The County Recorder will take a document(s) that California law says must be recorded, as long as you pay the fees and taxes, the document has all the needed information, and can be photographically reproducible.
Each document presented for recording MUST include or comply with the following general requirements:
This service is not available at our Kearny Mesa Office. Instead, may record documents at any of our other office locations including; downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, Santee, and San Marcos. Appointments are not required.
Send the original document with check or money order to one of the following addresses:
For Overnight/Express Mail:
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
590 3rd Avenue, Suite 204
Chula Vista, CA 91910
For Standard US Mail:
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
All applicable fees must be paid at the time of recording. For a complete list of fees, see our fee schedule .
Fees are payable by cash, credit/debit card (in person only), check or money order. An additional $2.50 surcharge is applicable for card payments.
Check or money order payable to: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk.
Appointments are encouraged for this service and are only available Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Schedule up to 1 week in advance.
Select Recorder-Clerk, then Map Recording.
Clarity is assured if you use:
Documents are reviewed by trained examiners who rely on Federal and State Government Codes.
If you need to speak with the Recorder’s staff, call (619) 238-8158. Se habla español.
To search and/or request copies of recorded real property documents online (from 1970 to present day), click the link below.
You will only be able to view the indexed information of the document, and not the document itself. To view the document, you must either purchase a copy to be mailed to you or visit one of our available offices to view on our public kiosks.
Come to one of our available office locations linked below and view documents on our public kiosks. Appointments are not necessary.
Conduct an Official Records Index search online, then add selected filings to the cart. This service requires the creation of an account. Be sure the address on your account profile (not just the billing page) is the correct shipping address you wish to receive the copy.
Online orders are printed the following business day and sent via regular USPS mail. Allow 3 to 5 business days for delivery; additional time for out-of-state addresses.
Submit a request by mail and provide the following information:
Send your written request with check or money order to:
San Diego Recorder/County Clerk
ATTN: Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112-1750
You can request copies at any of our available office locations linked below. Appointments are not necessary.
Fees are payable by cash (in person only), check or money order (in person or by mail), or credit/debit card (in person or online). An additional $2.50 surcharge is applicable for card payments.
Check or money order payable to: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk.
Pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code Section 11911, Documentary Transfer Tax is due on all taxable conveyances in excess of $100 at a rate of $0.55 per $500 (or a fraction thereof) of real property value, excluding any existing liens or encumbrances. Documentary Transfer Tax is collected at the time of recording for each deed or instrument. If no Documentary Transfer Tax is due, indicate "0" on the tax line and include a statement on the face of all documents that are exempt from the tax. (RTC 11932)
When transferring property to anyone, a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is REQUIRED per the Revenue and Taxation Code Section 480.2. If a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is required but not submitted at the time of recording, the Recorder may charge an additional recording fee of $20.
Pursuant to SB2, documents accepted for recording may be charged an additional $75 as follows:
A fee of $75 shall be paid at the time of recording of every real estate instrument, paper, or notice required or permitted by law to be recorded, except those expressly exempted from payment of recording fees, per each single transaction per parcel of real property. The fee imposed by this section shall not exceed $225.
This fee will be calculated per document, with a maximum of $225 based on the number of documents and titles.
The fee shall not be imposed on any real estate instrument, paper, or notice recorded in connection with a transfer subject to the imposition of a 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.
A declaration of valid exemption may be placed on the face of each document, or on an SB2 Exemption Cover Page which shall become part of the document, prior to depositing with the Recorder. If no valid exemption is declared, the fee will be assessed.
This requirement is being made in accordance with the legislative amendment of Government Code Section 27388.1