Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Sierra County

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

You can file your mechanic liens in person at the Sierra County Recorder’s office located at:

100 Courthouse Sq.
Room 11
Downieville, CA 95936

Phone: 530-289-3295
Fax: 530-289-2830

Hours
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Closed
Noon – 1 p.m.

What is Sierra County's Recording Backlog?

The Sierra County Recorder does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog.

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

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

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

Each document presented for recording must include or comply with the the Sierra County Recorder’s general requirements. They are as follows:

1. Original Signature Required — GC 27201(c) — Requires original signatures on all instruments, papers or notices presented for recording except as otherwise provided by law. A certified copy
is also acceptable.

2. All-Purpose Acknowledgment — CC 1188 & CC 1189 — Any California notary public or other officer taking acknowledgments in California must complete the California all-purpose notary acknowledgment.

3. Legibility — GC 27361.7 — Documents presented for recording must be sufficiently legible to reproduce a readable photographic copy. This includes notary seals and any attachments or exhibits. State law dictates that documents that cannot be reproduced legibly must be rejected.

4. Page Size — GC 27361.5 — A page is defined as one printed side of a single piece of paper measuring 8-1/2″ X 11″. A sheet is defined as one printed side of a single piece of paper that is not exactly 8-1/2″ X 11″, but is no larger than 8-1/2″ X 14″.

5. Page Margins — GC 27361.6 — All documents submitted for recording must have at least a 1/2″ margin along each vertical side. In addition, the top 2-1/2″ of the first page or sheet must be reserved for recording information. The left 3-1/2″ of this space is used to show the name of the party requesting the recording and where to mail the document after it is recorded.

6. Cover Page — GC 27361.6 — If the first page of the document does not have required space (see above) for the recording information, a separate page or cover sheet must be attached to the front of the document. This cover sheet must show the name of the party requesting the recording, where to mail the document after it is recorded and the title or titles of the document. Recording fees will be charged for this page.

7. Document Titles — GC 27324 — All documents submitted for recording must indicate the title or titles of the documents contained therein. Titles should appear on the first page, directly below
the space reserved for the Recorder.

8. Additional titles indexed — GC 27324 — The Recorder is required to index all titles shown on the first page. Additional titles may be also be identified and indexed at the discretion of the Recorder. When a document contains more than one title to be indexed, the recording fee will increase $14 for each additional title to be indexed.

Any document accepted for recordation without a title shall be index as the Recorder determines
– GC 27325

9. Recording Reference Number Required — GC 27361.6 — Any document that modifies, releases or cancels the provisions of a previously recorded document must contain the recording reference number of that prior document.

10. Basic Recording Fees — GC 27361 — All recording fees are due at the time of recording. The Sierra County Recorder’s Office charges $14 for the first page and $3 for each additional page per document.

11. Recording Fee for Non-Conforming Documents — GC 27361 — If any part of a document does not measure 8-1/2″ X 11″ an additional non-conforming fee of $3 will be charged for each page of the document.

12. Documentary Transfer Tax: How to calculate — Documentary Transfer tax is imposed on each deed, instrument, or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other realty sold within the County shall be granted, assigned, transferred, or otherwise conveyed to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons by his or their direction. The tax is at the rate of $0.55 for each $500.00 or fractional part thereof, when the net consideration or value of
the property exceeds $100.00 exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining thereof at the time of sale. (Revenue and Taxation Code 11911).

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

Page Size: All documents must comply with the 8-1/2″ X 11″ standard page size and must not exceed 8-1/2″ X 14″.

Page Margins: All documents submitted for recording must have at least a 1/2″ margin along each vertical side. In addition, the top 2-1/2″ of the first page or sheet must be reserved for recording information. The left 3-1/2″ of this space is used to show the name of the party requesting the recording and where to mail the document after it is recorded

Cover Page: If the first page of the document does not have required space for the recording information, a separate page or cover sheet must be attached to the front of the document. This cover sheet must show the name of the party requesting the recording, where to mail the document after it is recorded and the title or titles of the document. Recording fees will be charged for this page.

How can I make payment to the Sierra County Recorder?

All recording fees are due at the time of recording.
Note that a $25.00 charge will be collected by the office of the Treasurer on any check offered for payment which is returned for nonsufficient funds.

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

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

Additional Recording Fees

Non-Conforming Document Fee: $3.00 for each page that is not g 8 1/2 x 11

Indexing Fees: $1.00 for each group of 10 names, or fraction thereof in addition to first 10

$1.00 for each additional reference indexed

Lien Fees

Release of Liens (State, County, etc.): $11.00

Copy Fees

Official Copy: $1.00 for each page

Certification of any recorded document: $1.75

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

You can obtain a recorded copy of your lien in person at the Sierra County Recorder’s office located at:

100 Courthouse Sq.
Room 11
Downieville, CA 95936

Phone: 530-289-3295
Fax: 530-289-2830

Hours
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Closed
Noon – 1 p.m.

Do I have the right to file a mechanics lien in Sierra 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 Sierra County, California.

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

What is the fee to file a California Preliminary Notice in Sierra County?

The fee to file a California Preliminary Notice in Sierra County is $9.00.