Kings County Property Searches

Kings County property records are kept by the Assessor-Clerk-Recorder office in Hanford. This office handles all property document recording and maintains assessment rolls for the county. You can search deeds, liens, and other documents through their public records website. Kings County is a small agricultural county in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Most land here is used for farming, though the cities of Hanford and Corcoran have residential and commercial properties. The Assessor-Clerk-Recorder combines multiple functions in one office, which is common in smaller California counties. Property records here reflect the county's agricultural economy and rural character.

Kings County Assessor Clerk Recorder

The Assessor-Clerk-Recorder handles three main roles in Kings County. As clerk, they file documents. As recorder, they maintain the official property files. As assessor, they set property values for tax purposes. Combining these jobs makes it easier for residents to get help with property matters in one place.

The office is on West Lacey Boulevard in Hanford. Staff work Monday through Friday during normal business hours. You can walk in to record documents or search files. They also handle requests by mail and phone. The office keeps records going back to when Kings County formed in the 1890s. Older files are on microfilm. Recent records are digital and easier to search.

To record a document in Kings County, bring it to the counter in Hanford. The clerk checks that it meets state format rules. Documents must be on standard size paper with proper margins. Text must be clear. The clerk stamps the date and time of filing. This creates the official record of when your document was received in Kings County.

Search Kings Property Records Online

Kings County provides free online access to property records. Visit publicrecords.countyofkings.com to start your search. You can look up deeds and liens by typing in names or document numbers. The system shows index data and may have images for some documents.

The online database includes recent years of records. Very old documents may not be digitized yet. If you need a record that is not online, contact the office. Staff can search the old index books and pull microfilm for you. This takes longer than online searches, so plan ahead if you need historical files in Kings County.

The Kings County Assessor data is available through the same office. You can search for property values and ownership information. Use an address or assessor parcel number to find data. The system shows current assessments, past sales, and tax amounts. This helps when you need to research a property in Kings County.

Kings County Recording Fees

State law sets the base recording fee at fifteen dollars for the first page and four dollars per extra page. Kings County follows this standard rate. Senate Bill 2 adds seventy-five dollars for most property sales to fund housing programs across California. This fee applies in Kings County just like everywhere else in the state.

Additional fees may include a fraud prevention charge and other local fees. These vary by document type. Call the Kings County Clerk-Recorder to confirm the total cost for your specific document. Fees can change when the state or county updates their rates, so always check current amounts before you file in Kings County.

Documentary transfer tax is charged when property sells. The rate is fifty-five cents per five hundred dollars of sale price. If farmland sells for seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, the tax is eight hundred twenty-five dollars. The seller usually pays this tax, though parties can negotiate who covers it. The tax goes to the county general fund in Kings County.

Property Taxes in Kings County

Kings County property taxes are based on assessed value set by the county assessor. Proposition 13 limits annual increases to two percent unless property sells. When a sale occurs, the assessor resets the value to the purchase price. This new base determines your taxes in future years in Kings County.

Tax bills arrive twice a year. The first half is due by December tenth. The second half is due by April tenth. Late payments get a ten percent penalty. The second installment adds a cost fee on top of the penalty. These charges add up if you forget to pay on time in Kings County.

The Kings 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 Kings County.

If you disagree with your assessed value, file an appeal with the Kings County Assessment Appeals Board. The deadline is September fifteenth for regular appeals. Supplemental assessments give you sixty days from the mail date to appeal. The board holds hearings and reviews evidence from both sides. If they find the value is too high, they lower it in Kings County.

Property Documents in Kings County

Grant deeds are the main way property ownership transfers in Kings County. A grant deed includes the names of the seller and buyer plus a legal description of the property. Recording the deed at the county office makes it public. This protects the buyer from later claims by other parties on the same land.

Trust deeds secure loans on land and buildings. Most home loans in California use trust deeds instead of mortgages. When you borrow money, the lender records a trust deed. This gives them a lien on your property. If you pay off the loan, they file a reconveyance to remove the lien. Both documents are public in Kings County.

Liens come from unpaid debts. A mechanic lien is filed by a contractor who was not paid. A tax lien comes from the IRS or state tax board. A judgment lien comes from a court ruling. All liens attach to the property and must be paid before you can sell or refinance in Kings 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 show easements, setbacks, and lot lines. You can view them at the assessor office in Kings County.

Property Help in Kings County

The Assessor-Clerk-Recorder office in Hanford is your main resource for property questions. Staff can help you find old deeds or explain how to record new documents. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms and agencies in Kings County.

For complex title issues, consult a real estate attorney or title company. These professionals can research ownership history and clear up problems with liens or boundary disputes. Many title companies serve Kings County even though it is a small area. They work with buyers and sellers across the Central Valley.

The Kings County Planning Department handles zoning and building permits. If you want to build or subdivide land, check with them first. They keep maps showing what uses are allowed in each area. This information is separate from property records, though both offices use the same parcel numbers in Kings County.