Find Gilbert Deed Records
Deeds for Gilbert properties are recorded at Maricopa County, not through the Town of Gilbert. The town does not maintain real property records. All deed filings for Gilbert addresses go to the Maricopa County Recorder's office in downtown Phoenix at 111 South Third Avenue. This applies to all types of deeds including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trust deeds, and beneficiary deeds. The county has maintained Gilbert property records since 1871. Their online database provides free search access to every recorded deed from that year through today. Gilbert town staff direct all deed questions to the county because Arizona law places property recording at the county level, not with cities or towns.
Gilbert Deed Records Quick Facts
Where Gilbert Residents File Deeds
The Maricopa County Recorder handles all Gilbert deed recordings. The office is at 111 South Third Avenue in Phoenix, roughly 30 miles from Gilbert town center. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Closed on federal holidays. Call (602) 506-3535 during business hours with questions about your Gilbert property deed.
If you prefer not to drive to Phoenix, mail your deed to Maricopa County Recorder, 111 S Third Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Include the $30 recording fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of your recorded deed. Processing by mail takes several days. In-person filing is faster if you need your recorded Gilbert property deed back quickly for a transaction or other purpose.
The Town of Gilbert Clerk's office is at (480) 503-6000. They handle town ordinances, meeting minutes, and local government records. They do not accept deed recordings. Staff will redirect you to Maricopa County if you contact them about property deeds. This separation of functions exists because Arizona statutes assign real property recording to counties, not to municipal governments of any size or type.
Search Gilbert Deeds Online
Maricopa County provides free online access to all recorded documents at recorder.maricopa.gov. The database covers Gilbert property deeds from 1871 forward. Search by name, date, or document type. Most searches complete in seconds. Click any result to view the full deed image on your screen.
New recordings appear in the database within hours. Print unofficial copies at home for free. Certified copies must be ordered from the Recorder's office. The cost is $1 per page plus $3 for the seal under Arizona Revised Statutes 11-475. Order certified copies in person or by mail. Some legal proceedings require certified copies, but most people can use unofficial copies for checking Gilbert property history or verifying ownership before purchase.
To find deeds for a Gilbert property, search by the current owner's last name. The system shows all deeds where that person is the grantee or buyer. Search by previous owners to trace the chain of title backward. Use date filters to narrow results by year or month. Document type filters let you display only deeds if the property has many recorded items like liens, easements, or mortgages in the Maricopa County system.
Record Your Gilbert Deed
Bring your deed to the Maricopa County Recorder at 111 South Third Avenue. Staff will review the format. The first page must have a two-inch top margin. Font size must be 10-point or larger. Use standard paper in white or cream color. Black ink only. The grantor must sign the deed in the presence of a notary who stamps and signs it.
All ownership transfers require an Affidavit of Property Value. This form states the sale price or lists an exemption code if no money changed hands. State law mandates this affidavit. Maricopa County will reject deeds submitted without it. Get blank forms from the Recorder or download them from the county website before filing your Gilbert property deed.
The recording fee is $30 per document. This is the standard Arizona rate set by statute. Maricopa County accepts cash, checks, and credit cards at the counter. Small processing fees may apply to card payments. Staff will stamp your deed with the recording date and time, then return it to you or mail it to your Gilbert address as you prefer.
Note: Documents submitted after 4:00 PM are processed the next business day in Maricopa County, which can affect closing schedules for Gilbert properties.
Title Alert Service for Gilbert
Maricopa County offers free Title Alert registration at recorder.maricopa.gov/maricopatitlealert. Enter your Gilbert property address. The system emails you when any document affecting your property is recorded. This catches fraud early. If someone files a forged deed on your Gilbert home, you receive an alert the same day.
Title Alert is notification only. It does not prevent fraud from happening. But early detection helps you respond fast. Contact police and the Recorder if you get an unexpected alert about your Gilbert property. You may need legal help to clear your title. Most homeowners never face this, but the free service adds a layer of protection with minimal effort required to set up and maintain your registration.
Arizona Deed Recording Laws
Arizona requires deeds to be in writing and signed by the person transferring property. A notary must witness the signature. These rules appear in Arizona Revised Statutes 33-401. Recording is not required for a valid transfer, but it protects the buyer by creating a public record of the Gilbert property ownership change.
Format requirements are in Arizona Revised Statutes 11-480. The two-inch top margin on the first page is mandatory. Text must be at least 10-point. Paper must be standard size in white or near-white. Use black ink only. Deeds that fail these requirements get rejected at the counter for Gilbert properties and all other filings in Maricopa County.
Beneficiary deeds are common in Gilbert for estate planning. This deed type transfers property upon the owner's death to a named beneficiary. It avoids probate. The owner retains full control during life and can cancel the deed anytime. Beneficiary deed rules are at Arizona Revised Statutes 33-405. Many Gilbert property owners use this instead of a will for real estate because it is simpler, faster, and less expensive than probate when the owner dies.
Legal Resources in Gilbert
The Recorder's office cannot provide legal advice. They can explain recording procedures and fees. They cannot tell you which type of deed to use or how to fix title problems. Contact an attorney or title company for legal advice about Gilbert property matters.
Community Legal Services helps low-income residents in the Phoenix metro area. They handle some property issues. Call (602) 258-3434 to check if you qualify for free services. The State Bar of Arizona runs a lawyer referral service at 1-866-338-9519. They connect you with real estate attorneys near Gilbert. The first meeting through this service costs about $50 for 30 minutes of consultation.
Title companies in Gilbert search property records for buyers and sellers. They charge fees but provide detailed ownership reports. They identify liens, easements, and other encumbrances. Most lenders require title insurance before approving mortgages. The title company issues this insurance after completing a comprehensive search of Gilbert property records to ensure clear title and protect against hidden defects or claims.
Nearby Cities in Maricopa County
Other cities in Maricopa County use the same Recorder's office for deeds.
Maricopa County Recorder
All Gilbert deed records are maintained by Maricopa County.