San Mateo County Transfer on Death Affidavit Form

Last validated August 20, 2026 by our Forms Development Team

Formatted for recording in San Mateo County, for property anywhere in the county: rural and unincorporated areas as well as Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, Burlingame, Daly City, El Granada, Half Moon Bay, La Honda and 15 more.

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San Mateo County Transfer on Death Affidavit Form

San Mateo County Transfer on Death Affidavit Form

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

Document last validated 8/11/2026
San Mateo County Transfer on Death Affidavit Guide

San Mateo County Transfer on Death Affidavit Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Document last validated 8/13/2026
San Mateo County Completed Example of the Transfer on Death Affidavit Document

San Mateo County Completed Example of the Transfer on Death Affidavit Document

Example of a properly completed form for reference.

Document last validated 8/20/2026

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

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

Where to Record Your Documents

San Mateo County Recorder

Address:
555 County Center, 1st floor
Redwood City, California 94063-1665

Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Phone: (650) 363-4500

Recording Tips for San Mateo County:
  • Bring your driver's license or state-issued photo ID
  • Ensure all signatures are in blue or black ink
  • Documents must be on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper
  • Double-check legal descriptions match your existing deed
  • Verify all names are spelled correctly before recording

Cities and Jurisdictions in San Mateo County

Properties in any of these areas use San Mateo County forms:

  • Atherton
  • Belmont
  • Brisbane
  • Burlingame
  • Daly City
  • El Granada
  • Half Moon Bay
  • La Honda
  • Loma Mar
  • Menlo Park
  • Millbrae
  • Montara
  • Moss Beach
  • Pacifica
  • Pescadero
  • Portola Valley
  • Redwood City
  • San Bruno
  • San Carlos
  • San Francisco
  • San Gregorio
  • San Mateo
  • South San Francisco

View Complete Recorder Office Guide

Hours, fees, requirements, and more for San Mateo County

How do I get my forms?

Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The San Mateo 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 San Mateo County?

Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable formatting requirements used for recording in San Mateo County, including margin requirements, font requirements, and other layout standards. This guarantee applies to formatting, not to the legal sufficiency of information entered by the user or the suitability of a form for a particular transaction.

Can I reuse these forms?

Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in San Mateo 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. The free Adobe Acrobat Reader is recommended, and most PDF apps also work. 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 San Mateo County?

Recording fees in San Mateo County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (650) 363-4500 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 San Mateo County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the county recording office listed above.

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

Our Promise

The documents you receive here are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable San Mateo County recording format requirements. If there is a rejection caused by our formatting, we will correct the issue or refund your payment. This guarantee applies to document formatting only and does not extend to information entered by the user, the selection of the form, or the legal effect of the completed document.

Save Time and Money

Get your San Mateo 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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George D. 4 out of 5 stars

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Reply from Staff

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