The County Recorder, upon payment of proper fees
and taxes, will accept any document which is authorized or required
by California law to be recorded, if the document contains required
information and if it is photographically reproducible.
Documents may be presented
for recording at the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Headquarters
location at 12400 East Imperial Highway , Norwalk , CA 90650 office
hours are Mon- Friday from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Please call (562)
462-2125 for more information. The following branch offices can also
assist you:
An examiner will review your document
for proper completion, collect the appropriate fees and taxes, and
record your document. The original document will be mailed to you within
4-6 weeks, (after the process is completed to add your document to
our database for archival retention). A certified copy for a fee of
$6.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page may be
requested and received immediately upon recordation of the document.
Each document presented for recording MUST include or comply with
the following general requirements. Documents may be presented for
recording in person, by mail or by a courier service. The following
are helpful items to remember when recording:
If you have any questions regarding the recording process, you may
call (562) 462-2125 and speak to an agent that will assist you.
SPECIFIC FEES FOR THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF DOCUMENTS:
GOVERNMENT LIENS AND RELEASES (Code of Civil Procedure
2104, Government Code 27360, et. seq.):
State laws and county ordinances establish fees. Recording fees are
due at the time of recording.
To obtain copies of recorded real property documents, you may do
so by coming into the office or sending your request by mail.
Documents are identified by the names of the grantors and/or grantees
as they appear on the document and the recording date. If the document
was recorded prior to 1982, you may reference the book, page and instrument
number if available. If the document was recorded in 1982 or later,
refer to the instrument number which consists of the recording year
followed by a six digit number.
The fees for obtaining copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $3.00
for each additional page per document. The fees for copies of maps
are $6.00 for the first page plus $3.00 for each additional page per
map. The fee for certification is an additional $1.00 for each document
or map.(only complete documents will be certified)
If you are sending the copy request by mail and are not certain what
the exact copy fees are, you may leave the dollar amount blank on the
check and write a limiting phrase below the line. Example - not to
exceed $25.00. The clerk processing your order will complete the check
and return a receipt indicating the exact amount.
Make checks payable to, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County
Clerk.
If you have any questions
regarding the ordering of official record copies, please call (562)
462-2133.
Most blank legal forms for recording purposes may be purchased from
legal stationery stores. For your convenience, some of the most common
forms can be obtained from this site. Click
here to view list.
DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAXES
The County
assesses a Documentary Transfer Tax on the consideration or value of the interest
or real property conveyed (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance
remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds one hundred dollars($100) at the
rate of .55 cents per $500, rounding up to the highest $500. Also, the following
five cities have passed ordinances imposing additional rates of tax per $1,000
of the consideration or value of property conveyed is added to the present $.55
cents per $500 that are collected at the time of recording.
| Culver City |
$4.50 |
| Los Angeles |
$4.50 |
| Pomona |
$2.20 |
| Redondo Beach |
$2.20 |
| Santa Monica |
$3.00 |
For, example, on a property valued, at $21,100, the amount of the
County's Documentary Tax would be calculated by rounding up the amount
to $21,500, dividing $21,500 by $500, and multiplying that number
by 55 cents for a total of $23.65.
However, if the property in this example were located within the
City of Los Angeles , an additional $4.50 per $1,000 valuation will
be assessed and collected at the time of recording which adds $96.75
to the $23.65 for a total of $120.40.
The following is the format that should be used for the tax declaration:
| DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX $ |
“Tax Amount” L.A. County 80 / |
“Tax Amount” City
Code |
| ________COMPUTED ON FULL VALUE OF PROPERTY
CONVEYED. |
|
________OR COMPUTED ON FULL VALUE LESS
LIENS |
|
AND ENCUMBRANCES REMAINING AT TIME OF SALE
. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Signature of Declarant or Agent Determining
tax. Firm Name |
|
|
If you determine there is no Documentary Transfer Tax required,
a statement must appear on the face of all documents that are exempt
from the tax.
Click here for a list of acceptable exemption statements under
the Documentary
Transfer Tax statutes 
.
