Real Property in San Diego County
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 24, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
If you own, are buying, or are selling real estate in San Diego County, the documents that transfer or secure title — deeds, deeds of trust, and transfer-on-death deeds — are recorded with the county.
In San Diego County, that’s the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk in downtown San Diego. Recording puts the transfer on the public record, and a deed should always be recorded in the county where the property is located.
Start with how to hold title (which decides whether the property avoids probate), selling a home, and selling inherited or probate property. If the property is part of an estate, see probate in San Diego County.
Recording property documents
County Recorder: San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
Deeds and other real property documents for San Diego County are recorded with the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk at the downtown San Diego office. Always record a deed in the county where the property is located. Verify the current counter location, hours, and fees on the office's official site before filing.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Where do I record a deed in San Diego County?
- Deeds for San Diego County are recorded with the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101. Record the deed in the county where the property is located, and confirm the current counter, hours, and fees on the office's official site.
- Where are transfer-on-death deeds recorded in San Diego County?
- A California transfer-on-death deed is recorded with the county recorder where the property sits — for San Diego County, the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk.
- Is inherited San Diego real estate handled in probate?
- Only if it isn't in a trust or held with right of survivorship. If probate is needed, San Diego County probate is handled by the Superior Court — see probate in San Diego County.