Los Angeles County Recorder Information

Land records in Los Angeles County are recorded by the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Recording Fee Bulletin

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)).

When two or more documents are serially incorporated in one form or sheet, they are recorded as separate documents: the base fee of $15 for the first page and $3 for each additional page for the entire document, plus $15 for each additional document required to be indexed (Gov. Code §§ 27361.1, 27361.4). Release of a government lien originally recorded without fee: $20 total (Gov. Code §§ 27361.3, 27361.4). 20-Day Preliminary Notice filing fee: $64 (Civil Code § 8214). UCC filings: $12 for one or two pages, $22 for three or more pages (Gov. Code § 12194).

Paying the office

E-Checks, temporary checks or foreign checks (with the exception of Canada and Mexico) are not accepted for any Recorder/County Clerk services.

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 of $1.10 per $1,000.00 (Los Angeles County Code ch. 4.60). An additional city documentary transfer tax is imposed on documents conveying real property within Culver City, Los Angeles, Pomona, Redondo Beach, and Santa Monica, computed on consideration or value exclusive of existing liens and encumbrances and added to the countywide tax. City of Los Angeles (effective 7/1/26): $2.25 for each $500 or fraction thereof; and either 4 percent of the total transaction value of sales above $5,400,000 but less than $10,900,000, or 5.5 percent of the total transaction value of sales at or above $10,900,000.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Recording Fee Bulletin · Recording Fees · Instructions for Completion of Declaration of Documentary Transfer Tax · 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

All courier services, third-party representatives, attorney services and messengers must drop off Deeds, Deed of Trust, Leases, and Notice of Default submitted for recording.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Branch Office Locations · Recording Requirements · 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)