San Bernardino County Public Records
Search San Bernardino County using the Recorder for deeds, the Assessor and Tax Collector for parcels and bills, and Clerk offices for filings, with APN, names, and dates.
On this page:
Where To Start
- Start with the Recorder index to locate deeds, liens, and releases by party name or document number; capture the APN shown for parcel research.
- Search the Assessor using APN or situs address to view parcel maps and characteristics; confirm legal description and tract/lot.
- Check the Treasurer-Tax Collector for current and delinquent property tax bills by APN or tax bill number; note installment status.
- Use the County Clerk to search fictitious business names and notary records by registrant or filing date; request certified copies if needed.
- Request board records or countywide administrative files through the Clerk of the Board or the relevant department when not held by Recorder/Assessor.
Record Routing
- Recorded land documents (deeds, liens, releases, easements) → County Recorder
- Parcel maps, legal descriptions, assessments → Assessor
- Property tax bills, payments, delinquencies → Treasurer-Tax Collector
- Fictitious business names, notaries, certain licenses → County Clerk
- Board agendas, minutes, countywide administrative records requests → Clerk of the Board
Search Inputs
- Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN)
- Grantor/Grantee Name (Last, First, Middle)
- Document/Instrument Number
- Parcel Situs Address (House No, Street, City)
- Tax Bill Number or Assessment Year
- Tract-Map / Lot / Unit
Source Map
| Source / Office | Best For | Search Method | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Recorder | Deeds, liens, releases, easements, parcel and subdivision maps | Name (grantor/grantee), document number, date range, document type | Confirms chain of title and encumbrances for San Bernardino County properties; basis for APN cross-referencing. |
| Assessor | APN, parcel boundaries, legal description, situs address, basic characteristics | APN, address, tract/lot | Links names and documents to the correct parcel; APN drives tax and document searches. |
| Treasurer-Tax Collector | Current and prior tax bills, payment status, delinquencies | APN, tax bill number, address | Verifies tax standing that can affect transfers and recorded lien activity. |
| County Clerk | Fictitious business names, notary registrations, certain vital records indexes | Registrant or business name, filing date, certificate type | Surfaces business and personal filings tied to parties or addresses; some require certified copies. |
| Clerk of the Board / Public Records | Board actions, agenda packets, countywide administrative records requests | Request fields, keywords, department name, date | Captures non-recorded administrative documents not found in Recorder or Assessor systems. |
San Bernardino County FAQs
How do I get an APN if I only have a deed or a name?
Search the Recorder by party name to locate the deed, then read the document for the APN; if not listed, cross-reference the situs address with the Assessor to obtain the APN.
Which records are typically online versus request-only?
Indexes for recorded documents, parcels, and tax bills are typically searchable; document images or certificates may be restricted, and certified copies generally require an in-person, mail, or formal request.
What name variations should I try in the Recorder index?
Search last name only, full name, middle initials, hyphenations, AKA/DBA, trust or LLC formats, and run both grantor and grantee roles.
Can I find all liens by property address alone?
Address-only searches are unreliable; use the APN or owner name to pull the document list, then confirm against parcel data and tax records.