Lassen County, CA Property Records

    Lassen County is located in northeastern California and is home to more than 28,000 residents. The average home in Lassen County stands at $224,672, down 0.5% from the previous year and much less than the statewide median of $755,000.

    Listings in the county generally receive accepted offers in weeks, and competitively priced properties often move faster. According to the Federal Reserve Economic Database (FRED), about 32% of Lassen County households spend 30% or more of their income on housing costs. This makes it difficult for residents to keep up with everyday living expenses.

    In Lassen County, the Assessor's Office sets assessed property values for tax purposes, while the Treasurer-Tax Collector handles property tax collections. The Planning and Building Department maintains zoning and land-use regulations, which control how land can be used and developed across the county.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Lassen County Clerk-Recorder maintains all land records, including mortgages, deeds, liens, plats, and other related documents. Anyone can access these records online through the Recorder's EagleWeb Document Search. To obtain physical copies of property records, submit mail requests or visit the county recorder's office at:

    • Clerk-Recorder's Office: 220 South Lassen Street, Suite 5, Susanville, CA 96130

      Phone: (530) 251-8234, Records Search

      Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding county holidays.

      Coverage: All municipalities in Lassen County.

    What Lassen County Property Records Include

    Lassen County property records include the following instruments:

    • Deeds

    • Liens

    • Mortgages

    • Plats

    • Releases

    • Assignments

    • Homestead Declarations

    • Foreclosure filings

    • Lis Pendens

    • Agreements

    These records collectively form the official chain of title, showing how ownership and encumbrances have evolved in Lassen County. The County Recorder records documents in the order they are received and indexes them by grantor, grantee, book, page, and document number. Historic records are preserved in bound volumes and on microfilm, while documents from 1985 to the present are available online.

    How to Access Lassen County Property Records

    You can access Lassen County property records through several channels, including online search systems, mail, and in-person requests.

    Online Access

    The Lassen County Clerk-Recorder provides a Document Search portal for you to look up land documents such as deeds, liens, mortgages, and more. You can search by name, document type, document number, book/page, or date. Printing and downloading unofficial records online is free of charge.

    In Person

    For in-person assistance or obtaining copies of Lassen County property documents, visit the county recorder's office located at the Historic Courthouse, 220 South Lassen Street, Suite 5, Susanville, CA 96130. When making a walk-in request, provide property details such as the owner's name, address, or parcel ID. Fees may apply for certified and standard copies.

    By Phone or Email

    You can contact the County Recorder at (530) 251-8234 for questions about recorded documents or property record searches. Inquiries may also be submitted by email at jbustamante@co.lassen.ca.us.

    By Mail/Overnight

    You may also request copies of the county's property records by mailing a written request to the Lassen County Recorder. The request should clearly identify the owner's name, document type, instrument number, or recording date. You should also include the appropriate fees and a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the documents can be mailed back to you.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Electronic recording allows real estate firms and other authorized professionals to submit land documents digitally for recording. The Lassen County Clerk-Recorder does not provide direct information about e-recording services for land documents. However, many California counties participate in statewide e-recording programs through approved vendors certified by the California Electronic Recording Transaction Network Authority (CeRTNA).

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

    The Clerk-Recorder's Office keeps and ensures public access to official records that establish ownership and transfers. Other information necessary for property research is maintained by the following local and state agencies:

    • The Assessor's Office: Property assessments and ownership listings managed by the County Assessor can help researchers understand a property's physical characteristics and how it is classified for tax purposes.

    • The Treasurer/Tax Collector: This office maintains tax payment records. These files are useful for confirming payment status, identifying unpaid taxes or liens, and understanding ongoing financial obligations tied to a property.

    • The Planning and Building Department: It is responsible for handling zoning maps, land-use regulations, building permits, inspections, and code compliance records.

    • The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA): While CDTFA does not manage local property tax bills, its tax rate data supports research involving statewide tax obligations and financial analysis.

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

    Follow the steps below to pull up Lassen County deeds online:

    1. Visit the Lassen County Clerk-Recorder EagleWeb Document Search.

    2. In the Basic Search section, enter search details such as document number, book/page, recording date, and grantor/grantee name.

    3. Uncheck the "Search All Types" option and select "Deed" from the document type list to narrow your results.

    4. Click Search to display matching results.

    5. Review the list of results to identify the correct document.

    6. Click on the desired record to print or download.

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

    The Clerk-Recorder's Office handles land ownership records for the City of Susanville and the following municipalities in Lassen County.

