If you are asking, “how do i get the deed to my house,” the usual first step is to contact the county recorder for the California county where the property is located. A deed that transferred the property was generally recorded in that county’s official records. Von Rock Law helps Bay Area clients understand real estate and estate-planning questions, but you can often begin the records search yourself.
Talk with Von Rock Law about a property-record question
What does a house deed show?
A deed is a legal document used to transfer an interest in real property from one or more people or entities, called grantors, to another person or entity, called the grantee. The recorded deed can help you confirm how a particular transfer was documented, the names used in the transaction, and the date the document was recorded. It may also include a legal description identifying the land.
A deed is not the same thing as a title. “Title” describes ownership rights and interests in property; the deed is one document evidencing a transfer. A copy of a deed can be useful, but it does not by itself resolve every question about ownership, liens, co-owners, or later changes. For a general overview of how legal services may apply to property matters, see Von Rock Law’s practice areas.
It is also different from a mortgage or deed of trust. Those documents generally relate to a loan secured by the property. A property-tax bill, homeowners-insurance policy, closing statement, or mortgage statement may contain the property address or owner’s name, but none is a substitute for the recorded deed. If you are trying to prove ownership for a particular legal or financial purpose, ask the requesting organization what record it needs.
Where can you get a copy of your California deed?
Start with the county recorder’s office for the county in which the real property is located. The relevant county is based on the property’s location, not where you live now or where you signed the papers. The recorder keeps official land records, and each county sets its own procedures for searching records, requesting copies, paying fees, and obtaining certified copies.
Use the county’s official website or contact the recorder directly to learn the current process. Some offices offer online searches or document-ordering services; others may require a written request, an in-person visit, or a request by mail. Do not assume that a search-result image is a certified copy. If you need a certified record, confirm how the county issues it and what the certification will cost.
The Sacramento County Public Law Library’s guide on adding or changing names on property advises contacting the Recorder’s Office in the county where the property is located to get a copy of the current deed. That is a useful starting point even if you are not changing ownership: direct the request to the recorder responsible for the property’s county.
If the property is in San Francisco, for example, use the official San Francisco county recorder resources rather than a recorder in a neighboring county. If it is elsewhere in California, contact that county’s recorder. Because office names, search tools, fees, and request forms can change, verify the details with the county before sending payment or personal information.
What information should you gather before requesting the deed?
Having identifying details ready can make a search more efficient. A recorder may be able to search by a grantor or grantee name, recording date, document number, or other index information. Search fields differ by county, and a property address may not be enough to identify a particular recorded document. Gather as many of the following as you can:
- Property address. Include the street number, street name, unit number if any, city, and ZIP code. Treat this as a starting point rather than a guarantee that the county’s index is address-searchable.
- Owner names at the time of the transfer. Check spelling and consider whether a person used a middle initial, former name, trust name, or business entity name.
- Approximate purchase or transfer date. A date range can help narrow a search if you do not know the exact recording date.
- Document or instrument number. Look for this on closing papers, an earlier copy, or another official record. It is often more precise than a broad name search.
- Legal description or parcel number. These details may appear in property records or closing documents. The recorder’s search system may or may not index by them.
- Request type. Decide whether you need an ordinary copy or a certified copy, and ask the recipient of the document which is acceptable.
Keep personal information secure when communicating online. Use an official county website and verify that the address is correct before submitting a form or payment. If you are unsure which office holds the record, tell the county the property location and ask where recorded deeds are searched and copied.
It may help to distinguish the person who owns the home now from the people named in the deed when it was purchased or transferred. If the home has changed hands, a search under only your current name may not locate the earlier deed. If you recently bought the property, check your closing packet for the names shown on the transfer document and any recording or instrument number. If a trust or company acquired it, search under the exact name shown in those transaction records.
Ask the recorder whether it can search older records or whether those records must be requested through a separate archive. Some online indexes provide only basic identifying details, while a document image or copy request may require another step. The county can explain what it can retrieve and what information it needs, but do not send sensitive identification documents unless the official request process specifically requires them.
How do you request a copy step by step?
- Identify the county. Confirm the county where the land sits. A mailing address can be confusing near county boundaries, so check the official jurisdiction for the property.
