Del Norte Property Records
Del Norte County property records document ownership and land transfers in California's northernmost coastal county. The clerk-recorder office in Crescent City maintains all official property documents while the assessor handles property values and tax assessments. Online searches are available through Tyler Host systems which provide access to recorded documents and assessment data. Tax information can be found through the county tax collector. These public records include deeds, liens, mortgages, assessments, and tax bills for all parcels in Del Norte County.
Del Norte County Facts
Clerk-Recorder Office
The Del Norte County Clerk-Recorder is located at 981 H Street, Suite 160, in Crescent City. Call 707-464-7216 for assistance with recording or document requests. The office handles all official property recordings for the county including deeds, trust deeds, liens, and related instruments. These records establish the legal chain of title and provide public notice of ownership and claims.
Online document searches are available through the Tyler Host system. This portal lets you search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or recording date. The database includes indexes and scanned images for many documents. Access to the search system is free though you may need to create a basic account. New recordings are added to the online system regularly.
Recording fees in Del Norte County follow California state law. The base fee is fifteen dollars for the first page and three dollars for each additional page. Senate Bill 2 adds seventy-five dollars to most property transfers to fund affordable housing. Other fees include real estate fraud prevention and monument preservation charges. Total costs vary based on document type and length. Contact the recorder office for a complete fee schedule.
Documents can be recorded in person at the Crescent City office, by mail, or through approved e-recording services. In-person submissions are processed the same day if received before closing time. Mailed documents are recorded in the order they arrive. E-recording provides fast service with documents often recorded within hours. The clerk timestamps each document establishing legal priority under California Civil Code section 1214.
Property Assessment Services
The assessor office determines property values for all parcels in Del Norte County. Values are set annually and form the basis for property tax bills. Under Proposition 13, assessed values can increase by at most two percent per year unless the property sells or major improvements are made. When property changes hands, the assessor resets the value to the purchase price.
Property data is available through the county assessor office. Staff can look up parcels by address or APN and provide information about assessed value, lot size, and building characteristics. Some assessment data may be searchable online through ParcelQuest or county systems. All assessment rolls are public records available for inspection during business hours.
When you record a deed, the assessor sends a change in ownership statement. Fill out this form and return it within forty-five days. The assessor uses this information to update ownership records and reassess the property. Some transfers qualify for exclusions from reassessment such as certain gifts to children or transfers between spouses. The assessor can explain which transfers are excluded.
Assessment appeals are available if you believe your value is set too high. File between July 2nd and September 15th for regular assessments or within sixty days for supplemental bills. The county appeals board reviews evidence and decides whether to adjust values. Bring documentation such as recent sales of comparable properties or repair estimates for defects or damage. The board can reduce your value if the evidence supports it.
Property Tax Records
Property taxes in Del Norte County are due in two installments each year. The first is due November 1st and becomes delinquent after December 10th. The second is due February 1st with a delinquency date of April 10th. Late payments incur a ten percent penalty immediately. Additional penalties and costs accumulate if bills remain unpaid. After five years of delinquency, the property can be sold at a tax auction.
The tax collector handles all property tax billing and collection. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the county office. Most online systems charge a fee for credit card payments while e-checks may be free. Keep your receipt as proof of payment. The tax collector can provide payment history and tax sale status for any parcel.
Tax rates in Del Norte County include the base one percent rate under Proposition 13 plus any local bonds and assessments. Total rates vary by location and which special districts cover your property. School bonds, fire districts, and other local measures add to the bill. Your tax statement shows all rates and how they apply to your parcel.
Del Norte County uses MPTS Web systems for tax payments and lookups. Enter your parcel number to see your current bill and payment status. The system shows if taxes are current or delinquent and any penalties that apply. You can pay through the same portal in most cases. Contact the tax collector office if you need help or have questions about your bill.
Finding Del Norte Property Records
Start with the online Tyler Host system for recorded documents. Search by name or document number to find deeds and liens. The system shows index information and many documents have viewable images. You can print or save documents directly from the portal. There is no charge for searching or viewing records online.
For property assessment information, contact the assessor office. Staff can search by address or APN and provide current values and property details. Some data may be available online through county portals or ParcelQuest. Assessment rolls are public and can be inspected at the assessor office during business hours.
Tax lookups are available through the tax collector. Call or visit the office to check tax status on any parcel. The staff will tell you if taxes are current or delinquent and provide payment amounts. Some tax systems allow online lookups where you can see your bill and payment history by entering your parcel number.
In-person research is available at the county offices in Crescent City. The clerk-recorder, assessor, and tax collector are located in the county government complex. Bring ID and be ready to explain what records you need. Staff can help you search indexes and pull documents. Copy services are available for a fee. Most simple requests are handled while you wait.
Note: Del Norte County has no cities with populations over 100,000. Crescent City is the largest community and county seat with about seven thousand residents. All property records are maintained at the county level for all areas of Del Norte County.
California Recording Laws
California Civil Code section 1213 requires recording of property conveyances to provide constructive notice. A properly recorded deed protects your ownership rights against later claims. If you buy property and do not record the deed, someone else could potentially claim an interest and prevail if they record first. Recording establishes priority under the race-notice system in California.
Government Code section 27320 directs the county recorder to timestamp and index every document submitted for recording. This timestamp determines priority when multiple claims are filed. The recorder also verifies that documents meet format requirements such as margins, font size, and legibility. Documents that fail to meet standards may be rejected until corrected.
The California Public Records Act at Government Code section 7920 establishes that most government records are public. Property records fall under this law. Anyone can access recorded deeds, liens, and related documents. Some personal information like social security numbers is redacted for privacy. Visit leginfo.legislature.ca.gov to read the full Public Records Act.
Adjacent Counties
Del Norte County is in the far northwest corner of California and borders just a few other counties.