US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 06087

Santa Cruz County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Santa Cruz County, California. Serving a population of 261.547 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Santa Cruz • Land Area: 445,106 sq mi • State: California (CA)
Call: (213) 779-2797 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Santa Cruz County Courthouse / Recording Office, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Seat of government for Santa Cruz County in Santa Cruz, CA.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(213) 779-2797

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

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 06087 • Coordinates: 37.0123° N, -122.0078° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Santa Cruz 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

Santa Cruz 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.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County

Filing Fee: $40.00
1. Filing Authority

In Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Santa Cruz 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
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
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:

Santa Clara County Seat: San Jose
~22.7 mi →
San Mateo County Seat: Redwood
~34.3 mi →
Alameda County Seat: Oakland
~44.2 mi →
San Benito County Seat: Hollister
~58 mi →
Contra Costa County Seat: Martinez
~62.8 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Santa Cruz County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Santa Cruz County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Santa Cruz County office is located at Santa Cruz County Courthouse / Recording Office, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (213) 779-2797.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Santa Cruz County?
Under California statute (Cal. Gov. Code § 27361 & § 27388.1), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County, CA?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County?
In Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.