result to view more details and see the scanned deed image if available. Viewing documents online is free for most records.

If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, you must request it from the county recorder. Certified copies include the county seal and a signed certification. They cost more than plain copies but are required for court filings, mortgage applications, or title insurance work.

Grant deeds are the standard document for Vallejo home sales. These transfer ownership with implied warranties that the seller has not conveyed the property to anyone else and that there are no hidden liens. Quitclaim deeds are used for family transfers or to clear title defects. They provide no warranties.

Cost to Record in Vallejo

Solano County charges standard recording fees that apply to all county cities including Vallejo. The first page of a deed costs about $89 to record. This includes base fees and mandatory state charges like the SB2 housing fee. Each additional page costs $3. A typical two-page deed costs $92 total.

The SB2 fee is $75 per transaction for most property documents. This state-mandated charge funds affordable housing throughout California. Every county collects it. The maximum SB2 fee is $225 for transactions involving three or more parcels.

Copy fees vary by type. Plain copies are cheaper and work for personal records. Certified copies cost more but include the county seal and are required for legal matters. Ask the recorder for current copy fees when you request documents.

Electronic recording through vendors may involve additional service fees beyond county recording fees. Most title companies include these in their closing costs. Request a detailed fee breakdown before closing on Vallejo property.

Vallejo Transfer Tax

Vallejo charges a city transfer tax of $3.30 per $1,000 of the sale price. This is in addition to the county rate of 55 cents per $500. On a $600,000 home, you pay $1,980 city tax plus $660 county tax for a total of $2,640 in transfer taxes. Vallejo is one of the few Solano County cities with its own transfer tax.

The seller typically pays both city and county transfer taxes at closing unless the parties negotiate otherwise. The taxes are based on the actual consideration. If a buyer assumes an existing mortgage, that loan amount does not count toward the taxable value.

Vallejo's city transfer tax rate is moderate compared to some Bay Area cities. San Francisco and Berkeley have much higher rates especially for expensive properties. But Vallejo's rate is still significant and adds to closing costs.

Both the city and county transfer taxes are collected when the deed is recorded. The amounts get stamped on the recorded document as part of the public record. Anyone can see what transfer taxes were paid and estimate the sale price from those amounts.

California Transfer Requirements

California law requires all property transfers to be in writing. The California Civil Code Section 1091 establishes this requirement to prevent fraud and protect property rights.

Vallejo property deeds must be signed, notarized, and recorded with Solano County to create a valid transfer of ownership. Verbal agreements to transfer real estate are not enforceable in California.

Other Solano County Cities

Solano County has seven incorporated cities. All record deeds at the county office in Fairfield. Below are other major cities in the area:

• Fairfield
• Vacaville (under 100,000 population)
• Suisun City (under 100,000 population)

Note: Vallejo and Fairfield are the only Solano County cities over 100,000 population. Vallejo charges additional city transfer tax while most other Solano County cities do not.