California Code, Government Code - GOV § 27257

(a) The recorder may keep two indices, labeled respectively: “General index of grantors” (names of grantors, defendants, and first parties, who would otherwise be indexed in any of the other indices specified in this article) and “General index of grantees” (names of grantees, plaintiffs, and second parties, who would otherwise be indexed in any of the other indices specified in this article). Each page of the general index of grantors shall be divided into seven columns, labeled respectively: “Date filed,” “Grantors and defendants,” “Grantees and plaintiffs,” “Title,” “Document number,” “Book,” and “Page.” Each page of the general index of grantees shall be divided into seven columns, labeled respectively: “Date filed,” “Grantees and plaintiffs,” “Grantors and defendants,” “Title,” “Document number,” “Book,” and “Page”; or

(b) The recorder may combine the general index of grantors and the general index of grantees into a single index which shall alphabetically combine the grantors and grantees as defined in subdivision (a). Each page of the “General grantor-grantee index” shall be divided into seven columns, labeled respectively: “Date filed,” “Grantors-grantees,” “Grantees-grantors,” “Title,” “Document number,” “Book,” and “Page.” Where such a combined index is used, the names of the grantors shall be distinguished from the names of the grantees, as respectively defined in subdivision (a), by an easily recognizable mark or symbol.

(c) Indexing as enumerated in subdivisions (a) and (b) may be in lieu of indexing in any of the other indices, and shall impart notice in like manner and effect as the indexing would otherwise impart in the other indices provided for in this division. If the recorder keeps any other index, the recorder shall not be required to index those names in the general index as enumerated in subdivisions (a) and (b). Nothing in this section shall prevent the recorder from indexing any names which also appear in any other of the recorder's indices.

(d) Where the method of subdivision (a) or (b) is utilized, and in those counties where the recorder alphabetizes grantors' and grantees' names by mechanical methods, fewer columnar headings may be used in the indices, if adequate index reference to the location of each document in the permanent file, book, or film record is provided.

(e) The alphabetical subdivisions in each of the general indices shall be so arranged, as nearly as possible, that the entries to be made in the indices will be equally apportioned. The alphabetical subdivisions shall be sufficient in number to facilitate reference.

(f) The recorder may keep in the same volume any two or more of the indices enumerated in this article, and the several indices shall be kept distinct from each other and the volume distinctly marked on the outside so as to show all the indices kept in it, provided that nothing in this section shall prohibit the recorder from combining the general indices in one volume as enumerated in subdivision (b). The names of the parties in the first column in the several indices shall be arranged in alphabetical order.

(g) The recorder may combine the general grantor-grantee index in a computerized or electronic format. The names of the grantors shall be distinguished from the names of the grantees, as respectively defined in subdivision (a), by an easily recognizable mark or symbol.