Property Records Irvine

Property records for Irvine are kept by Orange County. The city has around 310,000 people and is one of the largest master-planned communities in California. All deeds and liens for Irvine properties are filed at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder in Santa Ana. The county assessor sets values on each parcel for tax purposes. Tax bills come from the county treasurer. Irvine handles building permits and planning files through the city's Community Development Department.

Orange County Irvine Property Files

Irvine is in Orange County. All property documents for the city are filed at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder office. The office is at 601 N. Ross Street in Santa Ana. Call (714) 834-2500 with questions about Irvine property records. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Recording fees in Orange County start at seven dollars for the first page. Each additional page costs three dollars. Most deeds have a three dollar fraud prevention fee. Senate Bill 2 adds seventy-five dollars per document. This fee helps fund affordable housing. It applies to most Irvine property transfers. Copies of recorded documents cost one dollar per page plus one dollar for certification if needed.

Orange County has a free online search tool at cr.occlerkrecorder.gov/RecorderWorksInternet. You can search by name or document number. The system shows deeds, liens, and other documents for Irvine properties. Most have scanned images you can view on your screen. This service is available to anyone at no cost.

The Orange County Assessor sets property values for Irvine. The main office is at 500 S. Main Street in Orange. Call (714) 834-2727 for questions about assessments. You can search values online at assessedvalue.ocassessor.gov. You need an address or parcel number to search. State law does not allow searches by owner name on that site.

Searching Irvine Property Records Online

Go to cr.occlerkrecorder.gov/RecorderWorksInternet to start your search. This free portal lets you look up deeds and liens for Irvine properties. Search by grantor name, grantee name, or document number. Type in a name to see all documents that person signed in Irvine. Results show the recording date and document type.

Click on a result to view full details. Most documents have images you can view online. You can print or save the image if you need a copy. The system covers Irvine records going back many years. Some older documents may not have images and require a visit to the Santa Ana office to view the original files or microfilm.

For property values and tax data, use the assessor site at assessedvalue.ocassessor.gov. Enter an Irvine address to see the parcel record. The site shows the assessed value, square footage, year built, and recent sales. You can also see if any tax exemptions apply to the property like homeowner or disabled veteran exemptions.

Note that Assembly Bill 1785 removed online APN searches in December 2024. You cannot search by parcel number on the county website anymore. If you need to do an APN search for an Irvine property, you must visit a county office in person. Public kiosks at the Santa Ana office still allow parcel number searches.

Irvine Property Tax Information

The Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector handles tax bills for Irvine. Search and pay your bill online at taxbill.octreasurer.gov. Type in your address or parcel number. The site shows how much you owe and when it is due. You can pay with an eCheck for free or use a credit card for a 2.29 percent service fee.

Property taxes are due twice each year. The first half is due November 1. It becomes delinquent after December 10. A ten percent penalty applies if you pay late. The second half is due February 1 and becomes delinquent April 10. That penalty is also ten percent plus ten dollars in costs. If you do not pay by June 30, the property moves to the defaulted tax roll and more fees start to add.

Most Irvine homeowners pay taxes through escrow. The mortgage lender collects a portion each month and pays the county. If you pay on your own, mark the due dates on your calendar. The county mails tax bills in October and February. Not receiving a bill does not excuse you from paying on time. Call (714) 834-3411 to check your balance or ask about payment plans.

Proposition 13 limits annual assessment increases to two percent for Irvine properties. When a home sells, the assessor resets the value to the sale price. That new value becomes the base for future tax bills. If you think your value is too high, you can file an appeal with the county assessment appeals board. The deadline to appeal is during the filing period each fall.

City of Irvine Building Records

The City of Irvine Community Development Department keeps building permit and inspection records. These are separate from county property files. The department can be reached at (949) 724-6470. Staff can answer questions about permits or check if a property has any code violations. The city also keeps planning and zoning files for all Irvine addresses.

You can search for building permits online through the Irvine READY portal. This system shows active and completed permits for Irvine addresses. Type in an address to see what work has been permitted on that property. The site also shows inspection results and permit status. Fees for new permits depend on the type and size of the project.

Planning and zoning records include site plans, conditional use permits, and variances. If you want to change how you use an Irvine property, you may need city approval. The planning staff reviews applications to make sure they follow local rules. Staff can tell you what zone a property is in and what uses are allowed in that zone.

Recording Deeds for Irvine Property

To record a deed or lien for Irvine property, file it at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder in Santa Ana. The office is at 601 N. Ross Street. You can submit documents in person, by mail, or through electronic recording services. Recording happens the same day if you submit before the cutoff time. The office is open Monday through Friday during business hours.

Documents must meet state format rules. Use standard 8.5 by 11 inch paper. Leave one inch margins on the sides and bottom. The top of the first page needs three inches of blank space for the recorder stamp. All text must be clear. Get signatures notarized where required by law. The recorder will reject papers that do not meet these standards.

Many title companies use e-recording for Irvine properties. This is faster than mail. The vendor checks the document before sending it to the county. Most e-recorded documents get processed within a day or two. Ask your title officer if they can handle e-recording when you close on an Irvine property.

Once recorded, a document becomes public. Anyone can search for it and get a copy. The county stamps the date and time on each document. That timestamp sets priority if two people file competing claims on the same Irvine property. Under California Civil Code section 1214, the first to record in good faith has the stronger right.

Legal Help for Irvine Property Matters

If you need legal help with a property issue in Irvine, several groups offer services. Legal Aid Society of Orange County provides free help to low-income residents. They handle foreclosure defense, landlord disputes, and title problems. Call (714) 571-5200 or visit lasoc.org to see if you qualify.

The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (714) 947-0900. They can match you with an attorney who handles real estate and property law in Irvine. The first meeting usually has a reduced fee. After that, you and the lawyer agree on rates. The State Bar of California also has a referral line at 1-800-392-5660 for finding attorneys.

For disputes about property lines, easements, or boundary issues in Irvine, you may want to hire a real estate attorney. Look for someone with Orange County experience. Some lawyers offer a free first meeting to discuss your case. Ask about their fees and how they bill before you hire them. You may also need a licensed surveyor if there is a question about property boundaries.

Nearby Orange County Cities

Irvine borders several other Orange County cities. Property records for these cities are also kept by the county clerk-recorder and assessor. Nearby cities include Santa Ana to the northwest, Costa Mesa to the west, and Newport Beach to the south. All use the same county offices for recording deeds and collecting property taxes.