NOTICE: COVID-19 Administrative Action
The purpose of this notice is to notify the public of the precautionary administrative action that the County Clerk/Recorder/Elections Department (CRE) will be taking effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Given the nature of the administrative actions and the need for further information, the plan and dates are likely to evolve, and we will update the public accordingly.
Administrative Action 1: CRE will close its over-the-counter services. Members of the public will have the option to take care of their business over the phone, online, mail or by office drop box.
Administrative Action 2 : CRE will restrict public services to ONLY San Benito County residents, or those whose birth, marriage or death records are recorded in San Benito County.
This is not a decision we take lightly. We know that these precautionary actions have a tremendous impact on the public. The safety of the public and staff remains our top priority, and we have confidence that this is the proper course of action. For more information, call (831) 636-4029.
Latest News (5/4/2020):
Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that will allow adults to obtain marriage licenses via videoconference rather than in person amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, adults who wish to be married can conduct a ceremony to solemnize the marriage via videoconference. The provisions will be in place for the next 60 days.
For more information, please read the following instructions here and call the County Clerk Office to set an appointment at (831) 636-4029.
The mission of the San Benito County Recorder’s Office is to maintain the permanent records of real property and serves as the keeper and protector of these vital records of county government. The Recorders Office is dedicated to protecting and preserving the integrity of all recorded instruments and committed by law and obligation to their proper indexing and filing. The Recorders Office is dedicated to providing quality service to all citizens and is committed to the highest standards of professionalism.
Statement of Mandates
This Division performs the mandated duties of recording, indexing and maintaining for public access, all documents authorized by law to be recorded. Records in this office date back to the transcribed records from Fresno/Monterey County and the beginning of San Benito County. It is imperative that records be well-preserved and easily accessible as current property transactions depend on the accuracy and availability of previously recorded documents.
This Division also records marriage certificates, files birth and death certificates, indexes these records, and maintains these records for public access. For a fee, this Division provides a copy of any record maintained for public access.
This Division mails notices when required by law. A fee is collected to recover the cost of providing this service.
This Division microfilms its records for security purposes, maintaining a copy of the film off site. Documents are now scanned into our optical imaging system and are available for viewing by the public the next day, after they are recorded.
