Sonoma County Recorder Mechanics Lien Filing

You can file your mechanic liens in person or by mail.

In Person

You can visit the Sonoma County Recorder’s office located at:

585 Fiscal Drive, Suite 103
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Business Hours
Monday – Tuesday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday – Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

To ensure same day recording of your documents, make sure to submit them by 4:00 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and by 3:00 p.m. Wednesdays.

By Mail

Your can also send your lien documents accompanied by the proper fees to:

Sonoma County Recorder
P.O. Box 1709
Santa Rosa, CA 95402

The Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog.

If the project is located in Sonoma county, then yes, you will want to record your lien with the Sonoma County Recorder’s office.

The Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder’s recording requirements are as follows:

1. Documents transferring title must contain the Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) and must be accompanied by a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
2. Documents must be clearly readable and capable of producing a legible microfilm record.
3. Names must be printed or typed under all signatures and business names.
4. Documents affecting title to real property must be properly acknowledged.
5. Documents shall be identified as to type.
6. Names of parties to be indexed must be contained in the document.
Return Address

All documents submitted for recording must comply with the 8 1/2 by 11 inches standard page size. A penalty of $3.00 will be charged for each page that is not 8 1/2 by 11 inches.

If there is not enough room for the Recorder’s endorsement (approximately 3 inches by 3 inches) at the top of the first page of any document being recorded, an additional $3.00 fee will be charged to cover a separate page
Only enter the address to which the document is being returned in this area leaving a 2 inch margin from top of page.

In Person Cash, checks or credit/debit cards are accepted as payment for any services or products purchased. Note that an additional $2.50 convenience fee applies with the use of a credit or debit card. By Mail Check or money order from bank or Post Office only

The recording fee is $89.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page.

Additional recording fees

Non-standard page size: $3.00 per page

Penalty Print: $1.00 per page

Documents Requiring Additional Indexing: $1.00 per additional
reference indexed

$1.00 each group of 10 names

Release of Lien by a Public Agency: $12.00

Copy Fees

Official Copy: $5.00 per page

Certified Copy: $4.00 per document

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

In Person

You can visit the Sonoma County County Clerk-Recorder Office located at:

585 Fiscal Drive
Room 103
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Business Hours
Monday – Tuesday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday – Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Payment can be made by cash or check. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Note that a $2.50 convenience fee is charged with the usage of a card.

Online

You can look up your property using the Sonoma County Document Record
Certified copies may not be downloaded and will be processed and mailed by the County Clerk-Recorder’s staff.

Credit and debit cards are accepted. Note that a $2.00 convenience fee is charged per transaction.

By Mail

You can look up your property using the Sonoma County Document Records Search to find out how many pages are in the official record, and then enclose $5.00 for each page — for a certified copy, enclose an additional $4.00 per document.

Mail your request to:

Clerk-Recorder-Assessor
Attn: Copy Desk
585 Fiscal Drive Room 103
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Note that mail processing time is 2-3 weeks.

You can look up your property using the Sonoma County Document Records.

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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma County is $35.00.