San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk: Records, Filings and Office Contacts
The San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk handles recorded legal documents, vital record certificates, marriage services, fictitious business name filings and certain notary-related services. Use this guide to identify the correct transaction, find its official instructions and choose an appropriate office.
General Recorder/Clerk questions: Call 619-237-0502. For document recording questions, the Recording page lists 619-238-8158.
Independent guide. This website is not affiliated with the County of San Diego. Submit documents, applications and payments through official channels. Requirements, fees and available services depend on the transaction.
Which Recorder/Clerk Service Do You Need?
| Your request | Where to start |
|---|---|
| A birth, death or marriage certificate | The official certificate service pages; select the correct record type and request method. |
| A marriage license or County civil ceremony | Our marriage license guide and the official appointment and requirements page. |
| Record a legal document | The Recording page for submission requirements, fees and taxes. |
| Search recorded documents or request copies | Use the Official Records Search, or review the index and copy instructions on the Recording page. |
| File or renew a Fictitious Business Name Statement | The FBN service page. |
| File a notary oath and bond or surrender notary journals | The Notary Public Oath and Bond Filing page. |
| Authenticate an eligible official or notary signature | The signature authentication page. |
| Research historical County records | The County Archives. |
| Find divorce, probate or adoption court records | San Diego Superior Court; see our court case search guide. |
The official Recorder/County Clerk service directory provides additional programs and links. Choose the transaction before selecting a form or visiting an office.
Certificates and Marriage Services
Choose the correct county and record type
| Record | San Diego County connection |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | The birth occurred in San Diego County. |
| Death certificate | The death occurred in San Diego County, regardless of the person's usual residence. |
| Marriage certificate | San Diego County issued the marriage license and the completed license has been registered. |
For an event or license connected to another county, begin with that county's responsible office. The place where someone currently lives does not determine where the original vital record is held.
Use the corresponding official request page for identification, eligibility, sworn statements, fees and available submission methods:
- Birth certificate requests; see also our birth certificate guide.
- Death certificate requests.
- Marriage certificate requests.
Recent events and unsuccessful searches
A recent event may not yet have a registered record available for purchase. Check the timing instructions for the selected certificate service before applying. For a marriage, availability also depends on the completed license being returned and registered.
If the Recorder cannot find the record using the submitted information, its published instructions provide for a Letter of No Record and retention of the non-refundable processing fee. Check names, dates and the responsible county before paying.
An unsuccessful search does not necessarily establish that the event never occurred. It means the requested record was not located through that search.
Planning a marriage
A marriage license authorizes a ceremony; a registered marriage certificate provides proof of the completed marriage. These are separate services.
County marriage license issuance and civil ceremonies require appointments. Use the official marriage service page to choose a license-only, combined license-and-ceremony or ceremony-only appointment.
Our marriage license guide explains preparation, license types, fees, name choices and the later certificate request.
Recording Documents, Searching the Index and Ordering Copies
Submit a document for recording
The Recorder accepts documents authorized or required by law to be recorded when they meet applicable requirements and are accompanied by the proper fees and taxes. Common examples include deeds, deeds of trust, liens and reconveyances.
The official Recording page explains submission methods, document requirements, documentary transfer tax, the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report and related fees.
Before submitting, review the requirements that apply to your document, including signatures, acknowledgments, legibility, recording space and return information. The office cannot prepare your legal instrument or advise which instrument accomplishes your intended transaction.
Recording a document does not resolve a private dispute or establish that the transaction is legally advisable. For terminology, use the official document definitions; for advice about legal effect, consult an appropriate professional.
Search existing records and obtain copies
The Official Records Search provides indexed information for recorded real property documents. The Recording page explains the available date coverage and copy-ordering options.
Index information is different from the full recorded document. Follow the official instructions to purchase a copy or view documents at an available public kiosk. Note the document number and other index details when preparing a copy request.
For search preparation, document copies and the distinction between recorded documents and assessment records, see our property records guide.
APN searches are an in-person service
The County states that APN searching was removed from its online Official Records Search effective December 9, 2024. Its Recording page directs APN searches to in-person kiosks.
If you have only an Assessor Parcel Number, confirm the appropriate kiosk location and access hours before traveling. Public search terminals and Recorder/Clerk transaction counters are different services; do not assume their availability is identical at every office.
Recording questions: Call 619-238-8158.
FBN, Notary Filings and Signature Authentication
Fictitious Business Name Statements
The County's FBN page provides filing, renewal, search and copy instructions. It states that a required statement must be filed within 40 days after first transacting business under the fictitious name.
An application can be prepared using the County's online form, but formal filing requires an original wet-ink signature and submission in person or by mail. Completing the online application does not itself file the statement.
For an in-person submission, bring valid government-issued photo identification. A third party or authorized agent filing on behalf of the registrant must present their own valid photo identification.
For a new filing, newspaper publication must begin within 45 days after filing and run once a week for four consecutive weeks. Use the approved newspaper list and follow the proof-of-publication instructions. Renewal exceptions depend on the circumstances.
Use the FBN records search linked from the official page to check an existing statement or confirm that its proof of publication appears in the filing details. FBN records are a separate search from recorded property documents.
Filing an FBN Statement does not guarantee exclusive use of the business name.
Notary oath and bond filings
The Notary Public Oath and Bond Filing page explains filing methods and surrendered-journal procedures.
This service concerns notary commission responsibilities. The Recorder/County Clerk does not provide ordinary notarization services for private documents. Arrange any required notarization before submitting a document, following the applicable service instructions.
Signature authentication
The County Clerk authenticates eligible signatures under its signature authentication program, including the designated Public Health Officer/Registrar of Vital Records and qualifying notary signatures.
Identify whose signature requires authentication and review the corresponding instructions. Authentication of a signature is a different transaction from notarizing a document or ordering a certified record.
Owner Alert, Archives and CEQA Postings
Owner Alert notifications
Owner Alert is a free email notification service for newly recorded documents matching a registered name and/or Assessor Parcel Number (APN). Matching records can include title transfers and liens. Enrollment requires an email address and name; an APN is optional.
The service covers recordings after activation. Common-name matches may concern other people, and not every document has every name or APN indexed. Check the document details before assuming an alert concerns your property.
An alert does not block recording, determine whether a document is valid or resolve a title dispute. Review an unexpected notification and use the program's official assistance instructions.
Owner Alert assistance: 619-238-8158 or OwnerAlert@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Historical research at County Archives
The County Archives preserves Recorder/County Clerk collections with permanent retention and historical value, including administrative records, official records, maps and historic vital records.
The program page links to collection descriptions, online research tools and reading-room information. Contact the Archives to identify relevant collections and confirm arrangements before a research visit.
For an identity or benefits transaction requiring a certified birth, death or marriage certificate, begin with the certificate request service rather than an archival research inquiry.
Archives contact: archives@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-237-0502
Location: 10144 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee, CA 92071
Recent CEQA postings
The Recorder/County Clerk service directory links to CEQA Fish and Wildlife postings. The County states that this listing covers documents received within the previous 30 days.
Follow the linked system's disclaimer and select CEQA Postings. For older materials not shown there, ask the responsible project agency or Clerk which records channel applies.
Requests That Belong With Another Office
| What you need | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Divorce, adoption or probate court records | San Diego Superior Court for matters filed there. Record access may be restricted; see our court case search guide. |
| A vital record connected to another county | The responsible office in the county of birth or death, or the county that issued the marriage license. |
| Property assessment information | The County Assessor; see our Assessor guide for assessed values, parcel information and assessment reviews. |
| Advice about preparing a deed, resolving ownership or choosing a legal instrument | An appropriate legal professional. Recording staff review submission requirements and do not provide private legal advice. |
A court judgment and a recorded document arising from that judgment are separate records. Determine whether you need the court file, the Recorder's instrument or both before selecting a search.
Office Locations and General Contacts
The official office locations page lists these Recorder/Clerk service locations:
| Office | Address |
|---|---|
| San Diego Recorder/Clerk Main Office | County Administration Center 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260 San Diego, CA 92101 |
| East County Office | 10144 Mission Gorge Rd. Santee, CA 92071 |
| Chula Vista Office | 590 3rd Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910 |
| San Marcos Office | 141 E. Carmel St. San Marcos, CA 92078 |
Published regular office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., subject to County closures. The Kearny Mesa office does not provide Recorder/Clerk transaction services.
Marriage services require appointments. Other transactions can have different requirements, and general opening hours do not guarantee availability of a particular service. Check the transaction page before visiting.
At the downtown County Administration Center, the locations page describes up to three hours of free underground parking for County business during weekday business hours, with entry from Ash Street. Confirm current parking arrangements before traveling.
For mail submissions, use the destination specified by the selected service. A physical office address is not automatically the correct mailing destination for every application or recording.
General Recorder/Clerk contact: 619-237-0502
Recording questions: 619-238-8158
Other inquiries: Use the official contact page and identify the service involved.