Yuma Property Deed Records

The City of Yuma does not record or maintain property deeds. All deed recording for Yuma homes and land takes place at the Yuma County Recorder's office. The city government handles city records like ordinances and council minutes, but not real property documents. Anyone buying, selling, or transferring Yuma property must file deeds with Yuma County. The county has maintained these records since the late 1800s. You can search all Yuma property deeds online for free through the county's public database, which includes documents from 1894 forward.

Yuma County Recorder Handles City Deeds

Yuma is the county seat of Yuma County. The Yuma County Recorder's office is at 102 South Main Street, Yuma, Arizona 85364. This office maintains all property deeds for the city of Yuma and all other parts of Yuma County. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. The office closes for federal holidays. Call (928) 373-6020 for help with deed searches or recording questions.

The City of Yuma Clerk's office is separate from the County Recorder. The city handles city-specific records like council minutes, city code files, and elections. They do not handle property deeds. If you contact City Hall about deeds, staff will direct you to the County Recorder. This is standard across Arizona. Cities do not maintain real property records. That is a county function.

Yuma sits in the southwest corner of Arizona along the Colorado River. The city is the largest in Yuma County. All Yuma addresses fall under the county's jurisdiction for deed recording. The Recorder's office is downtown, making it easy for Yuma residents to visit in person. You can also search records online or file deeds electronically.

Search Yuma Deeds Online

Yuma County offers free online deed searches at yumacountyaz-recorder.tylerhost.net. The database covers 1894 to the present. You can search by name, date, or document type. Results appear as a list. Click any item to view the full deed image. Most images are clear and readable. You can print them from your browser at no cost.

Search by the current owner's name to find the deed that gave them the property. You can also search by the seller's name to trace ownership backward in time. Date filters help narrow results if the name is common. The system shows all document types, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases. Use the document type filter to see only deeds if that is what you need.

Yuma has a long history as an Arizona city. The county database includes deeds from the territorial period before Arizona became a state in 1912. These older records are valuable for title research and historical purposes. Modern deeds from recent decades are also in the system. All are available online for free. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, you must order it from the Recorder's office. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $3 fee for the seal.

Note: Online searches do not prove clear title or reveal all liens on Yuma property.

How to Record a Yuma Deed

Bring your deed to the Yuma County Recorder at 102 South Main Street. Make sure the deed meets Arizona format rules. The first page must have a two-inch top margin. All text must be at least 10-point font. The deed must be signed by the grantor and notarized. Use standard letter-size paper in white or near-white color. Black ink only. The county will reject deeds that do not meet these standards.

Recording costs $30 per document under state law. If your deed transfers ownership, you must also submit an Affidavit of Property Value. This form lists the sale price and other transaction details. Both buyer and seller must sign it. The form is available at the Recorder's office or on the county website. There is no separate fee for the affidavit in Yuma County. The $30 recording fee covers both the deed and the affidavit.

Staff will stamp your deed with the date and time of recording. They give you a receipt. Most deeds are processed the same day if submitted during business hours. You can pick up the recorded copy in person or ask staff to mail it to you. Mailing is free within Yuma County. The Recorder's office is downtown, making it convenient for Yuma residents.

Electronic Recording for Yuma

E-recording is available for Yuma deeds. Title companies and attorneys use systems like Simplifile, CSC, Data Services, eRecording Partners Network, and Indecomm to file documents electronically. You upload the deed through the vendor's system. The system checks for format errors before submission. If everything is correct, the deed is recorded within hours. The recorded copy comes back electronically.

The recording fee is still $30 for e-recorded deeds in Yuma. Some vendors charge an extra service fee for using their system. Ask your title company or attorney about total costs before you proceed. E-recording is available 24 hours a day, though the county processes documents during business hours. This is faster and more convenient than filing in person for many Yuma property transactions.

Arizona Laws Governing Yuma Deeds

Arizona Revised Statutes 33-401 sets the formal requirements for all deeds. A deed must be in writing and signed by the grantor. Arizona does not require witnesses on deeds, only a notary. The notary confirms the signer's identity and ensures they sign voluntarily. This applies to all Yuma deeds and deeds across Arizona.

The County Recorder's duties are set by Arizona Revised Statutes 11-461. The Recorder must keep an index of all recorded documents by grantor and grantee name. Anyone can search these indexes during business hours. The Recorder must also preserve the original documents or permanent images. This system protects Yuma property owners by keeping a permanent public record of all deeds.

Recording fees are set by Arizona Revised Statutes 11-475. The standard fee is $30 per instrument. This applies to deeds, mortgages, and most other documents. Government agencies pay a reduced fee of $15 per document. The fee structure is the same in all 15 Arizona counties, including Yuma County.

Beneficiary deeds are allowed under Arizona Revised Statutes 33-405. A beneficiary deed transfers property on death without probate. The owner records the deed while alive. The beneficiary has no rights until the owner dies. The owner can revoke the deed at any time by recording a new document. This can be useful for Yuma homeowners who want to pass property to family members simply.

Format Requirements for Yuma Deeds

Arizona Revised Statutes 11-480 sets format requirements for all recorded documents. The first page must have a two-inch top margin and a one-inch left margin. This space is for the Recorder's stamp. All text must be at least 10-point font. The document must be on standard letter-size paper measuring 8.5 by 11 inches. Use white or near-white paper with black ink only.

The Recorder will reject documents that do not meet these rules. This protects the quality of the county records. It also ensures that all documents are readable when scanned into the database. If your Yuma deed does not meet format requirements, the Recorder will return it unrecorded. You will need to fix the problems and resubmit. Save time by checking the format before you visit the office.

Legal Assistance for Yuma Residents

The County Recorder cannot give legal advice. They can explain the recording process or how to search for deeds. But they cannot tell you which type of deed to use or how to handle a title dispute. For legal help with Yuma property deeds, contact an attorney or title company in the area.

The State Bar of Arizona runs a lawyer referral service at 1-866-338-9519. They can connect you with a real estate attorney near Yuma. The first consultation usually costs around $50 for 30 minutes through the referral program. You can also search for attorneys online or ask your real estate agent for recommendations.

Title companies can help with deed searches and recording in Yuma. They also issue title insurance, which protects against title defects. Most lenders require title insurance on Yuma properties. The cost varies based on the sale price. Your real estate agent or lender can recommend title companies that serve the Yuma area.

If you qualify for free legal help based on income, contact legal aid organizations in Arizona. They may be able to help with Yuma property matters. Call or visit their websites to check eligibility. Legal aid resources can assist with deed disputes, title problems, or other property issues for low-income Yuma residents.

Yuma County Recorder

All Yuma deed records are maintained by Yuma County.