Tuolumne County Property Deeds
Tuolumne County deed records are filed at the Recorder-Clerk office in Sonora, the historic Gold Rush town that serves as county seat. The county covers 2,221 square miles of Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains with about 55,000 residents. Property here includes vacation homes near Yosemite, residential properties in Sonora and Twain Harte, rural parcels, and timber land. The recorder offers online deed searches going back to 1973 with electronic recording services coming soon. Most deed activity involves vacation property sales, estate transfers, and residential transactions in Sonora and surrounding communities. Call (209) 533-5531 to ask about searching records or visit 2 South Green Street in Sonora to file new documents or access older deeds.
Tuolumne County Quick Facts
Tuolumne County Recorder
The Tuolumne County Recorder-Clerk office sits at 2 South Green Street in Sonora. Phone (209) 533-5531 for information. Hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. This office handles all deed recordings for Tuolumne County.
When you file a deed, staff review it for proper formatting. The document must be typed, notarized, and include a complete legal description. If something is wrong, they reject it and tell you what to fix. Once accepted, they stamp it with the recording date and time.
Tuolumne County follows California recording statutes. Under Government Code Section 27201, the recorder must accept any instrument authorized by law as long as you pay the 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. Tuolumne County offers online searches for records from 1973 forward.
Search Deed Records Online
Tuolumne County offers online deed searches for records from 1973 to present. You can look up documents by name, date, or document number. The system shows recording dates, document types, and parties involved.
To search by grantor or grantee, enter the last name. The system returns matching results. Click on one to see details. Full document images may be available for viewing or there may be a fee to access them.
If you need deeds recorded before 1973, you must visit Sonora 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 to make the search easier.
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 is accurate. These are required for legal purposes.
Electronic recording is coming soon to Tuolumne 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 Tuolumne 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 $320,000 home in Sonora, the transfer tax is $352. This applies to most 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 Tuolumne County and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the recorded copy.
Types of Deeds
Grant deeds are standard for property sales in Tuolumne County. Using "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 makes no promises about title quality.
Deeds of trust secure mortgages in Tuolumne 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.
Transfer on death deeds let you name someone to inherit your property without probate. You file the deed while alive but it only takes effect when you die. You can revoke it any time. These are useful estate planning tools in California.
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 Tuolumne 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 Tuolumne County Recorder, 2 South Green Street, Sonora, CA 95370. 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.
Recording Law
All Tuolumne 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 Tuolumne 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 Tuolumne County, check these neighboring recorders: