Kern County, CA Property Records

    Kern County, California, is the 12th most populous county in the state, with over 900,000 residents. It is the third-largest county in California by land area, covering 8,161 square miles. The average home value is $358,043, representing a 0.3% increase from the previous year. This value is less than half the average cost of homes in California, which stands at about $761,003.

    In Kern County, homes typically go under contract in about 30 days, and around 31.2% sell above their listing price, while 45.3% sell under the listed price. This suggests a competitive market driven by its relatively inexpensive homes.

    However, data from the Federal Reserve Economic Database (FRED) indicate that approximately 39.5% of households allocate 30% or more of their income to housing. With one of the lowest median household incomes in the state, at $68,436 annually, affordable housing remains a significant challenge for many county residents.

    The Kern County Assessor-Recorder's Office oversees all property assessments, parcel mapping, and valuation data used for taxation. It maintains the official record of taxable parcels and determines assessed values for property tax billing.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Kern County Assessor-Recorder is the official custodian of all real estate documents, including deeds, liens, and maps recorded within the county. These records are accessible in both physical archives and digital formats. The contact details for the Recorder's Office and a direct link to the online property record search tool are provided below:

    Kern County Assessor-Recorder's Office: Assessor Property Search

    • Recorder Main Office

      • 1530 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301.

      Phone: (661) 868-6400, Fax: (661) 327-3241

      Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

    • Hall of Records, 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301.

      Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    What Kern County Property Records Include

    Kern County property records contain detailed public documents that establish real estate ownership and describe properties in the county. These records include the following:

    • Deeds

    • Mortgages

    • Releases or discharges

    • Assignments

    • Liens and Judgments

    • Foreclosure notices

    • Tax-sale certificates

    • Lis pendens filings

    • Covenants and Easements

    • Subdivision or plat maps

    • Restrictions

    • Agreements

    • Surveys

    Kern County, as with other counties in California, operates a recorded land system. Under this system, property documents are organized chronologically by recording date and indexed.

    How to Access Kern County Property Records

    The Kern County Assessor-Recorder is responsible for recording, maintaining, and assessing all documents related to real estate transactions in the county and making them available to the public. You can find property records dating back to 1866 in the recorder's office. Kern County property records can be accessed online, in person, or by mail.

    Online Access:

    Property records dating from 1994 to the present are available through the Assessor-Recorder's Property Search platform. You can search by name, street name, and Assessor's Tax Number (ATN). According to Assembly Bill 1785, the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) option cannot be used for online searches but may be used at onsite kiosks.

    In Person:

    Although searching Kern County property records online is fast and convenient, you may need to visit the Recorder's office with a valid ID if you are interested in older records or searching for records with an APN. You may be required to complete prescribed forms before you can view or obtain copies of official property records, and applicable fees may apply.

    You can also use the kiosks in the county Recorder's Offices to access the county's property records. Typically, you will need to provide identifying information about the property, including the property address, owners' names, or APN number.

    By Phone or Email:

    While you may not directly access the county's property records by phone or email, you can call or email the Recorder's Office to make inquiries. You can contact the Recorder's Office at (661) 868-6400 for questions about recording documents or property record searches.

    By Mail/Overnight:

    The Kern County Recorder's Office accepts mailed-in recording documents. The documents must adhere to the county's formatting requirements and include applicable fees. You may also request copies of the county's property records by mailing a written request to the Recorder's Office with applicable fees and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the records.

    E-Recording (Professionals):

    To submit Kern County property records by e-recording, you must use a third-party e-recording service provider. These services serve as an intermediary, allowing you to upload your documents through their secure online portal, which they then submit to the Kern County Recorder's office on your behalf. The Recorder's Office will then verify and record the documents.

    The California Electronic Recording Transaction Network Authority (CeRTNA) maintains a list of approved vendors that can be used for e-recording in Kern County.

    What's Not at the Registry (But Matters for Property Research)?

    The Assessor-Recorder's Office maintains official records that establish real estate ownership, liens, easements, transfers, assessments, and valuations of properties in the county. However, the county's property tax details are managed by the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office. The Treasurer-Tax Collector keeps information regarding tax billing, payment records, and delinquency information. You may also consult the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and the California State Controller's Office for detailed real estate financial or tax data.

    Step-by-Step: How to Pull a Deed Online

    Take the following steps to pull up Kern County deeds online:

    1. Visit the Kern County Assessor Property Search portal

    2. From the "Search by" option, select "Address Street Number and Name" to search by name and street number or "ATN" to search by the Assessor's Tax Number. The APN option is not available for online users.

