Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Santa Clara County

If you need to record a mechanics lien with the Santa Clara County Recorder, you’ve come to the right place!

California’s lien laws are generous to contractors, providing nearly every party involved in a project with strong protection. However, filing a lien in Santa Clara county means getting everything right the first time. That includes knowing the County Recorder’s recording requirements, formatting requirements, and recording fees as well as the recording deadlines, which information to include in your claim, and the state laws surrounding mechanics liens. This page serves as a resource for recording a lien at the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office.

If you’d like a complete breakdown of the lien filing process, visit our step-by-step guide to filing a mechanics lien in California for more information.

Where is the Santa Clara County Recorder's Office that files mechanic liens?

You can file your mechanic liens in person at the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder’s office located at:

70 West Hedding Street, East Wing, 1st Floor
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 299-5688
Email: ClerkRecorder@rec.sccgov.org

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

You can also send your lien documents by mail to this address:

Clerk-Recorder’s Office

ATTN: Recording
East Wing, First floor
70 West Hedding Street
San Jose, CA 95110

 

What is Santa Clara County's Recording Backlog?

The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog.
However, note that documents are being mailed back approximately six to eight weeks after recording.
You may go to the Official Records search site and view the “About this Site” section and find instructions how to check the mailing date for your recorded document.

Should my mechanics lien be filed in Santa Clara County, or some other county?

If the property is located in Santa Clara County, then yes, you will want to record your lien with the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder’s office.

What are Santa Clara County's requirements for recording a mechanics lien?

All documents presented for recording must comply with the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder’s general requirements. They are as follows:

1. The property must be located in Santa Clara County. (CC 1169)
2. The document must be authorized or required by law to be recorded. (Govt. Code § 27201)
3. The document must be submitted with the proper fees and applicable taxes. (Govt. Codes § 6103, 27201, 27261)
4. The document must be in compliance with state and local laws.
5. The document, including the notary seal, must be legible and photographically reproducible. (Govt. Codes § 27201, 27361.6, 27361.7, 8207)
6. Unless otherwise required to do so by a state or Federal law, a document shall not be presented for recording if it displays more than the last four digits of a social security number. (CC 1798.89)
7. All re-recordings require the document to be re-signed and re-acknowledged except for those identified under Govt. Codes § 27201(c).

 

What are the margin & page size requirements to file a lien in Santa Clara County?

All documents must comply with the 8 1/2″ by 11″ standard page size and not to exceed 8 1/2″ by 14″. An additional fee will be charged for each page that is not 8 1/2″ by 11″.

How can I make payment to the Santa Clara County Recorder?

If you record a document in person, the Santa Clara Clerk-Recorder’s Office will compute all fees for you.
The Recorder accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card (with $6.00 processing fee). Cards accepted includes Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.​

If you wish to record a document by mail, mail your document and payment to this address:

Clerk-Recorder’s Office

ATTN: Recording
East Wing, First floor
70 West Hedding Street
San Jose, CA 95110

If you record by mail and are unsure of the total amount owed, you may send a check with a “Not to Exceed” notation with a specific maximum amount. Write this notation below the written dollar amount line on the check. The Clerk-Recorder’s Office will enter the correct amount owed and process the payment.

If paying by check, please make all checks (cashier’s check or money order) payable to: SCC – The Clerk-Recorder’s Office​

 

What are the filing fees to record a mechanics lien in Santa Clara County?

The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder’s basic recording fee is $25.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page.

Additional Recording Fees

Non-Standard size document penalty: $3.00 for each page that is not 8 1/2″ by 11″

Release of Lien by Federal Agency – Flat Rate: $25.00

Penalty Print – more than 9 lines per vertical inch or 22 characters per horizontal inch (per page containing small print): $1.00 per page

Additional Indexing Fee: $1.00 per group of 10 names after initial 10 names

Additional Recording References: $1.00 for each additional reference after initial reference

Copy Fees

Official Copy: $10.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page
Certification Fee (in addition to applicable copy fees): $2.00 per document
Conformed Copy: $5.00

How do I get a recorded copy of my lien from Santa Clara County's Recorders Office?

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

In Person

You can visit the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder’s office in person located at:

70 W. Hedding Street, First Floor, East Wing
San Jose, CA 95110

Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM PST (Monday – Friday)
Phone: (408) 299-5688​

By Mail

Mail request to:

Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder’s Office
ATTN: Business Division
70 W. Hedding Street, First Floor, East Wing
San Jose, CA 95110

By Fax

Where to Fax?

(408) 280 – 1768

By E-mail

Where to Email?

Clerkrecorder@rec.sccgov.org​

Do I have the right to file a mechanics lien in Santa Clara County, CA?

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 Santa Clara County, California.

Great and detailed information about this is available on our California Mechanics Lien Resources Page.

 

What is the fee to file a CA Preliminary Notice in Santa Clara County?

The fee to file a California Preliminary Notice in Santa Clara County is $125.00.