San Bernardino County Recorder Mechanics Lien Filing

The San Bernardino County Recorder has three locations where you can go to file your mechanics lien in person.

San Bernardino Office
Hall of Records
222 W. Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022

Phone:
(909) 387-8306
Toll Free:
(855) 732-2575

Recording Services/Records Research
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

High Desert Government Center
15900 Smoke Tree Street, 1st Floor
Hesperia, CA 92345
Phone: (760) 995-8065

Recorder Services
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Joshua Tree-Satellite Office
63665 29 Palms Highway-1st Floor
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Phone: (760) 995-8065

Recorder Services
Tuesday and Thursday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Closed 12pm-1pm for Lunch)

You can also submit your lien documents by mail. Note that if the document is being submitted via mail, a self-addressed stamped envelope is required.

The San Bernardino County Recorder does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog.

If the property is located in San Bernardino County, then yes, you will want to record your lien with the San Bernardino County Recorder’s office.

The San Bernardino County Recorder’s general recording requirements are as follows:

1. The property must be located in San Bernardino County (CC1169)
2. The document must be authorized or required by law to be recorded (GC27201)
3. Signatures must be original unless the document is a certified copy issued by the appropriate custodian of the public record (GC27201b, GC27279, EC1530)
4. Include the name of the party requesting the recording and a name and address where the document can be returned (GC27361.6)
5. Documents must be clearly legible in order to produce a readable photographic record. This pertains to the document text, notary seals, certificates and other attachments, such as legal descriptions (GC27361.7)
6. The document be photographically reproducible. This includes all portions of the documents including areas completed by pen, signatures and/or seals.

Page size: All documents must comply with the 8 1/2″ x 11″ standard page size.

Margin: All documents submitted must have at least a 1/2″ margin on the two vertical sides except in the space reserved for recording information.

First page: The first page or sheet of a document must comply with:
— The top right 2 1/2″ X 5″ corner is reserved for Recorders Use Only
— The top left 2 1/2″ X 3 1/2″ corner is reserved for the name of the person requesting recording and a return name and address
— The title of the document must appear on the first page immediately below the space reserved for the Recorder

The San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office accepts Not To Exceed (NTE) checks. All checks submitted for recording fees are to include a current date, be made payable to San Bernardino County Recorder and state on the memo line the NTE amount. Note that temporary checks are not acceptable.

The San Bernardino County Recorder’s base fee is $24.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page.

Additional recording fees

Non-conforming page size (other than 8 1/2 x 11): $3.00 for each page
Penalty print: $1.00 per page
Release of lien by a local government entity (excludes Federal): $8.00
Indexing fee: $1.00 for each additional reference indexed
$1.00 for each additional name indexed (Each group of 10 names after 1st)

Copy fees

Recorded or filed documents: $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each subsequent page
Certificate under seal: $1.00 per page
Conformed copies: $6.00 per labeled page

You can obtain a recorded copy of your lien either by written mail request, or in person.

In Person

You can visit one of the following office locations:

San Bernardino Office
Hall of Records
222 W. Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022

Phone:
(909) 387-8306
Toll Free:
(855) 732-2575

Recording Services/Records Research
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

High Desert Government Center
15900 Smoke Tree Street, 1st Floor
Hesperia, CA 92345
Phone: (760) 995-8065

Recorder Services
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Joshua Tree-Satellite Office
63665 29 Palms Highway-1st Floor
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Phone: (760) 995-8065

Recorder Services
Tuesday and Thursday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Closed 12pm-1pm for Lunch)

By Mail

You must complete a copy request and mail with the appropriate fees.
Note that mail requests should be received within one-two weeks of receipt by this office. In order to expedite the mail delivery time, submit the request by one of the express services, such as FedEx, Priority Mail, etc., and include a prepaid envelope for the return of the copy.

You can search the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Grantor/Grantee Index for documents recorded from 1958 to the present. Note that this is an index only and the user will not be able to view the actual document image. Viewing document contents may only be performed by visiting the San Bernardino Recorder’s Office main location located at:

Hall of Records
222 W. Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022

Searches for documents recorded prior to 1958 are performed using the Recorder’s index on microfilm.

Determining whether you do or do not have a mechanics lien right can be tricky. Generally speaking, every state gives those who have furnished labor and/or materials to a construction project the right to file a mechanics lien if unpaid for the furnishing. The same is true in California. However, there are some state-specific limitations as to who is qualified to file a mechanics lien that is important when considering whether you have the right to file a mechanics lien in San Bernardino County, California.

Great and detailed information about this is available on our California Mechanics Lien Resources Page.

The fee to file a California Preliminary Notice in San Bernardino County is $30.00.