Modoc County, CA Property Records

    Modoc County is the third-least populous county in California, and according to a recent U.S. Census, it has a population of about 9,000 residents. The average home in the county is valued at $184,132, up 2.9% from the previous year. This value is about a quarter of the average home value in California, which stands at about $755,330. Similarly, the average cost of homes in the county is about half the national average ($357,275).

    In Modoc County, listed homes can take up to 60 days to go under contract, implying that the county's real estate market is a buyer's market, with supply exceeding demand in many areas. This makes it one of California's most affordable housing markets.

    Furthermore, data from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) indicate that the median household income in the county is $51,996, and approximately 25% of households allocate 30% or more of their income to housing. This implies that despite a relatively low home value, about a quarter of households in the county face housing affordability pressure.

    The Modoc County Assessor, under the Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office, oversees all property assessments, valuation, and parcel mapping in the county. It discovers, identifies, classifies, and appraises all taxable personal property and prepares the annual assessment roll for taxation purposes.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Modoc County Assessor/Recorder is responsible for maintaining the official property records in the county. These records include mortgages, deeds, liens, subdivisions, and other related instruments. You can access historic deed books and certified copies of property records at their office in both physical 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:

    • Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office: 204 South Court Street, Suite 106, Alturas, CA 96101

      Phone: (530) 233-6218, Online Index Search

      Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

      Coverage: All municipalities in Modoc County

    What Modoc County Property Records Include

    Property records in Modoc County comprise official public documents that establish real estate ownership rights and outline the characteristics of real property throughout the county. These records typically 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

    Modoc 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. The Modoc County Assessor/Recorder is the custodian of all property records in the county. Property records from 1984 have been digitized and are accessible online.

    How to Access Modoc County Property Records

    The Modoc County Assessor/Recorder is responsible for recording and maintaining 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 the 1800s in the recorder's office. Modoc County property records can be accessed online, in person, or by mail.

    Online Access

    You can access Modoc County property records online through the Online Index Search portal. Searches on the platform can be done by the owner's name, document number, recording date range, and book/page number. You can also use the Parcel Quest portal provided by the Assessor's Division to access records.

    In Person

    Modoc County property records can be accessed in person at the Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office located at 204 South Court Street, Suite 106, Alturas, CA 96101. There are public access terminals in the office that you can use for your research at no cost. Typically, you will need to provide identifying information about the property, including the property address, owners' names, or APN number. However, obtaining copies of property records attracts stipulated fees.

    Additionally, you can visit the office to record property documents. The documents must meet the county's document recording requirements and be duly signed by all relevant parties in the presence of a notary public. The County Recorder staff will verify and record your documents after paying all required fees.

    By Phone or Email

    While you may not directly access Modoc County property records by phone or email, you can call the Recorder's Office to make inquiries. You can contact the Recorder's Office at (530) 233-6218 for questions about recording documents or property record searches.

    By Mail/Overnight

    The Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office accepts recording documents through mail or overnight delivery. The documents must adhere to the county's formatting requirements and include applicable recording fees. You may also request copies of the county's property records by mail. Download and complete the Request for Public Property Record form and include applicable copy fees.

    You can send the complete package to the Modoc County Recorder, 24 South Court Street, Room 106, Alturas, CA 96101.

    E-Recording (Professionals):

    In Modoc County, you can file property documents electronically with the Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office through approved e-recording vendors. The county is a partner with the California Electronic Recording Transaction Network Authority (CeRTNA) and accepts e-recording from all CeRTNA-approved agents. These agents serve as intermediaries, allowing you to upload your documents through their secure online portal, which they then submit to the Modoc County Recorder's office in the county-prescribed format.

    The Recorder's Office verifies and records property documents in the order they are received from e-recording agents. Submitting land records electronically in the county is faster, more convenient, and reduces document errors.

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

    The Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office is responsible for maintaining official records related to property ownership, liens, easements, transfers, assessments, and valuations within the county. However, property tax management in the county is handled separately by the Modoc County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office, which oversees tax billing, delinquency records, and tax payment history.

    For additional real estate tax information, you may consult the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).

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

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

    1. Visit the Modoc County Online Index Search portal.

    2. Search for the deed using the name, document number, book/page number, and recording date.

    3. Review the list of results and select the relevant one. Confirm that the details are accurate.

    4. Select the document to view a scanned image of the recorded deed.

    5. You can download or print an unofficial copy of the deed for reference. If you need a certified copy, you must request it directly from the Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office by mail or in person.

