El Dorado County Recorder Information

About El Dorado County Recorder

The Recorder-Clerk is responsible for recording and maintaining real property records in El Dorado County.

From South Lake Tahoe: (530) 573-7955 x3407 or 5490
From Eldorado Hills: (916) 358-3555 x5490

Recording Fees

First page (see note): $14.00
Each additional page: $3.00
Non-conforming page size (other than 8.5" x 11"), each page: $3.00
Penalty print: $1.00
Each additional title: $14.00
Release of lien: $13.00

Official Record Copies:
1st Page - $3.00
Each Additional Page - $1.00
Certification - $2.00

SB2 Affordable Housing and Job Act Fee. Some exemptions apply and must be stated on the face page of the document: $75.00 (Maximum $225)

Note: (District Attorney Real Estate Fraud Prevention Fund) Effective April 1, 2013 the $3.00 fee will be charged on all documents EXCEPT: Documents subject to Documentary Transfer Tax Per Revenue and Taxation code; such as Grant Deeds in connection with sale/purchase of real estate, and documents recorded with the sale/purchase transaction, and NO FEE Documents.

Document Requiring Additional Indexing:
Each additional reference indexed: $3.00

Document requiring indexing of more than 10 names (for each group of 10 names or fractional portion thereof after the initial group of 10 names): $5.00

Documents Recorded Without Preliminary Change of Ownership Report: $20.00

Documentary Transfer Tax: $0.55 per $500.00 or $1.10 per $1,000.00

Documents that transfer title are subject to payment of the documentary transfer tax on the value of the property transferred or on the amount paid for the property being purchased.

If the document is exempt from transfer taxes, a statement and/or appropriate Revenue and Taxation code should be stated on the face of the exempt document.

County recording fees are subject to change without notice. For the most current fees and further information, contact the local recorder directly.

Document Formatting Requirements

* Submit an original document that has been signed and acknowledged in front of a notary public.

* A California all-purpose acknowledgment is needed for real property documents.

* The entire document must be sufficiently legible to produce a readable photographic copy. Black ink with a font size of at least 10 point should be used to ensure legibility and to avoid penalty print charges. Printing should be single-sided.

* Documents should be on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper.

* On the first page, a 2.5 inch top margin should be provided. The left 3.5 inches of this space should include the name of the party requesting the recording, as well as a return address where the document should be returned after recording.

* Side margins should be at least 1/2 an inch. Top and bottom margins should be a minimum of 1 inch.

* Directly below the 2.5 inch top margin on the first page, the title of the document should be given. The recorder is required to index only the title (or titles) listed in this space. Additional titles may be identified and indexed at the discretion of the recorder.

* Corresponding names should be typed or written beneath signatures in the document.

* Across the bottom of the first page, include the name and return address of the person or entity to where future tax statements should be mailed.

* A document that modifies, cancels, or releases the provisions of a previous document of record requires a recording reference.

* If an entire instrument or part of an instrument is in a language other than English, it will not be accepted unless it is accompanied by an English translation. The translation must be performed by a certified or registered court interpreter or by an accredited translator registered with the American Translators Association. The translation must be accompanied by a notarized declaration.

* If the document effects or evidences a transfer or encumbrance of an interest in real property, the name or names in which the interest appears of record, shall show the name(s) of the assessed owners as they appear on the latest secured assessment roll.

* If the document releases or terminates any interest, right, or encumbrance, it shall contain the names of the persons and entities owning the title or interest being relieved by the document, or the names of the owners of that title or interest as they appeared at the time and in the document creating the right, interest, or encumbrance.

A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is required to be submitted with each document that changes title to real property. Questions regarding this form should be directed to the assessor's office.

Documents that transfer title are subject to payment of the documentary transfer tax on the value of the property transferred or on the amount paid for the property being purchased.

If the document is exempt from transfer taxes, a statement and/or appropriate Revenue and Taxation code should be stated on the face of the exempt document.