Modoc County Recorder Information

Land records in Modoc County are recorded by the Assessor/Recorder. The office is held by Kristen DePaul.

The online index is searched by name. Copies can be requested by mail using the document number; document numbers start over every year (for example, 2007-0007088-00). Documents can also be purchased through ParcelQuest. The office does not do lien searches but provides a public computer.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Modoc County Recorder · Modoc County Fee Schedule (Recording Fees PDF) · Online Official Records Index | Modoc County, CA

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

Added at recording

Other charges

Fee schedule effective January 1, 2026.

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: $10.00 in addition to the regular recording fee (GC §27361). Conformed copy (copy must be provided): $1.00. Release of Lien by a Public Agency: $20.00. Map recording: $2.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page. Returned check fee: $25.00. The office does not charge to record the Preliminary Change of Ownership Statement mailed in with a deed.

Paying the office

Returned Check Fee $25.00. The transfer tax can be combined with the recording fees on one check.

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).

Modoc County imposes its Documentary Transfer Tax under Board of Supervisors Ordinance No. 203 at $0.55 for each $500 or fraction thereof when the consideration or value, exclusive of liens or encumbrances remaining at the time of sale, exceeds $100. A Documentary Transfer Tax Affidavit is required with each document when the tax is paid or an exemption is claimed. Documents must set forth the incorporated or unincorporated location of the land, the Assessor's Parcel Number(s), and the Tax Rate Area Number(s).

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Modoc County Fee Schedule (Recording Fees PDF) · Documentary Transfer Tax Information (PDF) · 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)

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.

On the top right of the first page, a blank space 2.5" down and 5" across is reserved for the recorder's use.

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.

Signatures must be original, unless the document is a certified copy issued by the appropriate custodian of the public record. The notary seal must be legible for microfilm reproduction. Documents must not exceed 8.5"x14".

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
• Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration Modoc County Recorder
  Must be completed and signed for all deeds
• SB2 Cover Sheet Modoc County Recorder
  Attach to the document as applicable

Submitting documents

eRecording customers of an approved agent need a certificate of liability insurance showing $1,000,000 of general liability coverage. Documents received after the 4:30 pm cutoff are processed the following business day.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Recording Fees | Modoc County, CA · Recording Info & Requirements | Modoc County, CA · eRecording | Modoc County, CA · 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)