Kings County Recorder Information

Land records in Kings County are recorded by the Clerk/Recorder. The office is held by Kristine Lee.

This office does not provide online access to recorded documents, real estate records, or related indexes via the internet, citing AB 1785 (2024) and Government Code Sections 6254.21 and 7928.205. Online indexes cover Fictitious Business Names, CEQA filings, Notaries and Professional Registrations.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Clerk-Recorder | Kings County · Assessor/Clerk/Recorder | Kings County

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

Added at recording

Other charges

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)).

Penalty print: $1.00 per page. Each additional title is $13.00 if not associated with the Real Estate Fraud Fee and $16.00 if associated with it. Maps (subdivision, parcel, survey and assessment): $8.00 first page, $2.00 each additional page. Release of lien by a state or local government where the original lien was recorded without a fee: $20.00. UCC financing statements: $16.00 for 1 to 2 pages and $26.00 for 3 or more pages. Involuntary lien notice: $9.50 for the first address (subject to recording fee) and $6.00 for each additional address. Filing of 20-day preliminary notice of lien: $43.00. Documents recorded without a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report: $20.00. Copies: $3.00 first page, $0.50 each additional page; conformed copies $1.00.

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).

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Kings County Master 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.

The current Assessor's parcel number or numbers and the commonly known situs (street name and number) of the real property are required on the face of the first page of every document pertaining to real property (Kings County Ordinances Sec. 22-73(d)); if these elements are missing, the document will not be recorded. All document titles must be identified on the first page, immediately below the space reserved for the recorder label. The right-hand 5 inches of the top 2 1/2 inches is reserved for the recorder label.

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

Recordings are processed through the close of business, as time permits; requests that cannot be completed the same day are handled the following business day.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Clerk-Recorder | Kings County · Kings County Master Fee Schedule · Recording Guidelines & Forms | Kings County · 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)