San Diego County Property Records: Assessed Values, Deeds, Parcel Maps and Building Records
San Diego County property information is available through several services. The Assessor maintains assessment and parcel information, while the Recorder maintains recorded real estate documents. Use this guide to choose the appropriate search, prepare the right identifiers and request copies or restricted building records.
Property assessment questions: Call 619-236-3771. For recorded documents and copy requests, call 619-238-8158.
Independent guide. This website is not affiliated with the County of San Diego. Use official agency pages and their linked providers for searches, document requests and payments. Confirm current requirements and charges before submitting a request.
Choose the Search That Matches Your Request
| Information you need | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Assessed value for a parcel | The Secured Assessment Roll Search. |
| An APN, property characteristics or an Assessor parcel map | The County's ParcelQuest entry page or Assessor Public Information. |
| A recorded deed, lien, reconveyance or other recorded instrument | The Recorder's Official Records Search. |
| Assessor building records | The building-record request instructions and authorization form. |
| Building permits, approved plans or zoning information | The responsible city or County planning and building agency. The Assessor's Property Information page includes permit and zoning starting points. |
APN searches depend on the system: The online assessment roll accepts Assessor Parcel Numbers. The Recorder's online Official Records Search does not accept APN searches; that search method is available through its in-person kiosks.
If you need ownership information, contact Assessor Public Information for the appropriate service or locate the relevant recorded documents. The online assessment roll does not display owner names.
Search Assessed Values by APN or Address
The Secured Assessment Roll Search provides assessed-value information. Select a search method before entering the property identifier.
| Search method | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Parcel number | At least eight digits with separating dashes, such as 123-456-78. Include the additional segment when applicable, as in 123-456-78-90. |
| Property address | The street number and street name. Street directions, street types and city names are not required. |
| Street name | The street name only. This option is intended for parcels without street numbers. |
If an address search returns no result, check the spelling and try the street number and name without the city, street type or directional term. If you have an APN, confirm its digits and dashes against an existing Assessor record or parcel map.
Understand the date and purpose of the result
The County's 2026 notice reports property assessed as of January 1, 2026, using records accurate as of June 30, 2026. Later changes to assessed values or exemption amounts may not appear in that online notice.
An assessed-value notice is not a property tax bill or a current market-price estimate. For billing and payment information, see our property tax guide.
If you believe the assessment is incorrect, see our Assessor guide and the official review and appeal instructions. A value dispute is separate from searching for deeds, maps or building records.
Find Deeds and Other Recorded Documents
Use the Official Records Search for the Recorder's Grantor/Grantee Index. Available search options include party name, document number, recording date, document type, book and page, and map number.
A grantor or grantee name is the name of a party indexed on the recorded document. It is a different search identifier from the property's street address.
Prepare identifiers before searching
- Use the document number when you already have a recording reference.
- For a name search, prepare the individual or entity name associated with the document and an approximate recording period.
- Try relevant name variations when searching older records. Before January 1, 2012, some index entries used abbreviations such as BK for Bank and CO for Company.
- Save the document number, recording year, party name and document type for a later copy request.
The search system requires JavaScript and cookies. A browser error or unavailable page is different from a completed search that returns no matching entries.
APN searches require an in-person kiosk
The County removed APN searching 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 APN, confirm the kiosk location and access hours before traveling. A public search kiosk and a Recorder/Clerk transaction counter are different services; their availability should be checked separately.
Index entries and document copies are different
The County describes its online real property index coverage as 1970 to the present. The official index displays indexed information rather than the full document image. Follow the copy-ordering instructions or visit an available public kiosk to review the document.
A single index entry does not establish the complete ownership history or show every document affecting a property. Review the actual instruments and relevant later recordings when investigating a transfer or lien.
A recorded deed, an Assessor record and a title report serve different purposes. For ownership-reporting forms, living trusts and methods of holding title, use the official ownership and title information page.
Find Parcel Maps and Property Characteristics
The County links to ParcelQuest for APNs, property characteristics and Assessor maps. Begin at the official ParcelQuest disclaimer page so you can review the provider's access conditions before continuing.
The County states that users may conduct up to 25 searches in any 30-day period without charge. Additional searches may require a subscription, and recorded documents or other reports may have separate charges.
