In Person:

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. 

By Mail:

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

Fees:

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.

Keep in mind:

State law prohibits the County Recorder from providing assistance or advice in the preparation of legal documents. You may search online websites or visit office supply stationary stores to find document forms suitable for your specific needs. On our website, we offer a few standard templates, which you can access using the "Forms" tab under Courtesy Recording Forms. Once you've identified the right form for your recordation, you have the option to complete it independentaly or seek assistance from a legal consultant to help you with the preparation and finalization of your legal document (BPC 6125). 

Please note that our office does not offer notarial services. 

Map Recording Appointments:

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. 

General Recording Requirements: 

Each document presented for recording must include or comply with the following general requirements:

• The property must be located in San Diego County.  (CIV 1169)

• The document must be authorized or required by law to be recorded. (GOV 27201)

• The document must be submitted with the proper fees and taxes.  (GOV 6301, GOV 27201, GOV 27261)

• The document must be in compliance with state and local laws.

• The document should name the person requesting the recording.  (GOV 27361.6)

• The document should state the name and address to which the document is to be returned following recording, by completing the "Recording Requested By and Mail To" section.  (GOV 27361.6)

• All documents shall have at least a ½" margin on the two vertical sides. The top 2½ inches of the first page shall be reserved for recording information. (GOV 27361.6)

• The document must be sufficiently legible to produce a readable photographic record.  (GOV 27201, GOV 27361.6, and GOV 27361.7)

• Signatures must be original, unless the document is a certified copy issued by the appropriate custodian of the public record.  (GOV 27201(b); EVID 1530)

• The names of all persons executing or witnessing a document shall be legibly signed or shall be typed or printed to the side of or below the signature. (GOV 27280.5)

• The document must be properly acknowledged, unless exempt. California All-Purpose Acknowledgments must be completed as prescribed by law. Any Certificate of Acknowledgment taken in another place shall be sufficient in this state if it is taken in accordance with the laws of the place where the acknowledgment is made.  (GOV 27201, GOV 27285, GOV 27287, GOV 27288, GOV 27289; CIV 1189)

• The Assessor's Parcel Number is required on deeds by local Ordinance.  (RTC 11911.1)

• The notary seal must be legible for a microfilm reproduction.  (GOV 8207)

 

Guidelines to determine if documents are acceptable for recording:

• Effective July 1, 1994 documents executed on or after July 1, 1994 must comply with the standard 8 ½" by 11" sheet and paper size to avoid penalty, and must not exceed 8 ½" by 14".
  
  
• Any document including any sheet not exactly 8 ½" by 11" will cost the regular recording fee PLUS an ADDITIONAL $3.00 PER PAGE to record per GOV 27361.1.
  
  
• Attached Exhibits should be on a separate page and properly marked.
  
  
• The first page should have a return address space on the top left that is 2 ½" down and 3 ½" across.
  
  
• On the top right, allow a blank space 2 ½" down and 5" across for the recording. If there is not enough space for the Recorder’s Stamp on the first page, an additional $3.00 will be charged for a Cover Page which is placed on top of the document to provide the necessary space to accommodate the Recorder’s Stamp.
  
  
• The title of the document shall appear on the first page immediately below the spaces reserved for the return address and the blank space for the Recorder’s information. See a Sample Document.
  
  
• Document must not have any fasteners such as seals, rivets, or ribbons connecting pages.

Clarity is assured if you use:

• Original documents
• White paper (16 lb. Bond or heavier)
• Black ink in one color
• Clear print
• Be careful of dot matrix printers, fax copies, dark backgrounds, variations in colored paper/ink, print/letters that run together, illegible Notary Seals, etc.

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.

 

 

Search online:

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. 

View documents in person: 

Come to one of our available office locations linked below and view documents on our public kiosks. Appointments are not necessary.

Order copies of recorded documents online: 

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.

Order copies of recorded documents by mail: 

Submit a request by mail and provide the following information:

1. Document number
2. Year that the document was recorded
3. Name of at least one of the parties named on the document
4. Type of document

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

Order copies of recorded documents in person: 

You can request copies at any of our available office locations linked below. Appointments are not necessary.

Fees:

• $2 for the first page and $0.05 for each additional page.
• $1 for certification of copies, per document.  

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.

Documentary Transfer Tax: 

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)

Preliminary Change of Ownership Report:

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. 

SB2 Atkins: 

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