Madera County Recorder Information

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)).

Combined documents: a recording fee of $14 for the first page and $3 for each additional page plus $14 for each additional title. Release of Federal Tax Liens $14.00, plus $3.00 for each additional page. Release of State, County, or City Liens $20.00 (Gov. Code 27361.3). Map filing/recording $9.00 first page, $2.00 each additional page. Involuntary Lien Notification Fee for Abstracts of Judgments and Mechanic Liens $6.00 per debtor. Filing of Preliminary 20-Day Notice $40.00. UCC-1 and UCC-3 $10.00 for 1-2 pages, $20.00 for 3 or more pages. Overpayments that do not exceed $10 are retained by the county under Gov. Code 29375.1.

Paying the office

No $100.00 bills. A personal check must be from a party listed on the document. All applicable fees must be paid at the time of recording.

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).

Madera County documentary transfer tax: $0.55 per $500.00 or $1.10 per $1,000.00, based on the sales price, fair market value or consideration of real property conveyed as listed on the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report. A tax declaration must be completed on all conveyance documents, including leases that exceed 35 years, and shall include the tax amount, the jurisdiction (City or County), and computed on value.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: California Government Code § 27361 (FindLaw) · California Government Code § 27388.1 (FindLaw) · California Government Code § 27388 (FindLaw) · California Revenue and Taxation Code § 11911 (FindLaw) · California Revenue and Taxation Code § 11932 (FindLaw) · Recording and Vital Records Fees | Madera County · Recording Requirements | Madera County

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 Assessor's Parcel Number is required on all conveyance documents (Madera County Code 3.12.130). Effective January 1, 2027, all deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, and deeds of trust submitted for recording must include the assessor's parcel number (APN); these documents will be rejected unless a state or local government agency is named as the grantee. All documents must be in English; a portion in another language must be translated by a California Court Interpreter or a member of the American Translators Association. The notary seal must be legible for a microfilm reproduction.

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

Electronic recording is provided through the California Electronic Recording Network Authority (CeRTNA). Documents from non-governmental submitters must be sent through a CeRTNA authorized agent and submitter. Local governmental entities wishing to record electronically may send an inquiry directly to the County Recorder's office.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: 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) · Recording Requirements | Madera County · Electronic Recording | Madera County