Alameda Deed Records
Alameda County deed records are maintained by the County Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder office in Oakland, serving one of the most populous counties in the Bay Area. You can search property ownership documents online through their database which covers records from 1969 to the present. The office handles all deed recordings for 14 cities and several unincorporated areas with a total population over 1.6 million residents. Most searches start with the grantor or grantee name to locate property transfers. The main office is at 1106 Madison Street in Oakland where you can also submit documents in person or request certified copies of recorded deeds. Electronic recording is available through vendors like Simplifile and Direct Legal for faster processing of property documents.
Alameda County Quick Facts
County Clerk-Recorder Office
The Alameda County Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder office is located at 1106 Madison Street in Oakland. You can contact them at (510) 272-6362 or email CROCustomerService@acgov.org for help with recording questions or document orders. Staff answer questions about procedures and fees but do not provide legal advice about deed preparation or property law matters.
For details about recording requirements and office hours, visit the main recorder page where you can find information about document submission, fee schedules, and access to the online real estate search database for Alameda County property records.
This office processes thousands of property documents each year. Grant deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, easements, and other land records all get filed here. When you submit a deed for recording, staff check that it meets California standards for formatting. The document needs proper margins, clear text, and valid notarization. Rejected documents get returned with an explanation of what needs to be fixed.
Electronic recording has become the standard in Alameda County. The office works with vendors like Simplifile and Direct Legal. Title companies and attorneys submit most documents electronically now. It is faster than mail and more reliable than in-person filing. You receive email confirmation when your document is recorded with the official date and document number.
Search Deeds Online
Alameda County provides online access to property records from 1969 forward. The database lets you search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or recording date. Basic searches are free. You type in a name and the system shows all matching records with details like recording date and document number.
Viewing or downloading document images may require payment. The system shows pricing before you purchase. You can buy individual documents or multiple copies depending on your needs. Some users purchase subscription access if they search deeds regularly for business purposes.
For records before 1969, you need to visit the Oakland office in person. Older deeds are on microfilm or in paper files. Staff can help you locate historical documents if you have the property address or legal description. Searching older records takes more time because they are not in the computerized system.
Recording Costs and Transfer Taxes
Recording a deed in Alameda County costs $89 for the first page. This is higher than most California counties. Each additional page costs $3. A typical two-page grant deed would cost $89 + $3 = $92 before adding the SB2 fee and transfer taxes. The high first-page fee helps fund county services.
Documentary transfer tax is 55 cents per $500 at the county level. But several Alameda County cities have their own city transfer taxes that can be much higher. Oakland charges $10 to $25 per $1,000 depending on property value. Berkeley charges $15 to $25 per $1,000 with tiered rates. Emeryville charges $12 to $25 per $1,000. These city taxes can add thousands or even tens of thousands to your closing costs on expensive properties.
Before buying property in Alameda County, check if the city has its own transfer tax. Your escrow company will calculate the exact amount. For a $1 million home in Oakland, the city transfer tax alone could be $15,000 or more on top of the county tax and recording fees. This is a major cost that buyers and sellers need to factor into negotiations.
Copy fees are reasonable compared to recording fees. Plain copies cost based on the document size. Certified copies add a certification fee on top. If you just need a copy for your records, a plain copy is cheaper. Certified copies are required for legal proceedings or when submitting documents to other government agencies.
Types of Property Documents
Grant deeds are standard in California real estate transactions. When you buy a home, the seller gives you a grant deed. This deed type comes with implied warranties under California law. The seller promises they have not transferred the property to anyone else. They also promise there are no secret liens except those shown in the deed or in public records. These warranties protect buyers.
Quitclaim deeds have no warranties. The person signing only transfers whatever interest they have, if any. These deeds are useful for family transfers, divorce settlements, or clearing title problems. If someone claims an interest in your property and agrees to release it, they sign a quitclaim deed. You get no guarantees about whether they actually had any valid interest or whether other problems exist.
Trust deeds are loan documents, not ownership deeds. When you get a mortgage, you sign a deed of trust. It gives the lender a security interest in your property. The deed names a trustee who can start foreclosure if you default on the loan. After you pay off the mortgage, the lender files a full reconveyance to release their interest.
Other documents include liens, easements, and covenants. Mechanic liens from contractors. Tax liens from government agencies. Utility easements. HOA restrictions. All of these get recorded and affect property rights. A thorough title search reviews all recorded documents to identify any claims or restrictions on the property before a sale closes.
Transfer on death deeds are a newer option in California. You file the deed while alive but it does not take effect until you die. The named beneficiary inherits the property without probate. You can change or cancel the deed any time before death. This tool works well for simple estate planning when you want to leave real property to one person without complications.
Cities in Alameda County
Alameda County has 14 cities. All deeds are recorded at the county office in Oakland. Several cities have their own transfer taxes in addition to the county rate:
Note: Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, and Emeryville have significantly higher city transfer tax rates than the standard county rate.
Nearby Counties
If your property is located outside Alameda County, check these neighboring counties: