Kings County Recorder Information

About Kings County Recorder

The Clerk/Recorder is responsible for maintaining records for real property located in Kings County.

Recording Fees

$13.00-First Page of Titles not Associated with the Real Estate Fraud Fee (standard 8-1/2 x 11 inch form)
$16.00-First Page of Titles Associated with the Real Estate Fraud Fee (8 1/2 x 11)
Assignment of Deed of Trust, Amended Deed of Trust, Abstract of Judgement, Affidavit, Assignment of Rents, Assignment of Lease, Construction Trust Deed, Convenants Conditions and Restriction (CC&Rs), Declaration of Homestead, Deed of Trust, Easement, Lease, Lien, Lot Line Adjustment, Mechanics Lien, Modification for Deed of Trust, Notice of Completion, Notice of Default, Notice of Recission of Declaration of Default, Notice of Trustee's Sale, Quitclaim Deed, Release,
Reconveyance, Request for Notice,

Special Recording Fees:
Non-Conforming Page Size (other than 8 1/2 x 11), each page of document $3.00
Penalty Print, per page $1.00
Each Additional Reference Indexed $1.00
Each Group of 10 Names, or Fraction Thereof, in Addition to the Initial First 10 Names $1.00
Each Additional Title not Associated with Real Estate Fraud Fee $13.00
Each Additional Title Associated with Real Estate Fraud Fee $16.00

$1.00-Electronic Recording, per Document

Additonal Recording Fees:
Documentary Transfer Tax - Per $500.00 of value $0.55
Survey Monument Fee $10.00
Involuntary Lien Notice- First Address (subject to recording fee) $9.50
Each Additional Address $6.00
Filing of 20 days Preliminary Notice of Lien $44.00
Documents Recorded Without a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report $20.00

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

On January 1, 2018, California Senate Bill 2, a.k.a., the "Building Homes and Jobs Act," goes into effect and may increase recording fees for real estate instruments. The fee will address homelessness and housing shortages, and help to increase the rate of home ownership within the State by creating a Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund to which the additional fee will be remitted.

Upon taking effect, the recorder's office will impose a fee of $75.00 to be paid when recording every real estate instrument, paper, or notice required or permitted by law to be recorded, per each single transaction per single parcel of real property, not to exceed $225.00.

Transfers subject to the documentary transfer tax as defined in Section 11911 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or on any real estate instrument, paper, or notice recorded in connection with a transfer of real property that is a residential dwelling to an owner-occupier are exempt from this fee.

If you have any questions about how the Building Homes and Jobs Act affects your recording fees, please speak with a clerk with the Recorder's Office or a licensed attorney within the state.

Document Formatting Requirements

-Print the document on 8.5" X 11" paper, 16 pound bond or heavier
-Additional charge for every page that is larger than 8.5" X 11" (8.5" X 14" is the largest size document allowed)
-The top right hand side of the document must have a 2.5" X 5" space reserved for Recorders Use Only.
-The Top Left hand side of the document must have a 2.5" X 3.5" space reserved for a return address.
-The document must have 1/2" margins on all pages.
-Must have a tax statement mailing address at the bottom of the first page.
-The title of the document must appear on the first page immediately below the spaces reserved for the return address and the Recorder.

Documents that do not meet this minimum requirement may not be recordable or may require additional fees.

A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report must be submitted at the time of recording in order to avoid a penalty fee.