Need to know
It’s important that you submit your bid correctly, or it could be rejected.
Before you start
Buying a tax defaulted property isn't the same as a normal house sale. Different conditions and regulations apply. Learn more about buying a tax defaulted property here.
What to do
Step 1. Complete a bid form
Bid forms are issued by the Marin County Tax Collector (link).
Step 2. Sign your bid form
If it's not signed, your bid will be rejected.
Step 3. Send your bid form in a sealed envelope
Make sure to write the item number on the outside of your envelope. The item number is listed in the notice of a sealed bid tax sale. If it’s a Combination Sale, write all the item numbers. If the envelope is opened because it wasn’t written the right way, your bid will be rejected.
Send your bid form to the Tax Collector's office:
County of Marin Civic Center, Room 202
P.O. Box 4220
San Rafael, CA 94913-4220
Step 4. Include your certified funds with the bid form
Certified funds include money orders, cashier's checks, or certified checks. You’ll need to include the correct amount of additional fees. This includes a monument fee and a documentary transfer tax. The monument fee ($10) is required if the property’s legal description isn’t completed in entirety in Lot and Block format. The documentary transfer tax is charged as $0.55 per $500. You can get help figuring out the right amount of taxes by calling the County Recorder’s office at (415) 473-6092.