NOTICE - COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTARY
TRANSFER TAX FOR LEGAL ENTITY CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk ("RRCC")
began enforcing collection of Documentary Transfer Tax ("DTT")
on legal entity transfers where no document is recorded, but which
resulted a greater than 50% interest in control of the legal entity
being transferred. The collection is made pursuant to Chapter 4.60
of the Los Angeles County Code, and California Revenue and Taxation
Code (" RTC ") sections 11911 and 11925, and is consistent
with case law which defines "realty sold" as having the
same meaning as changes in ownership for property tax purposes in
RTC section 64(c)(1). In addition, effective January 1, 2010 , RTC
section 408 was amended to allow recorders to obtain information
pertaining to these transfers from the Assessor. As a result, in
an effort to collect the tax, the RRCC will continue to identify,
and send notices for, properties where a change of ownership occurred
which transferred a greater than 50% controlling interest in the
legal entity thereby creating a liability for the DTT.
Payment on changes in legal entity control is due and payable
as of the date the change in ownership occurred. Taxpayers
may make current payments by submitting the form Declaration
of Documentary Transfer Tax, together with the appropriate
payment to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, P.O Box 1250
, Norwalk , CA 90651 - 1130, ATTENTION: RLA SECTION. Please
contact Research, Legislative and Audit Section at 562-462-3038
for questions.
For your convenience, click here for a DECLARATION OF DOCUMENTARY
TRANSFER TAX FORM
FORMS
*** NOTICE *** EFFECTIVE
JANUARY 1, 2008
See New Assembly Bill 886 for a Certificate of Acknowledgement
and Jurat. (Click
here to view )
AFFIDAVIT OF SURVIVING SPOUSE
AFFIDAVIT OF DEATH OF JOINT
TENANT
AFFIDAVIT OF DEATH OF JOINT TRUSTEE
|
At the time
of recording, present the completed affidavit, a certified
copy of the death certificate and a “Preliminary
Change of Ownership Report.” (Preliminary Change of Ownership
Report is not needed for Death of Beneficiary under Deed of Trust
or Affidavit
of Death of Joint Trustee ). This report is available
at our department’s main office in Norwalk and at the County
Assessor ’s office in downtown Los Angeles and at the County
Assessor ’s branch offices. |
|
"Affidavit
of Death of Joint Tenant " forms
can be purchased at most office supply or stationery stores.
DECLARATION OF ABANDONMENT OF DECLARED HOMESTEAD
|
When terminating a Declaration of Homestead (Homestead
Declaration ),
you can record a Declaration of Abandonment of Declared Homestead.
The Abandonment of Homestead is completed and signed by the
declared owner(s), whose signature(s) must be notarized.
The Declaration of Abandonment of Homestead can be purchased
at most office supply or stationery stores. |
|
HOMESTEAD DECLARATION |
(See Declaration of Homestead ) |
DECLARATION OF HOMESTEADS
A Declaration of Homestead may be declared and recorded by owners
of real property on their PRINCIPAL place of residence. Signatures
on the Declaration of Homestead must be notarized.
Declaration of Homestead can be purchased at most office supply
or legal stationery stores. For your convenience, click here for
a DECLARATION
OF HOMESTEAD FORM .
GRANT DEED |
|
When submitting a Grant Deed for recording, the instrument
must meet the following criteria:
- The Grant Deed is completed and signed by the grantor,
whose signature must be notarized.
- Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration must be completed.
- A “Preliminary Change of Ownership Report” is
required
Grant
Deed forms can be purchased at most office supply or stationery stores. |
|
QUITCLAIM DEED
|
When submitting a Quitclaim Deed for recording, the instrument
must meet the following criteria:
- The Quitclaim Deed is completed and signed by the
grantor, whose signature must be notarized.
- Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration must be completed.
- A “Preliminary Change of Ownership Report” is
required.
Quitclaim
Deed forms can be purchased at most office supply or stationery
stores.
|
|
SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE |
When the present Beneficiary under Deed of Trust desire to
substitute a new Trustee under Deed of Trust, a Substitution
of Trustee form may be completed and signed by the present
Beneficiary, whose signature must be notarized.
Substitution of Trustee forms can be purchased at most office
supply or stationery stores. |
|
FULL RECONVEYANCE
When a deed of trust/mortgage is paid in full, you can record a
Full Reconveyance from the trustee stating publicly that the loan
has been paid. The Full Reconveyance form is completed and signed
by the trustee, whose signature must be notarized.
Full Reconveyance formcan be purchased at most office supply or
stationery stores. Usually the trustee named on your Deed of Trust
will also have forms available and will issue the Full Reconveyance.
For your convenience, click here for FULL
RECONVEYANCE FORM .
SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE AND FULL RECONVEYANCE
|
The Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance form consist
of two documents, which are serially incorporated into one
form or sheet.
The Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance is signed
by the present Beneficiary and present Trustee under Deed of
Trust, whose signatures are notarized.
See Deed of Reconveyance.
See Substitution of Trustee.
Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance forms can be purchased
at most office supply or stationery stores. |
|
DEEDS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
When transferring property, a Preliminary Change of Ownership Form
IS REQUIRED. These forms are available at the Main Office of the
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk in the City of Norwalk , at the County
Assessor 's Office in downtown Los Angeles , and at the County Assessor
's branch offices.
Or click here for a PRELIMINARY
CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP FORM
TERMINATING JOINT TENANCY FORM
If parties hold title as joint tenants
and one is deceased, the survivor may file an "Affidavit
of Death of Joint Tenant ".
It may be advisable to consult an attorney because of the legal aspects
involving a change in ownership of real property.
LIENS
The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk serves notification
by mail to debtors when an involuntary lien is recorded against them.
An INVOLUNTARY LIEN is a lien that a property owner did not sign.
If you have received a copy of a lien from this office and have
questions, you must contact the person or agency that filed the lien.
By law, the County Recorder cannot make any changes or alterations
on a lien document.
Once you have contacted the person or agency that filed the lien
and have resolved the issue, a Release of Lien must be submitted
to our office in Norwalk for recording. The party who signed the
original lien and, in most cases, notarized must sign the Release
and, in most cases, it must be notarized.
If the person or agency that filed the lien is not available or
is no longer in business, you may wish to contact an attorney to
seek resolution of the matter.
If you are calling to inquire about how to file a lien against
someone, you may wish to seek legal advice regarding your particular
situation. Law prohibits the Recorder's office from offering legal
advice on these matters.
The appropriate court issues liens created as a result of a lawsuit.
Certified copies of judgments, which affect title to real property,
may be recorded.
DOCUMENT TYPES AND DEFINITIONS: |
| INSTRUMENT |
|
DEFINITION |
Abandonment of Homestead |
ABD Homestead |
Document recorded to terminate a homestead. |
| Abstract of Judgment | ABST JDGT |
A summary of the essential provisions of a money
judgment. When recorded, it creates a general lien on real
property of the judgment debtor in the county in which the
abstract is recorded. |
| Assignment of Rents | ASSIGNMENT RENTS |
A document that gives the beneficiary the right
to collect rents of the secured property in the event of a
default. |
| Certificate of Tax Lien | CTF TAX LIEN |
A lien for nonpayment of property taxes. Attaches
only to the property upon which the taxes are unpaid. |
Covenants,
Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R’s) | RESTRICTION |
A term used in some areas to describe the restrictive
limitations which may be placed on property. In other areas,
simply called restrictions. |
| Declaration of Homestead | HOMESTEAD |
Document
recorded by a homeowner to protect his home from forced sale
in satisfaction of certain types of creditors’ claims. |
| Deed | DEED |
Written instrument which, when properly executed
and delivered, transfers title to real estate. |
| Deed of Reconveyance | RECONVEYANCE |
An instrument used to transfer title from a
trustee to the equitable owner of real estate, when title is
held as collateral security for a debt. Most commonly used
upon payment in full of a trust deed. |
| Deed of Trust |
|
(See Trust Deed) |
| Easement | EASEMENT |
The granting
of a right which one has in the land of another. It is either
for the benefit of land, such as a right to cross, or “in gross,” such
as a public utility easement. |
| Federal Tax Lien | FEDERAL TAX LIEN |
A lien attaching to property for nonpayment
of a federal tax (estate, income, etc.) |
| Fictitious Deed of Trust | FICTITIOUS TR DD |
A deed of trust recorded by a trustee which
discloses all the terms of the trust deed but does not relate
to a specific transaction and is used for reference only. |
| Grant Deed | DEED |
Form of deed, common in California , which contains
implied warranties to the effect that the grantor has not previously
conveyed or encumbered the property. |
| Judgment | JUDGMENT |
The final determination of a court of a matter
presented to it. Money judgments, when recorded, become a lien
on real property of the defendant. |
| Lien | LIEN |
A charge upon property for the payment of debt
or obligation. |
Mechanic’s
Lien | MECHANIC’S
LIEN |
Statutory lien in favor of laborers and material
suppliers who have performed work or furnished materials or
supplies to a work of improvement. If not paid, they have a
right to record a lien within a prescribed period of time. |
| Notice of Completion | NOTICE COMPLETION |
Notice recorded
under the California mechanic’s
lien law within ten days after completion of a structure; it
shortens the time to file a mechanic’s lien. |
| Notice of Default | DEFAULT |
Recorded notice that a default has occurred
under a deed of trust. It is the first step in non-judicial
foreclosure of a deed of trust. |
| Notice of Rescission | RESCISSION |
A recorded notice to rescind a notice of default of a mortgage
or deed of trust. |
| Notice of Trustee Sale | NT TRUSTEE SALE |
Foreclosure sale conducted by the trustee under a deed of
trust after a default occurs. |
| Power of Attorney | POWER OF ATTORNEY |
Instrument used to appoint an attorney-in-fact. |
| Quitclaim Deed | QUITCLAIM DEED |
A deed used to transfer any interest in real property that
the grantor may have. It contains no warranties of any kind. |
| Release | RELEASE |
An instrument releasing
property from the lien of the mortgage, judgment, etc. When
a trust deed is used, the instrument is called a reconveyance.
