San Joaquin Property Records

The Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office in Stockton holds all property records for San Joaquin County. This office has kept real estate documents since 1851. You can find deeds, mortgages, liens, and many other papers related to land. The office is at 44 North San Joaquin Street in downtown Stockton. They handle 168 different types of documents. Same-day recording is available if you bring your papers in before 4 pm. Many records can be searched online through the county self-service portal. Fees went up on July 1, 2025, so the first page now costs $16 to record.

Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Office

The Recorder office in San Joaquin County sits in the county government center. Staff accept documents each day until 4 pm. If you get there by 4, your deed will be stamped the same day. After that time, it gets processed the next business day. Walk-ins are fine. You do not need to call ahead for most filings.

Staff check each page to make sure it meets state recording laws. They look at the font size, the margins, and the notary seal. If something is wrong, they hand it back to you. You can fix it and try again. Once the document passes review, staff give it a number and a time stamp. That moment makes it part of the public record in San Joaquin County. You can get a copy of the stamped paper before you leave.

The county uses Tyler Technologies for its online system. This is the same software used by many other counties in California. If you have used it in one county, you will know how to use it in San Joaquin County.

How to Search Records Online

San Joaquin County offers a self-service portal for property record searches. The system goes back to 1851. You can search by name, document type, or date. Type in a last name to see all records with that name. The search pulls up a list of matches. Each item shows the date, type of paper, and who signed it.

Click on a record to see more details. The system shows the book and page where it was filed. Some records have images you can view. Others may need to be ordered from the office. If you want a certified copy, you must ask the Recorder. They can print it and add the county seal. The cost is based on how many pages the document has.

The online search is free. You do not pay to look at a record or to see basic info about it. You only pay if you want a certified copy or if you order a document through the mail. This makes it easy to do research from home before you visit the office in San Joaquin County.

San Joaquin County Recording Fees

As of July 1, 2025, the first page of most documents costs $16 to record. Each page after that costs $3. The state fee under SB2 adds $75 per parcel. That fee helps fund low-income housing across California. The county also charges a Monument Preservation fee on some documents. All fees are due when you file the paper.

If you record a deed for one parcel, you pay $16 for page one, $3 per extra page, and $75 for SB2. A three-page deed costs $22 in base fees plus $75 for SB2. That totals $97 before any other charges. Some document types have different fees, so check with the office if you are not sure what you owe in San Joaquin County.

Recording fees in San Joaquin County include:

• First page: $16 (effective July 1, 2025)
• Each added page: $3
• SB2 Building Homes and Jobs Act: $75 per parcel
• Monument Preservation: $10 on some document types
• Real Estate Fraud Fee: $3 on certain filings

The county accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. There may be a small fee to use a card. Ask at the counter before you pay. You get a receipt when the payment goes through. Keep that receipt with your filed document in San Joaquin County.

Property Tax and Assessment Info

The same office that records deeds also handles property assessments. Staff value each parcel for tax purposes. They use the purchase price when a property changes hands. Under Proposition 13, the assessed value can go up by no more than 2% per year after that. This keeps tax bills from jumping too high in one year in San Joaquin County.

When you buy a home, the county sends you a change in ownership form. Fill it out and send it back within 45 days. If you do not, the county may bill you a penalty. The assessor uses that form to set a new base value for the property. That value sets your tax bill for the next year. You can appeal it if you think the value is too high.

Appeals must be filed between July 2 and September 15 in most cases. You need form BOE-305-AH. The county holds hearings to review appeals. Bring proof of value if you have it. This can be a recent appraisal or data on what other homes sold for. Many owners hire appraisers to help with appeals in San Joaquin County.

Paying Property Taxes

Tax bills go out twice per year in San Joaquin County. The first bill is due November 1. It becomes late on December 10. The second bill is due February 1 and goes late on April 10. A 10% penalty hits each late payment. If you miss the April date, the county adds a $10 cost fee on top of the 10% penalty.

You can pay online, by mail, or in person. The county offers an online portal where you type in your parcel number. The site shows what you owe and when it is due. You can pay with an eCheck for no fee or use a card for a small charge. Many people set up payments in advance so they do not miss the due date in San Joaquin County.

If you do not pay by June 30, the property goes on the defaulted tax roll. The county adds a redemption fee and interest of 1.5% per month. These costs add up fast. The county can hold a tax sale if you do not pay within five years. Buyers at the sale get a tax deed to your property. You lose ownership if that happens.

Types of Recorded Documents

San Joaquin County accepts 168 different types of documents. The most common are deeds. A deed moves ownership from one person to another. It must be signed and notarized to be valid. Other common filings include deeds of trust, which are loans against real estate. Liens are also filed often. These show a debt tied to the land.

Here are some document types you can record:

• Grant deeds and quitclaim deeds
• Deeds of trust and mortgage releases
• Mechanic liens and judgment liens
• Easements and covenants
• Notices of default and trustee sales
• Subdivision maps and lot line adjustments

Each type has its own rules. Staff at the Recorder office can tell you what is needed for your document. Bring a draft to the office before you get it signed. They can check it and tell you if it will record. That saves you a trip back to fix errors in San Joaquin County.

Cities in San Joaquin County

San Joaquin County includes several cities. All property records for these cities are kept at the county office in Stockton. There is no separate city recorder. You must go to the county to file a deed or search for land records no matter where your property sits in San Joaquin County.

Other cities in San Joaquin County include Lodi, Tracy, Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon. All file property records at the county Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office.

Nearby Counties

If your property is not in San Joaquin County, check these nearby counties. Each one has its own recorder and assessor offices. Make sure you file in the right county for your deed to be valid.