Read the complete parcel number
An APN identifies a parcel for assessment purposes. The Assessor Parcel Map Guide explains the book, page, parcel and optional sub-identification components.
Use the full APN shown for the property, including a sub-identification segment when present. Similar parcel numbers can refer to different assessment parcels.
Understand map limitations
Assessor maps help identify property for assessment. They are not substitutes for boundary surveys, legal descriptions, subdivision approvals or building and zoning records.
The County's map guide states that Assessor parcels may not comply with local subdivision or building ordinances. Do not use an assessment map alone to establish a legal lot, construction permission or access rights.
For mapping questions, use the Mapping Services page or call 619-531-5588.
Request Assessor Building Records
Assessor building records are maintained for assessment purposes. They are a different record category from building permits, approved construction plans and zoning approvals held by planning or building agencies.
The County accepts building-record requests at ARCCBuildingRecords.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov. Review the official request instructions and Authorization to Release Records form before submitting.
| Requester | Materials to prepare |
|---|---|
| Individual property owner | Parcel number or property address and a copy of the owner's photo identification. |
| Authorized agent | A completed authorization signed by the owner and a copy of the agent's photo identification. |
| Owner requesting records for entity-owned property | Parcel number or address, photo identification and documentation proving an ownership interest in the entity. |
| Agent requesting records for entity-owned property | Signed authorization, a copy of the photo identification of the person requesting the records, and documentation proving the signer's ownership interest in the entity. |
| Owner requesting records for trust-owned property | Parcel number or address, photo identification and trust documentation proving the ownership interest. |
| Agent requesting records for trust-owned property | Signed authorization, a copy of the photo identification of the person requesting the records, and trust documentation proving the signer's ownership interest. |
Examples of entity documentation include operating or partnership agreements, stockholder ledgers and statements on company letterhead. For trusts, the County requests the title, distribution and signature pages.
The authorization is valid for 60 days from the owner's signature date. If a copy service is involved, follow the form's instructions for identifying the copy service and attorney.
The County states that identification copies are used for verification and then discarded. Its instructions describe the building-record fee as temporarily waived and subject to change.
Copy Fees, Delivery and Office Contacts
Recorded document copies
The Copies section of the official Recording page lists $2 for the first page, $0.05 for each additional page and $1 per document for certification. Card payments carry an additional $2.50 surcharge.
Online copy orders require an account and are delivered by mail. Check the shipping address in your account profile, not just the billing information, before ordering.
Purchasing through the Recorder's online system does not provide an immediate document download. Copies are printed and mailed; electronic delivery through ParcelQuest is a separate vendor service.
For a mailed copy request, include:
- The document number.
- The year the document was recorded.
- The name of at least one party named on the document.
- The document type.
Send your written request with the required check or money order to:
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
ATTN: Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
Make payment payable to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk. Confirm the total charge on the official Recording page before mailing. For an in-person copy request, check the available Recorder/Clerk locations.
Copy charges are separate from fees and taxes for recording a new document. Our Recorder/County Clerk guide covers the office's other recording and filing services.
Assessor information and vendor purchases
The Assessor Public Information Fee Schedule lists charges for Assessor maps, property characteristics, screen prints and other copies. Use that schedule for the applicable Assessor service rather than assuming every property record has the same charge.
ParcelQuest sets its own charges for paid searches, documents and reports. The County's disclaimer describes vendor-purchased documents as electronically available. Certified copies must be obtained directly from the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk (ARCC). Check the selected service's delivery instructions before paying.
Choose the appropriate office
| Service | Office and contact |
|---|---|
| Assessor Public Information | 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 103 San Diego, CA 92101 619-236-3771 |
| Recorder/Clerk Main Office | 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260 San Diego, CA 92101 Recording: 619-238-8158 General Recorder/Clerk: 619-237-0502 |
The official office locations page also lists branches in Santee, Chula Vista, San Marcos and Kearny Mesa. Kearny Mesa provides Assessor services but does not provide Recorder/Clerk transaction services. Confirm kiosk access separately.
Published regular office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., subject to County closures. For mailed requests, use the destination specified by the selected service rather than assuming the physical office address is correct.
For mailing-address changes, ownership reporting and parcel combination or segregation requests, use the official Assessor forms page. Select the form for the actual request; an assessment-record update is separate from recording a deed or obtaining a planning approval.