Yolo County, CA Property Records

    Yolo County, situated in California, has an estimated 225,250 residents, placing it as the 27th most populous county in the state. Covering nearly 1,024 square miles, the county accounts for approximately 0.6% of California's overall population. The typical home value in Yolo County is $609,744. This reflects a 1.8% decline compared to earlier years and is lower than California's average value of $755,330.

    Yolo County's real estate market shows consistent demand and a moderate sales pace compared to larger metropolitan areas nearby. Residential listings typically go under contract within 41 days, and about 23% of properties sell above the listing price. Housing affordability remains a challenge, with Federal Reserve Economic Data indicating that roughly 34% of households spend at least 30% of their income on housing costs.

    Yolo County organizes property records under the Assessor, Clerk-Recorder, and Elections (ACE) Department, which provides centralized oversight. Even with this centralized system, residents must consult separate offices to obtain complete property information, including tax assessments, parcel details, and land use data.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records

    The Clerk-Recorder branch of the Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters (ACE) Department manages all official land records in Yolo County. This office is responsible for recording and safeguarding real estate documents for all incorporated cities in the county, as well as the surrounding unincorporated areas.

    Yolo County's Clerk-Recorder branch maintains grantor-grantee indices online from 1960 to the present. Nevertheless, document images are not available for viewing online. To examine the actual records free of charge, individuals must visit the office in person at the Erwin Meyer Administration Center, 625 Court Street, Room B01, Woodland, CA 95695. Public access is offered through kiosks and microfilm machines located in the lobby. For assistance or additional information, the office can be reached at (530) 666-8130.

    What Yolo County Property Records Include

    Property records in Yolo County are official public documents that establish the legal history of real estate ownership, encumbrances, and land use. The records include key documents such as deeds, parcel maps, easements, lis pendens, reconveyances, and other real estate filings.

    Yolo County operates under a "recorded land" title system in which real estate documents are filed in sequential order and indexed alphabetically by name for public access. The ACE Department preserves records dating to 1850, with online access provided for indices beginning in 1960. Full records may be examined in person at the Clerk-Recorder's Office.

    How to Access Yolo County Property Records

    Yolo County property records can be accessed through multiple official channels:

    Online Access (Free):

    Yolo County property records dating back to 1960 are accessible through the ACE Department's Self-Service Online Portal. Users may search by party names, document categories, identification numbers, or dates of recording. A separate tool permits searches using either a property's 12-digit Assessor's Parcel Number or its street address. Public indices are accessible online without charge, though document images are limited to viewing at office kiosks. Copies of records require payment, which must be made by phone or in person, as online payment is not supported.

    In Person:

    Property records for Yolo County can be viewed and requested in person at the Yolo County Clerk-Recorder's Office, located at 625 Court Street, Room B01, Woodland, CA 95695. To facilitate service and minimize delays, the office recommends scheduling an appointment before visiting, especially for complex record searches or certified copy requests. Depending on the type of request, a written request may be required as part of the process, and fees are charged per page or per document for copies.

    By Phone or Email:

    The Yolo County Clerk-Recorder's office does accept phone requests to facilitate payment for property records, and you can reach them at (530) 666-8130 for general assistance with accessing these records. Individuals may also email clerk-recorder@yolocounty.gov for inquiries.

    By Mail/Overnight:

    Documents may be recorded with the Yolo County Clerk-Recorder by mailing them to Yolo County Clerk-Recorder, P.O. Box 1130, Woodland, CA 95776. For courier services such as FedEx or UPS, individuals may send documents using the physical delivery address at 625 Court Street, Room B-01, Woodland, CA 95695. Documents must be originals or certified copies with original signatures and notarization.

    They must follow formatting standards and be accompanied by recording fees, payable by check or money order to "Yolo County Clerk-Recorder." A Credit Card Authorization Form may also be included for payment. A self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) is required for the return of originals. If not provided, a postage fee of $1.00 to $4.00 will be charged. The Clerk-Recorder typically processes mailed documents within 1 to 3 business days. After recording, originals are returned to the mailing address provided.

    In addition, copies of recorded documents mailed through a written application to the Yolo County Clerk-Recorder must specify certain information. These include the document title, names of the grantor and/or grantee, and date of recording.

    E-Recording (Professionals):

    Electronic recording of property documents in Yolo County is available to authorized business partners and professionals. As part of the California Electronic Recording Network Authority (CeRTNA), Yolo County follows the centralized vendor approval system used by member counties. The Yolo County Clerk-Recorder's Office publishes a public list of approved third-party agents and provides guidance for e-recording. This information can be found on the Yolo County ACE Department's eRecording page.

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

    The Yolo County Clerk-Recorder is responsible for maintaining deeds, liens, maps, and other official records that establish property ownership. For additional property research, information such as assessed values, building details, property record cards, and sales history is provided by the Yolo County Assessor. The Auditor-Controller, within the Department of Financial Services, calculates property taxes, applies exemptions, and sets tax rates. The Tax Collector, within the Treasury and Revenues division, prepares tax bills and collects payments. State oversight and aggregated property tax data are provided by the California State Controller's Office and the State Board of Equalization.

