LA County CA Recorder: Deeds, Real Estate Records & Norwalk Office Guide
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) records deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, notices, easements and other real-estate documents for property located in Los Angeles County. Its main Recorder operation is at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk, California.
One important LA County difference is easy to miss: the RR/CC does not provide its real-estate record indexes or recorded document images as a public online search database. You can order copies online, but name-and-year index research and free document viewing are handled through the county’s in-person record-viewing system.
What Does the LA County Recorder in Norwalk Handle?
Use the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk when you need an actual recorded instrument or want to record a legally recordable property document. Use the Los Angeles County Assessor when your first question is about parcel identification, AIN, assessed value, property characteristics or the address attached to a parcel.
Recorder / RR/CC
Records and maintains deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, easements, notices, affidavits and other authorized real-estate documents.
Recorder/County Clerk: 800-201-8999
County Assessor
Use the Assessor portal when you have an address or AIN and need parcel characteristics, assessed values, ownership-event information or a parcel map.
Title Professional / Attorney
A deed copy or public index search is not the same as a complete title examination. Legal ownership disputes, lien priority and marketable-title questions may require qualified professional review.
How to Find an LA County Deed When the Recorder Has No Public Online Index
Los Angeles County’s workflow is different from counties that publish searchable deed images online. The fastest approach depends on what information you already know.
If You Only Know the Street Address, Start With the Assessor
Open the Los Angeles County Assessor Portal. It supports search by AIN or address. Use it to confirm the parcel, obtain the Assessor Identification Number and collect ownership or recording-date clues.
Open LA County Assessor Portal ↗Identify the Party Name and Recording Year
RR/CC says Los Angeles County real-estate records are maintained in alphabetical indexes by name and year the document was recorded. Those two pieces of information are especially useful for an in-person or mail search.
Choose Viewing, Copy Request or Mail Search
If you are local and need to inspect records yourself, use the Norwalk viewing appointment process. If you already know enough about the instrument, order a copy online. If the exact instrument number is unknown but you know names and an approximate year, a mail search can be practical.
For a Mail Search, Give RR/CC the Correct Search Clues
The official mail-request instructions ask for the document title, names listed on the document and the year the document was recorded. If you do not know the exact year, specify the years you want searched.
Verify That the Result Is the Instrument You Need
A property may have many recorded documents: grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, notices, liens, easements and affidavits. A name match alone does not prove you found the deed that transferred the ownership interest you are researching.
Save the Recording Information
Once you identify the correct document, save the instrument number, recording date, parties and document title. Those details make future copy requests and title research substantially easier.
How Far Back Do Los Angeles County Real Estate Records Go?
RR/CC describes its Los Angeles County real-estate records as available from 1850 to the present. Its dedicated viewing page provides an important additional detail about how Norwalk research is physically organized.
1851–1957 Records
The official viewing page says records dated from 1851 through 1957 are available for review in the lower level of the Norwalk headquarters.
1958–Present Records
RR/CC says records from 1958 to the present are available for review on the second floor of the Norwalk headquarters.
View LA County Real Estate Records at the Norwalk Office
Recorded real-estate documents can be viewed at the Norwalk headquarters. The County’s viewing page says appointments can be scheduled in advance and that telephone requests for index searches are not accepted.
Appointment
Use RR/CC’s real-estate record viewing page to schedule the applicable appointment. Appointment windows can differ by service, so use the current booking link rather than relying on an old walk-in instruction.
Index Method
Records are maintained in alphabetical indexes by the names associated with the recorded document and the year it was recorded.
No Phone Index Search
RR/CC specifically says it cannot accept telephone requests to search the real-estate index. Use the formal viewing or request process instead.
Official Real Estate Records Viewing Page
Use this page for the latest appointment link and Norwalk viewing instructions.
- Open the RR/CC viewing page.
- Select the appointment option.
- Bring the party name and approximate recording year.
- For older documents, be prepared to use the lower-level collection.
- Save the instrument number before leaving so copies can be ordered later.
How to Get an LA County Deed or Real Estate Record Copy
RR/CC offers real-estate record copies through online, in-person, mail and fax request methods. Choose the method based on whether you already know the document and whether you need certification.
| Request Method | Best For | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Ordering a copy when you know enough information to identify the record. | RR/CC directs online requests through its authorized LexisNexis request system. The County says requests are processed within about 20 working days. |
| In Person | Research plus obtaining a copy during a Norwalk appointment. | RR/CC’s in-person page says records from 1850 to present can be supplied during the scheduled appointment. |
| Name/year searching when an exact instrument number is not known. | Provide document title, names and recording year or the range of years you want searched. | |
| Fax | Another formal request option offered by RR/CC. | Current fee/payment instructions should be reviewed before transmitting payment information. |
Plain Copy Fee
$5 for the first page.
