Recorder Responsibilities
The Recorder is responsible for the recordation and safeguarding of any document
that is authorized or required by statute or court order to be recorded and meet
the recording requirements of state statutes and local ordinances.
Our function as the public repository of records such as deeds, judgments, liens,
and notices makes the Recorder's office much like a library where information is
kept permanently for certified copies and research purposes which is used to determine
the history and ownership of a given piece of property.
The Recorder also maintains and issues certified copies of all vital records including
birth, death, and marriage records that occurred in San Bernardino County.
New Laws
New Laws Regarding Powers of Attorney and Mechanics Liens
Effective January 1, 2012, Assembly Bill 75, chapter 269 amends Civil Code Section
1195(b)(1) to add "Powers of Attorney" to the types of instruments that
prohibits the use of a subscribing witness acknowledgment. Also effective July 1,
2012, Senate Bill 189 - Mechanics Liens (2010 Legislative session) recodifies, reorganizes,
and clarifies the mechanics lien statute etc. Click
here to read the press release.
New Law Regarding Social Security Numbers
Effective January 1, 2008, Section 1798.89 of the Civil Code is added to read:
"Unless otherwise required to do so by state or federal law, no person, entity,
or government agency shall present for recording or filing with a county recorder
a document that is required by any provision of law to be open to the public if
that record displays more than the last four digits of a social security number."
New Law Regarding Acknowledgments and Jurats (AB-886)
Effective January 1, 2008, Assembly Bill 886 amends specific acknowledgment
and jurat wording for California Notaries. It eliminates "personally known
to me" and adds a penalty of perjury statement to acknowledgments and eliminates
"personally known to me" on jurats. Click
here to read the press release.
Request a Birth, Death, or Marriage Certificate
For information on obtaining a copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate,
click
here.
If a Confidential marriage license was purchased, only the First Person or Second
Person is authorized to receive a copy. First Person or Second Person will need
to complete an application and appear in our office in
person with valid identification or for mail requests, complete an
application and sign in front of a notary public.
For information on various services such as:
- Correcting and amending vital records
- Certified copies of fetal death and still birth certificates
- Adoptions or changes in paternity
- Court order name changes
- Out of hospital birth
Please go to California Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records
Divorce Decrees
The County Recorder's Office does not maintain court records. If you are searching
for a divorce decree, you will need to contact the court in which the divorce was
filed.
Document Recording
The County Recorder, upon payment of proper fees and taxes, will accept any document
which is authorized or required by California law to be recorded, if the document
contains required information and if it is photographically reproducible.
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Each document presented for recording must include or comply with California state
law general recording requirements.
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State law requires the transferee (buyer) of real property to file a completed Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
concurrently with the recordation of any document effecting a change in ownership.
If the form is not filed, the recorder will charge an additional fee of $20. For
questions on proper completion of the form, please contact the Assessor’s Change
of Ownership Department at (909) 387-8307 or toll free at (877) 885-7654.
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All applicable fees must be paid at the time of recording, click
here for the 2013 Fee Schedule. Payment may be made by cash, personal check,
cashier's check or money order. Please make checks payable to: San Bernardino County
Recorder.
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The Recorder's Office is prohibited from giving any legal advice and cannot assist
the public in the preparation of legal documents. If you have any questions concerning
which document form is appropriate to your transaction, or are in need of assistance
in the preparation of that document, consult an attorney or obtain other professional
advice. If you have any questions regarding the recording process, you may call
(855) REC-CLRK or (855) 732-2575 and speak to an agent that will assist you.
Documents may be presented for recording by mail, courier service
or in person Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. excluding holidays at:
County Recorder
Hall of Records, 1st Floor
222 W. Hospitality Lane
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022
Click any of the links below for more information:
General Recording Requirements
How to Transfer Title
How to Remove a Deceased Joint
Tenant
How to File a Declaration of Homestead
Real Estate Fraud
If the service you require is not listed above, click here
to see an expanded list of services offered by the Recorder-Clerk's office.
Related Links
Click
here for general information and assistance
with recording documents.
New - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Requires all U.S. citizens, Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas
Territory of Bermuda, and Mexican citizens, to have a passport or other designated
secure document to enter or re-enter the United States at airports and seaport.
Download Homeland Security Passport Information
or call 1-877-4 USA-PPT