Silverton Colorado Property Deed Records

San Juan County deed records preserve land ownership in Colorado's highest county. The county sits entirely within the San Juan Mountains at elevations above 9,000 feet. Silverton serves as the county seat and only incorporated town. The Clerk and Recorder maintains all property documents for this remote mountain region. Property owners, mining interests, and historic researchers use these records. You can search deeds to verify ownership. You can also find liens and mortgages. The office follows Colorado open records laws. This guide explains how to access these files. It covers fees, requirements, and search methods for San Juan County.

San Juan County Clerk and Recorder Office

The San Juan County Clerk and Recorder holds all land records for this high-elevation mountain county. The office sits on Greene Street in Silverton. This historic mining town serves as the center of government for the county. The Clerk handles deeds, mortgages, and liens. They also oversee elections and issue marriage licenses. The recording section maintains the official property records.

Silverton sits in a deep valley surrounded by peaks exceeding 13,000 feet. The county was once a major silver mining center. Today tourism drives the local economy. Properties include historic homes, mining claims, and recreational cabins. The Clerk's office manages records for properties across this rugged landscape. They maintain both paper and digital files depending on the age of the document.

San Juan County Recording Fees

Recording a deed in San Juan County costs money. The fees are set by state law. Recent changes came from HB24-1269. This bill changed how much counties can charge. As of July 1, 2025, the base fee is $43 per document. This is a flat rate per C.R.S. 30-1-103. The fee is the same no matter how many pages you file.

The main fees for San Juan County deed recording are:

• Standard recording fee: $43.00 per document (flat fee effective July 1, 2025)
• Documentary fee: $0.01 per $100 of consideration (if over $500)
• Death certificates: Exempt from fees
• CORA requests: $41.37 per hour after first free hour

Death certificates are exempt from recording fees in San Juan County. This helps families during difficult times. The documentary fee applies to sales. It is based on the price paid for the property. You pay one cent for each hundred dollars of value. This only applies if the sale is over $500. Not all documents need this fee. Gifts and some transfers are exempt. You can pay by check. Make checks payable to San Juan County Clerk. Call (970) 387-5671 to confirm current fees before you file.

San Juan County Deed Requirements

Deeds must meet rules to be recorded in San Juan County. Under C.R.S. § 30-10-406, the Clerk can reject papers that do not follow the rules. This protects the public record from errors. It also makes sure deeds are clear and legal.

Margins are very important. Do not put bar codes in the top margin. The upper portion must stay blank. This gives room for the recording stamp. The stamp shows the date and reception number. Without clear space, the stamp might cover text. That could make the deed hard to read.

Most conveyance deeds need a TD-1000 form. This is a transfer declaration. It tells the county about the sale. The form includes the sale price and property type. San Juan County uses this for tax purposes. You must file it with the deed. Without it, the Clerk cannot record your deed. The grantee address is required on deeds. This is where tax notices go. The office returns documents after processing.

San Juan County Online Deed Search

San Juan County offers online deed search options. Visit sanjuancounty.colorado.gov/doc-search to access the system. The online database stores records for public access. However, the Clerk does not search public records on request. This follows C.R.S. 30-10-101(2.5)(c).

Under this statute, the Clerk cannot search real estate records for you. You must search records yourself. Or you can hire a title company. For formal Colorado Open Records Act requests, fees apply. The rate is $41.37 per hour after the first free hour. This covers staff time gathering and preparing documents.

Under C.R.S. § 38-35-109, Colorado follows race-notice rules. This means the first person to record a deed wins if there is a conflict. That is why quick recording matters in San Juan County. You can check if your deed was recorded online. Visit the Clerk and Recorder during business hours for additional help.

San Juan County holds some of Colorado's richest mining history in its deed records. The area produced millions of dollars in silver and gold in the late 1800s. Historic mining claims and mill site patents fill the record books. Many old tunnels and shafts are documented in property descriptions. Modern property buyers should research these historic mining features. The Alpine Loop scenic byway passes through former mining towns preserved in the records.

Nearby Counties with Deed Records

San Juan County sits in the San Juan Mountains. Several other counties border it. Each has its own Clerk and Recorder. You may need to search more than one county. This happens when land is near a county line. It also happens with large properties that span borders.

Each county has its own search system. Fees and hours may vary. Always check the current rules before you visit. The online systems may look different too. But they all follow Colorado state law for recording deeds.