Calaveras County Deed Records
Calaveras County deed records are filed with the County Recorder in San Andreas. All property transactions within the county get recorded at this office. The database covers land sales, transfers, and other ownership changes throughout Calaveras County's 1,037 square miles. With about 45,000 residents spread across towns like Angels Camp, Murphys, and Copperopolis, the county sees steady real estate activity. You can search deed records online or visit the courthouse in person. Electronic recording is available through certified vendors. Most deeds here involve residential sales, ranch land, vineyard properties, and vacation homes near New Melones Lake and other recreation areas.
Calaveras County Quick Facts
County Recorder Office
The Calaveras County Recorder sits at 891 Mountain Ranch Road in San Andreas. Phone number is (209) 754-6372. Office hours run Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm. This office processes all deed recordings for Calaveras County.
Staff review each deed to make sure it meets California formatting rules. The document must be notarized, typed clearly, and include a proper legal description of the property. If anything is missing or wrong, they reject it and tell you what needs to be fixed. Once a deed passes review, they stamp it with the recording date and time.
The recorder maintains the public index. All recorded documents go into this searchable database. Anyone can look up who owns property or what liens exist. This transparency helps prevent fraud. California law requires this public access under the recording statutes found in the Government Code.
The office cannot give legal advice. If you need help deciding what type of deed to use or how to fill out forms, talk to a lawyer or title company. Recorder staff only process what you submit. They check formatting but not whether the transaction makes legal sense for your situation.
Search Deed Records Online
Calaveras County offers online deed searches through their website. You can look up documents by name, date, or document number. The database has recent records available for viewing. Older deeds may require a visit to San Andreas to access paper files or microfiche.
To search by grantor or grantee, enter the last name in the search box. The system returns all matching records. Click on one to see details like recording date, document type, and parties involved. Full document images may require a fee or account setup.
Electronic recording is available in Calaveras County. Title companies and attorneys use certified eRecording vendors to submit deeds electronically. This is faster than mail and more convenient than driving to San Andreas. The system processes most eRecordings within hours. You get back a digitally stamped recorded copy.
Certified copies come from the recorder office. You can order them online, by mail, or in person. Certification means the recorder adds an official seal and signature confirming the copy matches the original on file. These are required for legal matters like refinancing or court proceedings.
Recording Fees
Recording a deed in Calaveras County costs around $14 for the first page under the basic state fee structure. Counties can add fees for fraud prevention and affordable housing. The total first-page fee typically runs $20 to $25. Each additional page costs $3.
Documentary transfer tax applies to most sales. California charges 55 cents per $500 of consideration. On a $400,000 property, the transfer tax is $440. This gets paid when the deed is recorded. Some transactions are exempt including gifts, divorces, and certain family transfers.
Copy fees are separate from recording fees. Plain copies cost a few dollars per page. Certified copies cost more, usually $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. The certification includes the county seal and a signed statement from the recorder verifying the copy.
Payment options include cash, check, money order, and sometimes credit cards. If you mail a deed for recording, include a check payable to Calaveras County and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The recorder will mail back your recorded copy once processing is complete.
Types of Recorded Deeds
Grant deeds are the most common type in Calaveras County. When you buy a home or land, you receive a grant deed from the seller. Under California law, the word "grant" creates implied promises. The seller warrants they have not sold the property to anyone else and that no hidden liens exist except those disclosed.
Quitclaim deeds transfer property without warranties. The grantor simply gives up any claim they have. These are useful for transfers between family members or to clear title defects. A quitclaim offers no protection to the buyer. It just says "whatever interest I have, I give to you."
Deeds of trust secure loans. When you get a mortgage in Calaveras County, you sign a deed of trust giving the lender a security interest in your property. If you default on the loan, the lender can foreclose. When you pay off the mortgage, they file a reconveyance deed releasing their lien.
Tax liens attach when property owners owe back taxes. The IRS can record federal tax liens. California can file state tax liens. The county can file for unpaid property taxes. All these liens show up in the public index and affect the property title.
You can learn about implied warranties in grant deeds by reading California Civil Code Section 1113 which explains what the word "grant" legally promises when used in a deed.
Notarization Requirements
Most deeds must be notarized before the Calaveras County Recorder will accept them. The notary verifies the identity of the person signing and witnesses their signature. This helps prevent forgery and fraud in property transfers.
California notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State for four-year terms. They must pass an exam and background check. You can verify a notary's status through the Secretary of State Notary Division website which maintains a list of all active notaries in California.
Banks, law offices, and real estate companies often have notaries on staff. In Calaveras County you can find notaries in Angels Camp, San Andreas, and other towns. California law caps notary fees at $15 per signature for most documents.
California Deed Law
All Calaveras County deeds must comply with California statutes. Real property can only be transferred by written instrument signed by the grantor. This requirement appears in California Civil Code Section 1091. Oral agreements to transfer land are not enforceable.
California uses a race-notice recording system. The first person to record a deed generally has priority over later buyers, as long as they had no notice of earlier unrecorded transfers. This makes recording important to protect your ownership rights. The rules appear in California Civil Code Sections 1213 and 1214.
Recording provides constructive notice. Once your deed is in the Calaveras County index, everyone is legally considered to know about it. They cannot later claim ignorance of your ownership. This public notice system helps prevent double-sales and other fraud.
Nearby Counties
If your property is not in Calaveras County, try these neighboring county recorders: