Lassen County Property Records

Property records for Lassen County are maintained by the Clerk-Recorder office in Susanville. This office keeps all deeds, liens, and trust documents filed in the county. You can search records online through the county document portal or visit the office in person. Most records are public under California law. The office is located on the courthouse square in downtown Susanville. Staff can help you find older records and process new recordings. Lassen County serves a smaller population spread across a large rural area, so the office provides personal service for most requests. Recording fees follow state law with local additions for housing and fraud prevention programs.

Lassen County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Clerk-Recorder in Lassen County handles all property document recordings. Located at 220 S Lassen Street in Susanville, the office sits in Suite 5 of the county building. Phone the office at 530-251-8217 if you have questions about recording requirements or fees. Staff can explain what documents you need and how to prepare them for filing in Lassen County.

This office serves the whole county from one central location. Most people who visit come to record deeds, search property histories, or get copies of old documents. The office also handles vital records like birth and death certificates. For property records, staff can search by name, date, or document number. They will print copies for you at the standard county rate per page.

Hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Call ahead if you are traveling from a distance to make sure staff will be available to help you. Rural counties like Lassen sometimes have limited staffing, so it helps to phone first. Most routine requests can be handled the same day you visit.

Online Property Record Search

Lassen County offers online document search through the EagleWeb system. Visit eagleweb.co.lassen.ca.us/eweb/web to access the portal. You can search by name, date, or document type. The system shows index data and may include scanned images of some documents. This lets you view records from home without visiting the office.

The online system covers recent years in full detail. Older records may have index entries only with no images. If you need an older document, you may need to call the Clerk-Recorder office to request a copy. Staff can search the older files and mail or email you what you need. Most counties charge per page for copies even when you order them by phone or email.

For property tax information, contact the Lassen County Tax Collector. Tax records are kept separate from recorder files. The tax office can tell you if taxes are current or if there are delinquent amounts owed on a property in Lassen County. Many counties post tax bills online, but some require you to call or visit for detailed payment history.

Lassen County Recording Fees

Recording a deed in Lassen County costs about ninety to one hundred dollars depending on the document size. The base state fee is fifteen dollars for the first page. Each extra page adds four dollars. Senate Bill 2 adds seventy-five dollars per real estate transaction. This fee funds affordable housing programs across California. Some counties also add a fraud prevention fee and a monument preservation fee on top of these amounts.

Copy fees are much lower than recording fees. Plain copies cost a few dollars per page in most California counties. Certified copies cost more because the clerk stamps and signs each page. Certification proves the copy is a true image of the original on file. Banks and title companies often require certified copies rather than plain ones when they review property records in Lassen County.

Check with the Clerk-Recorder office for the exact fee schedule. Fees can change when state law updates or the county adjusts local rates. Always verify the current cost before you mail payment or visit the office to record documents in Lassen County.

Note: Bring a check or money order when you visit, as some counties do not accept credit cards for recording fees.

Property Documents in Lassen County

Grant deeds are the most common way to transfer property in California. When you buy land or a home in Lassen County, the seller signs a grant deed. That deed goes to the Clerk-Recorder for recording. Once recorded, it becomes part of the public record. Anyone can search the index to see who owns a piece of property. Recording gives legal notice to the world of the ownership change.

Trust deeds secure loans on real estate. You sign a trust deed when you borrow money to buy property. The lender holds the deed as security. If you pay off the loan, the lender files a reconveyance. That document removes the lien from your property title. Most home loans in Lassen County use trust deeds instead of mortgages. Trust deeds allow faster foreclosure under California law if the borrower stops paying.

Liens show debts attached to property. A contractor who is not paid may file a mechanic lien. The IRS can file a federal tax lien for unpaid income taxes. The state can file a lien for unpaid fees or fines. All these liens are recorded at the Clerk-Recorder office. They attach to the property title. You must pay off or settle the lien before you can sell the property with clear title in Lassen County.

Common property documents in Lassen County include:

• Grant deeds and quitclaim deeds
• Deeds of trust and reconveyances
• Mechanic liens and tax liens
• Notices of default and trustee sale notices
• Property tax records and payment history
• Parcel maps and subdivision plats

Each document type serves a different purpose in the property records system. Deeds transfer ownership. Trust deeds secure debts. Liens show claims. All are kept on file at the Clerk-Recorder office. If you need to trace the history of a property in Lassen County, the recorder index is where you start.

