ARTICLE 1. Identity of Person in Chain of Title [770.010. - 770.080.]

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP 1.

in effect

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 770.010. Section 770.010.

As used in this article: (a) “Acquired” means received or taken by conveyance, judgment, decree, or otherwise. (b) “Property” means any right, title, or interest in or lien upon real property or part thereof. (c) “Subsequent owner” means the person to whom property is transferred whether as owner, part owner, or otherwise, or the successors in interest of the person, and includes a distributee of the estate of a decedent. (d) “Transfer” means voluntary or involuntary transfer and includes a conveyance, reconveyance, satisfaction of a lien, or divestment by judgment, decree, or otherwise. The probate of the estate of a decedent and entry of the decree of distribution is a transfer within the meaning of this subdivision.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 770.020. Section 770.020.

If property is acquired or stands of record in the name of a person who heretofore or hereafter transfers the property under a name other than or different from the name in which the property is acquired or stands of record, a proceeding is authorized to adjudicate and determine the identity of the person in whose name the property is acquired or stands of record and the person who transfers the property.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 770.030. Section 770.030.

The proceeding shall be brought in the superior court of the county in which the property or any part thereof is situated.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 770.040. Section 770.040.

(a) The proceeding may be brought by a subsequent owner of the property by filing a petition with the court. (b) At any time before the date fixed for the hearing of the petition, any person interested in the property may answer the petition and deny any of the matters contained therein.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 770.050. Section 770.050.

(a) The petition shall be verified in the manner provided for verification of a complaint. (b) The petition may be substantially entitled, “In the matter of the determination of the identity of ____” (naming all the persons sought to be identified), and may set forth: (1) A statement of petitioner’s interest in the property as subsequent owner. (2) A particular description of the property. (3) The name or names of the person or persons sought to be identified, setting out the name and a reference to the record of the transaction under which the property was acquired or stands of record and the name and a reference to the record of the transaction under which the property was transferred or stands of record, that the names are the names of the same person, and that the transfers affect the petitioner’s title to the real property. (4) A prayer that the identity of such persons be established. (c) As many persons sought to be identified as appear of record in the chain of title to the property may be joined in one petition or proceeding.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 770.060. Section 770.060.

(a) Upon the filing of the petition, the clerk shall set the petition for hearing by the court. (b) The petitioner shall give notice of the hearing by causing notices of the time and place of hearing to be posted at the courthouse of the county where the proceeding is pending and in a conspicuous place on the real property described in the petition, at least 10 days before the hearing. (c) The special notice shall be substantially in the following form: (Title of court and cause) Notice is hereby given that ____ has filed a petition herein claiming to be the owner (or distributee) of the following described lands ____ (description) and praying that the identity of the following-named persons, in former conveyances (or judgments or decrees) to said lands or in decrees of distribution of said lands in probate be determined, to wit: ________ (names as J. Doe and John Doe); and that the time and place of hearing said petition has been set for ____ the ____ day of ____, 19__, at the hour of ____, __m. of said day at the courtroom of said court in the City of ____, County of ____, State of California. Clerk

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 770.070. Section 770.070.

(a) At the time fixed for the hearing or such time thereafter as may be fixed by the court, the court shall hear the proofs offered by the petitioner and by any persons answering the petition, and shall make and enter a decree determining the identity of the person or persons set out in the petition in accordance with the proofs. (b) An appeal may be taken by any party aggrieved.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 770.080. Section 770.080.

(a) After the decree has become final it constitutes prima facie evidence of the matters thereby determined and it is presumed that the identity of the person or persons described in the decree is such as is stated in the decree. (b) A certified copy of the decree shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder of every county in which any part of the property is situated.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026