Recorded Documents

[Saim Chaudhry]

Is there any way to view recorded documents without going to the courthouse and pulling the books? I know about viewing specific documents via the counties court website, but that is for specific cases. If I need to pull ANY record, and view it online, is it possible? I can do this easily for properties with a property profile account and grant deeds, etc...but what about other filings if I have a book and page number? Does a paid service exist to view these recorded documents if I have a specific book and page number? To view liens, assignments, deeds of trust, deeds of reconveyance, probates, divorce, etc...

Thanks!

[Rick H.]

Saim - To be clear, you may be confusing two separate archiving places.

County recorders "record" documents which meet the examiner's scrutiny as a recordable document. These documents are assigned unique document numbers and images are indexed accordingly. These include vital records, real estate deeds and similar archival docs and maintained by a general index system. Documents are identified as to type but may be cross-indexed for easier retrieval. Since 1988, most of these documents (in CA, anyway) have transferred to electronic images. 

In each county's Superior Court, cases are opened (legal matters such as lawsuits, divorce, probate, etc.). Each case is assigned a file number (case reference or docket #). Each document associated with that case is logged in an official Registry or Index of Actions, however documents are not assigned a file number for indexing and are pulled by clerks as they are request for review by case number only.

Many of these cases are sealed however most are public and may be physically viewed at the courthouse. California was making progress on making many court documents available for online access however the larger counties are either behind in the process, lack funding or restrict to paid access. 

Occasionally, important court documents which have been filed are not recorded with the county recorder. Saw one last week where a probate order from 1999 did not get recorded until 2013. It's not important to people until somebody needs to prove they own in order to borrow or sell!

Although recorded documents are fairly easy to access, if you wish courthouse docs, you're better off finding a commercial service to provide ongoing data in a useful format on a subscription basis. Reviewing court document images is another step that you'd probably like to avoid. Either visit the courthouse or search online for court research services.