Search California Property Records

Property records in California are maintained at the county level. The County Assessor handles property valuations and assessment data. The Tax Collector-Treasurer handles tax bills and payments. These are separate offices with separate databases.

What this page covers: California property assessment lookups, tax record searches, and parcel/ownership data. What it does not cover: Recorded documents like deeds and mortgages (those are on the Recorded Documents page) or property transfer history.

Where to start: For property values and tax assessments, start with the County Assessor. For tax payment history and bills, go to the Tax Collector-Treasurer. For ownership verification, you may need both the assessment records and the recorded documents.

Common mistake: Property assessment records (values and taxes) and recorded documents (deeds and liens) are maintained by different offices in California. The County Assessor handles assessments; the County Recorder handles recordings. Search both if you need the full picture.