Search Our Records
Disclaimer
This search site is provided as a service to our customers. We make no warranty or guarantee regarding the accuracy or reliability of the content on this site or other sites to which we are linked. All data contained herein is subject to change without notice.
By using this service, in any form, the user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Sonoma County Clerk, Recorder, Assessor and anyone involved in storing, retrieving, or displaying this information for any damage of any type that may be caused by retrieving this information over the Internet.
Users should remember that the index is similar to a library card catalogue; it is a guide to the information contained within the documents referenced and should not be relied upon in making any decision or determination regarding the underlying document.
The user is advised to search all possible spelling variations of names, as well as other search criteria, to maximize search results.
Recorder Public Records Search
Search our online Index of Public Records: Official Public Records, Fictitious Business Names, Professional Registrations, CEQA Filings.
Search records now
About Public Record Images
Recorded and filed documents and maps are public records; they are available for public viewing in our offices at no cost, but California law prohibits the display of recorded documents on the internet. We store records dating from 1835 to 1979 in our office on microfilm and digital images, and we store records from 1980 to the present as digital images on computer.
Index of Official Public Records
The Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor does offer an online Index of Official Public Records recorded from 1964 to the present. You can search this online index to locate documents that can be reviewed and purchased by visiting our office in Santa Rosa. Documents recorded prior to 1964 (going back to 1835) are not indexed online, but are indexed in handwritten volumes which can be examined in our office at no cost. We also have a cumulative map index in our office for subdivision maps, parcel maps, surveys and assessment districts.
All recorded documents are indexed by the names of the principal parties. To locate a document in our indexes, you will need to know the name of at least one party and the approximate year the document was recorded.
Indexing Change Effective January 1, 2010
As of January 1, 2010, the Sonoma County Recorder's Office does not abbreviate any word written into the Grantor/Grantee index. All words appear in the index as written on the recorded document. If the document contains an abbreviation then the index will contain the same abbreviation.
In the past, hundreds of words such as Bank, Company, Trustee etc. were abbreviated as, BK, CO, TR etc,. This practice was initiated because of the limited length of space allocated in the electronic format and was potentially confusing. We are no longer constrained by the length of space.
From 1964 through 1990, the first word of an index entry was abbreviated so, for example, SECURITY PACIFIC NATIONAL BANK would appear as SEC PAC NATL BK.
In 1990 we discontinued the practice of abbreviating the first words so in our example, SECURITY PACIFIC NATIONAL BANK appeared in the index as SECURITY PAC NATL BK.
Beginning January 1, 2010, SECURITY PACIFIC NATIONAL BANK will appear as SECURITY PACIFIC NATIONAL BANK.
When searching for a record prior to 2010, remember to use abbreviations; after January 1, 2010, search under the exact name of the person or company.
If you have any questions, please contact our office.
Oaths of Office / County Official Bonds
Oaths of Office
Oaths of Office for the County Officers listed under the Government Code are filed in the County Clerk’s Office, and are public documents.
To search for the oath of office for these County Officers, use the Clerk-Recorder Self Service site. Select “Search Oaths and Appointments – Web” and search using Last Name First Name.
The document will not be viewable online until it is purchased, at the current, applicable rates*. Once purchased online, it will immediately be available for download. If you do not do the download and leave the screen, you cannot go back to get it again.
The Oath documents are available for viewing in the Clerk-Recorder office at no cost during business hours.
Official Bond / Master Bond
The County maintains a government crime insurance policy (including faithful performance)/master bond in lieu of individual official bonds, as permitted by and in full accordance with Government Code 1463 and applicable law. The master policy document is recorded and is a public document.
To search for the current recorded document, use the Clerk-Recorder Self Service site. Select “Search Official Public Records – Web.” The document type is “Bond Official” and the document is indexed under the name “Sonoma County.”
Note: The current official bond/master policy is Document 2023062722. Entering that number into the "Document Number" field and selecting search will be the easiest way to search for it.
The document will not be viewable online until it is purchased, at the current, applicable rates**. Once purchased online, it will immediately be available for download. If you do not do the download and leave the screen, you cannot go back to get it again.
Clerk-Recorder documents are available for viewing in the Clerk-Recorder office at no cost during business hours.
* As of March 1, 2022, online rates are $1 per page, plus a $2 credit card fee, for a total cost of $3. Rates are subject to change.
** As of March 1, 2022, online rates are $4 for the whole document, plus a $2 credit card fee, for a total cost of $6. Rates are subject to change.