Tulare County, CA Property Records

    Tulare County ranks as the 18th most populous county in California. It has an estimated 483,546 residents. Situated in the Central Valley area, the average home value in Tulare County is $353,817, up 1.1% from previous years but still significantly lower than the statewide average of $754,304.

    Many homes receive and accept an offer in roughly 26 days after being listed. With about 34.9% of sales closing over the list price, one-third of homes sell above the asking price, indicating a balanced to mildly seller-leaning housing market.

    Based on ACS 5-year data, about 38% of households in Tulare County spend at least 30% of their income on rent, mortgage, or related housing costs. Tulare County property records are mainly maintained at the county level, although comprehensive research may involve consulting other county-level offices for property-related matters such as property taxes.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder's Office, particularly its Recorder's Division, records and maintains land records for the county. This registry functions as a countywide administrative system that preserves real estate documents relating to property located in both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Tulare County.

    The Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder's Office also offers official online tools that may assist with searching land and property-related records. The Official Records Search Portal provides an index of recorded documents, which generally includes deeds, liens, and mortgages. In addition, the Public Parcel Search tool allows users to look up property information using a parcel number or a physical situs address.

    What Tulare County Property Records Include

    Property records in Tulare County are official public documents that serve as primary legal evidence of ownership, encumbrances, and property transactions within the county's jurisdiction. These records include deeds, security instruments, reconveyances, declarations of homestead, Lis Pendens, involuntary liens, easements, and foreclosure documents.

    Tulare County, like all counties in California, uses a recording-based land title system. Under this system, ownership and interests in real property are established through the recording of documents with the county Recorder's Office. The Official Records Search portal contains a searchable index of records from 1960 to the present. Records extending back to the county's creation in 1852 are available in the physical archives at the Visalia headquarters.

    How to Access Tulare County Property Records

    Anyone can access Tulare County's property records through several methods, including online portals, in-person visits, mail, and other request methods.

    Online Access (Free):

    The Official Records Search portal, developed by the Tulare County Clerk Recorder, allows you to access recorded documents using search criteria such as map book or page, document name, document type, and individual names. The advanced search feature provides access to documents indexed from January 1, 1960, and allows search by document number, recording dates, book and page references, grantor and grantee names, and document type.

    To obtain regular or certified copies, you may add selected records to an online cart. Regular copies are available for a fee of $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certified copies cost $2 per page and must be purchased offline at the Recorder's Office. In addition, the Tulare County Assessor offers access to land information through the Public Parcel Search tool, where you may look up property details such as lot size, recent appraised value, and zoning designation.

    In Person:

    You may request copies of recorded documents by visiting the Clerk-Recorder's Office at 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 103, Visalia, California. The office accepts payment for copies by cash, check, or money order. Checks should be made payable to the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk- Recorder.

    The Clerk Recorder's Office also allows you to look up recorded documents using the computer access terminals or microfiche machines available on-site during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    By Mail/Overnight:

    To request records by mail, you must complete the Recorded Document Request Form and submit it along with a check or money order payable to the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk- Recorder. Your request should be mailed to 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 103, Visalia, CA 93291-4593.

    E-Recording (Professionals):

    Tulare County supports the electronic recording of real estate transaction instruments. This option is generally available to title companies, title insurers, and government entities. To record documents electronically, you may contact the office at (559) 636-5050.

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

    The Clerk-Recorder's Office maintains the county's land registry, keeping permanent and organized records of real estate documents such as deeds, liens, maps, and easements. However, this office does not hold all the information needed for detailed property research.

    Property assessments, parcel cards, tax rates, and payment records are maintained by county offices, including the Assessor, Treasurer-Tax Collector, and Auditor-Controller. Official statewide property tax rate data and definitions are provided by the California Board of Equalization.

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

    Anyone can pull up Tulare County deeds and other official documents by taking these steps:

    • Navigate to the Tulare County Clerk-Recorder Self Service System

    • Click on Official Record Search and Copies

    • Select a search criteria

    • Search by name, recording date, or document number

    • Identify deed in the results

    • Add to cart

    • Complete the purchase

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

    All recorded documents across Tulare County are managed by the Tulare County Clerk-Recorder's Office. This office serves the eight cities in this county including:

    • Dinuba

    • Exeter

    • Farmersville

    • Lindsay

    • Porterville

    • Tulare

    • Visalia

    • Woodlake

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    In Tulare County, property assessed values, parcel maps, tax roll information, building characteristics, and other assessment and tax-related data are maintained by multiple county departments, including:

    • The Tulare County Assessor

    • The Tulare County Treasurer-Tax Collector

    • The Tulare County Auditor-Controller

    The California State Board of Equalization and the California State Controller's Office provide access to statewide property tax data through their websites.