    3. Enter the relevant details, including party name, street address, or ATN number.

    4. Click Search to display matching results.

    5. Review the list of documents, then select the desired record to view the property details page.

    Cities & Towns in Kern County (and Their Registry Districts)

    Kern County operates under a single, countywide recording jurisdiction. The County Assessor-Recorder's Office maintains property records for all municipalities in the county, including those listed below.

    • Arvin, Bakersfield, California City, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi, Wasco, Actis, Aerial Acres, Bealville, Bena, Caliente, Canebrake, Cantil, Cawelo, Claraville, Edwards, Famoso, Grapevine, Gypsite, Havilah, Indian Wells, Keyesville, Loraine, Midoil, Miracle Hot Springs, Missouri Triangle, Monolith, Old Garlock, Old West Ranch, Panama, Pentland, Pond, Reward, Rio Bravo, Riverkern, Sageland, Saltdale, Sand Canyon, South Lake, Spicer City, Twin Oaks, Wheeler Ridge, Willow Springs, Wonder Acres, Alta Sierra, Bear Valley Springs, Bodfish, Boron, Buttonwillow, Casa Loma, Cherokee Strip, China Lake Acres, Derby Acres, Di Giogio, Dustin Acres, East Bakersfield, Edison, Edmundson Acres, Edward AFB, El Adobe, Fellows, Ford City, Frazier Park, Fuller Acres, Glennville, Golden Hills, Greenacres, Greenfield, Inyokern, Johannesburg, Keene, Kernville, Lake Isabella, Lake of the Woods, Lamont, Lebec, Lost Hills, McKittrick, Mettler, Mexican Colony, Mojave, Mountain Mesa, Mountain Meadows, North Edwards, Oildale, Olde Stockdale, Old River, Onyx, Pine Mountain Club, Pumpkin Center, Randsburg, Rosamond, Rosedale, Smith Corner, South Taft, Squirrel Mountain Valley, Stallion Springs, Stebbins, Tarina, Taft Heights, Tupman, Valley Acres, Weedpatch, Weldon, Wofford Heights, and Woody.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    The Kern County Assessor-Recorder is the official recorder, custodian, and assessor of all properties in the county. The Recorder's Office does the recording and maintenance of the records, while the Assessor's Office values properties, applies exemptions, and delivers the assessment roll to the Kern County Auditor-Controller-County Clerk. The Auditor-Controller calculates tax rates and delivers billing files to the Treasurer-Tax Collector for onward collection of taxes.

    You can access additional property details, such as building permits, zoning classifications, and code enforcement records, from the Kern County Planning and Natural Resources Department and city zoning/building departments. Reviewing these records helps determine whether a property complies with local land-use regulations and can reveal improvements not yet reflected in county files.

    Kern County-Specific Nuances

    Kern County, CA, has several unique characteristics that distinguish its property record system and real estate landscape from other parts of the state.

    • In Kern County, real estate recording and assessment are under the same leadership, the Kern County Assessor-Recorder. This allows for a seamless process for land valuation and record accessibility.

    • The county maintains a single, unified recording system through the Assessor-Recorder's Office. All property documents in both incorporated and unincorporated communities are recorded in one central office.

    • The Kern County Assessor-Recorder identifies and values properties in the county, the Auditor-Controller calculates tax rates, and the Treasurer-Tax Collector collects property taxes for the county.

    • Kern County operates a recorded land system. Therefore, property ownership and encumbrances are documented chronologically by date.

    • Kern County's land records extend back to 1866. Property records before 1994 may only be accessed in person at the recorder's locations, while recent land records have been digitized.

    • Kern County participates in statewide e-recording initiatives for recording real estate documents. This modernized system ensures that new filings are indexed and viewable online within a few days.

