Ventura County Recorder Information

About Ventura County Recorder

The Clerk-Recorder is responsible for maintaining records for real property located in Ventura County.

Recording Fees

First page (G.C. 27361 & 27397.1, limited to 8 " x 11") - $14.00
Each additional page - $3.00
Each additional title (G.C. 27361.1) - $14.00

Non-conforming page size (other than 8 x 11), each page - $3.00
Penalty print - $1.00

Additional Recording Fees:
Each additional reference indexed (G.C. 27361.2) - $1.00
Each group of 10 names or fractional portion after the first 10 (G.C. 27361.8) - $1.00

Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Trust Fund, additional fee for each title (G.C.27388) - $10.00

DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX (R.T. 11911) - $0.55 per $500.00
EXAMPLES OF PROPERTY TRANSFERS EXEMPT FROM DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX PURSUANT TO STATE LAW (R&T 11911-11934), VENTURA COUNTY ORDINANCE 2585 AND COUNTY COUNSEL OPINIONS.
The following statements are examples of exemption recitals that must be placed on the face of the document for the conveyance to be acceptable for recording when declaring NOMINAL transfer tax or NO transfer tax due.
1. Gift of unencumbered property (Not followed by Deed of Trust) R&T 11930

2. Confirms title in Grantees name. (To remove an invalid cloud on title; to correct a vesting error) (May require a further explanation)

3. A change in the manner, which title is held where there is no gain to either party. A vesting change between the same parties. (Individuals) (i.e. Joint tenants going to Community Property)

4. Consideration or value is less than $100.00 (May require a further explanation) R&T 11911

5. A Court ordered conveyance not pursuant to a sale (Ownership in dispute)

6. Conveyance to revocable family trusts for the benefit of the Grantors. R&T11930

7. Conveyances to partnerships where all of the partners, individuals or legal entities remain the same and their proportionate interest or shares remain the same. R&T 11925

8. Dissolution of marriage, legal separation, judgment or written agreement from one spouse to the other. R&T 11927

9. Lease together with renewal options is less than 35 years

10.Correction Deed. (Where no change of ownership occurs)

11. Grantor received no consideration. Grantee assumed existing liens only. Deed of Trust being assumed recorded on _____________as document Number___________ OVER

12.Conveyance to United States (Federal), State agency, or political subdivision when the exempt agency is acquiring title. R&T 11922

13.Deed given by an Executor in accordance with the terms of the will. (May require a further explanation)

14.Agent acting for Principal

15.Conveyance to partition property among co-owners where each co-owner takes an equal share and no additional consideration is given.

16.Pursuant to a bankruptcy reorganization. R&T 11923 (May require a further explanation)

17.Conveyances by corporations in liquidation or in dissolution to its shareholders solely for the cancellation and retirement of the capitol stock and there are no corporate debts.

18.A transfer of real estate in a statutory merger or consolidation from a constituent corporation to the continuing or new corporation.

MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Survey Monument Preservation Fund Fee (G.C. 27584) - $10.00
Documents Recorded without Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (R&T 480.3) - $20.00

Copies:
First page-$2.00
Each additional page-$1.00
Certification-$1.00

County recording fees are subject to change without notice. For the most current fees and further information, contact the local recorder directly.

On January 1, 2018, California Senate Bill 2, a.k.a., the "Building Homes and Jobs Act," goes into effect and may increase recording fees for real estate instruments. The fee will address homelessness and housing shortages, and help to increase the rate of home ownership within the State by creating a Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund to which the additional fee will be remitted.

Upon taking effect, the recorder's office will impose a fee of $75.00 to be paid when recording every real estate instrument, paper, or notice required or permitted by law to be recorded, per each single transaction per single parcel of real property, not to exceed $225.00.

Transfers subject to the documentary transfer tax as defined in Section 11911 of the Revenue and Taxation Code or on any real estate instrument, paper, or notice recorded in connection with a transfer of real property that is a residential dwelling to an owner-occupier are exempt from this fee.

If you have any questions about how the Building Homes and Jobs Act affects your recording fees, please speak with a clerk with the Recorder's Office or a licensed attorney within the state.

Document Formatting Requirements

- On the first page, a 2.5 inch margin at the top of the page should be left for recording purposes.

- Documents must include a title(s) on the first page, directly below the recorder's space. Only the title appearing in that space will be indexed by the recorder.

- Each document must contain the proper return name and address. The name of the person who has requested the recording must be indicated on the document. If possible, use the upper left-hand portion of the first page for this information.

- Documents presented for recordation must contain original signatures, or be originally certified by a government agency.

- Documents must have proper acknowledgements, unless exempt.

- For documents conveying real property, the assessor's parcel number (A.P.N.) must appear in the document.

- For all documents evidencing a conveyance of real property, a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report must be included. If this is not included, a $20 penalty fee will be applied.

- If the document affects, transfers, or encumbers an interest in real property, it must contain the name(s) of the record owner(s).

- If the document releases or terminates an interest, right, or encumbrance in real property, it must include the name(s) of the record owner(s) as they appeared in the document that created an interest, right, or encumbrance.