- Find the county recorder’s official contact information. Use a government website or call the office using a number listed there. Ask whether the office keeps recorded deeds and whether requests are handled online, by mail, or in person.
- Search for the recorded transfer. Follow the county’s instructions. Search under names of the people or entities who transferred or received the property, and narrow by approximate dates when possible. If you have a document number, use it.
- Confirm you found the right document. Compare the names, property location, recording date, and description with your closing papers or other reliable property records. Do not rely only on a similar name or address.
- Place the copy order. Complete the county’s request process and pay any required copy or certification fee. Ask how the document will be delivered and how long the office currently expects processing to take.
- Check the copy when it arrives. Confirm that all pages are present and legible. If you requested certification, make sure the copy includes the county’s certification in the form required by the person or organization asking for it.
These steps are a records-request process, not a legal conclusion about who owns the property today. If the deed you find does not match your understanding, or a later transfer appears in the index, preserve the copy and seek advice before taking action based on an assumption.
Should you ask for an ordinary copy or a certified copy?
An ordinary copy reproduces the recorded document but may not include an official certification. A certified copy is issued with a statement or other authentication from the recording office that it is a true copy of a record in its custody. The added certification may matter when a court, government agency, lender, title professional, or other recipient specifically requires it. Requirements vary, so ask the recipient before paying for the wrong version.
| Request | What you generally receive | When to check for it |
|---|---|---|
| Online record view | A searchable index or document image, depending on county tools | Useful for locating a record; confirm whether it can be downloaded or ordered |
| Ordinary copy | A reproduction of the recorded deed without a certification statement | When you need to review the document or keep a personal copy |
| Certified copy | A copy authenticated by the recording office | When a specific recipient says certification is required |
The table describes common distinctions, not a guarantee about any county’s exact product or process. Call the recorder if you need a particular format, page size, seal, or delivery method. A county may have separate ordering procedures for older records or documents that are not available online.
What if you cannot find the deed?
A failed online search does not necessarily mean the deed was never recorded. The database may not cover older records, the search interface may require a different name format, or the document may be indexed under a trust or entity rather than an individual. Names can also appear in more than one order or with abbreviations. Try reasonable variations and a wider date range, then ask the recorder what additional search details it can use.
Look through your own transaction file as well. A closing or escrow company may have provided copies of signed documents. You can also check prior correspondence with a real estate professional, lender, title insurer, or attorney who handled the transaction. These records may help you identify the date and names to use in the county search, but they are not a substitute for confirming the official recorded document when that is what you need.
If you inherited the home or the property is held by a trust, the current record may list a trustee or trust rather than your name. A trust document and a deed serve different purposes: the trust sets out arrangements for managing property, while a recorded deed documents a real-property transfer. For readers reviewing how a property is placed in a trust, Von Rock Law’s guide to funding a trust provides related background. It is still important to verify the actual deed in the county records.
If you cannot locate a document after following the recorder’s instructions, ask the office whether it can help identify the record using a parcel number, legal description, prior owner, or date range. The office can explain its records and request process. It generally cannot determine your legal rights or advise you how to resolve a conflict about ownership.
Does the deed prove who owns the property now?
A recorded deed is important evidence of a transfer, but reading one deed is not always enough to understand the full ownership history or the current state of title. There may have been later conveyances, co-ownership interests, liens, court orders, or other recorded documents. The legal description may also be difficult to interpret without context. If you are making a significant decision, such as selling, refinancing, transferring, or resolving a dispute, consider getting appropriate title or legal review.
Read the document carefully. Identify who conveyed the property and who received it; note the date it was signed and the date it was recorded; and check how the grantee is described. The wording may identify an individual, multiple co-owners, a trustee, or an entity. Do not assume that two people named on a deed hold the property in a particular way unless the document and applicable law support that conclusion.
A deed also does not necessarily show every obligation connected to a property. A mortgage or deed of trust, for example, is a separate record associated with financing. A title search or title report may review a broader set of records, but it serves a different purpose from ordering one deed. If a lender, buyer, or government office has asked you for proof, clarify whether it needs a deed, a certified deed, a title report, or another document.
