Recorded and filed documents and maps are official records; they are available for public viewing in our offices at no cost, but California law prohibits the display of recorded documents on the internet.

We have digitized records from 1850 to present. Images from 1850 – 1996 are available on microfilm and in our Digital Reel system.

The Recorder does not provide search services. All searches must be conducted by the individual.

If you require a title search, please contact a title company for title search services.

All recorded documents are indexed by the names of the principal parties. To locate a document in our indexes, you will need to know the name of at least one party and the approximate year the document was recorded.

In the past, hundreds of words such as Bank, Company, Trustee etc. were abbreviated as, BK, CO, TR etc,. This practice was initiated because of the limited length of space allocated in the electronic format but was potentially confusing. We are no longer constrained by the length of space.

  • 1974-1990
    From 1974 through 1990, the first word of an index entry was abbreviated so, for example, SECURITY PACIFIC NATIONAL BANK would appear as SEC PAC NATL BK.
  • 1990-1999
    In 1990 we discontinued the practice of abbreviating the first words so in our example, SECURITY PACIFIC NATIONAL BANK appeared in the index as SECURITY PAC NATL BK.
  • 1/1/2010 to current
    As of January 1, 2010, we no longer abbreviate any word written into the Grantor/Grantee index. All words appear in the index as written on the recorded document.  In the current system we provide a party list to assist with variations of naming conventions.

ONLINE

The Santa Cruz County Recorder offers an online Index of Official Records recorded from 1978 to the present. You can search this online index to locate and purchase documents.

Click here to search our online Index of Official Records.

IN PERSON

Documents recorded prior to 1974 are indexed in handwritten volumes which can be examined in our Santa Cruz office at no cost.

You may obtain copies of recorded documents online, in person, or by mail.

ONLINE

Copies can be ordered online for immediate download.

New Registered User
To purchase copies online, you must first register for an account. Registration requires:

  • User ID
  • Email address
  • Password
  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Mailing address

Register or Log In to Order Copies

In Person or By Mail

When requesting copies you will need to provide:

  • Document Number
  • Year the document was recorded
  • Name of at least one party on the document
  • Type of document

In person
Copies can be obtained in person during business hours.

By Mail
Send a written request with the required information, along with a check or money order to:

Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office
701 Ocean Street Room 230
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

FEES:

  • $1 per page
  • $3 per document for certification
  • Fees are payable by cash (in person only), check, or money order
  • Make checks or money orders payable to: Santa Cruz County Recorder

Filed Maps

Records of Survey, Subdivision Maps, and Maps that are filed with the Recorder are identified by title, date filed, and map book and page number and can be viewed in our Santa Cruz office location.

Copies are not currently available for ordering online but can be obtained in person, by mail, or by email at Recorder@santacruzcountyca.gov. You will need to know the map book and page number of the map you are requesting.

Map Fees:
  • $5 first page
  • $2 each additional page

Researching Maps

Effective January 1, 2025, Government Code 7928.205 prohibits posting certain information online. Many maps contain protected information, so online links are no longer available.

However, the information can still be accessed at public kiosks at the following locations:

Recorder’s Office – Santa Cruz

  • 701 Ocean Street  Room 230
  • Monday thru Friday:  8:00-12:00 & 1:00-4:00

Recorder’s Office - South County

  • 500 Westridge Drive
  • Mondays and Fridays ONLY:   8:00-12:00 & 1:00-4:00

Assessor’s Office – Santa Cruz

  • 701 Ocean Street  Room 130
  • Monday thru Friday:  8:00-5:00

Do I need an appointment?

No, no appointment is necessary.  Please see our locations and hours of operation.

What if the person was not born in Santa Cruz County?

  • If born in another county in California, contact that County Recorder’s Office.
  • If born in another state, see “Where to Write for Vital Records” on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.  Link:  Where to Write for Vital Records - Homepage

How do I amend a birth certificate?

Our office has no authority to correct, edit, or amend information on a Birth Certificate. All corrections must be done with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). See the CDPH webpage for correcting or amending vital records. 

Does your office have a Notary?

No, there is no public notary in the Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office.

How do I get an apostille?

The California Secretary of State provides an Apostille to authenticate California public officials' signatures on documents to be used outside the United States of America.  Request an Apostille :: California Secretary of State