Recorder Offices
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
San Diego Clerk/Recorder Main Office
San Marcos Branch Office
Chula Vista Branch Office
East County Office (Santee)
About the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
Land records in San Diego County are recorded by the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk. The office is held by Jordan Z. Marks.
Most recorded documents can be searched and viewed free of charge on public kiosks at the office locations. Owner Alert sends email notices for up to 10 names and/or 10 APNs per registered email address.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Recorder/County Clerk Fee Schedule · Office Locations · OWNER ALERT
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; title associated with the real estate fraud fee) |
| Releases and satisfactions | $17.00 first page, $3.00 each additional page (reconveyance; title associated with 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
| SB 2 – Atkins Building Homes and Jobs Act | $75.00 Every real estate instrument, paper, or notice required or permitted by law to be recorded, except those expressly exempted, per single transaction per parcel; not to exceed $225 per single transaction. GOV 27388.1 |
|---|---|
| Monument preservation | $10.00 Listed under Miscellaneous Recorder Services. GOV 27585 |
| Notification of involuntary lien – first notice | $13.00 $6.00 each additional notice (at different address). GOV 27387; GOV 54985; ORD 10845 |
| Preliminary Change of Ownership Report | $20.00 RTC 480.3(b) |
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 | $7.00 each (each group of 10 names after the first) |
| Additional references or marginal notations | $1.00 each (each additional recording reference indexed) |
| Certification | $1.00 |
Fee schedule effective July 1, 2025.
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)).
Each additional title on a document is $14.00, or $17.00 for titles associated with the real estate fraud fee. Release of lien by a state or local government entity (excludes federal): $20.00 (GOV 27361.3). Map recording: $54.00 first page, $10.00 each additional page. Document copy or system generated report: $2.00 first page, $0.05 each additional page (sizes up to 11" x 17"). Returned check fee: $25.00. Effective January 4, 2027, the fees for recording a deed, quitclaim deed, mortgage, and deed of trust increase by a $5 fee under Government Code 27297.7 (SB 255 Recorder Notification Program).
Paying the office
| Checks payable to | San Diego Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk |
|---|
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).
The county documentary transfer tax is listed at $0.55 per $500.00 (or a fraction thereof), under RTC 11911 and County Ordinance No. 9889.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Recorder/County Clerk Fee Schedule · California Government Code § 27361 (FindLaw) · California Government Code § 27388 (FindLaw) · California Revenue and Taxation Code § 11911 (FindLaw) · California Revenue and Taxation Code § 11932 (FindLaw)
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)) |
| 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
Verified 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)
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 San Diego County. Contact the recorder's office about its submission options.
Recorder Offices
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
San Diego Clerk/Recorder Main Office
San Marcos Branch Office
Chula Vista Branch Office
East County Office (Santee)
Deeds.com Forms
Blank legal forms sold by Deeds.com, not by the recorder's office.
Supplemental Document Resources
Recording-related forms and instructions for reference. Confirm which documents apply with the recorder's office.
Deeds.com Customer Care
For help with Deeds.com products, services, or your account. This does not contact the recorder's office.
Contact Deeds.com