This page helps users handle a property search in Santa Barbara County, California by pointing them to the main official lookup paths for parcel details, assessed values, assessor maps, and related real estate records.
The main starting point is the Parcel Details & Value Notice Lookup from the Santa Barbara County Assessor, part of the County of Santa Barbara Clerk, Recorder, Assessor and Elections Department.
Parcel Details & Value Notice Lookup
Use the Santa Barbara County Assessor’s search parcel details and value notices page to look up property records, assessed values, and assessor maps by parcel number or property address.
Have one of these search details ready before you begin:
- Parcel number
- House number
- Unit number, if applicable
- Street name, entered without suffixes such as Street, Avenue, or Boulevard
After entering the available search details, review the matching property result and use the APN map link when you need the associated assessor map.
- Open the Parcel Details & Value Notice Lookup.
- Search by parcel number or by property address.
- Use a partial street name if a full address search does not return results.
- Review the parcel details, assessed value information, and assessor map link provided with the result.
For street searches, omit suffixes such as St, Ave, and Blvd to improve the chance of finding a match.
Assessor map lookup
The same Assessor lookup page also includes an Assessor Map Lookup for users who have a parcel book or page number. This is useful when the goal is to find the map reference tied to a parcel rather than starting from an owner or recorded document search.
Book and page entries must follow the county’s format guidance. Index maps use three digits with leading zeros, and page entries use five to six digits with leading zeros. Books 004, 098, 118, and 128 require six digits.
Assessor maps are for informational purposes only. They are reference maps for property tax purposes and are not legal documents. Updated maps may show an effective publication date in the lower right portion of the map.
Recorder real estate records
Property searches sometimes lead to recorded real estate documents, such as deeds, leases, trust deeds, notices of default, reconveyances, financing statements, and liens. Those records are maintained by the Recorder's Office, not just the Assessor parcel lookup.
The Recorder's Office maintains real estate documents recorded in Santa Barbara County from 1850 to present. Online indexes contain information for documents recorded since 1931, but document images are available only at office lobby kiosks.
For recorded document research, use the county’s real estate records search guidance to search by party name, document title, or document number when using the Real Estate Records Index.
Record coverage and access limits
Santa Barbara County separates real estate record access by time period. The available search path depends on when the document was recorded.
| Record period | Access path | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 to present | Real Estate Records Index | Document images can only be viewed on lobby kiosks. |
| 1931 to 1975 | Historical Index | Images are only available on lobby kiosks. |
| 1921 to 1931 | LMNRT index | There is no search tool for this index; users view scanned index book pages. |
| 1850 to 1920 | Index books by document title | There is no search tool for this period; users view scanned index pages. |
The Recorder's Office staff is not authorized to conduct searches for the public. If you cannot visit an office to search older indexes, the county recommends using a title company or abstractor to locate the Recorder's document reference.
Copies of recorded real estate records
A recording reference is required for copy orders. For documents recorded after 1975, that means a document number. For documents recorded before 1975, that means a book and page number.
Use the county’s real estate record copy order instructions when you need a regular or certified copy of a recorded document.
| Copy or return item | Fee type | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Copy order | Per document | $10 |
| Certified copy order | Per document | $12 |
| First Class Mail or email handling | Per order | $2 |
| Returned USPS Express Mail | Per order | $27.90 |
Copies of officially recorded maps, including parcel maps and tracts, can be downloaded or purchased from the County of Santa Barbara Surveyor's Office.
Clerk-Recorder contact information
For recorded real estate record questions, copy orders, and lobby kiosk access, use the Clerk-Recorder contact options listed by the county.
- Clerk-Recorder Offices Santa Barbara, 1100 Anacapa St Hall of Records, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Clerk-Recorder Offices Santa Maria, 511 Lakeside Pkwy Suite 115, Santa Maria, CA 93455-1310
- Phone: (805) 568-2250
- Email: [email protected]
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm; arrive no later than 4 pm when conducting business, and same day service is not guaranteed.
- Regular Mail: Santa Barbara Clerk-Recorder, PO Box 159, Santa Barbara, CA 93102
- Express/Courier Service Mail: 1100 Anacapa St, Hall of Records, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Common questions
Where do I search Santa Barbara County property records by parcel number or address?
Use the Santa Barbara County Assessor’s parcel details and value notice lookup to search by parcel number or property address.
Can I search with only part of a street name?
Yes. The Assessor lookup advises users to try a partial street name if no results appear and to omit suffixes such as St, Ave, and Blvd.
Are assessor maps legal documents?
No. Assessor maps are informational reference maps for property tax purposes only and are not legal documents.
Where are Santa Barbara County recorded real estate document images available?
Document images are available only at office lobby kiosks. Online indexes provide record information, but the images are not available online.
Can the Recorder's Office search real estate records for me?
No. The Recorder's Office staff is not authorized to conduct searches for the public. Users must search the indexes themselves or use a title company or abstractor when needed.
What information is needed to order a recorded real estate document copy?
A recording reference is required. For documents recorded after 1975, use the document number. For documents recorded before 1975, use the book and page number.