This program provides a courtesy notification to the current owner on file with the County Assessor that a document has been recorded that may affect ownership of real property. The bilingual notification contains important information about the program as well as the first two pages of the recorded document that resulted in a notification being sent.

In most cases, the property owner is aware of these documents, and nothing needs to be done. However, if a property owner is unaware or doesn't recognize the document, they should contact the Recorder's office for assistance.

Notices started to be mailed May 15, 2025, for documents that recorded within the previous 30 days.

The types of documents that will trigger the letter include but are not limited to Grant Deeds and Quitclaim Deeds. When you receive a letter from the Madera County Recorder’s office be sure to thoroughly review the included copies of the official recorded document for accuracy.

If you give only partial ownership to someone else, you will be listed as both the Grantor and Grantee, along with the person you gave an interest to. Your signature must appear on the document.

Being both a Grantor and a Grantee means that you have given part ownership of your property to someone else while remaining a part owner yourself.

• You did not give full or partial ownership of your property/home to someone else.
• Your signature was forged on the document.
• The document was changed after you signed it.
• The document contains an incorrect property description.
• The documents have been sent to you in error.

If you have questions about the recorded document or letter, please contact the Madera County Recorder’s office at (559) 844-SCAM (7226) or email RecorderInfo@maderacounty.com.

You can search the Madera County Recorder Official Index online using this link:

https://maderacountyca-web.tylerhost.net/web/

Question 1: I just received this notice in the mail—Are you saying that someone has committed fraud against me?

Answer:

The notice is automatically sent out to the Owner of Record (on file with the County Assessor) any time a Grant Deed or Quitclaim Deed or similar document is recorded with the Recorder’s Office.  Questions to consider when you receive a notification:

      -Have you… 

                                    …transferred title to your property recently?

                                    …added a family member to your title?

                                    …transferred ownership of your property to a Trust?

                                    …refinanced?

All of the above situations will result in a document(s) being recorded and a notification letter being sent.

Question 2: This notice says that a (insert document type) document was recorded against my property.  What does that mean?

Answer:

• Grant Deed: transfers title to real property
• Quitclaim Deed: It is a form of deed that conveys or releases any interest that the grantor may have acquired in real property

If you have recently transferred title, added a family member to your title, or created a trust then you will likely have recorded one of these documents and there is no cause for concern.

Question 3: I don’t remember signing the document mentioned, can you check to see if this is legitimate?

Answer:

Please contact the County Recorder at (559) 675-7724.  Have the document number and date of recording available so that we may better assist you.

Question 4: I am neither the Grantor nor the Grantee on the attached document—does this mean that someone is committing fraud against me?

Answer:

Many times, the party that drafted the document put the incorrect Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) on the document.  The APN may be found on the first page of the document and often within the Legal Description.  In these cases, you may want to contact the party who recorded the document to record a Correction Deed to reflect the correct APN.  This does not necessarily mean that fraud is being committed.  It may simply be a typographical error and may not affect your property at all.

Question 5: I sold the referenced property a few weeks ago, but I’m in receipt of this letter.   Shouldn’t it go to the new owner?

Answer:

The letters are automatically generated and are mailed out within 10 days of the document being recorded. The update to the Assessor’s Ownership Roll typically occurs 8-10 weeks after a document is recorded. If are the "former" owner of the subject property, you may disregard the notice. 

A complaint may be filed against a California notary public to the Secretary of State. You will be required to send the required form along with certified copies of any relevant documents to:

Secretary of State

Notary Compliance

P.O. Box 942877

Sacramento, CA 94277-0001

For more information, please visit Submit a Complaint Against a Notary Public :: California Secretary of State.

If you suspect that fraudulent activity has occurred, the form below may be completed and submitted to the County Recorder for review. Upon careful consideration, complaints may be forwarded to the County District Attorney for further investigation. You will need to provide the following information:

• The nature of the fraudulent activity
• The persons, businesses, or organizations involved
• The recorded documents involved including the document numbers, date of recording, and document type
• A detailed description of what happened

Please be advised that pursuant to Penal Code Section 148.5(a), it is a misdemeanor to falsely report a crime, including real estate fraud, to the Attorney General, or a deputy attorney general, or a district attorney, or a deputy district attorney.

Real-Estate-Fraud-Complaint-Form