In some areas, a “discharge” is
used instead of a release. |
| Request for Notice of Default | REQUEST NOTICE |
A recorded notice made by the beneficiary of a trust deed
that he be notified in the event that foreclosure proceedings
are commenced by another party of interest. |
| State Tax Lien | STATE TAX LIEN |
A lien attaching to property for nonpayment of state income
tax. |
| Subordination Agreement | SUBDN AGMT |
Agreement under which a prior or superior lien is made inferior
or subject to an otherwise junior lien. |
| Trust Deed (Deed of Trust) | TR DEED |
Written instrument by which title to land is transferred
to a trustee as security for a debt or other obligation. |
Trustee’s
Deed | TRUSTEES DEED |
Deed given by the trustee when property is sold under the
power of sale in a trust deed. |
| Uniform Commercial Code Financing Statement | UCC FINANCING STMT |
A mortgage or security agreement using personal property
as the collateral. These agreements are recorded in county
if real property is affected. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I take someone off title who has passed away?
• The Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant form can be obtained by clicking HERE, from a stationary store or a Notary Public.
• The completed form needs to be accompanied by a certified or informational copy of the Death Certificate from the County Recorder in the county where the death occurred. The affidavit needs to be signed by the declarant under penalty of perjury and/or have a subscribed and sworn statement or Jurat. NOT AN ALL PURPOSE ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
How do you take some one off title?
• State Law prohibits this department from engaging in legal advice. You will need to contact you legal advisor for assistance in this matter.
What do I need to record a Deed?
• A Deed can be obtained by clicking HERE, from a stationary store or a Notary Public.
• Deed requires a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report at the time of filing. A $20 penalty will be charged per Assessor/Recorder agreement.
Why did the County Recorder put a lien against me?
• When a document is recorded that might create an involuntary lien on real property the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office (RR/CC) is required by law to notify the persons affected. Notification is sent to the name and address on the recorded document prepared by the party claiming the lien. The RR/CC is not involved nor has any knowledge of the circumstances that resulted in the filing. All questions regarding the lien should be directed to the party filing the lien.
What are the recording fees?
Deed
• $19 first page
• $3 each additional page
• $10 survey monument fee if legal description is incomplete or contains the following: Parcel Maps, Official Maps, Miscellaneous Records (Maps), Record of Survey or Government Sectionalized land.
Deed of Trust
• $22 first page
• $16 for each additional title to be indexed
• $3 each additional page
Release
• $18 first page
• $3 each additional page
Government Release (Flat Fee)
• $16
Document
• $18
• $3 each additional page
How do I compute Documentary Transfer Tax?
• The County of Los Angeles tax rate is $1.10 per each $1000
• The City of Los Angeles and Culver City tax rate is $4.50 per each $1000
• The City of Pomona and Redondo Beach tax rate is $2.20 per each $1000
• The City of Santa Monica tax rate is $3.00 per each $1000
• The above mentioned cities require a County of Los Angeles tax and the applicable city tax.
What is a Homestead?
• A homestead helps to protect you from losing your house to people you owe money to. Homestead law protects a certain amount of the value of your home from being taken to pay a judgment.
What is a Notice of Pendency Action-Lis Pendens?
• A Notice of Lis Pendens is a document recorded to evidence a pending court action concerning or affecting the title or the right of possession of real property.
Can I pay my property taxes at the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerks office?
• Property taxes are not paid through the RR/CC office but through the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collectors Office.
Their information is:
225 North Hill Street, Room 122
Los Angeles, Ca 90012
Phone (213) 893-7935
Website: lacountypropertytax.com
Can I get forms from the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerks office?
• Forms can be obtained by clicking HERE, a stationary store, notary public or from your legal advisor.