    Tulare County-Specific Nuances

    Tulare County, CA, has various unique features that can influence property research:

    • Tulare County employs a consolidated Assessor/Clerk-Recorder office that manages all property assessments, vital records, and land document recording for both incorporated and unincorporated areas.

    • The Auditor Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector offices are also consolidated, even though their core functions are separate. The Auditor-Controller apportions property tax across various agencies, the Treasurer manages the county's treasury operations and cash flow, while the Tax Collector issues and collects property tax bills.

    • The county operates under a recorded land system, which means that priority of interests is determined by the chronological order of recordation.

    • Land records date back to the county's formation in 1852, while online access dates back to January 1, 1960.

    • Although county offices handle land and tax records, municipal offices within individual cities are typically responsible for local planning, zoning, and building permits.

    Typical Contents of a Tulare County Property Record

    A Tulare County property record is an official county-maintained document that describes a specific parcel of real property, including ownership details, legal description, assessed value, and recorded interests used for taxation and administrative purposes. When reviewing property records in Tulare County, you may expect to find information such as:

    • Deed Information

      • Names of the grantor and grantee

      • Type of deed

      • Legal description of the property

      • Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)

      • Date of execution and recording date

      • Notary acknowledgment

      • Consideration

      • Recording information (document number, book/page, or instrument number)

    • Deed of Trust

      • Trustor (borrower/property owner)

      • Beneficiary (lender)

      • Principal loan amount

      • Power of sales clause

      • Covenants and conditions

      • Recording details

    • Plans and Subdivision Maps

      • Easements and right-of-way

      • roads, access points, and utilities

      • Tract or parcel map number

      • Subdivision name

    • Encumbrances

      • Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)

      • Mortgages

      • Easements

      • Mechanic's liens

      • Judgments or tax liens

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    Changes to property titles in Tulare County, including liens, reconveyances, and deeds, must be recorded with the Assessor/Clerk-Recorder's Office. These documents may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically. To update records, an individual must first identify the correct legal instrument, such as an ownership transfer deed, a lien release, or a corrective document.

    For specific minor technical errors, a corrective affidavit may be used; however, for ownership changes or significant errors in a property description, users must prepare a new deed, such as a Quitclaim or Grant Deed. A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) must accompany all filings that affect property ownership to notify the Assessor. In addition, all deeds and corrective instruments must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public before they are submitted for recording.

    The finalized documents and the required fees should be directed to the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder at 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 103, Visalia, CA 93291-4593.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    Below is a practical checklist for researching property in Tulare County, CA:

    • Begin with the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder Office: You may consult the Clerk-Recorder's Office for recorded documents and ownership, while you check for parcel data, assessments, and tax rates at the Assessor's Office

    • Search available records: Use the online portals to find property records. For older or non-digitized records, visit the relevant office in person.

    • Trace the chain of title: Review deeds, liens, easements, and other important documents to understand ownership history.

    • Verify related encumbrances: Check for mortgages, liens, and covenants that may affect the property.

    • Document findings: Record book and page references or document numbers for future references.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Tulare County

    Tulare County, MA has 8 incorporated cities*, 62 census designated areas, 1 indian reservation**, and 13 unincorporated communities***

    Cities: Dinuba, Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia, and Woodlake.

    *Tulare County cities (https://tularecounty.ca.gov/county-main/about/about-tulare-county/cities-communities)

    **Census-designated places and unincorporated communities are populated areas that do not have their own municipal government (wikipedia)

    ***The Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation is a federally recognized tribe of Native Americans that exists within Tulare County (wikipedia)

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals

    • Tulare County Clerk-Recorder:

    • Tulare County Assessor:

      • Address: 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 102-E, Visalia, CA 93921

      • Phone: (559) 636-5100

    • Tulare County Auditor-Controller:

      • Address: 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 101-E, Visalia, CA 93921-4593

      • Phone: (559) 636-5200

    • Tulare County Treasurer-Tax Collector:

      • Address: 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 104-E, Visalia, CA 93921-4593

      • Phone: (559) 636-5250

    • California State Board of Equalization (statewide property tax and assessment data);

    • California State Controller's Office (statewide tax and finance data):