Mariposa County Property Records
Mariposa County deed records are maintained at the Recorder-Clerk office in Mariposa, the gateway town to Yosemite National Park. The county covers 1,451 square miles of Sierra Nevada foothills with only about 18,000 residents. Property here includes residential homes in Mariposa, vacation rentals near Yosemite, rural parcels, and historic Gold Rush era land. The recorder offers limited online access to deed records with electronic recording services coming soon. Most deed activity involves vacation property sales, estate transfers, and rural land parcels. You can call (209) 966-2332 to ask about searching records or visit 4982 10th Street in Mariposa to file new documents or view older deeds not yet available online.
Mariposa County Quick Facts
Mariposa County Recorder
The Mariposa County Recorder-Clerk office is at 4982 10th Street in Mariposa. Call (209) 966-2332 for information. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. This office handles all deed recordings for Mariposa County.
When you file a deed, staff check it for proper formatting. It must be typed, notarized, and include a valid legal description. If something is wrong, they reject it and tell you what to fix. Once accepted, they stamp it with the recording date and time.
Mariposa County follows California recording law. The recorder must accept any instrument authorized by statute as long as you pay the fees. This comes from Government Code Section 27201 which sets county recorder duties.
The recorder maintains a public index of all documents. Anyone can search this index. Mariposa County has limited online access. You may need to visit in person or call to find specific deeds.
Search Deed Records
Mariposa County offers limited online access to deed records. The system may have recent records available for viewing. Older deeds require an in-person visit to the Mariposa office or a request by mail or phone.
Staff can search for deeds if you provide property information. Bring addresses, owner names, or approximate dates. This helps them locate documents faster in the files. Once they find a deed, you can view it at the office or request copies.
Certified copies must come from the recorder. Request them in person, by mail, or by phone. Certification adds the official county seal and recorder's signature confirming the copy matches the original. These are needed for legal matters like refinancing or title insurance.
Electronic recording is coming soon to Mariposa County but is not yet available. For now, file deeds in person or by mail. Bring the original signed and notarized deed plus payment. Same-day recording may be possible if you submit early in the day.
Recording Fees
Recording a deed in Mariposa County costs around $14 to $20 for the first page. Each additional page costs $3. The exact fee depends on local add-ons to the state base fee set by Government Code Section 27361.
Documentary transfer tax is 55 cents per $500 of the sale price. On a $300,000 vacation home, the transfer tax is $330. This applies to most property sales. Gifts and certain family transfers may be exempt.
Copy fees are a few dollars per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost around $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. The certification includes the county seal and recorder's signature.
Payment methods include cash, check, and money order. If mailing a deed, include a check payable to Mariposa County and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the recorded copy.
Types of Deeds
Grant deeds are most common in Mariposa County for property sales. The word "grant" creates implied warranties. The seller promises 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 releases any claim they have. These work for family transfers or clearing title issues. A quitclaim offers no promises about title quality.
Deeds of trust secure mortgages in Mariposa County. When you borrow to buy property, you sign a deed of trust. This gives the lender a security interest. If you default, they can foreclose. When paid off, they file a reconveyance deed.
Tax liens attach to property when owners owe back taxes. Federal, state, and local governments can record tax liens. These show up in the public index and must be paid before clear title can be transferred.
Learn about grant deed warranties at California Civil Code Section 1113 which explains the implied covenants in a grant deed.
Filing a Deed
To record a deed in Mariposa County, prepare a proper document on standard paper. Include the legal description, names of all parties, and consideration amount for sales. Leave margins for the recorder's stamp.
Get the deed notarized. Most deeds require notarization. The notary verifies your identity and witnesses your signature. California notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State for four-year terms.
Submit the deed to Mariposa County Recorder, 4982 10th Street, Mariposa, CA 95338. Include payment. If mailing, add a self-addressed stamped envelope. The recorder will process it and return a recorded copy.
Recording gives you priority. California uses a race-notice system. The first to record generally has priority over later buyers, as long as they had no notice of earlier unrecorded transfers.
California Deed Law
All Mariposa County deeds must comply with California statutes. Real property can only be transferred by written instrument signed by the grantor. This comes from California Civil Code Section 1091. Oral agreements to transfer land are not valid.
Recording provides constructive notice. Once your deed is in the Mariposa County index, everyone is legally considered to know about it. They cannot claim ignorance later. This transparency helps prevent fraud.
Nearby Counties
If your property is not in Mariposa County, try these neighboring recorders: