Search San Benito County Deeds
San Benito County maintains deed records at the County Clerk Recorder office in Hollister. The office is at 1601 Lana Way where staff handle all property document recordings for the county. These records are public information in California which means anyone can search for them. Most people use the online database powered by Tyler Technologies to look up deeds from home. The system includes grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, and reconveyances along with other land documents. You can search by the name of the buyer or seller, by document number, or by legal description. Searching the index is free but viewing full deed images costs money. The county charges per page for copies. Certified copies with the official seal cost more than plain copies.
San Benito County Quick Facts
County Recording Office
The San Benito County Clerk Recorder processes all deed recordings countywide. Call 831-636-4046 if you have questions about recording fees or procedures. The office is located at 1601 Lana Way in Hollister. Hours are Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
This office records more than just deeds. Liens, easements, maps, and other property documents get filed here. Marriage licenses and fictitious business names also go through this department. But for real estate matters, this is the only place in San Benito County where you can officially record a deed. Once recorded, your document becomes part of the permanent public record that anyone can search.
When you submit a deed, staff will check it for proper formatting. Documents must have one-inch margins on all sides. A blank space at the top right of page one for the recorder stamp. The APN must appear on the deed. All signatures need to be notarized. If your deed does not meet California standards, the office will reject it and send it back to you.
County employees cannot give legal advice. They will tell you the fees and formatting requirements. They can locate documents and make copies. But they cannot explain what a deed means or tell you which type to use for your situation. If you need that kind of guidance, hire a lawyer or work with a title company. Recording is a ministerial function under state law.
Online Deed Database
San Benito County uses Tyler Technologies for its online recording system. You can search the database at no charge by name, document number, or legal description. Most people search using the grantor or grantee name to find all documents involving a specific person or company.
To search San Benito County deed records online, visit the Tyler search portal where you can look up property documents, view recording information, and order copies through the county clerk recorder online system.
Searching is free but viewing full documents costs money. You pay per page when you want to see the actual deed image. The system accepts credit cards for payment. After you pay, you can download a PDF of the document. If you need a certified copy with the county seal, that costs extra and gets mailed to your address.
Very old deeds might not be in the online database. If you are researching historical property ownership, you may need to visit the office in Hollister. Bring the property address or APN if you know it. Staff can retrieve archived files from storage. Some very old records are only on paper or microfiche.
Recording Your Deed
Every deed recorded in San Benito County must follow California formatting rules. One-inch margins on all sides. A blank space in the top right corner of the first page for the recorder stamp. The document must list the APN which is the assessor parcel number found on your property tax bill.
Under California Civil Code Section 1091, all transfers of real property must be in writing. An oral promise to give someone land is not legally binding. The person conveying the property must sign the deed in front of a notary public who verifies their identity and witnesses the signature. Without proper notarization, the county will not accept your deed.
Documentary transfer tax applies to most deed recordings. The rate is 55 cents per $500 of the sales price or consideration. If you sell property for $350,000, the transfer tax is $385. Some transactions are exempt including gifts between family members and transfers due to divorce. The deed must show the tax amount or state a valid exemption.
You must include a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when recording a deed. This form provides the assessor with information needed to update property tax records. If you file the deed without this report, you could face a $20 penalty. The county needs this data to send tax bills to the correct property owner.
Recording your deed protects your ownership rights under California's race-notice system in Civil Code Sections 1213-1214. The first buyer to record a deed generally has priority if there is a dispute over the same property. Delaying your recording can create legal problems down the road.
Fees for Recording
San Benito County charges standard California recording fees set by state law. Government Code Section 27361 allows up to $10 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. On top of this base fee are mandatory state charges including the fraud prevention fee and SB2 housing fee.
The SB2 fee is $75 for most property transfers under the Building Homes and Jobs Act. This money funds affordable housing projects across California. The maximum SB2 fee is $225 even on high-value properties. Certain transactions are exempt from SB2 such as transfers between spouses or from parents to children.
Copy fees vary depending on what you need. Plain copies cost less and work fine for research. Certified copies include the official county seal and a signed statement that the copy is accurate. Banks and courts usually require certified copies for legal transactions. Certified copies cost more because of the extra processing involved.
Mail submissions take longer than in-person filings. If you mail your deed, include the recording fee and a stamped return envelope. Processing time depends on how busy the office is. Same-day recording is usually possible if you come in person early in the day. Electronic recording through certified vendors is the fastest option available.
Deed Types Used in San Benito County
Grant deeds are the standard type for real estate sales in San Benito County. When you buy property, the seller transfers it using a grant deed. Under California Civil Code Section 1113, grant deeds include implied warranties that the seller owns the property and has not conveyed it to anyone else.
Quitclaim deeds contain no promises about ownership. The person signing just releases whatever interest they might have in the property. Divorcing spouses often use quitclaims when one transfers their share to the other. Parents might quitclaim property to children as a gift. These deeds also fix title defects like name misspellings on old documents.
Deeds of trust are security instruments for loans, not ownership transfers. When you get a mortgage, you sign a deed of trust giving the lender an interest in your home. If you default on the loan, they can foreclose. When you pay off the mortgage, the lender files a reconveyance deed releasing their claim. Both types of documents get recorded in the public index.
Other documents in the recording system include liens, easements, and covenants. Tax liens from government agencies. Mechanic liens from contractors. Utility easements. HOA restrictions on property use. All of these affect property rights and appear in title searches when someone buys or refinances real estate.
Electronic Recording
San Benito County accepts electronic recording through vendors certified by the California Attorney General. The state maintains a list of approved eRecording systems at oag.ca.gov/erds/vendor under the Electronic Recording Delivery Act oversight program.
For information about electronic recording standards and oversight in California, visit the Attorney General ERDS page which explains the Electronic Recording Delivery Act requirements, lists certified vendors, and provides resources for counties implementing electronic recording systems.
Most eRecording is done by title companies and law firms with business accounts. They can submit deeds electronically without going to the recorder office. This is much faster than paper filing. Electronic submissions usually process within hours compared to days for paper documents.
Individual property owners typically cannot use eRecording directly. If you are recording your own deed, you will probably need to file it on paper by mail or in person. Ask your title company if they can handle the eRecording for you. This ensures proper formatting and faster processing times.
Adjacent Counties
If your property is not in San Benito County, check these neighboring counties: