Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Merced County Recorder
About the Merced County Clerk-Recorder
Land records in Merced County are recorded by the Clerk-Recorder. The office is held by Matt H. May.
An online Grantor/Grantee index covers Official Records recorded since 1963 and shows indexed information only, not document images. Indexes for records recorded before 1963 must be searched in person. Documents may be viewed free of charge on public kiosks in the office.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Clerk-Recorder | Merced County · Staff Directory • Matt H. May · Search Legal Records | Merced County
Recording Fees
These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.
| Deeds and other conveyances | $14.00 first page, $3.00 each additional page (titles not associated with the real estate fraud fee) |
|---|---|
| Mortgages and deeds of trust | $17.00 first page, $3.00 each additional page (deed of trust; includes the real estate fraud fee) |
| Releases and satisfactions | $17.00 first page, $3.00 each additional page (reconveyance; includes the real estate fraud fee) |
| Other standard documents | $14.00 first page, $3.00 each additional page (titles not associated with the real estate fraud fee) |
Added at recording
| Building Homes and Jobs Act fee | $75.00 Each real estate instrument, paper, or notice, per single transaction per parcel, not to exceed $225; listed exemptions include transfers subject to documentary transfer tax and transfers of a residential dwelling to an owner-occupier. Gov. Code § 27388.1 |
|---|
Other charges
| Document that does not meet the formatting standards | $3.00 per page when A page or sheet does not conform to the dimensions described in Section 27361.5(a) |
|---|---|
| Additional names indexed | $1.00 each beyond the 10 included (each group of 10 names after the first) |
| Additional references or marginal notations | $1.00 each (each additional recording reference indexed) |
| Certification | $2.00 |
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)).
Release of lien by a state or local government entity (excludes federal): $20.00 (Gov. Code § 27361.3). Each additional title: $14.00, or $17.00 for titles associated with the real estate fraud fee. Map recording: $8.00 first page, $2.00 each additional page. Document copy or system generated report (up to 11" x 17"): $3.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page. UCC-1 and UCC-3: $10.00 for 1 or 2 pages, $20.00 for 3 or more pages. Notification of involuntary lien: $3.00. Preliminary notice: $23.00. Returned check fee: $60.00 (Ord. 8182).
Paying the office
| Accepted | Cash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card |
|---|---|
| Checks payable to | Merced County Clerk-Recorder |
| Card fee | An additional $2.50 surcharge is applicable for card payments. |
Credit/debit cards are accepted in person only. 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).
Merced County's documentary transfer tax is $0.55 per $500.00 (or a fraction thereof) under RTC 11911 and County Ordinance 9889. A Documentary Transfer Tax Affidavit Form is required when recording any deed that is exempt from transfer tax.
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) · Fee Schedule | Merced County · Recording Information | Merced County
Document Requirements
Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.
| Paper size | 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches (a sheet not greater than 8 1/2 inches by 14 inches) (statewide, Cal. Gov. Code § 27361.5) |
|---|---|
| First page top margin | 2.5 in (statewide, Cal. Gov. Code § 27361.6) |
| Other margins | 0.5 in (statewide, Cal. Gov. Code § 27361.6) |
| Ink and paper | Paper quality and print size and color must reproduce legibly by microphotographic or imaging processes (statewide, Cal. Gov. Code § 27361.6) |
| Return address required | Yes (statewide, Cal. Gov. Code § 27361.6) |
| Tax statement mailing address required | Yes (statewide, Cal. Gov. Code § 27321.5(a)) |
| Parcel number required | Yes |
| Printed names under signatures required | Yes (statewide, Cal. Gov. Code § 27280.5) |
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 EqualizationMay 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
- Documentary Transfer Tax Affidavit Form Merced County Clerk-RecorderRequired when recording any deed that is exempt from transfer tax
Submitting documents
| In person | Accepted |
|---|---|
| By mail | Accepted |
Mail submissions go to Merced County Clerk-Recorder, 2222 M Street, Merced, CA 95340. Document recording services are not available at the West Side Services (Los Banos) pilot location.
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 Information | Merced County · General Recording Requirements | Merced County · West Side Services Program | Merced County
Deeds.com Resources & Services
Using Deeds.com is optional. Contact the recorder's office directly for its services and submission options.
How to Get a Copy of Your Deed
Read Deeds.com's guide to requesting document copies from the recorder's office.
Deeds.com eRecording
Not available through Deeds.com
Deeds.com does not currently offer eRecording in Merced County. Contact the recorder's office about its submission options.
Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Merced County Recorder
Deeds.com Forms
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Supplemental Document Resources
Recording-related forms and instructions for reference. Confirm which documents apply with the recorder's office.
Deeds.com Customer Care
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