Santa Barbara County Deed Records
The County Clerk-Recorder maintains all deed records for Santa Barbara County at their office located at 1100 Anacapa Street in Santa Barbara. These records go back to the 1850s when California became a state. Anyone can search for property deeds because ownership is public information. Most searches happen online through the county database which covers documents from 1975 forward. Earlier records exist on microfiche and paper at the physical office. People use these records to verify ownership, research title history, and find liens or encumbrances on property. The system includes grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, and other land documents. Searching is free but copies cost money based on the fee schedule.
Santa Barbara County Quick Facts
County Recorder Operations
Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder handles all property document recordings for the entire county. Call (805) 568-2250 if you need to ask about fees or recording requirements. The office is at 1100 Anacapa Street in Santa Barbara.
When you record a deed here, staff will check the formatting first. Documents must have proper margins and space for the recorder stamp. If your deed does not meet California standards, they send it back unrecorded. Most title companies know these rules and prepare documents correctly. But if you are filing your own deed, make sure it follows the formatting guidelines.
The clerk-recorder does more than deeds. They file business name statements, marriage licenses, and birth certificates. But for property matters, this is where all land documents get recorded. Liens, easements, and notices of default all go in the same system as deeds. You can search for any of these document types in the online database.
Staff at the counter can help you find documents or make copies. They will not give legal advice. If you need someone to explain what a deed means or how to fill out forms, hire a lawyer. County workers cannot tell you which type of deed to use or whether your transaction is a good idea. They just record what you give them.
Search Property Documents Online
Santa Barbara County provides free online access to recorded documents from 1975 to now. The database is at records.sbcrecorder.com/web where you can search by grantor, grantee, document number, or legal description without charge for basic searches.
To learn about notary services in California which are required for deed signatures, visit the Secretary of State notary page where you can find information about notary commissions, how to verify a notary, and the rules governing notarizations on property documents.
Most people search by name. Type the last name of the buyer or seller and the system shows matching records. You can see when the document was recorded and what type it is. Viewing the full deed image costs money. The county charges per page for document copies.
If you need a deed from before 1975, you must visit the office in person. Older records are on microfiche or in file cabinets. Bring the property address or APN if you have it. That makes searching much faster. Staff can pull historical records for you to review at the office.
Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Certification means the county adds an official seal and signature confirming the copy is accurate. You need certified copies for court cases, loan applications, and other legal purposes. Plain copies work fine if you just want to see what the deed says.
Filing a Deed
Every deed recorded in Santa Barbara County must meet specific formatting rules. One-inch margins on all sides. A blank space at the top right of the first page for the recorder stamp. The APN must appear on the deed. Without the assessor parcel number, the county might reject your document.
All deeds need a notary seal. The person transferring the property must sign in front of a notary public. The notary verifies their identity and watches them sign. Under California law found in Civil Code Section 1091, real estate transfers must be in writing to be valid.
Documentary transfer tax applies to most deed recordings. The county charges 55 cents per $500 of consideration. If you buy a house for $600,000, the transfer tax is $660. Some transfers are exempt, like gifts between spouses or transfers due to death. The deed must state the tax amount or claim an exemption.
Include a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when you record a deed. This form tells the assessor about the transfer so they can update property tax records. If you forget this form, you might face a $20 penalty. The county needs this information to keep tax rolls current.
Recording creates a public record. Once your deed is stamped and filed, anyone can look it up. Under California's race-notice system in Civil Code Sections 1213-1214, recorded deeds take priority over unrecorded ones. If two people claim the same property, the first to record usually wins.
Recording Fees
Standard California recording fees apply in Santa Barbara County. The base fee under Government Code Section 27361 is up to $10 for the first page. Additional pages cost $3 each. On top of this, there is a fraud prevention fee and the SB2 affordable housing fee.
The SB2 fee is $75 for most property sales. This money funds affordable housing projects statewide. The maximum SB2 fee is $225 even on multi-million dollar properties. Certain transactions like family transfers are exempt from SB2. Your title company can tell you if your transaction qualifies for an exemption.
Copy fees are lower than recording fees. A plain copy costs a few dollars per page depending on whether you order online or in person. Certified copies cost more because they include the county seal and a signed certificate. Most people order plain copies for research and certified copies for legal matters.
Types of Property Deeds
Grant deeds are most common in Santa Barbara County. When you buy property, the seller gives you a grant deed. This type includes implied covenants under California Civil Code Section 1113. The seller promises they own the property and have not sold it to someone else.
Quitclaim deeds make no promises. The grantor just releases whatever interest they have. These are common in divorces when one spouse signs their interest over to the other. Or when fixing title problems. If an old deed has your name spelled wrong, you can quitclaim to yourself with the correct spelling.
Deeds of trust are loan documents, not ownership deeds. When you get a mortgage, you sign a deed of trust giving the lender a security interest. If you default, they can foreclose. When the loan is paid off, the lender files a reconveyance releasing their claim. Both documents get recorded in the same system as regular deeds.
Other recorded documents include liens, easements, and HOA restrictions. Mechanic liens from unpaid contractors. Tax liens from the IRS or state. Easements giving utility companies access. All of these affect property ownership and appear in title searches.
Electronic Recording
Santa Barbara County accepts electronic recordings through certified vendors. Title companies and law firms use this service to submit deeds without visiting the office. The California Attorney General maintains a list of approved eRecording systems at oag.ca.gov/erds/vendor.
eRecording is faster than paper. Documents usually get processed within hours instead of days. The system works nights and weekends. Even though the office is closed, your deed gets a timestamp showing when it was submitted. Staff review and officially record it on the next business day.
Not everyone can use eRecording. Most systems require a business account. If you are recording your own deed as an individual, you probably need to submit it on paper by mail or in person. Check with your title company about whether they can eRecord your transaction.
Cities in Santa Barbara County
All property deeds for cities in Santa Barbara County get recorded at the county office. Cities do not maintain their own deed records. Below is the major city in Santa Barbara County with a population over 100,000:
Neighboring Counties
If the property is not in Santa Barbara County, try these adjacent counties: