The Property Owner's Letter of Authorization is the form an owner signs to authorize an agent to view and/or purchase the Sacramento County Assessor's confidential records. It is one of the Sacramento County property tax forms handled by the Office of the Assessor, and it does not cover assessment appeals. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the signed original goes to the Assessor's Appraisal Support Section, as described below.
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What is Property Owner's Letter of Authorization – Sacramento County, CA?
The Property Owner's Letter of Authorization is a one-page form of the Sacramento County Office of the Assessor, Appraisal Support Section, with which a property owner names an agent who may view and/or purchase the Assessor's Confidential Records on the owner's behalf.
The owner certifies under penalty of perjury that they own, possess, control or manage the property and have the authority to designate an agent for all of its owners. The authorization is made pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code 408 (d) (e).
The form identifies the property by Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) and address, names the agent, and records two choices: the scope of the agent's authority and how long the authorization lasts. One letter can cover several parcels if a list of the additional properties is attached.
The Assessor's fee page explains why the letter matters. The general public can see any data on the Assessment Roll, but records considered confidential are available only to the property owner or an authorized agent holding an original Property Owner's Letter of Authorization signed by the owner.
The letter is not an assessment appeals authorization. The form states that the Assessment Appeals Board is a separate agency and that a separate agent authorization is required for assessment appeals.
Who needs to file Property Owner's Letter of Authorization – Sacramento County, CA?
The main group is property owners in Sacramento County who want an agent, such as a representative or a business acting for them, to view and/or purchase confidential Assessor records. The person signing must certify that they own, possess, control or manage the property and have the authority to designate an agent on behalf of all of its owners.
- If you sign as a partner or corporate officer, enter your title in the line provided on the form.
- If the letter should cover more than one parcel, check the box for additional properties and attach a list with the APN and address of each.
- The agent is the person or business named on the form, with a business address, telephone number and e-mail address.
Do not use this letter for assessment appeals. The Assessment Appeals Board is a separate agency and requires its own agent authorization. Owners who only want public Assessment Roll data do not need it, since the Assessor's fee page says the general public has access to that data.
When to file Property Owner's Letter of Authorization – Sacramento County, CA
Complete this letter when you want an agent to view or purchase the Assessor's confidential records for your property. The form prints no filing deadline.
You choose how long the authorization lasts by checking one option: valid until a date you enter (MM/DD/YYYY), valid for one stated calendar year only, or valid for no more than two years from the date of execution unless revoked in writing or terminated by operation of law.
The Assessor's fee page says confidential records go to an authorized agent only with an original letter signed by the owner, so have the signed original ready before the agent asks for records. When the authorization expires, a new letter is needed for further access.
Documents you need
- A list of additional properties with the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) and address of each, only if the authorization covers more than one parcel; enter the number of properties on the form.
How to fill out Property Owner's Letter of Authorization – Sacramento County, CA
Enter the owner's name
Print the property owner's name on the Owner's Name line.
Enter the parcel number and address
Write the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) in its four parts, then the Property Address.
Add extra parcels if needed
If the authorization covers multiple parcels, check the box, enter how many additional properties are attached, and attach a list with each APN and address.
Read the owner's certification
The certification states that you own, possess, control or manage the property and can designate an agent for all owners, under Revenue and Taxation Code 408 (d) (e). Do not sign until it is true.
Identify the agent
Enter the Agent Name, Business Address, Telephone Number and E-mail address.
Check the agent's authority
Check the full-authority and access option, or check Other and specify the authority in the line provided.
Choose the duration
Check one: valid until a date (MM/DD/YYYY), valid for a calendar year 20__ only, or valid for no more than two years from execution unless revoked in writing or terminated by operation of law.
Sign, date and add contact details
Sign as owner and enter the date. Add your Title if you are a partner or corporate officer, plus a daytime telephone number and e-mail address.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Check every entry against your records, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and return the signed original as described under How to submit.
How to submit Property Owner's Letter of Authorization – Sacramento County, CA
The form says to return the completed form to the County Assessor at the address printed on it. The Assessor's fee page also says the agent needs an original letter signed by the owner to obtain confidential records.
- By mail: Sacramento County Appraisal Support Section, Office of the Assessor, 3636 American River Drive, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95864-5952.
- In person: the same address; the fee page lists office hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Questions: call (916) 875-0700 (telephone hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or write to [email protected].
Records the agent buys are charged under the Assessor's fee schedule, and postage and handling fees must be included with mail orders. Ask the Assessor's office for current amounts. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using this letter for an assessment appeal; the form says the Assessment Appeals Board is a separate agency that requires a separate agent authorization.
- Covering several parcels without checking the additional-properties box and attaching the list with each APN and address.
- Leaving the owner signature or date blank; the Assessor's fee page asks for an original letter signed by the property owner.
- Checking more than one duration option instead of one: a stated end date, one calendar year, or no more than two years.
- Forgetting to enter your title when signing as a partner or corporate officer.
- Writing the APN incompletely; the form has four separate parts for the number.
- Choosing Other under authority without specifying what the agent may do.
- Omitting the agent's business address, telephone number or e-mail address.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Property Owner's Letter of Authorization?
It is a Sacramento County Assessor form in which an owner authorizes an agent to view and/or purchase the Assessor's Confidential Records on the owner's behalf, under Revenue and Taxation Code 408 (d) (e). It identifies the parcel, the agent, the agent's authority and the duration.
Does this letter cover assessment appeals?
No. The form states that the Assessment Appeals Board is a separate agency from the Office of the Assessor, and that a separate agent authorization is required for assessment appeals.
How long is the authorization valid?
You choose one option: valid until a date you enter, valid for one calendar year only, or valid for no more than two years from the date of execution unless revoked in writing or terminated by operation of law.
Can one letter cover more than one parcel?
Yes. Check the box for multiple parcels, enter how many additional properties are attached, and attach a list with the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) and address of each one.
Where do I return the Property Owner's Letter of Authorization?
Return it to the County Assessor, Appraisal Support Section, 3636 American River Drive, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95864-5952, the address printed on the form. The office's number is (916) 875-0700.
Does the agent need the original signed letter?
Yes, for confidential records. The Assessor's fee page says those records are available only to the owner or an authorized agent with an original Property Owner's Letter of Authorization signed by the owner.
Can I fill out this letter online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the Sacramento County Assessor and does not submit the letter; you return the signed original to the Assessor yourself.
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