For a general introduction to planning around property and other assets, you may find Von Rock Law’s estate planning overview useful. A home may also raise questions about how property passes after death. The firm’s guide to probate and estate-planning options explains a related topic, but locating a deed is a separate records task and does not by itself establish that a particular transfer or probate-avoidance strategy is appropriate.
When might you need help beyond a copy request?
For a straightforward request, contacting the county recorder may be all you need. Consider getting help when your question is no longer just “Where is the document?” but instead “What does this document mean for my situation?” Examples include finding an unexpected grantee, seeing a transfer you did not authorize, discovering inconsistent names or legal descriptions, or needing to determine whether a deed should be corrected.
Other situations may require careful review: a family member has died and the record still lists that person; a trust owns or is supposed to own the home; the property has several co-owners; a deed is missing pages or appears altered; or a sale or loan is delayed because the ownership record is unclear. A recorder can provide records, but questions about legal effect, corrective action, or a dispute may call for a qualified professional. Avoid signing or recording a new deed just to “fix” a record without understanding the consequences.
Von Rock Law handles real estate transactions and estate-planning matters for individuals and businesses in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The appropriate next step depends on the deed, the ownership history, and what you need to accomplish. You can review the firm’s areas of practice or contact the firm to discuss whether your question fits its work. A conversation does not replace reviewing the actual documents or obtaining any title work that your circumstances require.
What should you do before making a deed change?
Getting a copy and changing ownership are different tasks. A request for a copy does not change the recorded owner. A new deed, by contrast, can affect legal rights and may have consequences that reach beyond the wording on the page. Before transferring an interest, adding or removing a person, or changing how title is held, identify the reason for the proposed change and consider the related legal, tax, loan, and estate-planning issues with appropriate professionals.
Do not use a generic form simply because it is easy to find online. The deed type, granting language, names, legal description, signing formalities, and recording requirements must fit the transaction. An error can create complications later, including when an owner dies or a property is sold. For more information about working with the firm on a legal matter, see how the Von Rock Law process works.
Before consulting anyone, gather the deed copy, any later recorded documents you found, closing papers, loan information, and a concise description of your goal. Note deadlines, pending sales, or requests from a lender or agency. That preparation can help a professional understand the question without assuming that a particular document or transaction is the answer.
Ask Von Rock Law about your California property records
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my deed online in California?
Possibly. Each county controls its own search and copy services, and online availability can depend on the document’s age and the county’s system. Start with the recorder for the county where the property is located. Confirm whether an online image is an official copy and whether you must order a certified version for your purpose.
Can I use the property address to search for my deed?
Some county tools may offer address-related searches, but others rely on names, recording dates, document numbers, or other index details. Have the names used in the transaction and an approximate date available. If the address does not produce a result, ask the recorder which search information it accepts.
Is the deed the same as my mortgage paperwork?
No. The deed documents a transfer of an interest in real property. A mortgage or deed of trust generally relates to a loan secured by the property. Both may appear in public records, but they serve different purposes. Ask the organization requesting paperwork which document it needs.
What if the deed lists a trust or someone who has died?
Do not assume that the name on the deed automatically tells you what must happen next. A trust, later transfer, death, or co-ownership arrangement can raise questions that depend on the documents and circumstances. Obtain the recorded deed and any relevant later records, then seek appropriate legal guidance if you need to determine the next step.
Can the county recorder tell me whether I own the house?
The recorder can explain how to search for and request records in its custody. A records clerk generally does not provide legal advice or decide a dispute about ownership. If the record is unclear or conflicts with your understanding, a title professional or attorney may need to review the relevant documents.
Discuss a California deed or ownership question
If you have the recorded document but are unsure what it means, gather the deed and related records before seeking guidance. The right next step may be a simple records request, title research, or legal review depending on what the documents show.
Contact Von Rock Law to discuss your next step
Finding a copy of your house deed starts with the county recorder, while deciding what the deed means may require a closer review of the property’s records and your goals.
This blog is made available by Von Rock Law, PC for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. The information contained herein may not reflect the most current legal developments and may not apply to your specific circumstances. Viewing this website, reading this blog, or communicating with our firm through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information contained in this blog without seeking professional counsel from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Unless otherwise expressly stated, our attorneys are licensed to practice law only in the State of California. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
