Contra Costa County Recorder Information

Land records in Contra Costa County are recorded by the Clerk-Recorder. The office is held by Kristin B. Connelly.

Real property records are maintained back to 1849. Public search terminals at the office give access to all official records back to 1849, including images; document images are not posted online (Gov. Code §7928.215). Since 2011 the office, with the District Attorney, sends a bilingual letter to homeowners whose title may be affected by a newly recorded document.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: RECORDER · Recorder Division Fee Schedule · Recorder FAQs

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, 2025.

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)).

Combined documents (containing more than one title): $14.00 or $17.00 per each additional document title (Gov. Code §27361.1). Recorder document plain copy: $5.00 first page, $2.00 each additional page (Gov. Code §27366). Conformed copy: $2.00, copy must be provided by customer at time of recording. Map filing/recording: $9.00 first page, $3.00 each additional page. Release of lien, judgment, encumbrance or notice executed by the state or any political subdivision: $20.00. Federal tax lien or release: $14.00 per document title; additional page fees apply. Preliminary 20-day notice: $75.00.

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).

Countywide Documentary Transfer Tax: $0.55 (per $500), collected on all transfers of real property, excluding liens remaining at the time of sale (RT §11911 & CCC Ord. 64.6). Richmond City Transfer Tax, collected in addition to the countywide DTT for the City of Richmond based on the full value of the property (Richmond Ord. 35-90): under $1 million $7.00 (per $1000); $1 million - $3 million $12.50 (per $1000); $3 million - $10 million $25.00 (per $1000); over $10 million $30.00 (per $1000). El Cerrito City Transfer Tax, collected in addition to the countywide DTT for the City of El Cerrito based on the full value of the property (El Cerrito Ord. 18-03): $12.00 (per $1,000).

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Recorder Division Fee Schedule · California Government Code § 27361 (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.

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

Requests may also be deposited in the mail drop box outside the Clerk-Recorder’s office. Documents recorded electronically through an agent are not returned by the office.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: RECORDER · Recording Requirement FAQs · Recorder FAQs · 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)