County Public Records

Los Angeles County Public Records Search

Start with Recorder indexes for deeds and liens, cross-reference parcels via the Assessor, then verify tax status, clerk filings, and limited court dockets as needed.

First Name
Last Name

State

California

County

Los Angeles County
Jurisdiction
Los Angeles County, California
Record Families Covered
Recorder, Assessor, Tax Collector, County Clerk, Limited Court Index
Common Parcel Identifier
Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) used across property, tax, and recorded-document searches.
Certified Copies
Recorded documents and vital records typically require a formal request for certified copies.

Start Here

  • Start with the Recorder official records index to locate deeds, liens, reconveyances, and maps by name, document number, or date range.
  • Check the Assessor parcel roll to confirm APN, situs address, and legal description for the subject property.
  • Use the Treasurer and Tax Collector lookup to review bill numbers, installment status, and recent payment history.
  • Search County Clerk filings for fictitious business names, notary registrations, and marriage records; request certified copies if needed.
  • Confirm probate or civil basics in the Superior Court index before requesting case files.

Record Routing

  • Recorded land documents → Recorder
  • Property ownership and valuation → Assessor
  • Property tax bills and payments → Tax Collector
  • Fictitious business names and vital records → County Clerk
  • Probate and civil case indexes → Superior Court Clerk

Useful Search Inputs

  • Grantor/Grantee last name
  • Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN)
  • Street address and unit
  • Document number or instrument type
  • Recording date range
  • Property tax bill year or installment

Source Map

Source / Office Best For Search Method Why It Matters
County Recorder (Official Records) Deeds, deeds of trust, liens, releases, reconveyances, maps Name, document number, date range, instrument type Establishes chain of title and encumbrances for Los Angeles County parcels.
County Assessor APN, situs address, assessed values, parcel characteristics, legal description APN, address Aligns a property to its official parcel identifier used in recorder and tax searches.
Treasurer & Tax Collector Property tax bills, installment status, paid/owed amounts APN, address, bill number Verifies tax standing tied to the parcel and owner of record on the roll.
County Clerk Fictitious business name statements, notary public registrations, marriage records Business name, filing number, date range Clerk filings connect parties and locations that appear in recorded documents.
Superior Court Clerk Probate case summaries, civil case register of actions Case number, party name Use to locate court files when a legal action affects property or parties in the county.
Building & Safety (Permits) Building permits and code case records in unincorporated areas APN, address Permitting history corroborates improvements and timelines alongside assessor valuations and recorder filings.

Los Angeles County FAQs

How do I request a certified copy of a recorded document or vital record in Los Angeles County?

Locate the item in the appropriate index (Recorder for recorded documents, County Clerk for vital records), note its details, then submit a formal copy request as directed by that office.

I only have a street address—how do I proceed?

Use the Assessor to find the APN for that address; then use the APN to check tax status and to cross-reference related recorded documents.

What if my name search returns many results?

Filter by recording date range, document type, or parcel/APN, and refine the party name with middle initials or business qualifiers.