Sierra County Property Records
Sierra County deed records are kept at the Recorder-Clerk office in Downieville, a historic Gold Rush town in the northern Sierra Nevada. The county is California's second-smallest by population with only about 3,000 residents across 953 square miles of mountain terrain. Property here includes vacation cabins, rural land, mining claims, and timberland near Sierra City, Loyalton, and the Lakes Basin area. The recorder uses Tyler Technologies for online searches going back to 1985. Electronic recording services are coming soon but not yet available. Call 530-289-3295 to ask about searching records or visit 100 Courthouse Square in Downieville to file new documents or access older deed records predating the online system.
Sierra County Quick Facts
Sierra County Recorder
The Sierra County Recorder-Clerk office is at 100 Courthouse Square in Downieville. Phone 530-289-3295 for information. Hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. This office processes all deed recordings for Sierra County.
Staff review each deed to ensure it meets California formatting standards. The document must be typed, notarized, and include a proper legal description. If something is missing, they reject it and explain what to fix. Once accepted, they stamp it with the recording date and time.
Sierra County follows California recording law. The recorder must accept any instrument authorized by statute as long as you pay the fees. This comes from Government Code Section 27201 which sets county recorder duties.
The recorder maintains a public index of all documents. Anyone can search this index. Sierra County uses Tyler Technologies software which many California counties have adopted for online searches.
Search Sierra County Deeds
Sierra County uses Tyler Technologies for online deed searches. The database has records from 1985 to present. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, or document number. Type in a last name and the system shows matching results.
Search results display recording dates, document types, and parties involved. To view full deed images, there may be a fee. Check with the Sierra County office for current pricing and access options.
If you need deeds recorded before 1985, you must visit Downieville or contact the office. Older records are in paper files or on microfiche. Staff can help you locate what you need. Bring property addresses or owner names if possible.
Certified copies come from the recorder office. Request them online, by mail, or in person. Certification adds the official county seal and recorder's signature confirming the copy matches the original. These are required for legal purposes.
Electronic recording is coming soon to Sierra County but is not yet available. For now, file deeds in person or by mail. Bring the original signed and notarized deed plus payment.
Recording Fees
Recording a deed in Sierra 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 $180,000 cabin sale, the transfer tax is $198. This applies to most property sales. Gifts and certain family 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. Certification includes the county seal and recorder's signature.
Payment methods include cash and checks. If mailing a deed, send a check payable to Sierra County and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the recorded copy.
Types of Deeds
Grant deeds are most common for property sales in Sierra County. The word "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.
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 offers no promises about title quality.
Deeds of trust secure mortgages in Sierra 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.
Mining claims show up in Sierra County deed records. These give rights to extract minerals from specific parcels. They get recorded like other land interests and show up in the public index.
Learn about grant deed warranties at California Civil Code Section 1113 which explains the implied covenants in a grant deed.
Filing a Deed
To record a deed in Sierra 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 Sierra County Recorder, 100 Courthouse Square, Downieville, CA 95936. 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 Sierra 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 Sierra County index, everyone is legally considered to know about it. They cannot claim ignorance later. This helps prevent fraud.
Nearby Counties
If your property is not in Sierra County, try these neighboring recorders: