San Bernardino County Property Deeds
San Bernardino County deed records are handled by the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office located in the city of San Bernardino. This is the largest county in California by land area and serves over 2.1 million people across 24 cities and vast unincorporated areas. You can search property deeds online through their self-service portal which provides access to an index of documents from 1958 to the present. The online database lets you search by grantor or grantee names to find ownership transfers. While you can see the index information for free, the actual document images require a fee to view or download. The main office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane and handles all deed recordings for the entire county.
San Bernardino County Quick Facts
Recorder Office Information
The San Bernardino County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk is responsible for recording all property deeds in the county. The office address is 222 West Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino, California 92415. You can reach them by phone at 909-387-8306 for questions about recording procedures, fees, or document requests. Staff will help with basic information but cannot provide legal advice about deed preparation or property matters.
For information about recording requirements and office services, visit the main recorder page where you can find details about fees, hours, document standards, and access to the online self-service portal for San Bernardino County property records.
This office handles more than just deed recordings. They also maintain birth certificates, marriage licenses, death records, and business filings. The recorder division specifically deals with land documents. When you record a deed, staff review it to make sure it meets state formatting requirements. The document must have proper margins, legible text, and correct notarization. If something is wrong, they will reject it.
Electronic recording is available through certified vendors. This service is popular with title companies and attorneys who record documents regularly. It is faster than mail or in-person filing. Documents submitted electronically are usually processed within hours. You get an email confirmation with the recording date and document number.
Online Records Search
San Bernardino County offers an online self-service portal for searching deed records. The database covers documents from 1958 to the present. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or document number. The index is free to search and shows basic information like recording date and parties involved.
To search the county deed index online, access the self-service portal where you can look up property documents by name, date, or document number and view index details for San Bernardino County records from 1958 forward.
The online system shows index information only. To view actual document images, you may need to pay a fee or visit the office in person. Copy fees are $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certification adds $1 to the total. A certified copy of a three-page deed would cost $3 + $2 + $1 = $6.
For documents recorded before 1958, you must visit the office. Older records are on microfilm or paper. Staff can help you locate historical deeds if you provide the property address or legal description. Searching old records takes more time because they are not computerized.
Recording Costs and Fees
Recording a deed in San Bernardino County costs $24 for the first page. This includes the base fee plus a fraud prevention fee. Each additional page costs $3. If your grant deed is two pages long, you pay $24 + $3 = $27. The SB2 affordable housing fee of $75 applies to most residential property transfers and gets added on top of these amounts.
Documentary transfer tax is 55 cents per $500 of the purchase price or consideration. This is a standard county tax. None of the cities in San Bernardino County have their own city transfer taxes, so you only pay the county rate. The escrow company calculates this amount and includes it on your settlement statement at closing.
Total costs to record a typical grant deed can reach $100 or more when you add up all fees. The base recording fee, fraud fee, SB2 fee, and transfer tax all apply to most sales transactions. For higher value properties, the SB2 fee can go up to a maximum of $225. Always budget for these costs when planning a property purchase or refinance.
Types of Property Deeds
Grant deeds are the most common type used in California home sales. When you buy property, the seller gives you a grant deed. Under state law, this deed includes implied warranties. The seller promises they have not conveyed the property to anyone else. They also promise there are no hidden liens except those disclosed in the deed or public records. These warranties give buyers some protection.
Quitclaim deeds provide no warranties at all. The grantor only transfers whatever interest they have, if any. People use quitclaim deeds to transfer property between family members, to remove someone from title after divorce, or to clear up title defects. If you accept a quitclaim deed, you take the property as is with no guarantees. Title insurance is important when dealing with quitclaim deeds.
Deeds of trust are loan documents, not ownership deeds. When you get a mortgage to buy property, you sign a deed of trust in favor of the lender. This gives them a security interest in your home. If you stop making payments, they can start foreclosure proceedings. When you pay off the loan, the lender records a reconveyance deed to release their claim.
Other documents you might find when searching deeds include liens, easements, and HOA restrictions. Mechanic liens get recorded when contractors are not paid. Tax liens from federal or state agencies. Judgment liens from court cases. Easements that let utility companies or neighbors use parts of your land. CC&Rs from homeowner associations. All these create rights or restrictions that affect the property.
Cities in San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County includes 24 cities. All deed recordings happen at the county office. No city has its own recorder. Below are the largest cities:
Nearby Counties
If your property is not in San Bernardino County, check these neighboring counties: