San Mateo County Property Search
San Matteo property records are official documents containing details about the county's real estate property (land and buildings). County residents file them and contain records on the property's ownership, description, and other details. A property search is necessary to obtain information about a specific piece of property to resolve property disputes or affirm rights before a purchase.
The San Mateo County Recorder Office handles the recording of property information and transferring ownership and sale of property. They make this information available to the members of the general public using online and offline means since property records are considered part of San Mateo County Public Records.
Is San Mateo County Property Records Public?
Yes. According to the California Public Records Act (California Government Code Sections 6250 et seq.), members of the public are privy to information created and maintained by government agencies. As property records are created and maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder's Office, which is a public office, property records are deemed public records.
Property records may be restricted from public view if they contain personal information, as according to California laws, an individual's personal data cannot be publicized without their consent. Examples of property records contents not available for public viewing include:
- Property statement details
- Social security numbers
- Audit information
- Initial ownership change data
- Marketing data
- Appraisals and specific evaluations when a property's acquisition is not finalized.
What Do San Mateo County Property Records Contain?
Property records in San Mateo County vary but are typically expected to contain the following:
- Property identification
- Deed information
- Tax information
- Building and zoning information
- Sales and transaction history
- Legal information
- Mapping and survey records
- Assessment valuations.
Where to Perform a San Mateo County Property Lookup
Individuals can perform a San Mateo County California Property Lookup online or in person.
- Online Search: San Mateo's Property map portal offers a map view of properties within the county. This map is accessible online and can be printed for a fee. Individuals can search for property by address or Assessor Parcel Number (APN). Third-party websites allow users to look up property descriptions, deeds, and title documents, but it is important to ensure that sources are up to date before utilizing them.
- In-Person: One can visit the San Mateo County Assessor's office in person to conduct a property lookup. At the office, they can have access to printable property maps or can get parcel information by conducting a secured property tax search.
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in San Mateo County
California state law prohibits personal information from being publicly available without consent. Limited information on a property owner can, however, be obtained by viewing property information, tax assessment data, and parcel documents using online tools maintained by Public Works and the Assessor's office or by visiting them in person.
There are third-party databases available that allow property owners to search for a fee. The Grantor/Grantee search portal is, however, the most accurate place for conducting a property information search is maintained and frequently updated by the Public Works Department and the Assessor's office. Property Owner Lookups help determine the current and previous owners of the property in order to know who has the right to sell it.
How to Find San Mateo County Property Records Online
The San Mateo County Clerk-Recorder's Office maintains a search index, Grantor/Grantee Search, for individuals to view property records online for free or copy for a fee at their office. Third-party databases may also provide online access to property records, but it is important to note that these records may not be accurate.
How to Find Property Owner by Address Free
Due to California's regulations, limited information about property owners can be shared publicly without consent. A person can find limited information on a property's owner for free by utilizing the San Mateo's Property map portal maintained by the county recorder's division.
To find details about a property owner using their address:
- Visit the Property Map Tool
- Click on "Search parcels by address" on the left corner
- Enter the property's address and click search.
One can also visit the County Recorder Division in person to print a physical copy of the map for a fee.
San Mateo County Property Tax Lookup
A San Mateo County California Property Tax Lookup can be conducted in a variety of ways, including online tools and in person. Some of the ways include:
- County of San Mateo Tax Collector's Tax Lookup tool: Using this tool on the tax collector's website, one can search for a tax record by providing a search parameter like parcel, account, property address, or bill details.
- Offline: A person can visit the County of San Mateo's Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office in person at 400 County Center Redwood City to conduct a tax lookup or call them at (650) 363-4000.
- Third-party online tools: Some third-party online tools offer tax lookups of properties, including those in San Mateo County, for a fee. It is important to note that the most up-to-date records are held by San Mateo's Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office.
Tax lookups provide critical information that can help property owners, buyers, sellers, or renters make informed decisions. Some of the situations where a tax lookup would be necessary in San Mateo County include:
- Property Sale or Purchase: A tax lookup helps prospective owners know the tax payment history of a property and determine whether the property taxes are up to date.
- Property assessments and appeals: A tax lookup allows property owners to review their property tax information and past tax assessments so that they can appeal if necessary.
- Budgeting: When budgeting to own or rent a property, a person can look up its property tax information in order to be able to make an accurate budget for the property.
- Research: Real estate agents, journalists, and academics who are interested can look up property tax information to see property values and analyze tax trends.
How to Find San Mateo County Property Appraiser
The California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA) website helps the public find and contact licensed appraisers in California, including those listed in San Mateo County. On the website, they can fill in the search parameters to filter their results or view all the appraisers listed under "Results' and choose one within their county.
Individuals can also conduct an information search over the internet for appraisers in San Mateo County with their own websites, but it is important to ensure that they are professionally accredited or certified by the California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers.
Some of the services offered by property appraisers in San Mateo County include the following:
- Data gathering on assets to be appraised
- Evaluation of assets to discover signs of deterioration or malfunctioning
- Creation of assessment reports on the financial value of a property
- Property inspection
- Identifying elements that can increase the value of an asset.
- Comparative analysis of a property's value with others on the market
- Verification of the legal documents of appraisal properties.
San Mateo County Property Assessor
Some of the services provided by the Property Assessor's Office in San Mateo County, California, include:
- Property assessment: They identify, inspect, map, and determine the taxable value of all real (land and structures) and business properties in the county. According to taxation laws, these properties can include land, buildings, mobile homes, etc.
- Regulates property change in ownership: They are also in charge of documenting and reassessing the value of properties when a change of ownership occurs according to Section 482 of California's Revenue and Taxation Code.
- Compiling an assessment roll: They create a list showcasing all county property values and share it with the tax collector and the public.
- Tax saving programs: They issue exemptions, exclusions, and tax relief programs to reduce the taxable value of eligible homeowners.
- Property Information: They offer a variety of online information tools, such as a property tax lookup tool, a building plan submission portal, assessor forms, and an assessor map for easier access to information.
- Mapping: Individuals must contact the property assessor before making changes to parcel size(combining or splitting) or the boundary of their property, as the change may lead to a general reassessment of the land.
- Assessment Appeal: Individuals who disagree with the assessed value of their property can appeal to the assessor's division for a reduction within 15 days of receiving their assessment notice.
To contact the Office of the assessor, one can use the Self-service Appointment Scheduling Tool on their website to book an appointment for a specific service. They can also be contacted at their office in person or by telephone at:
555 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 363-4500
Email: assessor@smcacre.org
