Property Records Fresno County

Fresno County property records are filed at the County Recorder office on Tulare Street in downtown Fresno. All deeds, trust deeds, liens, and maps get recorded here. The recorder maintains an index that spans decades of property transactions across Fresno County. You can search this index online or in person. The Fresno County Assessor tracks property values and sends out tax bills each year. Both offices serve the largest county in the San Joaquin Valley, covering urban areas like the City of Fresno and Clovis as well as vast agricultural land. Property records in Fresno County reflect a mix of residential, commercial, and farm parcels stretching from the valley floor to the Sierra foothills.

Fresno County Recorder

The Fresno County Recorder handles all property document filings. When you buy or sell land, the deed goes through this office. Staff stamp each document with a date and time. That timestamp sets priority for claims. The recorder keeps these documents forever. They form the official record of who owns what in Fresno County.

The recorder office is in Room 201 at the Fresno County Hall of Records on Tulare Street. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday. Staff can help you search for old deeds or file new ones. Bring your documents in person or send them by mail. The office also accepts electronic filings from approved vendors in Fresno County.

Recording fees in Fresno County start at nineteen dollars for the first page. Each additional page costs three dollars. This is higher than some counties because Fresno adds local fees on top of the state base. Senate Bill 2 adds another seventy-five dollars per transaction for most property transfers. These fees fund county operations and state housing programs in Fresno County.

Note: Always call ahead to confirm current fees before you submit documents for recording in Fresno County.

Search Fresno Property Records

Fresno County has an online index for recorded documents. You can search by grantor or grantee name. A grantor is the person who gives property away, like a seller. A grantee is the person who receives it, like a buyer. Type in a name and the system shows all documents that person signed. You can see when they bought or sold property in Fresno County.

The search tool does not show full document images online. You see index data like the document number, date, and type. To get a copy of the actual deed, you must visit the office or request it by mail. Staff will print the document and mail it to you. This takes a few days. Plan ahead if you need copies for a time-sensitive matter in Fresno County.

The Fresno County Assessor runs a separate property search system. Visit their website to find assessed values and parcel data. Search by street address or assessor parcel number. The site shows current ownership, sale history, and tax amounts. This tool is helpful when you need to research a property before buying or to check your own assessment in Fresno County.

Fresno County Property Tax

Fresno County property taxes are based on assessed value. The assessor sets this value each year. Your tax bill equals the assessed value times the local tax rate. Rates vary by area because of local bonds and special assessments. Most parcels pay between one and two percent of assessed value annually in Fresno County.

Tax bills come twice a year. The first installment is due November first and becomes delinquent after December tenth. The second is due February first and delinquent after April tenth. Pay on time to avoid a ten percent penalty. The county adds a cost fee to the second installment penalty. These charges add up fast if you forget to pay in Fresno County.

The Fresno County Tax Collector handles payments. You can pay online, by phone, or in person. The website accepts electronic checks and credit cards. Credit cards have a processing fee of around two percent. Electronic checks cost less. Some people prefer to mail a check, which is free but takes longer to process in Fresno County.

If you fall behind on taxes, the county can sell your property at auction. Unpaid taxes become a lien. After five years of delinquency, the tax collector can foreclose. This process is public. Lists of delinquent properties are posted online. Pay your taxes on time to keep your property in Fresno County.

Fresno County Assessment Appeals

You can appeal your assessed value if you think it is wrong. The Fresno County Assessment Appeals Board hears these cases. File your appeal between July second and September fifteenth for regular lien date appeals. If you receive a supplemental assessment, you have sixty days from the mail date to file.

The appeals board is independent from the assessor. Board members review evidence from both sides. You can present sales data or appraisals to show your property is worth less than the assessor says. If the board agrees, they lower your assessment. This cuts your tax bill going forward in Fresno County.

Many property owners hire an appraiser or tax consultant to help with appeals. You can also represent yourself. Bring any proof you have, like photos of damage or recent sales of similar homes. The board hearing is informal. You explain your case and answer questions. The board issues a written decision within a few weeks after the hearing in Fresno County.

Common Property Documents in Fresno

Grant deeds transfer ownership. These are the most common documents recorded in Fresno County. A grant deed includes a legal description of the property and the names of the buyer and seller. The seller signs it before a notary. Recording the deed completes the transfer and gives public notice of the new owner.

Trust deeds secure loans on real estate. When you get a mortgage in California, you sign a trust deed. This gives the lender a lien on your property. If you stop paying, the lender can foreclose. When you pay off the loan, the lender files a reconveyance to release the lien. Both documents are recorded in Fresno County.

Liens attach to property for unpaid debts. A mechanic lien comes from a contractor who did not get paid. A judgment lien comes from a court ruling. Tax liens come from the IRS or state tax board. All liens are public. They show up in title searches. You must pay them off before you can sell or refinance in Fresno County.

Parcel maps divide land into lots. Developers record these maps when they create subdivisions. Each lot gets an assessor parcel number. This number ties to the tax roll and property records. Maps also show easements and setbacks. You can view parcel maps online or at the recorder office in Fresno County.

Property Records for Fresno Cities

Property recording for all cities in Fresno County is handled by the county recorder. Even if you live in the City of Fresno or Clovis, your deeds are filed at the county office. Cities handle building permits and zoning, but not property records. Visit the county recorder for deeds and the county assessor for tax data no matter where you live in Fresno County.

The following cities in Fresno County have populations over 100,000 and their own pages on this site:

Other cities in Fresno County include Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Huron, Kerman, Kingsburg, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, Reedley, Sanger, San Joaquin, and Selma. All property records for these cities are at the county level in Fresno County.

Nearby California Counties

Fresno County borders several other counties. If you need records from a neighboring area, visit their county recorder office. Each county maintains its own files. Fresno County cannot access records from other counties, so you must contact each office directly.

Counties near Fresno include Madera to the north, Tulare and Kings to the south, Merced to the west, and Inyo and Mono to the east. Property on a county line may involve records from both sides. Check boundary maps to see which county has jurisdiction over your parcel.