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

    Modoc County operates under a single, countywide recording jurisdiction. The County Assessor/Recorder's Office maintains property records for all municipalities in the county, including the following:

    • Alturas, Adin, California Pines, Canby, Cedarville, Daphnedale Park, Eagleville, Fort Bidwell, Lake City, Likely, Lookout, Newell, New Pine Creek, Davis Creek, and Tionesta

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    The Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office is the official recorder and assessor of all properties in the county. The Recorder Division does the recording and maintenance of the records, while the Assessor Division values properties, applies exemptions, and delivers the assessment roll to the Modoc County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office for onward collection of taxes.

    In addition, the Modoc County Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) handles property assessment appeals from all municipalities in the county. Regular assessment roll appeals must be filed with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by November 30 for them to be processed. Supplemental assessment appeals must be filed within 60 days of receiving the supplemental assessment notice.

    Modoc County-Specific Nuances

    The following features may influence property research in Modoc County, CA:

    • Modoc County maintains a single, unified recording system through the Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office. All property documents across the county are recorded in the office.

    • In Modoc County, real estate recording and assessment are under the same leadership, the Modoc County Assessor/Recorder. This facilitates an efficient process for land identification, document recording, property valuation, and access to records.

    • The Modoc County Assessor/Recorder identifies and values properties in the county, while the Treasurer-Tax Collector's office collects property taxes for the county.

    • Modoc County operates a recorded land system; property owners only need to record their properties with the county recorder. Property ownership and encumbrances are documented chronologically by date.

    • Modoc County's land records extend back to the 1800s. Property records before 1984 may only be accessed in person at the Assessor/Recorder's office, while recent land records have been digitized and are available online.

    • Modoc County participates in statewide e-recording initiatives for recording real estate documents through CeRTNA.

    Typical Contents of a Modoc County Property Record

    A Modoc County property record typically contains a wide range of information about the property's value, ownership, assessment, taxes, ownership history, and legal description. Generally, you will find 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

      • Physical and mailing address

      • Date and place of execution

      • Sale consideration or transfer value

      • Prior deed and book/page references

      • Reference to prior conveyances or related filings

      • Homestead declaration, if applicable

    • 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 often available in property records include declarations of trust, affidavits of death or identity, power of attorney filings, and corrective or confirmatory deeds.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    All changes to property titles must be recorded with the Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office. These include transfer of ownership, addition or removal of an individual from the title, changes in boundary or easement rights, homestead filings, mortgages, and lien discharges. You need to file a new deed, duly signed and notarized, with the Recorder's office to record changes to property titles in the county.

    The filing must meet the county's formatting standard and include the required recording fees. You may also need to complete a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) form if the change involves the transfer of ownership.

    The Modoc County Assessor/Recorder's Office accepts documents for recording during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The new title may be filed with the county recorder in person, by mail, or by e-recording through approved agents. 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 Modoc County, CA.

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

    2. Search for recorded documents: Visit the Modoc County Assessor's Online Index Search portal to search by name, book/page number, document, or APN to view or download document images. You can also use the Assessor's Parcel Quest platform to view the characteristics of the property.

    3. Record key reference numbers: Note unique property identifiers, such as the book/page number or parcel number.

    4. Trace the chain of title: The grantor's name and address can be used to track earlier owners and review the property's ownership timeline. Check that each transfer was valid and properly recorded.

    5. Verify assessment and tax information: Check with the Modoc County Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office to verify the property's current tax standing and identify any outstanding delinquencies. You can review up to ten years of tax history.

    6. Review zoning and land use: Contact the Modoc County Planning Department to verify current zoning classifications and any limitations on property use or development. Review recorded plans, restrictions, and other encumbrances that could affect access or permissible use.

    7. Identify environmental concerns: Evaluate the property's terrain and drainage conditions. Check whether it falls within floodplains, hazard areas, wetlands, or other risk zones, and note any insurance obligations. Confirm the availability of key utilities, including water, sewer, electricity, and gas.

    8. Confirm record accuracy: Compare the information in recorded documents with the Assessor's records to confirm property characteristics and boundaries. Note any discrepancies.

    9. Maintain a record of findings: Keep copies of all documents, tax records, and correspondence for future reference or legal use. Document your findings, note any inconsistencies, and store a summarized report in a secure location.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Modoc County

    Modoc County, CA, is composed of Alturas, the county seat and only incorporated city, and several unincorporated communities and census-designated places. The municipalities include:

    • Cities: Alturas

    • Census-Designated Places: Adin, California Pines, Canby, Cedarville, Daphnedale Park, Eagleville, Fort Bidwell, Lake City, Likely, Lookout, Newell, and New Pine Creek

    • Unincorporated Communities: Davis Creek and Tionesta. (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals