San Mateo County Parcel Lookup, Secured Tax Search, Assessor Records and Grantor-Grantee Index Help
Use official San Mateo County, California resources to search assessor property information, find parcel and secured tax records, view or pay property taxes, search recorded grantor-grantee documents, review exemptions, understand supplemental bills and find the correct assessment appeal route.
If you are searching for San Mateo County Assessor Property Search & Tax Lookup, first separate your task. The Assessor determines assessed value and maintains the local assessment roll, but the Treasurer-Tax Collector handles tax payments and the County Clerk-Recorder handles recorded real property documents.
Use the Assessor for assessed value, parcel and property data. Use the Tax Collector for secured property tax lookup and payments. Use the County Clerk-Recorder for grantor-grantee and recorded document searches.
🏠 Search assessor property records
Use this for: assessed value, parcel information, assessment roll context, mapping and property tax-related assessment information.
Best official path: open the San Mateo County Assessor page first, then use parcel information and tax lookup links depending on your need.
Search tip: if you have a parcel number, use it. If not, start with the property address and confirm the record before paying taxes or ordering documents.
San Mateo County Assessor and Property Tax Quick Facts
The San Mateo County Assessor is responsible for determining the assessed value of taxable property located in the county. The Assessor creates the local assessment roll and makes it publicly available, but property tax payments are handled through the Treasurer-Tax Collector.
San Mateo County’s secured property tax lookup lets users search by address or parcel number. Users can also pay online by eCheck or credit card, with credit card payments processed through a payment service.
What This San Mateo County Property Search Guide Covers
How to Search San Mateo County Assessor Property Records Online
Start with the official San Mateo County Assessor page when you need assessment value, parcel data, assessment roll information or tax-related property details. The Assessor identifies, maps, inspects and calculates the assessed value for taxable real and business property.
For users searching “San Mateo County assessor property search,” the fastest practical route is to use the Assessor parcel information page and the property tax lookup page that connects to the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s secured property tax search.
Open the official Assessor page
Start with the San Mateo County Assessor page for assessment roll information, Assessor contact details, forms, tax saving programs and property tax-related resources.
Use parcel information resources
Open the official Parcel Information page when you need parcel-related guidance and links to property lookup resources.
Search by address or parcel number
Use the Property Tax Look-up page, which points users to secured property tax search by address or parcel number.
Review the property record slowly
Check parcel number, property address, assessed value context, tax year and property details. Save the parcel number because it helps with payments, recorded documents, exemptions and appeals.
Do not treat assessment data as payment proof
An assessment or parcel record is not a tax receipt. For current taxes, delinquent taxes, refunds or payment confirmation, use the Treasurer-Tax Collector website.
How to Look Up and Pay San Mateo County Property Taxes
Use the San Mateo County Treasurer-Tax Collector when your goal is tax payment, current-year tax amounts, delinquent taxes, payment confirmation, refunds, replacement bills or payment method help.
The Tax Collector’s office lists an online view/pay property tax option, accepts payments by eCheck or credit card online, and also provides phone payment options. eCheck payments have no charge, while credit card payments carry a service fee.
Open the official Tax Collector page
Start with the San Mateo County Tax Collector page for official payment options, office details, due dates and contact information.
Use the property tax payment system
Open the official San Mateo County view/pay property taxes page to search and pay secured property taxes online.
Confirm installment and delinquency date
The first secured tax installment is due November 1 and delinquent after December 10. The second installment is due February 1 and delinquent after April 10, subject to weekend or holiday rules.
Check payment fees before submitting
Use the Tax Payment System FAQ to understand eCheck, credit card and service fee details before paying.
Save proof of payment
After paying, save the confirmation number or receipt for escrow review, refinancing, real estate sale, rental accounting, estate files or personal records.
San Mateo County Grantor-Grantee Search, Deeds and Recorder Documents
Use the County Clerk-Recorder when you need recorded property documents. The Recorder preserves official documents relating to legally recordable transactions, including deeds, mortgages, liens, releases and other documents affecting title to real property.
The online grantor-grantee index can help you search recorded documents. San Mateo County notes that images are not part of the online database for privacy reasons, so users who need copies should follow the recorded document copy process.
