Marin County Recorder Mechanics Lien Filing

You can file your mechanics lien at the Marin County Recorder’s Office located at:

Marin Civic Center Room 232
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903

The Marin county Recorder’s office hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00PM Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

If you need additional information or have more questions, you can also contact a member of the Recorder staff via phone at (415) 473-6092 or via email.

The Marin County Recorder does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog. Most documents received by mail are recorded within two business days of receipt. Documents presented over the counter are recorded the same day if they are presented before 3:00 PM. Documents received after 3:00 may be accepted for recording the next business day.

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

Documents submitted for recording must meet the Marin County Recorder’s requirements. General recording requirements are as follows: All documents presented for recording must be legible and reproducible. Excessively faint print, broken or cut-off text, or smudged or “bleeding” stamps or seals cannot be accepted. Documents should be printed in ink. Original signatures are required on most documents.

Format: The first page of the document must include the name(s) of the party requesting the document be recorded and a return address in the top left 2.5 inches. The top right corner must have enough room for the recorder’s stamp (4” wide by 2.5” high). The document title must appear on the first page. Deeds require the address for tax statements on the first page of the document.

Layout: Documents should be on 8 1/2 x 11” paper with a minimum 1/2” margin. Documents on paper other than 8 1/2 x 11” are subject to a non-conforming page fee. 8 1/2 x 14” is the largest size page acceptable for recording.

Payment is due at the time of recording. Recording fees for documents submitted by mail are payable by check, or money order payable to “Marin County Recorder”. Debit cards and all major credit cards are accepted for both recording and copy fees at the recorder’s public counters. Note that additional fees apply for credit/debit transactions.

The Marin County Recorder’s basic recording fee is $14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page.

Additional recording/filing fees

Penalty fee for non-standard page (other than 8 1/2 x 11″) is $1.00.

Penalty fee for small print (more than 22 characters or 10 or more lines per inch) is $1.00.

Indexing fee for each group of 10 names (or portion thereof) after first 10 is $1.00
Indexing fee for each reference to a previously recorded document after the first is $1.00
Fee for release of state or local government lien is $22.00.

Copy Fees

Official Records (per document): $4.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page
Certification under seal: $4.00
Courtesy Copy /Acknowledgment of Recording: Free

You can obtain a copy of your lien for a fee. Copy requests can be submitted in person, via mail/courier, or by fax.

The cost of copies of official records are $4 for the first page, and $2 for each additional page. Certified copies of official records are an additional $4 per document.

In Person: the Marin County Recorder’s office is located at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 232, San Rafael, CA. Office hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday (closed major holidays). A service fee of $7 per transaction will be added to all credit card orders.

By Email, US Mail or Fax: Use the fillable Recorder Copy Order Form. When using a credit card to pay for these orders a processing fee of $7 per transaction will be added. If you pay by check or money order no fee is added.

Online: Use the Marin County Recorder Document or Map Order Form to order copies of documents. When using a credit or debit card to pay for these orders, there is a 2.35% service fee, with a minimum fee of $1.49. You may also pay by E-Check in which case no fee is added.

If you need additional information or have more questions, you can contact a member of the Recorder staff via phone at (415) 473-6092 or via email. Office hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday (closed major holidays).

You can search the County Recorder’s Grantor/Grantee index. You can view the Grantor/Grantee index online at any time, or in the Recorder’s lobby during business hours (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday) at the Marin County Civic Center 3501 Civic Center Drive Room 232, San Rafael CA. Title companies and legal experts can offer further assistance in locating records or performing searches. Note that records on file with the Recorder’s office only reflect documents that have been submitted for recording.

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 Marin 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 Marin County is $50.00.