San Francisco County Recorder Information

Land records in San Francisco County are recorded by the County Recorder.

Records from 1990 to present can be previewed free online by registered users and purchased for instant download; documents recorded prior to 1990 must be searched in person at City Hall, Room 190.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: California Government Code § 27201 (FindLaw) · Purchase Official Copies of Records

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, 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)).

Combined documents containing more than one title are charged $14.00 or $17.00 per each additional document title (Gov. Code 27361.1). Map recording: $9.00 first page and $2.00 each subsequent page (Gov. Code 27372). Release of lien, judgement, encumbrance or notice executed by the state or any political subdivision: $20.00. Federal tax lien or release: $14.00 per document title, plus additional page fees. UCC financing statements: $11.00 (1 or 2 pages), $21.00 (3 or more pages). Preliminary 20-day notice filing fee: $22.00. Official record copies: $9.70 first page, $0.39 each additional page; self-service electronic copy via website $1.81 per document. Conformed copy: $1.00. Map copy: $5.00 first page, $3.00 each additional page.

Paying the office

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).

San Francisco Transfer Tax, imposed per Article 12C of the San Francisco Business and Tax Regulations Code, applies to the entire consideration or value: more than $100 but less than/equal to $250,000, $2.50 for each $500 or portion thereof; more than $250,000 but less than $1,000,000, $3.40; $1,000,000 or more but less than $5,000,000, $3.75; $5,000,000 or more but less than $10,000,000, $11.25; $10,000,000 or more but less than $25,000,000, $27.50; $25,000,000 or more, $30.00 for each $500 or portion thereof. The maximum tax rate for qualified Rent-Restricted Affordable Housing transfers is $3.75 per $500 or portion thereof (§1108.6). A Transfer Tax Affidavit must accompany all documents submitted for recordation in which transfer tax is due or an exemption is claimed.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Fees to record a document in San Francisco · Grabar un documento · 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.

The current Assessor’s parcel number(s) and the commonly-known situs (street name and number) of the real property are required on the face of the 1st page of the document; if missing, the document will not be recorded.

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
• Transfer Tax Affidavit San Francisco Assessor-Recorder
  Must accompany all documents submitted for recordation in which transfer tax is due, or an exemption is claimed
• SB2 Declaration of Exemption coversheet San Francisco Assessor-Recorder
  A declaration of exemption from the Building Homes and Jobs Act fee, placed on the face of each document or on a coversheet

Submitting documents

An after-hours drop box is located in the window at the Grove Street entrance of City Hall and is checked daily. The in-person recording window is open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The office does not impose a surcharge for e-recording.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Fees to record a document in San Francisco · Grabar un documento · 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)