Find Visalia Property Records
Property records for Visalia are kept by the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder office. Visalia has about 141,000 people and is the largest city in Tulare County. It also serves as the county seat. All deeds, liens, and tax records for homes and land in Visalia go through the county system. The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder office is in downtown Visalia at the county civic center. You can visit during business hours to file documents or get copies. Some property records may be available online through the county website. Property tax info and assessment data can be searched online. Many Visalia residents start their research online and visit the office in person if they need certified copies or help with a search that requires staff assistance. The county seat location makes it very convenient for Visalia residents to access property records.
Visalia Quick Facts
Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder
The Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder keeps all deeds and liens for Visalia. 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 to see who owns what.
The office is in downtown Visalia at the county civic center. Office hours are Monday through Friday. Call 559-636-5050 for recorder questions. Call 559-636-5100 for assessor questions. The office is convenient for Visalia residents since the city is the county seat. Parking is available near the civic center. Bring photo ID when you visit the counter to file documents or get copies.
| Office | Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Assessor-Clerk-Recorder | Tara K. Freitas, CPA |
| Phone | Assessor: 559-636-5100 Recorder: 559-636-5050 |
| Website | tularecounty.ca.gov |
The Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder is Tara K. Freitas, CPA. The office handles property values, tax rolls, and recording of deeds and liens. Staff can help you search for records, file new documents, or get certified copies of recorded papers. Most services are available at the counter during office hours in Visalia.
How to Search Visalia Property Records
Check with the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder website for online search options. Some counties in California offer online deed searches. Others require in-person visits. Call 559-636-5050 to ask about online access to recorder documents for Visalia properties before you make the trip to the office.
For property tax info, visit mytaxes.co.tulare.ca.us to search and pay your bill. Enter your address or parcel number to find your tax bill. The site shows what you owe, when it is due, and your payment history. You can pay online with eCheck or credit card. Check the site for any service fees before you pay.
Property taxes in Tulare County are due 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. If you do not pay by June 30, the account goes to the defaulted roll with more fees and monthly interest.
Property Documents in Visalia
Grant deeds transfer ownership. When someone sells a home in Visalia, 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 Visalia:
- 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
Visalia Property Taxes
Property taxes in Visalia 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. That new value becomes the base for your tax bill.
Pay your Visalia property taxes at mytaxes.co.tulare.ca.us or call the Tulare County Tax Collector. You can pay with eCheck or credit card. Check the site for any service fees. You can also mail a check to the Tax Collector office. Include your parcel number on your check so they can post the payment to the right account.
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. You need to show why the assessed value is wrong. The board will schedule a hearing and decide if your value should be lowered. Visit boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/faqs/assessappeals.htm for more info on the appeals process.
Fees for Recording in Visalia
Recording a deed in Visalia 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. This fee funds affordable housing programs in California. Other county fees may apply. Call 559-636-5050 to confirm current rates before you file or order copies.
Copy fees are much less than recording fees. Check with the Assessor/Clerk-Recorder office for current copy fees. If you order copies by mail, send a check for the right amount plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes one to two weeks by mail. In-person requests are usually same-day if you come during office hours in Visalia.
Note: Fee schedules can change, so call to confirm current rates before you file or order copies.
City of Visalia Community Development
The City of Visalia Community Development Department handles building permits and zoning. These records are separate from property ownership records. If you want to see what permits were issued for a home or check zoning for a property, contact the city. Their office provides one-stop shopping for counter services. Visit visalia.city/depts/community_development for info on building permits and planning. The city tracks all permits for new construction, additions, and repairs in Visalia.
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. The law protects people who record first. Visit leginfo.legislature.ca.gov to read the full text of Civil Code 1213.
Civil Code section 1214 sets the race-notice rule. If two people buy the same property, the one who records first wins. This only works if the second buyer did not know about the first sale. Recording your deed right after you buy protects your claim on property in Visalia.
Government Code section 27320 tells the county recorder what to do when you file a document. The recorder must stamp the date and time on it. That timestamp shows when your document was filed. The recorder checks that your paper meets format rules. Revenue and Taxation Code section 60 defines change in ownership for tax purposes. When you buy property in Visalia, the assessor resets the value to what you paid.
Other Central Valley Cities
Nearby cities in other counties include Fresno, Bakersfield, Modesto, Stockton, and Clovis. Each of these cities is in a different county. You must search each county separately to find property records for cities in that county.
Tulare County Property Records
Visalia is the county seat of Tulare County. All property recording and assessment for the city and the rest of the county goes through the county offices in Visalia. For more details on services, office hours, online portals, and fee schedules, visit the Tulare County property records page.