California Forms

Orange County Transfer on Death Affidavit Form

Orange County Transfer on Death Affidavit Form

Orange County Transfer on Death Affidavit Form

Fill in the blank form formatted to comply with all recording and content requirements.

Document Last Validated 6/11/2025
Orange County Transfer on Death Affidavit Guide

Orange County Transfer on Death Affidavit Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Document Last Validated 1/29/2025
Orange County Completed Example of the Transfer on Death Affidavit Document

Orange County Completed Example of the Transfer on Death Affidavit Document

Example of a properly completed form for reference.

Document Last Validated 8/4/2025

All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees

Immediate Download • Secure Checkout

Important: Your property must be located in Orange County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

Where to Record Your Documents

County Administration South
Address:
601 N. Ross St.
Santa Ana, California 92701

Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

Phone: (714) 834-2500

Old Orange County Courthouse
Address:
211 West Santa Ana Blvd.
Santa Ana, California 92701

Hours: Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday

Phone: (714) 834-2500

South County Branch Office
Address:
24031 El Toro Rd, Suite 150
Santa Ana, California 92653

Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm / Recording until 4:00pm

Phone: (714) 834-2500

North County Branch Office
Address:
201 N Harbor Blvd
Fullerton , California 92832

Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Phone: (714) 834-2500

Recording Tips for Orange County:
  • Leave recording info boxes blank - the office fills these
  • Recorded documents become public record - avoid including SSNs
  • Make copies of your documents before recording - keep originals safe

Cities and Jurisdictions in Orange County

Properties in any of these areas use Orange County forms:

  • Aliso Viejo
  • Anaheim
  • Atwood
  • Brea
  • Buena Park
  • Capistrano Beach
  • Corona Del Mar
  • Costa Mesa
  • Cypress
  • Dana Point
  • East Irvine
  • El Toro
  • Foothill Ranch
  • Fountain Valley
  • Fullerton
  • Garden Grove
  • Huntington Beach
  • Irvine
  • La Habra
  • La Palma
  • Ladera Ranch
  • Laguna Beach
  • Laguna Hills
  • Laguna Niguel
  • Laguna Woods
  • Lake Forest
  • Los Alamitos
  • Midway City
  • Mission Viejo
  • Newport Beach
  • Newport Coast
  • Orange
  • Placentia
  • Rancho Santa Margarita
  • San Clemente
  • San Juan Capistrano
  • Santa Ana
  • Seal Beach
  • Silverado
  • Stanton
  • Sunset Beach
  • Surfside
  • Trabuco Canyon
  • Tustin
  • Villa Park
  • Westminster
  • Yorba Linda

View Complete Recorder Office Guide

Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Orange County

How do I get my forms?

Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Orange County forms will be in your account ready to download to your computer. An account is created for you during checkout if you don't have one. Forms are NOT emailed.

Are these forms guaranteed to be recordable in Orange County?

Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed all formatting requirements set forth by Orange County including margin requirements, content requirements, font and font size requirements.

Can I reuse these forms?

Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in Orange County you only need to order once.

What do I need to use these forms?

The forms are PDFs that you fill out on your computer. You'll need Adobe Reader (free software that most computers already have). You do NOT enter your property information online - you download the blank forms and complete them privately on your own computer.

Are there any recurring fees?

No. This is a one-time purchase. Nothing to cancel, no memberships, no recurring fees.

How much does it cost to record in Orange County?

Recording fees in Orange County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (714) 834-2500 for current fees.

Questions answered? Let's get started!

Using an Affidavit of Death to Claim Real Estate from a California Transfer on Death Deed

Transfer on death deeds allow individual landowners to transfer their real estate when they die, without a will or the need for probate distribution. The transferor simply executes a TODD form, then records it during the course of his/her natural life, and within 60 days of the signing date (5626(a)). Unlike grant deeds or quitclaim deeds, the owner continues to hold title to the property when a transfer on death deed is recorded (5650). As such, TODDs are exempt from transfer taxes and the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR).

What happens, then, when the owner dies? Section 5680 defines the process for switching the title over to the beneficiary. The beneficiary may establish the fact of the transferor's death under the procedure provided in California Probate Code Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 210) of Part 4 of Division 2. The first step is obtaining a certified copy of the death certificate. Then research the recording information from the transfer on death deed identifying the beneficiary. Complete an affidavit of death and sign it in front of a notary. Finally, file the affidavit, along with the copy of the death certificate, in the recording office for the county where the property is situated. Note that this act transfers title to the beneficiary, so it also requires the PCOR and any associated taxes and fees.

Beneficiaries take title to the property under the rules set out at section 5652. Be aware that any associated debts, obligations, or agreements in place when the owner died follow the real estate to the beneficiaries. In addition, the title transfers without warranty, so the beneficiaries might find themselves liable for future claims against the property. For these reasons, among others, some beneficiaries might wish to disclaim the gift (5652(a)(1)).

In general, transferring title to the beneficiary of a transfer on death deed is a simple process. Even so, complications may arise. Contact an attorney for complex situations or with any questions.

(California Transfer on Death Affidavit Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)

Important: Your property must be located in Orange County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

This Transfer on Death Affidavit meets all recording requirements specific to Orange County.

Our Promise

The documents you receive here will meet, or exceed, the Orange County recording requirements for formatting. If there's an issue caused by our formatting, we'll make it right and refund your payment.

Save Time and Money

Get your Orange County Transfer on Death Affidavit form done right the first time with Deeds.com Uniform Conveyancing Blanks. At Deeds.com, we understand that your time and money are valuable resources, and we don't want you to face a penalty fee or rejection imposed by a county recorder for submitting nonstandard documents. We constantly review and update our forms to meet rapidly changing state and county recording requirements for roughly 3,500 counties and local jurisdictions.

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March 20th, 2019

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July 2nd, 2019

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May 15th, 2025

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August 26th, 2022

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July 24th, 2020

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May 18th, 2022

All I needed to do was changed from my previously married name to my now maiden name and a Quit Claim Deed was all I needed. I loved that they offered a sample along with very detailed directions. Great site! Thank you!

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Fred D.

August 31st, 2022

At first glance, explanations and guidance to fill out the grant deed seems quite direct and no too difficult. I did not see any reference to a mortgagee which I believe needs to be incorporated in a boundary line adjustment (BLA), though not sure I'll do the actual filling out the form in the next couple of weeks and will be in a better position for a more complete review.

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November 4th, 2021

Forms were great. I wasn't able to find them anywhere. Even the county recorder didn't have them

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February 9th, 2021

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April 22nd, 2019

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