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

    In Yolo County, index searches can be performed online through the Clerk-Recorder's portal, but document images are viewable only at office kiosks. Remote requests for copies can be made through the following process:

    • Identify the record using grantor/grantee names, document numbers, or recording dates.

    • Select the desired records, add them to your cart, and enter the "Requestor Name" to place the order.

    • Add the record to your cart and enter the "Requestor Name" to confirm the request.

    • Official record copies are sent as PDFs via email, while certified copies are mailed. Processing generally takes between 1 and 2 business days.

    Cities & Towns in Yolo County (and Their Record Custodians)

    The Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections (ACE) Department provides services to each of the four incorporated cities within the county:

    D - W:

    Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, and Woodland.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    Yolo County provides property assessment and tax record services through designated offices. These offices maintain data such as assessed values, parcel characteristics, and tax roll information. Online search tools are available for public access by parcel number or property address:

    The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) publishes tax rate area maps, property tax rates, and administrative guidance for all counties. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) offers a public portal that individuals may visit to access tax-related datasets.

    Yolo County-Specific Nuances

    Yolo County property research involves specific administrative processes and unique regional factors that shape land valuation and use.

    • Yolo County operates a consolidated ACE Department (Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections), which centralizes property assessments, deed recordings, and voter registration under one administrative office in Woodland.

    • The county maintains a chronological public ledger of real property ownership and transfers, as required by Civil Code 1213.

    • Real property records date back to 1850. Grantor-grantee indices are available online from 1960 onward, while earlier records must be searched in person.

    • The Official Records Search portal provides remote access to indices, but document images such as deeds and liens are only accessible at office kiosks or through purchase.

    • Properties are identified by a 12-digit Assessor's Parcel Number (APN), which replaced the former 11-digit system following adoption of the Megabyte property tax system.

    • State privacy laws prohibit online searches by owner name; searches must be conducted using an APN or property address.

    • The ACE Department manages title and assessment functions, while land use and building permits are administered by city governments (Davis, Woodland, and West Sacramento) or by the Yolo County Department of Community Services in unincorporated areas.

    Typical Contents of a Yolo County Property Record

    A Yolo County property record is a collection of documents that detail a property's ownership history, financial encumbrances, physical boundaries, and applicable land use regulations. The information commonly contained in these records includes:

    • Deed Information

      • Grantor and grantee names (the parties involved in the transfer of ownership)

      • Legal description (boundaries, lot/tract numbers, parcel number, and subdivision name)

      • Consideration (declared value or transfer amount)

      • Prior References (book and page numbers of previous recordings)

      • Homestead declaration

    • Deeds of Trust and Reconveyances

      • Trustor and beneficiary name

      • Loan amount (principal amount)

      • Recording details (document number, date, and indexing references)

      • Release/discharge (indicating the loan has been paid off)

    • Plans and Subdivision Maps

      • Records of survey or tract numbers

      • Subdivision name and lot dimensions

      • Parcel map references

    • Encumbrances

      • Easements (rights granted to others for access or utility use)

      • Covenants, conditions, and restrictions (limitations on property use)

      • Notices of lis pendens

      • Liens

    Yolo County property records may also contain documents such as assignments of rents, powers of attorney, affidavits, judgments, and notices of trustee sale.

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    In Yolo County, all changes to property titles, including deeds, liens, and reconveyances, must be recorded with the ACE Department (Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections). The department provides in-person recording services at a single centralized office. They are available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at:

    • Woodland Headquarters: 625 Court Street, Room B-01, Woodland, CA 95695.

    The Yolo County Clerk-Recorder's Office accepts walk-in submissions for document recording, and appointments are not required for standard services. To guarantee same-day service, documents must be filed at the Woodland counter before 3:00 p.m. The ACE Department additionally processes mailed filings sent to P.O. Box 1130, Woodland, CA 95776, and electronic recordings submitted via CeRTNA-authorized agents and title companies.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    This checklist outlines the steps required to conduct property research in Yolo County:

    1. Visit the Yolo County ACE Self-Service Portal. The ACE Self-Service Portal offers access to indices of recorded documents such as deeds and liens. Complete document images can be viewed at public kiosks in Woodland or obtained for a fee.

    2. Note important identifiers. Key identifiers, including the instrument number, date of recording, and 12-digit APN, must be documented to ensure accurate linkage between Recorder and Assessor records.

    3. Trace Ownership History. The Grantor/Grantee index provides ownership records from 1960 to the present. For earlier property records dating back to 1850, researchers must use the microfilm archives maintained at the Clerk-Recorder's office.

    4. Review Maps and Encumbrances. Recorded maps, including subdivision and parcel maps, can be accessed through county offices. Easements and CC&Rs are common in agricultural areas and affect land use and taxation.

    5. Verify Parcel Data. The Assessor's portal. This allows searches by APN or property address to review assessed values, exemptions, and parcel maps. Detailed building data may require a formal request to the Assessor's office.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Yolo County

    Yolo County has 4 incorporated cities* and 14 unincorporated communities and census-designated places**.

    A-D: Davis.

    S-Z: West Sacramento, Winters, and Woodland.

    *Yolo County Cities: YOLO LAFco

    **Unincorporated areas lack a dedicated municipal government and are instead administered by a larger jurisdictional body, such as a county or province. (Wikipedia).

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals