Calaveras Property Records
Calaveras County property records provide documentation of land ownership and transfers in the Mother Lode region of California. The assessor office in San Andreas maintains property values and parcel information while the recorder handles deeds and liens. Online records dating back to 1995 are available through the county website at no charge. Property tax records can be accessed through the tax collector portal. Most records are public under state law and anyone can search them. These files include all recorded documents, assessment data, and tax information for properties throughout Calaveras County.
Calaveras County Facts
Assessor Services
The Calaveras County Assessor sits at 891 Mountain Ranch Road, Building D, in San Andreas. Call 209-754-6356 for assistance with property values, parcel maps, or assessment questions. The assessor sets the value of each parcel annually for property tax purposes. These values follow Proposition 13 rules which limit increases to two percent per year unless the property sells or major improvements occur.
You can search property information online at recorderweb.calaverasgov.us. This portal provides access to assessment data including current values, parcel sizes, and building details. Enter an address or APN to find records. The system shows the assessed value, property features, and owner of record. All this information is public and free to view.
When property changes hands, the assessor sends a change in ownership statement. Fill out this form and return it within forty-five days. The assessor uses the information to update ownership records and reset the assessed value to the purchase price. Some transfers do not trigger reassessment such as transfers between spouses or from parent to child under certain conditions. The assessor office can explain which transfers qualify for exclusion.
Recorded Documents
The recorder office maintains all deeds, mortgages, liens, and related documents for Calaveras County. Records from 1995 forward are searchable online. Visit the recorder portal to search by grantor name, grantee name, or document type. Many records have scanned images available for viewing and printing. Older documents require an in-person visit to the San Andreas office or a request by mail.
Recording fees follow California state law. Expect to pay fifteen dollars for the first page of any document plus three dollars for each additional page. The SB2 fee adds seventy-five dollars to most real estate transfers. Other possible fees include fraud prevention and monument preservation charges. Total cost depends on the document type and page count. Contact the recorder office at 209-754-6372 for current fee information.
Documents can be submitted for recording in person, by mail, or electronically through approved vendors. In-person submissions at the San Andreas office are recorded the same day if received before closing. Mailed documents are processed in the order they arrive. E-recording provides fast turnaround with many documents recorded within hours. The recorder stamps each document with a timestamp showing the exact date and time. This stamp establishes legal priority under California recording law.
Copy requests can be made online, by phone, or in person. Plain copies cost a few dollars per page. Certified copies include an official stamp and signature from the recorder. Banks and title companies usually require certified copies for transactions. Processing time is typically one to three business days. Rush service may be available for an additional fee. All requests must include payment before copies are released.
Tax Records and Payments
Property tax bills in Calaveras County are mailed in October. The first installment is due November 1st and becomes delinquent after December 10th. The second installment is due February 1st with a delinquency date of April 10th. A ten percent penalty applies immediately to late payments. Additional penalties and costs accumulate if bills remain unpaid.
The tax collector handles all property tax billing and collection. Pay online through the MPTS Web portal, by phone, by mail, or in person. E-check payments typically have no fee while credit card payments include a service charge. Keep your receipt as proof of payment. The tax collector portal shows your current bill, payment history, and any penalties or defaults.
If property taxes go unpaid for five years, the parcel can be sold at auction. Tax sale lists are posted publicly. Calaveras County uses Easy Smart Pay for monthly payment plans if you need to spread out your tax payments. This program can help avoid penalties and default. Contact the tax collector office to enroll.
Assessment appeals are available if you believe your property value is set too high. File between July 2nd and September 15th for regular assessments or within sixty days for supplemental bills. The county assessment appeals board reviews evidence and decides whether to reduce your value. Bring documentation such as recent sales of similar properties or repair estimates for defects. The board can adjust your value if the evidence supports it.
Finding Property Records
Begin your search at the county online portal. The recorder and assessor databases are linked from the main county website. Search by name to find deeds or by address to find assessment data. The system is free to use and available any time. You do not need an account to search. Results appear quickly and you can view or print documents directly from your browser.
If online records do not go back far enough, visit the recorder office in San Andreas. Staff can access older books and microfilm. Call ahead to confirm hours and let them know what you need. They can often have records ready when you arrive. Bring ID and be prepared to pay copy fees if you need documents. Most simple requests are handled while you wait.
For detailed property information, contact the assessor office. They can provide parcel maps, legal descriptions, and detailed property characteristics. Maps show lot lines, easements, and dimensions. Legal descriptions define the exact boundaries using survey coordinates. The assessor may charge a small fee for printed maps or extensive records.
Tax data is available through the tax collector website. Look up your parcel number to see bills and payment status. The system shows if taxes are current, delinquent, or in default. You can also see tax rates broken down by district. Have your APN ready when you search. The number is on your tax bill and on assessor maps.
Calaveras County Communities
Calaveras County has no cities with populations over 100,000. The county includes several small towns and unincorporated communities. All property records are maintained at the county level in San Andreas. The recorder handles documents for every parcel throughout the county. The assessor tracks values for all properties regardless of location.
Major communities include Angels Camp, San Andreas, Copperopolis, Arnold, and Murphys. These are historic Gold Rush towns. Property records for all these areas are found through the Calaveras County recorder and assessor offices.
Adjacent Counties
Calaveras County borders several other counties in the Sierra Nevada foothills and Gold Country.