Kern Property Records

Kern County property records are maintained by the Assessor-Recorder office in Bakersfield. All deeds, trust deeds, and liens are recorded here and become part of the public record. The office keeps documents filed over many decades. You can search online for recent records, though some older files require an in-person visit to the Truxtun Avenue office. Kern County is one of California's largest counties by area and includes the city of Bakersfield, agricultural land in the Central Valley, and oil fields. Property records reflect a mix of urban, farm, industrial, and energy parcels. Note that Assembly Bill 1785 removed APN searches from online systems as of December 2024, so you must visit the office to search by parcel number in Kern County.

Kern County Assessor Recorder

The Assessor-Recorder office handles property recording and assessment for Kern County. When you record a deed, staff check that it meets state format rules. They stamp the date and time of receipt. This timestamp creates the official record and sets priority if multiple claims are filed on the same property.

The office is on Truxtun Avenue in downtown Bakersfield. Counter service is available Monday through Friday. You can file documents in person or by mail. Staff maintain an index of all recorded papers. You can search this index online by name or document number, but not by assessor parcel number due to Assembly Bill 1785 in Kern County.

Recording fees in Kern County start at fifteen dollars for the first page. Each additional page costs four dollars. Kern County adds a ten dollar anti-fraud fee to most documents. Senate Bill 2 adds another seventy-five dollars per transaction for real estate transfers. These fees fund county operations and state housing programs in Kern County.

Note: Assembly Bill 1785 removed online APN searches as of December 2024 to prevent fraud, so you must visit the office in person to search by parcel number.

Search Kern Property Records

Kern County provides online access to some property records. You can search by grantor or grantee name. A grantor is the person who gives away property, like a seller. A grantee is the person who receives it, like a buyer. Type in a name and the system shows documents that person signed in Kern County.

Due to Assembly Bill 1785, you cannot search online by assessor parcel number. This law took effect in December 2024 to reduce fraud. If you need to search by APN, visit the Assessor-Recorder office in Bakersfield. They have public kiosks where you can do parcel number searches on site. This protects property owners from scammers while still letting the public access records in Kern County.

The online system shows index data like document numbers, recording dates, and document types. Some counties offer full images online, but Kern may require you to request copies by mail or in person. Contact the office to find out what is available for the specific document you need in Kern County.

Kern County Property Tax

Kern County property taxes are based on assessed value. The assessor sets this value each year following Proposition 13 rules. Your assessment can increase by two percent annually unless the property sells. When a sale occurs, the assessor resets the value to the purchase price. This new base determines your taxes in future years.

Tax bills come twice a year. The first installment is due by December tenth. The second is due by April tenth. A ten percent penalty applies if you pay late. The second installment adds a cost fee on top of the penalty. Pay on time to avoid these charges in Kern County.

The Kern County Tax Collector handles payments. You can pay online through their website. The system accepts electronic checks and credit cards. Each payment method has a processing fee. Check the website for current rates. You can also mail a check or pay in person at the tax collector office in Kern County.

If you think your assessed value is wrong, file an appeal with the Kern County Assessment Appeals Board. Regular appeals must be submitted between July second and September fifteenth. Supplemental assessments give you sixty days from the mail date to appeal. The board holds hearings and reviews evidence from both sides. If they agree your value is too high, they lower your assessment in Kern County.

Property Documents in Kern County

Grant deeds transfer ownership from seller to buyer. This is the most common document recorded in Kern County. A grant deed includes a legal description of the property and the names of both parties. Recording the deed gives public notice of the new owner. This protects the buyer from later claims on the property.

Trust deeds secure loans on real estate. When you get a mortgage in California, you sign a trust deed. The lender records it to establish their lien. If you pay off the loan, they file a reconveyance to release the lien. Both the trust deed and reconveyance are public records in Kern County.

Liens attach to property for unpaid debts. A mechanic lien comes from a contractor who did not get paid. A tax lien comes from the IRS or state tax board. A judgment lien comes from a court ruling. All liens are recorded and must be paid before you can sell or refinance in Kern County.

Parcel maps divide land into lots. Developers record these maps when they create subdivisions. Each lot gets an assessor parcel number. This number links to tax records and ownership data. Maps also show easements and setbacks. You can view parcel maps at the assessor office in Kern County.

Property Records for Kern Cities

All property recording in Kern County cities is handled by the county Assessor-Recorder. Even if you live in Bakersfield or another city, your deeds are filed at the county level. Cities handle building permits and zoning, but not property records. Visit the county office for all deeds, liens, and tax data in Kern County.

The following city in Kern County has a population over 100,000 and its own page on this site:

Other cities in Kern County include Arvin, California City, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi, and Wasco. All property records for these cities are maintained at the county level in Kern County.

Property Help in Kern County

The Assessor-Recorder office in Bakersfield is your main resource for property records. Staff can help you search for deeds and explain the recording process. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms and procedures. The office issues certified copies when you need official proof for legal or financial matters in Kern County.

For questions about property values and appeals, contact the assessor division. They can explain how your assessment was calculated and what options you have. The assessor office also provides parcel data and maps that help with property research in Kern County.

If you need legal help with a real estate matter, consult an attorney or title company. These professionals can research title history and clear up issues with liens or disputes. Many real estate attorneys serve Kern County from offices in Bakersfield and surrounding areas.