Lake County Recorder

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

$14.00-First Page
$3.00-Each additional page

Nonstandard-sized Documents (larger or smaller than standard size)
$17.00-First Page
$6.00-Each additional page

Each additional Title (Combined Documents) $14.00

Extra Indexing
$1.00-Every 10 names
$1.00-Each additional document reference

COPY FEES
First page of each document $4.00
Each additional page after the first $0.50
Non-standard sized copy $8.00
Certification fee $1.00
Computer Screen Prints -- per screen $4.00

Documentary transfer tax: $1.10 per $1,000.00

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.

* Submit original documents on white paper, 16 bond or heavier and printed with black ink in a font size of at least 10 point. Printing should be single-sided only. Dot matrix printers, fax copies, dark backgrounds, variations in colored paper or ink, printed letters that run together and illegible notary seals will likely result in illegible documents. The document must be legible enough to produce a readable photographic record. The notary seal must also be legible for a microfilm reproduction.

* To avoid penalty fees, use standard 8.5 x 11 inch size paper. Any document, including any sheet not exactly 8.5 x 11 inches will cost the regular recording fee plus an additional $3 per page to record.

* Attached exhibits should be on a separate page and properly marked.

* The first page should have a space in the top left corner that is 2.5 inches down and 3.5 inches across. This section is for the return address.

* On the top right of the first page, allow a blank space of 2.5 inches down and 5 inches across for the recording stamp. If there is not enough space on the first page for the recorder's stamp, an additional $3 will be charged for a cover page.

* Directly below the 2.5 inch top margin, a document title should be given. The recorder is only required to index the title (or titles) listed in this space.

* The document should name the person requesting the recording.

* State the name and address of the person to whom the document will be returned and fill in the "Recording Requested by and Return to" section on the first page.

* A proper acknowledgment is required, unless exempt. A California all-purpose acknowledgment is required.

* The Assessor's Parcel Number assigned to the property is required on deeds.

* The grantor must sign the deed and must have his signature acknowledged. Corresponding names must be written or typed beneath signatures.

* 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.

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.

Effect of recording: Every conveyance of real property or an estate for years therein acknowledged or proved and certified and recorded as prescribed by law from the time it is filed with the recorder for record is constructive notice of the contents thereof to subsequent purchasers and mortgagees.

An unrecorded instrument is valid as between the parties thereto and those who have notice thereof.