Open the County Clerk-Recorder page
Go to the San Mateo County County Clerk-Recorder page for recording, public record and real property transaction document information.
Search grantor-grantee information
Open the official Search Grantor-Grantee Information page and follow the link to the online index.
Use RecorderWorks if you are ready to search
You can also open RecorderWorks grantor-grantee index directly. Use names, recording details and parcel clues when available.
Order copies through the correct process
If you need a copy of a recorded deed or document, use the official copy process. The online index is for reference and does not show images as part of the public database.
Assessor Search Is Not a Deed Search
Assessment records help with value and parcel data, but recorded documents are handled by the County Clerk-Recorder.
Record accuracyUse Parcel + Name Together
Use the parcel number, owner name and address together to avoid wrong-property results in document searches.
Better matchingSan Mateo County Exemptions, Tax Saving Programs and Proposition 19 Help
The Assessor website includes tax saving program resources such as Homeowners’ Exemption, Disabled Veterans’ Exemption, Decline in Market Value, Calamity Relief, Postponement and Proposition 19 information.
These topics matter for homeowners, disabled veterans, seniors, disaster-affected owners, inherited property situations and people who recently transferred property. Do not assume a benefit applies automatically after a purchase or ownership change.
Open the Assessor tax saving programs page
Use the official Tax Saving Programs page to find exemption and relief topics.
Check homeowners’ exemption if you live in the home
Open the Homeowners’ Exemption page if the property is your principal residence and you want to confirm possible eligibility.
Review Proposition 19 before family transfers
Use the Proposition 19 information page before relying on old parent-child or grandparent-grandchild transfer assumptions.
Verify benefit on the bill
After an exemption or relief claim is approved, check the tax bill and property record to confirm that the expected benefit appears correctly.
How to Review or Appeal a San Mateo County Property Assessment
If your assessed value looks wrong, first review whether the issue is a factual error, ownership-change issue, new construction issue, decline-in-market-value concern or supplemental assessment question.
A strong appeal is built on evidence. Focus on value, comparable sales, property condition, assessment facts and legal reassessment rules, not simply frustration over the property tax bill.
Review the property and tax records
Open the Property Tax Look-up page and collect the parcel number, tax year, assessed value and current bill information.
Check Assessor appeal guidance
Use the Assessor appeal assessment page to understand assessment review options and next steps.
Collect evidence before filing
Helpful evidence may include comparable sales, appraisal reports, photos, repair estimates, factual errors, incorrect property characteristics or proof related to transfer/new construction timing.
Open the Assessment Appeals Board route
For formal appeal information, open the San Mateo County Assessment Appeals Board page and review current forms, filing rules and deadlines.
San Mateo County Property Search Tips That Save Time
Most property record searches fail because users search the wrong office or use only one piece of information. Start with parcel or address lookup, then move to Tax Collector or Recorder records depending on whether you need payment or document details.
Best move: use parcel number whenever available. It is cleaner than owner-name search and helps connect tax, assessment and recorder questions.
Best move: search by the property address first if you do not have a parcel number. Confirm the parcel before paying or ordering documents.
Best move: use the Tax Collector page or payment system for current and delinquent taxes. Do not rely on assessor records as payment proof.
Best move: use the grantor-grantee index for recorded documents. Online index information is for reference and document images are not included in that database.
Best move: if you recently bought or improved property, read the Assessor supplemental tax bill guidance before assuming the bill is a duplicate.
Best move: use an attorney, title company or real estate professional for title, boundary, transfer or legal recording questions.
Best research order for most users
- Start with the Assessor parcel or property tax lookup page.
- Search by parcel number or property address.
- Use the Tax Collector page for bill amount, payment status and delinquent taxes.
- Use the County Clerk-Recorder grantor-grantee index for recorded property documents.
- Use Assessor tax saving program pages for exemptions and Proposition 19 questions.
- Use the Assessment Appeals Board route if you need a formal assessment appeal.
Official San Mateo County Assessor, Tax and Recorder Links
Use these official resources first. They are safer than third-party property websites when you need current assessment data, tax payment information, deed records, exemptions or appeal resources.
