Alpine County Recorder Information

Land records in Alpine County are recorded by the Assessor / Recorder. The office is held by Donald O'Connor.

Official records from 1986 to current can be searched online; documents recorded before 1986 can be searched and viewed at the public counter. A public kiosk at the counter allows searching, viewing and purchasing copies of recorded documents and maps. Online card purchases carry an additional processing fee.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Assessor / Recorder | Alpine County, CA · Search Assessor and Recorder Information

These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.

Added at recording

Other charges

Fee schedule effective January 1, 2026.

StatewideThe recorder charges $1 extra per page or sheet when printing on printed forms is spaced more than nine lines per vertical inch or more than 22 characters and spaces per inch (Gov. Code § 27361(a)(1)). Counties may adopt additional fees: up to $10 per real estate instrument for the Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Trust Fund upon a board of supervisors resolution (Gov. Code § 27388); $1 for the first page for a social security number truncation program (Gov. Code § 27361(d)); $1 per instrument fees for micrographics/archive, business-day operation, and indexing within two business days (Gov. Code § 27361.4); and up to $1 per instrument for an electronic recording delivery system (Gov. Code § 27397). A recorder may charge an additional $20 recording fee when a document evidencing a change in ownership is presented without a concurrent Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (Rev. & Tax. Code § 480.3(b)).

Alpine County schedule: combined documents $12.00 (Gov. Code § 27361.1); Abstract of Judgment or involuntary lien (mechanics lien) $14.00, plus $4.00 for each name where notice must be sent to a different address; maps (18"x26") $7.00 first page, $2.00 each additional page; financing statements flat fee $10.00 for 2 pages or less, $20.00 for 3 pages or more; Notice of Federal Tax Lien $12.00; release of lien, judgment encumbrance or notice by state or local government if original lien recorded without fee $20.00; copies of other records $1.00 first page, $0.50 each additional page (plus 7.25% sales tax); search of files and records $5.00; return check fee $25.00.

Paying the office

Transfer tax

Documentary Transfer Tax. $0.55 for each $500 or fractional part thereof of consideration or value exceeding $100 (county); cities may impose one-half that amount. The tax is collected when the document is recorded. (statewide, Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 11911)

StatewideA county's documentary transfer tax is imposed by board of supervisors ordinance under Rev. & Tax. Code § 11911(a). A city within a taxing county may impose its own tax at one-half the county rate (§ 11911(b)), and a credit is allowed against the county tax for the city tax (§ 11911(c)). Some charter cities levy their own rates. Every taxed document must show on its face the amount of tax due and the incorporated or unincorporated location of the realty (§ 11932).

Alpine County documentary transfer tax: $1.10 per $1,000, or fractional portion of real property value, on taxable conveyances in excess of $100, excluding any liens or encumbrances already of record (R&T code 11911). Collected at the time of recording. A documentary transfer tax declaration must be completed for all conveyances; where none is due, "0" is entered on the tax line with the supporting code section.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Alpine County Assessor / Recorder's Fee Schedule - Effective January 1, 2026 · Miscellaneous Recording Information and Hours · Documentary Transfer Tax | Alpine County · California Government Code § 27361 (FindLaw) · California Government Code § 27388.1 (FindLaw) · California Government Code § 27388 (FindLaw) · California Revenue and Taxation Code § 11911 (FindLaw) · California Revenue and Taxation Code § 11932 (FindLaw)

Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.

StatewideAt least a 1/2-inch margin on the two vertical sides except in the space reserved for recording information. The left-hand 3 1/2 inches of the top 2 1/2 inches of the first page is used to show the name of the person requesting recording and the return name and address.

StatewideIf the first page does not meet the recording-space requirements, a separate page meeting them and showing the document title must be attached to the front. A document that modifies, releases, or cancels a previously recorded document must state the recorder identification number or book and page of that document. A deed of trust or mortgage with power of sale must specify the trustor's or mortgagor's address and contain a request for notice of default and sale.

For mining claims, Resolution No. R2024-68 requires that all unsecured taxes levied against the filer or transferrer be paid before recording a Notice of Location, Affidavit of Labor, Intent to Hold, Grant Deed or Quitclaim Deed; a Tax Clearance Certificate is obtained from the Tax Collector.

Forms filed along with a transfer

• Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (BOE-502-A) Statewide County assessor and recorder; form prescribed by the State Board of Equalization
  May be filed with the recorder concurrent with the recordation of any document effecting a change in ownership; the recorder may charge an additional $20 recording fee without it

Submitting documents

Before sending an original, a copy of all pages, including the PCOR, may be emailed to the Recording Technician for review and an exact recording fee. All applicable fees must be paid at the time of recording. The office does not provide legal advice, document preparation, or notary services.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Alpine County Assessor / Recorder's Fee Schedule - Effective January 1, 2026 · Miscellaneous Recording Information and Hours · Recording Requirements | Alpine County · Prior To Submitting a Document For Recording · California Government Code § 27361.5 (FindLaw) · California Government Code § 27361.6 (FindLaw) · California Government Code § 27321.5 (FindLaw) · California Government Code § 27280.5 (FindLaw) · California Revenue and Taxation Code § 480.3 (Onecle)