Stanislaus County Records

The Clerk-Recorder office in Stanislaus County is at 1021 I Street, suite 101, in Modesto. You can search property records online through RecorderWorks. The system shows deeds, liens, and other land documents. The county assessment roll stands at $72.82 billion for 2025. Call 209-525-5250 for help with filings or record searches. Staff work with the public each weekday to process documents and answer questions about property records in Stanislaus County.

Clerk-Recorder Office

The Clerk-Recorder handles all property filings in Stanislaus County. The office sits in downtown Modesto. Staff accept documents each weekday. They review each page for compliance with state law. If your document meets the rules, they record it the same day. You get a stamped copy before you leave the office.

The RecorderWorks portal lets you search records from home. Go to the county website and click the RecorderWorks link. You can look up deeds by name, date, or document type. The system pulls up a list of matches. Click on one to see more details. Some records have images you can view on screen in Stanislaus County.

Recording Fees

The first page of a document costs $14 to record in Stanislaus County. Each page after that adds $3. The SB2 fee of $75 per parcel applies to most real estate transfers. Some filings also have a Monument Preservation fee. All fees are due when you submit your document for recording.

For a three-page grant deed, you pay $14 for page one, $6 for two more pages, and $75 for SB2. That totals $95. If your document has more pages or covers more than one parcel, the fee goes up. Ask the clerk for a quote when you bring your papers to Modesto.

Standard recording fees:

• First page: $14
• Each added page: $3
• SB2 Building Homes and Jobs Act: $75 per parcel
• Monument Preservation Fund: $10 on qualifying documents

Property Assessments

The Assessor office values all property in Stanislaus County. The 2025 assessment roll stands at $72.82 billion. This includes homes, land, and business property. Values are set when you buy and can rise by no more than 2% per year under Proposition 13. If you add on to the home or it changes hands, the county reassesses it at current market value.

File a change in ownership form within 45 days of buying property. The Assessor uses it to set a new base value. That value sets your tax bill. If you think the value is too high, you can appeal. File between July 2 and September 15. Use form BOE-305-AH. The county holds hearings to review appeals and decide if a change is needed in Stanislaus County.

Paying Property Taxes

Property taxes are due twice per year in Stanislaus County. The first bill is due November 1 and goes late on December 10. A 10% penalty applies. The second bill is due February 1 and becomes late on April 10. That payment gets a 10% penalty plus a $10 cost fee if late.

You can pay online or by mail. The county accepts checks and electronic payments. Look up your bill using your parcel number or property address. The system shows what you owe and when it is due. Many people pay online to avoid a trip to Modesto in Stanislaus County.

If you do not pay by June 30, the property goes on the defaulted tax roll. Interest starts at 1.5% per month. A redemption fee is added. The county can sell your property at a tax sale if you do not pay within five years. Keep your taxes current to avoid losing your home in Stanislaus County.

Cities in Stanislaus County

Stanislaus County includes several cities. All property records are kept at the county Clerk-Recorder office in Modesto. No city has a separate recorder. Visit the county office to file or search for deeds and land records.

Other cities in Stanislaus County include Turlock, Ceres, Patterson, Riverbank, Oakdale, Newman, Waterford, and Hughson. All file property records at the county Clerk-Recorder office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Stanislaus County. If your property is not in Stanislaus County, check the county where it is located. Each county has its own recorder and assessor.