    Typical Contents of a Kern County Property Record

    A Kern County property record refers to a set of official documents showing land borders and real estate ownership in the county. Typically, you will notice the following information when looking up these records:

    • Deeds (Proof of Ownership Transfer)

      • Party names (grantor and grantee)

      • Legal property description, including parcel or tract details

      • Date and place of execution

      • Sale consideration or transfer value

      • Reference to prior conveyances or related filings

      • Homestead declaration

    • Mortgages, Deeds of Trust, and Reconveyances

      • Name of lender or beneficiary

      • Loan amount, interest rate, and repayment terms

      • Property address or legal description used as collateral

      • Reconveyance or release details when the loan is satisfied

    • Liens and Encumbrances

      • Tax liens, mechanics' liens, and judgment liens

      • Easements, covenants, and restrictions affecting land use

      • Lis pendens notices for pending legal actions

      • Rights of way or shared access agreements

    • Subdivision and Parcel Maps

      • Official subdivision or parcel map number

      • Surveyor's certificate and approval stamp

      • Boundary lines, dimensions, and lot identifiers

      • Date of filing and plan reference information

    Other recorded instruments that can be accessed in the county's property records include declarations of trust, affidavits of death or identity, power of attorney documents, and corrective or confirmatory deeds

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    All updates to property ownership in Kern County must be officially recorded with the County Recorder's Office. These include deeds, new conveyances, liens, releases, and other instruments that affect title or ownership rights. You must complete a new deed and a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR), then record both documents at the Kern County Recorder's Office.

    Documents submitted for recording must meet the formatting and content standards set by the county and California law. Each document must contain notarized signatures and complete property identification details. The Kern County Assessor-Recorder accepts documents for recording during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    You can record your new documents with the recorder's office through approved e-recording providers. E-recordings are reviewed and indexed by Recorder's Office staff in the same manner as paper submissions.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    The checklist below serves as a practical guide for conducting property record research in Kern County, CA.

    1. Identify the property and location: Confirm the property's address and obtain the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or the Assessor's Tax Number (ATN) through the Kern County Assessor's Office.

    2. Search for recorded documents: Visit the Kern County Assessor Property Search portal to search by name, address, or ATN to view or download document images. You can also use the Assessor's Parcel Map Search to locate a property.

    3. Record key reference numbers: Note the document number and any prior reference listed on the deed or lien.

    4. Trace the chain of title: Review prior references to confirm ownership history and identify any transfers or liens that may affect the property.

    5. Verify assessment and tax information: Verify the current tax status with the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector's office to ensure all past and current taxes are paid.

    6. Review zoning and land use: Contact the Kern County Planning and Natural Resources Department or the city building department to confirm current zoning and any restrictions on how the property can be used or developed. Check for recorded plans, restrictions, and other encumbrances that may affect access or use.

    7. Identify environmental concerns: Check for potential issues like wetlands, surface water protection buffers, or potential contamination history.

    8. Confirm record accuracy: Ensure there are no discrepancies in the records and documents reviewed.

    9. Maintain a record of findings: Keep copies of all documents, parcel maps, and correspondence for future reference or legal review.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Kern County

    Kern County, CA, is composed of 11 cities, several unincorporated communities, and census-designated places, all of which fall under the jurisdiction of the Assessor-Recorder's Office for property recording and title matters.

    • Cities: Arvin, Bakersfield, California City, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi, and Wasco.

    • Census-Designated Places: Alta Sierra, Bear Valley Springs, Bodfish, Boron, Buttonwillow, Casa Loma, Cherokee Strip, China Lake Acres, Derby Acres, Di Giogio, Dustin Acres, East Bakersfield, Edison, Edmundson Acres, Edward AFB, El Adobe, Fellows, Ford City, Frazier Park, Fuller Acres, Glennville, Golden Hills, Greenacres, Greenfield, Inyokern, Johannesburg, Keene, Kernville, Lake Isabella, Lake of the Woods, Lamont, Lebec, Lost Hills, McKittrick, Mettler, Mexican Colony, Mojave, Mountain Mesa, Mountain Meadows, North Edwards, Oildale, Olde Stockdale, Old River, Onyx, Pine Mountain Club, Pumpkin Center, Randsburg, Rosamond, Rosedale, Smith Corner, South Taft, Squirrel Mountain Valley, Stallion Springs, Stebbins, Tarina, Taft Heights, Tupman, Valley Acres, Weedpatch, Weldon, Wofford Heights, and Woody.

    • Unincorporated Communities: Actis, Aerial Acres, Bealville, Bena, Caliente, Canebrake, Cantil, Cawelo, Claraville, Edwards, Famoso, Grapevine, Gypsite, Havilah, Indian Wells, Keyesville, Loraine, Midoil, Miracle Hot Springs, Missouri Triangle, Monolith, Old Garlock, Old West Ranch, Panama, Pentland, Pond, Reward, Rio Bravo, Riverkern, Sageland, Saltdale, Sand Canyon, South Lake, Spicer City, Twin Oaks, Wheeler Ridge, Willow Springs, and Wonder Acres.

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals