Mendocino County Deed Records
Mendocino County deed records are filed at the Recorder-Clerk office in Ukiah. The county maintains ownership documents for its 3,506 square miles of rugged coastline, redwood forests, and wine country. With about 92,000 residents in communities like Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Willits, and Point Arena, the county sees regular real estate activity. The recorder uses ICRIS software for online index searches but full document images may require an in-person visit. Electronic recording services are coming soon but not yet available. Most deeds here involve coastal properties, vineyard land, timber parcels, and residential homes. Contact the recorder at (707) 234-6824 or visit 501 Low Gap Road in Ukiah to search records or file new documents.
Mendocino County Quick Facts
Mendocino County Recorder
The Mendocino County Recorder-Clerk sits at 501 Low Gap Road in Ukiah. Phone (707) 234-6824 for questions. Hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. This office processes all deed recordings for Mendocino County.
When you file a deed, staff review it for proper formatting. The document must be typed clearly, properly notarized, and include a complete legal description. If something is missing or wrong, they reject it and explain what to fix.
California law governs county recorders. Under Government Code Section 27201, the recorder must accept any instrument authorized by statute as long as you pay the fees and it meets formatting standards.
The recorder maintains a public index. Anyone can search this index to find property ownership or liens. Mendocino County uses ICRIS software which provides index-only searches online. Full document images require contacting the office.
Search Deed Index
Mendocino County offers online index searches through ICRIS. You can look up basic information about recorded deeds by name or document number. The index shows recording dates, document types, and parties involved. Full deed images are not available online.
To view complete deeds, visit the Ukiah office or request copies by mail or phone. Staff can pull documents from the files and make copies for you. Bring property addresses or owner names to help them locate documents faster.
Certified copies come from the recorder office. Request them in person, by mail, or by phone. Certification adds the official county seal and recorder's signature confirming the copy is accurate. These are required for legal purposes like title insurance or refinancing.
Electronic recording is coming soon to Mendocino 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 enough.
Recording Fees
Recording a deed in Mendocino County costs around $14 to $20 for the first page depending on local fees. Each additional page costs $3. California sets the base fee through Government Code Section 27361.
Documentary transfer tax is 55 cents per $500 of the sale price. On a $400,000 vineyard property, the transfer tax is $440. This applies to most sales. Gifts between family members and certain other 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 options include cash, check, and money order. If mailing a deed for recording, include a check payable to Mendocino County Recorder and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the recorded copy.
Common Mendocino County Deeds
Grant deeds are standard for property sales in Mendocino County. Using "grant" creates implied warranties under California law. The seller promises they have not sold the property to anyone else and that no hidden liens exist except those disclosed on the deed.
Quitclaim deeds transfer property without warranties. The grantor just releases any claim they have. These work for family transfers or clearing title defects. A quitclaim makes no promises about title quality. It just says "I give you whatever I have."
Deeds of trust secure mortgages and loans in Mendocino 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 can attach to Mendocino County property when owners owe back taxes. Federal, state, and local governments can record tax liens. These appear in the public index and affect property title until paid off.
Learn about grant deed warranties at California Civil Code Section 1113 which explains what promises come with using "grant" in a deed.
How to Record a Deed
To record a deed in Mendocino County, prepare a proper document on standard paper. Include the property's legal description, names of all parties, and consideration amount for sales. Type clearly and leave margins for the recorder's stamp.
Get the deed notarized. Most deeds require notarization. The notary verifies your identity and witnesses your signature. This helps prevent fraud. California notaries are commissioned by the Secretary of State for four-year terms.
Submit the deed to Mendocino County Recorder, 501 Low Gap Road, Ukiah, CA 95482. Include payment for recording fees. If mailing, add a self-addressed stamped envelope. The recorder will process it and return a recorded copy.
Recording gives you priority under California's race-notice system. The first person to record generally has priority over later buyers, as long as they had no notice of earlier unrecorded transfers. Prompt recording protects your ownership.
California Recording Law
All Mendocino County deeds must comply with California statutes. Real property can only be transferred by written instrument signed by the grantor. This requirement 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 Mendocino County public index, everyone is legally considered to know about it. They cannot claim ignorance later. This transparency helps prevent fraud and protects property rights.
Nearby Counties
If your property is not in Mendocino County, try these neighboring recorders: