Sunnyvale Property Records Search
Property records for Sunnyvale are managed by the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder office. Sunnyvale has about 155,000 people and sits in Silicon Valley near San Jose and Santa Clara. All deeds, liens, and tax records for homes and land in Sunnyvale go through the county system. The Clerk-Recorder office is at 110 West Tasman Drive in San Jose. You can visit during business hours to file documents or get copies. Most property records are no longer available online due to a county policy change. You must visit the office in person or call to request records. Property values and tax bills can still be searched on the county assessor website. Many Sunnyvale residents check the assessor site first and then visit the recorder office if they need deed copies or lien searches for their property.
Sunnyvale Quick Facts
Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder
The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder keeps all deeds and liens for Sunnyvale. Every time someone buys or sells property in the city, the deed goes to this office in San Jose. 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.
The office is at 110 West Tasman Drive in San Jose. Office hours are Monday through Friday. Call 408-299-5688 to reach the Clerk-Recorder. You can visit in person to search records or file new documents. Bring photo ID when you visit the counter. Parking is available at the building.
| Office | Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 110 West Tasman Drive San Jose, CA 95134 |
| Phone | 408-299-5688 |
| Website | sccgov.org/sites/rec |
Important notice: Under a directive from the County Executive Office, online search of the Official Record Index is no longer offered by Santa Clara County. You must visit the office in person to search for recorded documents. This policy affects all cities in the county, including Sunnyvale.
How to Search Sunnyvale Property Records
You must visit the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder office in person to search for deeds and liens. The office does not offer online access to the recorder index. When you visit, staff can help you search by name, address, or document number. They can make copies of documents from the file. Bring the property address or the names of the people on the deed.
For property tax and assessment info, visit the Santa Clara County Assessor at sccassessor.org. You can search by address or parcel number. The site shows the assessed value, tax bill, and property details. This is separate from the recorder office. You may need info from both offices to get the full picture of a Sunnyvale property.
Sunnyvale does not have a city transfer tax. Only the county rate of fifty-five cents per five hundred dollars applies. This is less than San Jose, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, and Mountain View, which have higher city rates.
Property Documents You Can Find
Grant deeds transfer ownership. Trust deeds secure loans on property. Liens attach to property when someone owes money. All these documents are filed at the county recorder office and affect Sunnyvale properties.
Common property records for Sunnyvale:
- 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
Note: You must visit the recorder office in person to see most recorded documents due to the county policy on online access.
Sunnyvale Property Taxes
Property taxes in Sunnyvale 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. 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.
Pay your Sunnyvale property taxes online or by mail through the Santa Clara County Tax Collector. 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 Sunnyvale
Recording a deed in Sunnyvale costs about one hundred dollars or more. The base state fee is fifteen dollars for the first page and four dollars for each extra page. Senate Bill 2 adds seventy-five dollars to most real estate transfers. Sunnyvale does not have a city transfer tax. Only the county rate of fifty-five cents per five hundred dollars applies. Call 408-299-5688 to confirm current rates before you file or order copies.
Note: Fee schedules can change, so call to confirm.
City of Sunnyvale One-Stop Permit Center
The City of Sunnyvale One-Stop Permit Center handles building permits and zoning. These records are separate from property ownership records. Their office is at 456 West Olive Avenue on the second floor. Visit sunnyvale.ca.gov for info on building permits. You can also use E-OneStop Online Services to search for permits. The city tracks all permits for new construction, additions, and repairs in Sunnyvale.
California Property Recording Laws
California Civil Code section 1213 says that recorded documents give public notice. Visit leginfo.legislature.ca.gov to read Civil Code 1213. Civil Code section 1214 sets the race-notice rule. Recording your deed right after you buy protects your claim on property in Sunnyvale.
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 Santa Clara County Cities
Other cities in Santa Clara County include San Jose and Santa Clara. All these cities use the same county recorder and assessor system. Nearby cities in other counties have their own systems.
Santa Clara County Property Records
Sunnyvale is in Santa Clara County. All property recording and assessment for the city goes through the county offices. For more details, visit the Santa Clara County property records page.