Stockton Property Records
Property records for Stockton are kept by the San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office. Stockton is the county seat with about 320,000 people. It is the largest city in San Joaquin County. All deeds, liens, and tax records for homes and land in Stockton go through the county system. The main office is at 44 North San Joaquin Street in downtown Stockton. You can visit during business hours or use the online system to search records. The county has an online self-service portal with documents from 1851 to today. That is one of the longest online record spans in California. Most Stockton residents use the online system first and only visit in person when they need certified copies or help with a complex search that requires staff assistance.
Stockton Quick Facts
San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk
The San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk keeps all deeds and liens for Stockton. Every time someone buys or sells property in the city, the deed goes to this office. The staff stamp it with a date and time. That stamp sets priority if more than one person claims the same property. The file becomes part of the public record. Anyone can search it later.
The office is at 44 North San Joaquin Street in downtown Stockton. Office hours are Monday through Friday. Call 209-468-3939 to reach the office. Recording happens same day if you bring documents before four in the afternoon. The office has 168 different document types on file dating back to 1851. This makes it one of the oldest continuous property record systems in California.
| Office | San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 44 N. San Joaquin Street Stockton, CA 95202 |
| Phone | 209-468-3939 |
| Website | sanjoaquincountyca-web.tylerhost.net |
The county uses Tyler Technologies software for the online system. This is the same system used by several other California counties. If you know how to search in one Tyler county, you can search in San Joaquin County the same way. The system is easy to use and has good help pages if you get stuck.
How to Search Stockton Property Records Online
Go to sanjoaquincountyca-web.tylerhost.net to use the county Self-Service portal. This system has records from 1851 to the present. You can search by name, date, or document type. The index is free to use. Images of most documents are available to view at no charge. If you need an official copy, you pay a fee and download it.
Type the owner name or address into the search box. Hit search and wait for results. The system will show a list of matching records. Click on one to see more details. You can view the document image right there on the screen. If you need a certified copy, pay the fee and download it. As of July 1, 2025, the first page fee is sixteen dollars. Extra pages cost three or four dollars each depending on the document type.
For property tax info, visit the San Joaquin County Tax Collector website. You can search by address or parcel number to find your bill. The site shows what you owe, when it is due, and your payment history. You can pay online with eCheck for free or with a credit card for a fee. The tax collector also posts lists of properties with unpaid taxes.
Property Documents in Stockton
Grant deeds transfer ownership. When someone sells a home in Stockton, they sign a grant deed. The buyer takes that deed to the county recorder. The staff file it and stamp it. That deed becomes part of the public record. Trust deeds secure loans on property. Liens attach to property when someone owes money. All these documents are filed at the county recorder office.
Common property records in Stockton:
- Grant deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Deeds of trust and reconveyances
- Mechanic liens and judgment liens
- Tax liens from IRS or state
- Notices of default and trustee sales
- Property tax bills and payment records
Note: San Joaquin County has 168 different document types on file, making it one of the most complete property record systems in California.
Stockton Property Taxes
Property taxes in Stockton are based on the assessed value of your home or land. The county assessor sets that value each year. Under Proposition 13, the assessed value can go up no more than two percent per year unless the property sells. When you buy a home, the assessor resets the value to what you paid.
Tax bills go out twice a year. The first installment is due November 1 and late on December 10. The second is due February 1 and late on April 10. A ten percent penalty hits if you pay late. Pay your Stockton property taxes online through the San Joaquin County Tax Collector. Payments by eCheck are often free. Credit cards come with a service fee.
If you think your property value is too high, file an appeal with the county Assessment Appeals Board. The filing period for regular appeals runs from July 2 to September 15 each year. Visit boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/faqs/assessappeals.htm for more info.
Fees for Recording in Stockton
Recording a deed in Stockton costs about one hundred dollars or more. Effective July 1, 2025, the first page fee is sixteen dollars. Senate Bill 2 adds seventy-five dollars to most real estate transfers. Each extra page costs three or four dollars. Copy fees are much less. Check with the office for current copy fees. Call 209-468-3939 to confirm rates.
Note: Fee schedules can change, so call to confirm current rates before you file or order copies.
City of Stockton Planning Division
The City of Stockton Planning Division handles building permits and zoning. These records are separate from property ownership records. Call 209-937-8561 for questions about permits in Stockton. Visit stocktonca.gov for info. You can also use the Stockton Accela Citizen Access portal to search for permits and track applications.
California Property Recording Laws
California Civil Code section 1213 says that recorded documents give public notice. If you record your deed at the county, later buyers cannot claim they did not know about it. Visit leginfo.legislature.ca.gov to read Civil Code 1213.
Civil Code section 1214 sets the race-notice rule. Government Code section 27320 tells the county recorder what to do when you file a document. Revenue and Taxation Code section 60 defines change in ownership for tax purposes.
Other San Joaquin County Cities
Other cities in San Joaquin County use the same county recorder and assessor system. Nearby cities in other counties have their own systems. You must search each county separately if you want records from multiple places.
San Joaquin County Property Records
Stockton is the county seat of San Joaquin County. All property recording and assessment for the city goes through the county offices. For more details, visit the San Joaquin County property records page.