    • Bieber, Clear Creek, Doyle, Herlong, Janesville, Johnstonville, Litchfield, Little Valley, Madeline, Milford, Nubieber, Patton Village, Ravendale, Spaulding, Standish, Stones Landing, Termo, Wendel, and Westwood.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Lassen County offers an Online Parcel Search tool that allows you to look up parcel assessments, view real estate characteristics, and check both current and past assessed values. You can use this tool to explore property class, assessed value, and exemption status. You can search the portal by providing the property address or Assessor's Parcel Number (APN).

    Additional property details, including building permits, zoning classifications, and code enforcement records, are maintained by the Planning and Building Department. Reviewing these records helps determine whether a property complies with local land-use regulations and can reveal improvements not yet reflected in county files.

    Lassen County-Specific Nuances

    The following features set Lassen County's property records system apart from other California counties:

    • The Clerk-Recorder's Office in Susanville documents and keeps property title documents for both incorporated and unincorporated communities.

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

    • Lassen County's land records are accessible online, in person, or by mail. Recent documents created after 1985 are available online, while older records are accessible only through in-person research.

    • Rural and undeveloped properties constitute a significant portion of the county. This may result in older or less detailed legal descriptions in historical deeds.

    • Title companies and tax professionals interested in electronic recording may need to contact the county recorder by phone.

    • Property assessments and tax billing are handled by different agencies. The Assessor's Office determines property values, and the Treasurer-Tax Collector issues and collects property tax bills.

    Typical Contents of a Lassen County Property Record

    A Lassen County property record tracks past and current owners of a property. It typically includes the following documents and details:

    • Deeds

      • Grantor and grantee names

      • Legal property description

      • Date and place of execution

      • Sale consideration

      • Reference to prior conveyances

      • Homestead declaration

    • Mortgages

      • Name of lender or beneficiary

      • Loan terms

      • Property address or legal description used as collateral

      • Reconveyance or release details when the loan is satisfied

    • Encumbrances

      • Easements for access or utilities

      • Covenants and restrictions related to subdivisions

      • Lis pendens

      • Notices of default

      • Notices of trustee's sale

    • Parcel Maps

      • Official subdivision or parcel map number

      • Surveyor's certificate and approval stamp

      • Property's physical attributes

      • Date of filing and plan reference information

    You may also see corrective deeds, affidavits, trustee's deeds, powers of attorney, or other supporting documents that help clarify ownership or authority, depending on the transaction.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    You can update a property title in Lassen County by recording the new deed, lien, release, or related document with the County Recorder. The county accepts filings that follow the state's formatting rules. Documents that do not meet these standards may be rejected. As such, checking the guidelines ahead of time is necessary to avoid delays.

    You can submit documents for recording in person or by mail to the recorder's office at 220 South Lassen Street, Suite 5, Susanville, CA 96130. For electronic recording, call the office at (530) 251-8234. Other related information, including the fee schedule and official business hours, is available on the Clerk-Recorder's website.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    This checklist outlines a step-by-step path for researching property records in Lassen County, CA.

    1. Identify the right office: The County Recorder keeps land documents, while property valuation information is maintained by the Lassen County Assessor. Real estate tax payment history is managed by the Treasurer/Tax Collector.

    2. Verify ownership and title: Find out who currently owns the property and review past ownership transfers through the Document Search online portal. Enter search details such as the owner's name, document number, book and page, or recording date to locate the most recent deed.

    3. Trace the chain of title: This helps confirm that ownership was transferred properly over time. To do this, start with the current deed and use the prior book and page or instrument number to work backward through earlier deeds.

    4. Verify assessment and tax information: Check a property's assessed value and tax status through the Online Parcel Search.

    5. Check for encumbrances or legal actions: Ensure there are no outstanding governmental liens or judgments that would survive a sale. Review ownership history, uncover any past issues, and confirm legal transfers.

    6. Review original documents: Some online records may be limited to index information only. An in-person visit may be necessary to view full documents or verify unclear information.

    7. Organize your findings: Keep a clear list of every book/page, instrument number, and recording date so you can build an accurate chain of titles.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Lassen County

    The City of Susanville is the only incorporated area in Lassen County. Other unincorporated communities* are listed below:

    • Unincorporated Communities and Census-Designated Places: Bieber, Clear Creek, Doyle, Herlong, Janesville, Johnstonville, Litchfield, Little Valley, Madeline, Milford, Nubieber, Patton Village, Ravendale, Spaulding, Standish, Stones Landing, Termo, Wendel, and Westwood.

    *These areas are designated for mailing or census use and are not self-governing. (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals