Los Angeles County CA Recorder of Deeds: Search, Office, Property Records & Recording Guide
In Los Angeles County, the office many people call the “Recorder of Deeds” is officially the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. This office records property documents, maintains real estate records, accepts copy requests, and provides property document recording services for real property located in Los Angeles County, California.
This guide explains how to request Los Angeles County deed records, why RR/CC does not publish real-estate records and indexes online, how to prepare a property document for recording, when to use the Assessor or Treasurer instead, and how to use the Homeowner Notification Program to watch for recorded activity.
What Does the Los Angeles County Recorder of Deeds Do?
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk records real property documents and maintains real estate records for Los Angeles County. Use RR/CC for recorded deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, homestead declarations, notices of default, maps, document copy requests, certified real estate copies, and property document recording.
Use RR/CC For
- Recorded deeds and deeds of trust.
- Real estate record copy requests.
- Recording new property documents.
- Certified copies of recorded real estate records.
- Documentary transfer tax collection at recording.
- Homeowner Notification Program documents.
Use the Assessor For
- AIN/APN and property address search.
- Assessed value and ownership assessment questions.
- Homeowners’ Exemption and assessed-value disputes.
- Preliminary Change of Ownership Report help.
- Assessor portal e-Notification sign-up.
- Map and parcel research before ordering deed copies.
Do Not Expect
- RR/CC to provide legal advice or prepare deeds.
- Real-estate records to be freely browsed online on RR/CC’s site.
- Property taxes to be paid at the Recorder counter.
- A deed copy request to replace a title search.
- Homeowner alerts to prevent fraud automatically.
How to Search or Request Los Angeles County Deed Records
Los Angeles County is different from many smaller recorder offices. RR/CC states that it does not provide online access to real-estate records or indexes. Users can request real estate record copies online, by mail, by fax, or in person, but a strong request should include the document title, recording date or year, and grantor/grantee names.
Confirm the Property Is in Los Angeles County
RR/CC recording requirements say the property must be located in Los Angeles County. If the address is near Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, or Kern County lines, verify the county before ordering copies or mailing a recording package.
Collect the Search Details Before Ordering
RR/CC real estate records are organized around grantor name, grantee name, and year of recording. Gather the seller/transferor name, buyer/transferee name, approximate recording year, document title, and any document number from escrow, title, lender, or tax paperwork.
Use the Assessor or Property Tax Portal for Address-Only Searches
If you only know the street address, start with the Los Angeles County Property Tax Portal or Assessor parcel tools. The county property-tax site links to property address search and explains that AIN and APN mean the same parcel identifier.
Choose Online, Mail, Fax, or In-Person Copy Request
RR/CC says real estate record copies may be requested in person, online, by mail, or by fax. Online requests are processed through the county’s listed vendor path and may take processing time. In-person viewing is available by appointment at RR/CC offices that provide real estate record services.
Do Not Order Only Selected Pages
RR/CC’s real-estate record FAQ says the complete document must be purchased and that segments or individual selected pages are not allowed. Order the full recorded document when requesting copies.
Use In-Person Research for Older or Unclear Records
RR/CC says records from 1851 to 1957 are available for review on the lower level and records from 1958 to present are available on the second floor at the Norwalk headquarters. Older records or uncertain searches may require an appointment and in-person review.
Why a Los Angeles County Deed Search May Not Work Online
In Los Angeles County, search trouble usually happens because users expect a free online deed database, but RR/CC does not publish real-estate record indexes online through its website.
| Problem | Likely Reason | Better Search Move |
|---|---|---|
| RR/CC website does not show a public deed index. | RR/CC says it does not provide online access to real estate records or indexes because of privacy restrictions involving home addresses. | Use RR/CC copy request options, in-person appointment research, or official Assessor/property-tax tools to gather AIN/APN and owner clues. |
| Street address is not enough. | RR/CC says Los Angeles County property records are filed by grantor name, grantee name, and recording year. | Start with Assessor/Property Tax Portal address search, then request records using name, recording year, and document title. |
| You need an older deed before 1958. | RR/CC separates older record review by location within the Norwalk headquarters. | Schedule in-person viewing and ask how to access older indexes and records at Norwalk. |
| You paid off a mortgage but cannot find a new deed. | A mortgage payoff usually results in a reconveyance or release, not a new grant deed. | Search or request reconveyance/release-related documents by borrower, lender/trustee, and recording year. |
| A lien appears on title or credit paperwork. | Some liens are recorded with RR/CC, but the filing party controls release questions. | Order the lien copy to identify who placed it, then contact the filing party for a release or satisfaction. |
| You need permits or blueprints. | RR/CC says building records such as blueprints or permits are obtained from Building and Safety/Public Works, not Real Estate Records. | Use the city or county building department for permit/blueprint records, depending on the property location. |
How to Record a Deed or Property Document in Los Angeles County
Property document recording is a legal filing process. RR/CC examines documents presented for recording, collects applicable fees and taxes, and records accepted documents. The office does not prepare documents or provide legal advice.
Core Recording Checklist
- The property must be located in Los Angeles County.
- The document must be authorized or required by law to be recorded.
- Signatures must be original unless the document is a certified copy from the proper custodian.
- Include the name of the party requesting recording.
- Include a name and address where the document should be returned.
- Use a proper California all-purpose acknowledgment unless the document is exempt.
- Include the Assessor’s Parcel Number on notices of default, notices of trustee’s sale, deeds, trust deeds, and mortgages.
Formatting and Ownership Items
- Documents must be clearly legible for photographic reproduction.
- Standard page size is 8.5 × 11 inches; other sizes may create extra fees.
- The first page must reserve at least 2.5 inches at the top for return/address and recording information.
- Leave at least 0.5 inches blank on the vertical sides of the page.
- Include a completed Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when recording documents that affect ownership change.
- Pay all applicable fees and taxes at the time of recording.
- Use the correct Document Analysis and Recording mailing address if submitting by mail.
Online, Mail, Fax, In-Person and Appointment Options
Los Angeles County separates copy requests from new document recording. Use the correct path based on whether you are trying to obtain an existing record or record a new legal document.
| Task | Correct Path | Important Local Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Request an existing real estate record copy | Use RR/CC Real Estate Records Request: online, in person, fax, or mail. | Online requests are processed through the listed vendor path and may take up to 20 working days from receipt. |
| View records in person | Schedule real estate record viewing by appointment at RR/CC offices offering that service. | Norwalk handles older and newer records in different public review areas. |
| Mail a document for recording | Send to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Document Analysis and Recording Section, P.O. Box 1250, Norwalk, CA 90651-1250. | Make payment payable to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and include required fees/taxes. |
| Mail a real-estate records copy request | Use Real Estate Records, P.O. Box 1130, Norwalk, CA 90651-1130. | Do not mail district offices; RR/CC says all mail should go to Norwalk headquarters mailing locations. |
| Record in person | Use Norwalk main office or listed branch offices that provide document recording. | Appointments for recording can be scheduled up to three weeks in advance. |
| Pay property taxes | Use Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, not RR/CC. | RR/CC’s FAQ says property taxes are not paid through the RR/CC office. |
Los Angeles County Documentary Transfer Tax and City Tax Warning
Documentary Transfer Tax is commonly due when a document conveys real property and the consideration or value exceeds $100. RR/CC states that the tax calculation is the responsibility of the document preparer, not the County Recorder.
County Documentary Transfer Tax
RR/CC explains that county Documentary Transfer Tax is calculated at $0.55 for each $500, or fractional part of $500, of the consideration or value after excluding liens or encumbrances remaining at the time of sale.
City Transfer Tax May Apply
Some cities inside Los Angeles County impose additional documentary transfer tax. RR/CC’s example shows a separate City of Los Angeles amount, and county and city transfer tax must be listed separately.
Declaration Must Be on the Document
If no Documentary Transfer Tax is required, RR/CC says an exemption statement must appear on the face of all documents that are exempt from the tax.
Los Angeles County Recorder Fees and Common Add-Ons
RR/CC publishes fee schedules by document title and explains that the office examines documents and charges fees under California Government Code sections. Always use the current fee page for your exact document type before recording.
| Fee / Item | Officially Listed Detail | Practical User Note |
|---|---|---|
| Regular recording base fee | RR/CC fee table lists a $15 base fee for regular recording. | Base fee is not the total. Add SB2, fraud, indexing, transfer tax, PCOR, copy, certification, and other applicable fees. |
| SB2 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee | RR/CC lists a $75 fee for many real estate instruments unless an express exemption applies. | This can significantly change the total recording cost. |
| Real estate fraud fee | RR/CC fee tables include fraud-program fees for certain recordings. | Different document types may show different fraud-related line items. |
| PCOR fee in lieu | If a document evidencing ownership change is recorded without a concurrent Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, RR/CC fee page lists a $20 fee in lieu. | Submit the PCOR when required to avoid the fee and assessment follow-up problems. |
| Certified copy immediately after recording | RR/CC recording requirements list $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page for an immediate certified copy after recording. | Use this when a lender, title company, court, or agency requires a certified recorded copy. |
| Debit/credit card and digital wallet service fee | RR/CC lists a $1.75 service fee and $15,000 maximum for debit/credit cards and Apple Pay/Samsung Pay. | Check payment limits before large recordings with transfer tax. |
Estimate Los Angeles County Documentary Transfer Tax
This educational tool estimates county documentary transfer tax and an optional city tax rate. It does not calculate every RR/CC recording fee, SB2 exemption, special city tier, mansion tax, legal fee, escrow fee, title fee, or document-specific statutory charge.
Formula used: county tax rounds the taxable value up to the next $500 and multiplies by $0.55 per $500. Optional city estimate multiplies value by your entered city tax per $1,000. RR/CC says tax calculations are the document preparer’s responsibility.
Los Angeles County Homeowner Notification and e-Notification
Los Angeles County’s Homeowner Notification Program helps owners review recorded real estate documents affecting their homes. RR/CC sends paper copies of certain documents, and the county’s expanded e-Notification program can send an email statement after certain recordings when the owner opts in through the Assessor portal.
What Notifications Can Cover
- Documents that change ownership.
- Loans recorded against the home.
- Notice of Default.
- Notice of Sale.
- Email or text notification for enrolled owners.
- Document type, recording date, and document number in electronic alerts.
What Notifications Do Not Do
- They do not prevent a document from being recorded.
- They do not prove the document is fraudulent.
- They do not include party names, address, or document image in e-Notification messages.
- They do not replace legal advice.
- They do not replace reviewing the actual recorded document.
RR/CC vs Assessor vs Treasurer vs Building Records in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County property tasks are split across different agencies. The correct office depends on whether you need a recorded document, parcel/assessment information, tax payment, or building permit record.
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Records property documents, maintains real estate records, provides real estate record copies, handles property document recording, and manages recording-related copy services.
Assessor
Handles assessed value, AIN/APN, property address search, ownership/assessment records, Homeowners’ Exemption, and Assessor portal e-Notification enrollment.
Treasurer and Tax Collector
Handles property-tax bills, secured and unsecured tax payments, delinquency, tax liens, payment activity, and property-tax collection questions.
Building and Safety / Public Works
Handles building records such as permits and blueprints. RR/CC’s FAQ points users away from Real Estate Records for building documents.
Los Angeles County Recorder Office Address, Phone and Mail Locations
The Norwalk headquarters is the main RR/CC location. RR/CC also lists branch offices, but the county specifically says all mail should be sent to Norwalk headquarters mailing locations and not to district offices.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Main office:
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650
Recorder/County Clerk phone: 800-201-8999
Property Document Recording: 800-201-8999, option 2
Real estate records email: recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov
Norwalk hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Open Norwalk Map ↗Mail Property Documents for Recording
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Document Analysis and Recording Section
P.O. Box 1250
Norwalk, CA 90651-1250
Make checks or money orders payable to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Mail Real Estate Record Copy Requests
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 1130
Norwalk, CA 90651-1130
Include the clearest possible document details: title, names, recording year/date, and document number if known.
Official Los Angeles County Recorder, Assessor and Property-Tax Links
Use these official resources before paying a private deed-search or document-preparation website. Each link includes what to do after opening it.
Los Angeles County RR/CC — Recorder Main Page
Starting point for real estate records, property document recording, UCC financial statements, vital records, and county clerk services.
- Confirm the official office name is Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
- Choose Request a Real Estate Record if you need a copy.
- Choose Record Property Documents if you are recording a new document.
- Use UCC links only for financial-statement records, not ordinary deed copies.
RR/CC — Real Estate Records General Information
Official page explaining records since 1850, request options, and why LA County does not provide online real-estate record/index access.
- Read the What Records are Available? section.
- Note that RR/CC does not provide online access to real estate records or indexes.
- Choose online, in-person, fax, or mail request based on how much information you have.
- Call 800-201-8999 if the record is old or difficult to identify.
RR/CC — Online Real Estate Record Request
Official path for requesting copies of real estate records online through the listed request system.
- Review what information you need before ordering.
- Prepare grantor/grantee names, recording year/date, document title, and document number if available.
- Use the online request link only when you are ready to order a copy.
- Remember that online orders may take processing time and certified-copy fees can apply.
RR/CC — Property Document Recording Requirements
Official checklist for recording deeds, deeds of trust, notices, and other property documents in Los Angeles County.
- Confirm the property is located in Los Angeles County.
- Check signature, acknowledgment, APN, return-address, and legibility requirements.
- Attach a completed Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when ownership changes.
- Use the mail address for Document Analysis and Recording if recording by mail.
RR/CC — Property Document Recording Fees
Official fee schedule for recording fees, SB2 fees, fraud fees, PCOR fee-in-lieu, indexing, references, copy and certification charges.
- Open the expandable fee list.
- Find your exact document title, such as Grant Deed, Deed of Trust, Release, or Notice of Default.
- Check whether SB2, fraud, PCOR, indexing, reference, copy, or certification fees apply.
- Do not assume the base fee is the full total.
RR/CC — Documentary Transfer Taxes
Official page explaining county documentary transfer tax, city transfer tax examples, declaration language, and exemption-statement requirements.
- Read the county documentary transfer tax formula.
- Check whether the property is inside a city with an additional city transfer tax.
- List county and city transfer tax separately when required.
- Add an exemption statement on the face of the document if no tax is due.
RR/CC — Homeowner Notification Program
Official program explaining mailed document copies and e-Notification enrollment through the Los Angeles County Assessor portal.
- Read which recorded documents may trigger homeowner notices.
- Use the Assessor portal link to opt in for e-Notification.
- Review any mailed copy or email alert quickly.
- Contact DCBA if the document appears wrong, irregular, forged, or suspicious.
Los Angeles County Property Tax Portal
Official multi-agency property-tax site linking Assessor, Auditor-Controller, Treasurer and Tax Collector, and Assessment Appeals Board resources.
- Use Property Address Search if you only have an address.
- Use AIN/APN to connect Assessor property data with Recorder document requests.
- Use Pay Property Taxes or View Property Tax Bill for tax-payment tasks.
- Use Assessment Appeals Board links if your issue is assessed value, not a deed copy.
Common Los Angeles County Recorder of Deeds Mistakes
Mistakes That Waste Time
- Searching for a separate “LA County Recorder of Deeds” instead of RR/CC.
- Expecting RR/CC to provide a free online deed index.
- Trying to order deed copies with only a street address.
- Mailing recording documents to a district office instead of the Norwalk recording P.O. Box.
- Forgetting the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when ownership changes.
- Leaving out APN on deeds, trust deeds, mortgages, notices of default, or notices of trustee’s sale.
- Assuming RR/CC can calculate your transfer tax or prepare legal documents.
Better LA County Workflow
- Start with Assessor/Property Tax Portal if you only have an address.
- Collect grantor, grantee, recording year, document title, and document number.
- Use RR/CC copy request paths for existing real estate records.
- Use RR/CC recording requirements before preparing new documents.
- Check the fee page for the exact document title.
- Calculate county and city transfer taxes separately where required.
- Enroll in homeowner e-Notification if you want faster recording alerts.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Best Next Step | Correct Resource |
|---|---|---|
| You need a copy of a recorded deed, trust deed, or lien. | Gather grantor/grantee names, recording year, title, and document number if possible, then use RR/CC Real Estate Record Request. | RR/CC Real Estate Records |
| You only know the street address. | Use the Assessor or Property Tax Portal first to find AIN/APN and property details. | Los Angeles County Assessor / Property Tax Portal |
| You are recording a deed transfer. | Review RR/CC recording requirements, complete PCOR if ownership changes, calculate transfer tax, and check the fee page. | RR/CC Property Document Recording |
| You want to know if a suspicious document was recorded. | Review any RR/CC mailed copy or Assessor e-Notification alert, order the document if needed, and contact DCBA for homeowner help. | Homeowner Notification Program / DCBA |
| You need to pay property taxes. | Do not use RR/CC. Use Treasurer and Tax Collector resources. | Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector |
| You need permits or blueprints. | Use the building department for the city or unincorporated area, not RR/CC Real Estate Records. | Building and Safety / Public Works |
Los Angeles County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
What is the official Los Angeles County Recorder of Deeds called?
The official office is the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Many people call it the Recorder of Deeds, but RR/CC is the official department name for property document recording and real estate records.
Can I search Los Angeles County deeds online for free?
RR/CC says it does not provide online access to real estate records or indexes. Real estate record copies can be requested online, by mail, by fax, or in person, but the online request path is a copy-order process rather than a free public deed-index browser.
How are Los Angeles County real estate records filed?
RR/CC’s real estate records FAQ says Los Angeles County property records are filed by grantor name, grantee name, and year of recording. A good request should include those details plus document title and document number if known.
Where is the Los Angeles County Recorder office?
The RR/CC Norwalk headquarters is at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650. The Recorder/County Clerk phone number is 800-201-8999, and property document recording is option 2.
Where do I mail documents for recording?
Mail property documents for recording to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Document Analysis and Recording Section, P.O. Box 1250, Norwalk, CA 90651-1250. RR/CC says all mail should go to Norwalk headquarters mailing locations, not district offices.
What is required to record a deed in Los Angeles County?
Common requirements include Los Angeles County property, a recordable document authorized by law, original signatures unless a certified copy is allowed, proper acknowledgment, return name/address, APN on applicable documents, legibility, required margins, PCOR when ownership changes, and payment of applicable fees and taxes.
What is a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report?
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, or PCOR, is generally included when recording documents that affect ownership of real property. RR/CC says PCOR forms can be obtained from the County Assessor’s Office and County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, and a $20 fee in lieu may apply when required PCOR is not filed with the ownership-change document.
Who calculates Los Angeles documentary transfer tax?
RR/CC says documentary transfer tax calculations are the responsibility of the document preparer, not the County Recorder. County and city transfer taxes must be listed separately when city tax applies.
Can I pay Los Angeles County property taxes at RR/CC?
No. RR/CC’s FAQ says property taxes are not paid through the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Use the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector for property-tax bills and payments.
Is CountyCADPropertySearch.org the Los Angeles County Recorder?
No. CountyCADPropertySearch.org is an independent educational resource. It is not the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Los Angeles County Assessor, Treasurer and Tax Collector, Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, or any California government office.
Independent Educational Guide
CountyCADPropertySearch.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Los Angeles County Assessor, Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, California Secretary of State, California courts, or any government agency.
Recording acceptance, document legality, transfer-tax treatment, PCOR requirements, copy certification, fees, mail processing, record availability, and homeowner-notification procedures are determined by the responsible official office and applicable California law. This page is not legal, tax, title, real-estate, or financial advice.
Public property and recorded-document information should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting, or other regulated consumer-reporting purposes. This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.