Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 06049

Modoc County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Modoc County, California. Serving a population of 8500 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Alturas • Land Area: 3948,233 sq mi • State: California (CA)

Call: (213) 833-1619 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗

Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri

Physical Courthouse Address

Modoc County Courthouse / Recording Office, Alturas, CA 96101

Seat of government for Modoc County in Alturas, CA.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(213) 833-1619

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 06049 • Coordinates: 41.5929° N, -120.7184° W

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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Modoc County

✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode

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Land Records & Real Property

Modoc County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Cal. Gov. Code § 27361 & § 27388.1

First Page Base Fee

$14.00

Includes statutory county automation index surcharge

Each Additional Page

$3.00

Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page

Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps

$1.10 per $1,000 (Documentary Transfer Tax plus SB2 $75 building homes fee)

Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in California:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.

Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.

Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.

Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.

Instant Public Records & Title Verification

Need Official Property Deeds or Title Records in Modoc County?

Search land records, deed history, mortgage transfers, tax liens, judgments, and parcel ownership across Modoc County, California. Instantly access official document copies online without visiting the courthouse records vault.

Warranty & Quitclaim Deeds
Mortgage & Lien Records
Assessor Parcel History

Search Modoc County Records Online Encrypted search • Public records database

Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Modoc County

License Fee $85 - $110

Waiting Period 0 Hours

✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 90 days of issuance.
✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Modoc County courthouse.
✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.

State Policy: Offers both Public and Confidential marriage licenses. No waiting period or blood test.

Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $32.00

Death Cert $24.00

Marriage Cert $17.00

• Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
• Filing Agency: Processed through California Department of Public Health (CDPH) & County Clerk-Recorder and the local Modoc County clerk counter.

Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.

Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Modoc County

Filing Fee: $40.00

1. Filing Authority

In Modoc County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the County Clerk.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in California.

3. State Rules & Notice

Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement required within 40 days of starting business; must be published in an adjudicated newspaper for 4 consecutive weeks.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Modoc County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Modoc County County Clerk. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in California.

Name Search Included

Articles of Organization

California Compliant

State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official California Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with California county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download

Get California Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance

Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in California

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring California recording offices:

Lassen County Seat: Susanville

~60.8 mi →

Shasta County Seat: Redding

~89.8 mi →

Siskiyou County Seat: Yreka

~93.8 mi →

Plumas County Seat: Quincy

~110.7 mi →

Tehama County Seat: Red Bluff

~128.6 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Modoc County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Modoc County Clerk & Recorder office located?

The official Modoc County office is located at Modoc County Courthouse / Recording Office, Alturas, CA 96101. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (213) 833-1619.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Modoc County?

Under California statute (Cal. Gov. Code § 27361 & § 27388.1), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Modoc County costs $14.00 for the first page, plus $3.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.10 per $1,000 (Documentary Transfer Tax plus SB2 $75 building homes fee).

How do I obtain a marriage license in Modoc County, CA?

Both applicants must appear in person before the Modoc County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $85 - $110. California requires a waiting period of 0 hours, and the license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Modoc County?

In Modoc County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the County Clerk with a standard statutory filing fee of $40.00. Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement required within 40 days of starting business; must be published in an adjudicated newspaper for 4 consecutive weeks.

How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Modoc County?

Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $32.00 and death certificates starting at $24.00) can be requested through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) & County Clerk-Recorder or directly at the Modoc County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.