Property Taxes in Lassen County

Property tax bills in Lassen County are due in two installments each year. The first half is due by December 10. The second half is due by April 10. A ten percent penalty applies if you pay late. This penalty hits on the day after each due date. After April, an additional cost is added. These deadlines are set by California state law and apply to all counties.

Your tax bill is based on the assessed value of your property. Lassen County uses the Proposition 13 rate of one percent as the base. Local bonds and special assessments may add to that rate. The total rate varies by location. Some areas have voter-approved bonds for schools or fire districts. You can see the exact rate on your annual tax bill.

If you do not pay by the April deadline, your account goes into default after June 30. Default adds more penalties and fees. The county may eventually sell the property at a tax auction to recover the unpaid taxes. Tax sales are public. Anyone can bid. To avoid this, pay your taxes on time each year. Contact the Lassen County Tax Collector if you need help setting up a payment plan.

Property Assessments

The Lassen County Assessor sets the value of each property. Under Proposition 13, the assessed value can only go up by two percent per year unless the property sells. When a property changes hands, the assessor resets the value to the sale price. That new value becomes the base for future tax bills in Lassen County. If you add a new building or make major improvements, the assessor may also increase your value.

You can appeal your assessment if you think it is too high. The appeal window runs from July 2 to September 15 in most California counties. Some extend the deadline to November 30. File your appeal with the county assessment appeals board. This board is separate from the Assessor office. They hold hearings where you can present evidence that your property is worth less than the assessed value.

Bring data on recent sales of similar properties in Lassen County. Photos and repair estimates can also help your case. The board will listen to both sides and make a decision. If they agree with you, they lower your assessment. That means a lower tax bill. If they side with the Assessor, the value stays the same. You can try again next year if you still think it is wrong.

The California State Board of Equalization provides guides on how to file an assessment appeal. Visit boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/faqs/assessappeals.htm for forms and tips. Most people do not need a lawyer for an appeal. You can represent yourself with the right documents and preparation.

California Property Record Laws

The California Public Records Act gives you the right to see most government files. Property records are public under this law. Anyone can ask to see deeds, liens, and tax records in Lassen County. You do not need to be the property owner. You do not need to say why you want them. The county must provide access unless a specific rule blocks it. Most property records have no block. They are fully open.

Civil Code section 1213 requires recording to give legal notice. A recorded deed tells the world who owns the property. An unrecorded deed can still be valid between the buyer and seller, but it does not protect the buyer if someone else buys the same property and records their deed first. This is the race-notice rule under Civil Code section 1214. Recording is how you protect your ownership in Lassen County.

Government Code section 27320 tells the Clerk-Recorder what to do when you bring in a document. The recorder stamps the date and time on it. This timestamp sets priority. If two people file similar claims on the same day, the one with the earlier time wins. The recorder also checks that the document meets format rules. It must fit on standard paper with proper margins. If it does not meet the rules, the recorder can reject it until you fix it.

Revenue and Taxation Code section 60 defines what counts as a change in ownership for tax purposes. A sale triggers reassessment in most cases. But some transfers do not cause reassessment. For example, a transfer between spouses or from parent to child may not change the assessed value. The rules are complex. Ask the Lassen County Assessor if you are unsure how a transfer will affect your property taxes.

How to Get Copies of Property Records

Visit the Clerk-Recorder office in Susanville to get copies in person. Bring the property address or the names on the deed. Staff will search the index and print what you need. Most requests are filled the same day. Copy fees are per page. Certified copies take a bit longer because the clerk must stamp and sign each one.

You can request copies by mail. Write a letter with the document number or property details. Include a check for the copy fee. Mail it to 220 S Lassen Street, Suite 5, Susanville, CA 96130. The office will search and mail back the copies. This takes one to two weeks depending on workload. Include your phone number so staff can call if they have questions.

For property tax data, contact the Lassen County Tax Collector. They can tell you if taxes are current and provide payment history. Some tax information may be available online through the county website. Check eagleweb.co.lassen.ca.us/eweb/web for links to tax services in Lassen County.

Nearby Counties

If you need property records from neighboring areas, check these counties:

• Modoc County
• Shasta County
• Plumas County
• Sierra County