Modoc County Deeds
Modoc County deed records are kept at the Recorder-Clerk office in Alturas. All property ownership documents for this northeastern California county get filed here. With only about 9,000 residents spread across 3,944 square miles, Modoc is California's least populated county. The area includes ranch land, rural properties, and small towns like Alturas, Cedarville, and Fort Bidwell. The recorder uses RecorderWorks software for online deed searches. Electronic recording is available through certified vendors making it easier to file documents remotely. Most deeds here involve ranch sales, rural parcels, and estate transfers. Call (530) 233-6217 to ask about searching records or visit 204 South Court Street in Alturas to file new documents.
Modoc County Quick Facts
Modoc County Recorder
The Modoc County Recorder office sits at 204 South Court Street in Alturas. Phone is (530) 233-6217. Hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. This office handles all deed recordings for Modoc County.
Staff review each deed to ensure it meets California formatting standards. The document must be typed on standard paper, properly notarized, and include a complete legal description. If something is wrong, they reject it and tell you what to fix.
Modoc County follows California recording law. Under Government Code Section 27201, the recorder must accept any instrument authorized by statute as long as you pay the proper fees and it meets formatting requirements.
The recorder maintains a public index of all documents. Anyone can search this index to find property ownership or liens. Modoc County uses RecorderWorks software which many California counties have adopted for online access.
Search Modoc County Deeds
Modoc County offers online deed searches through RecorderWorks. You can look up documents by grantor name, grantee name, or document number. Type in a last name and the system shows matching results.
Search results display basic information including recording date, document type, and parties involved. To view full deed images, there may be a fee depending on access level. Check with the Modoc County office for current pricing.
Certified copies come from the recorder office. You can request them online, by mail, or in person. Certification adds the official county seal and recorder's signature confirming the copy matches the original on file. These are required for legal purposes.
Electronic recording is available in Modoc County. Title companies and attorneys can submit deeds electronically through certified vendors. This is faster than mail and more convenient than driving to Alturas. Most eRecordings process within hours.
Recording Fees
Recording a deed in Modoc 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 purchase price. On a $150,000 ranch sale, the transfer tax is $165. This applies to most property sales. Gifts and certain family transfers may be exempt from transfer tax.
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. Certification includes the county seal and recorder's signature.
Payment options include cash, check, and money order. If mailing a deed, include a check payable to Modoc County and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the recorded copy.
Types of Deeds
Grant deeds are standard for property sales in Modoc County. The word "grant" creates implied warranties under California Civil Code. 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 simply releases any claim they have. These work well for family transfers or clearing title defects. A quitclaim makes no promises about title quality.
Deeds of trust secure loans and mortgages in Modoc 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 Modoc County property when owners owe back taxes. Federal, state, and local governments can record tax liens. These show up in the public index and affect the property title until paid.
Learn about grant deed warranties at California Civil Code Section 1113 which explains the implied covenants in a grant deed.
How to Record
To record a deed in Modoc 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 Modoc County Recorder, 204 South Court Street, Alturas, CA 96101. 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 Modoc 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 Modoc 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 Modoc County, check these neighboring recorders:
Note: Modoc County is in the far northeast corner of California near the Oregon and Nevada borders.