🏠 Assessor Office
Assessment roll, assessed value, parcel information, exemptions, forms and Assessor contact details.
Open Assessor🔎 Property Tax Look-up
Find the secured property tax search route by address or parcel number.
Open Tax Look-up💵 Tax Collector
Property tax bills, online payments, due dates, e-bills, office details and payment help.
Open Tax Collector💳 View/Pay Taxes
Official online payment route for San Mateo County property taxes.
View/Pay Taxes📄 Grantor-Grantee Search
Search recorded property document index information through the Clerk-Recorder route.
Open Document Search⚖️ Appeals Board
Formal assessment appeal information, board process, forms and filing guidance.
Open AppealsSan Mateo County Property Records Offices: Phone, Address and Best Use
Contact the right office based on the question. The Assessor handles value and assessment roll records. The Tax Collector handles tax bills and payments. The County Clerk-Recorder handles recorded property documents.
Best for: assessed value, parcel records, assessment roll, mapping, exemptions, address changes, Proposition 19 and property tax saving programs.
Address: 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-363-4500
Email: assessor@smcacre.gov
Best for: current taxes, delinquent taxes, online payment, replacement bills, refunds, e-bills, due dates and payment system questions.
Address: 555 County Center, Floor 1, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 866-220-0308
Email: taxmaster@smcgov.org
Best for: deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, recorded property documents, copies of deeds and grantor-grantee index questions.
Address: 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-363-4500
Email: recorder@smcacre.gov
Best for: in-person Assessor, Clerk or Recorder help when you need counter service or document support.
Tip: Use the official appointment scheduling tool before visiting when available.
Map to San Mateo County Assessor and Tax Collector Offices
The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Treasurer-Tax Collector are both located at 555 County Center in Redwood City, California. Check official office hours or book an appointment before visiting because public counter service and department availability can change.
San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
San Mateo County Treasurer-Tax Collector
555 County Center, Floor 1, Redwood City, CA 94063
San Mateo County Assessor Property Search and Tax Lookup FAQs
How do I search San Mateo County assessor property records?
Start with the San Mateo County Assessor page, parcel information page or property tax lookup page. For secured tax search, use the Treasurer-Tax Collector tool by address or parcel number.
What is the San Mateo County Assessor phone number?
The San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder phone number for Assessor services is 650-363-4500.
Where is the San Mateo County Assessor office?
The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder office is located at 555 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063.
Can I search San Mateo County property taxes by address?
Yes. The Treasurer-Tax Collector secured property tax search lets users find property tax information by address or parcel number.
Where do I pay San Mateo County property taxes online?
Use the San Mateo County Tax Collector website or the official county property tax payment page. You may pay online by eCheck or credit card, subject to applicable service fee rules.
When are San Mateo County secured property taxes due?
The first installment is due November 1 and delinquent after December 10. The second installment is due February 1 and delinquent after April 10, unless a weekend or holiday adjustment applies.
Where can I search San Mateo County deeds?
Use the County Clerk-Recorder Search Grantor-Grantee Information page or RecorderWorks index. For actual document copies, follow the official copy request process.
Why did I receive a supplemental tax bill?
A supplemental bill can happen after a change in ownership or completion of new construction. The supplemental assessment reflects the difference between the new assessed value and the previous value.
Can the Recorder help me choose the correct legal document?
No. The Recorder’s Division cannot give legal advice about what document you need or how to complete a title-affecting document. Seek help from an attorney or real estate professional.
Should I use third-party San Mateo County property record sites?
Use official San Mateo County Assessor, Tax Collector and Clerk-Recorder links first. Third-party sites may be outdated, incomplete or less reliable for current tax and recorded document information.
Best Way to Use San Mateo County Assessor and Tax Records
The best San Mateo County property research process is simple: start with the Assessor or parcel information page, use the Tax Collector for secured tax lookup and payment status, and use the County Clerk-Recorder grantor-grantee index for recorded property documents.
If the assessed value, supplemental bill or exemption status looks wrong, gather your parcel number, bill details, ownership documents and supporting evidence before contacting the county or filing an appeal.