$3 for each additional page.
Certified Copy Fee
$6 for the first page.
$3 for each additional page.
Estimate an LA County Recorder Copy Fee
This tool estimates the County’s published page-copy fee only. Online handling, expedited delivery, search charges and other service fees are not included unless separately noted.
Current RR/CC schedule: plain copy $5 first page + $3 each additional page; certified copy $6 first page + $3 each additional page. Verify the final amount with RR/CC before payment.
What to Include in an LA County Real Estate Record Mail Request
Include These Search Details
- Title/type of the recorded document
- Names listed on the document
- Year the document was recorded
- If the exact year is unknown, the range of years to search
- Your return information
- Applicable check or money order
Mailing Address
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 1130
Norwalk, CA 90651-1130
RR/CC says not to send cash. Checks or money orders should be payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Basic LA County Deed Recording Requirements
Recording a document is different from requesting an existing deed. RR/CC examines submitted documents for statutory recording requirements and collects the applicable fees and taxes.
General Requirements
- The property must be located in Los Angeles County.
- The document must be authorized or required by law to be recorded.
- Signatures generally must be original unless an applicable certified-copy rule applies.
- The document must state who is requesting recording.
- Provide a name and address where the document should be returned after recording.
- Applicable recording fees and taxes must be paid.
Do Not Assume Every Deed Costs $15
The current RR/CC schedule lists a $15 base recording fee and $3 for each additional page, but deed totals can include several statutory or county charges.
Possible additions include the SB 2 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee, fraud-related fees, restrictive-covenant program fees, monument-preservation charges, extra indexing and a $20 charge when a qualifying change-of-ownership document is submitted without the required Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.
LA County Recorder Fees: Why the Final Cost Can Be Higher Than the Base Fee
| Fee Component | Current Published Amount | When It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Base recording fee | $15 | Base fee for many recordable property documents. |
| Additional page | $3 each | Applies to additional pages. |
| SB 2 Building Homes and Jobs Act | $75 | May apply per document/title unless a statutory exemption applies; maximum can reach $225 per transaction/parcel under the program rules. |
| Restrictive Covenant Modification Program fee | $2 | Applied to applicable recordings unless an exemption applies. |
| DA / fraud fee | Varies by document | Different deed and lien types can trigger different fraud-related charges. |
| Additional indexing | $4 per additional group of 10 names | Documents containing many indexed names can cost more. |
| PCOR fee in lieu | $20 | May apply when a qualifying document evidencing a change in ownership is recorded without the concurrent Preliminary Change of Ownership Report. |
| Nonconforming page | $3 per applicable page | Applies under the County’s published dimensional requirements. |
LA County Documentary Transfer Tax on Recorded Deeds
Los Angeles County states that documentary transfer tax generally applies when a document conveys real property and the taxable consideration or value exceeds $100. The basic County calculation is $0.55 for each $500, or fraction of $500, of taxable consideration/value after applicable exclusions.
Basic County Example
If the taxable amount used for documentary transfer tax were $500,000:
$500,000 ÷ $500 = 1,000 units
1,000 × $0.55 = $550
Illustration only. Actual taxable consideration and exemptions must be determined for the transaction.
Five Cities Need Extra Attention
RR/CC publishes special documentary transfer tax rates for Culver City, Los Angeles, Pomona, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica.
Do not use the basic County calculation as the complete transfer-tax total for property inside one of these cities.
Official LA County Documentary Transfer Tax Table
Use this page before calculating or declaring transfer tax on a deed.
- Identify the city where the real property is located.
- Determine the taxable consideration/value for the conveyance.
- Check whether a transfer-tax exemption applies.
- If the property is in one of the five special-rate cities, use that city’s current rate.
- Place the required tax declaration or exemption statement on the document.
Remove Unlawful Restrictive Covenant Language From an LA County Recorded Document
Los Angeles County has an active Restrictive Covenant Modification program for historical documents containing unlawful discriminatory restrictions. This is particularly relevant to older deeds and subdivision records.
Get a Copy of the Recorded Document
Identify the specific historical instrument containing the restrictive language.
Mark the Unlawful Provision
RR/CC instructs the submitter to highlight or underline the discriminatory or restrictive provision.
Complete the Restrictive Covenant Modification Form
The form can be completed and signed digitally where permitted by the County’s instructions.
Submit It for County Counsel Review
Digital submissions can be emailed to RCM@rrcc.lacounty.gov. RR/CC also lists Norwalk in-person and mail options.
LA County Homeowner Recording Notifications
Los Angeles County’s Homeowner Notification Program can alert owners when significant real-estate documents are recorded against their homes.
Automatic Mailed Notifications
RR/CC says homeowners may receive copies of documents involving ownership changes, loans against the home, Notices of Default or Notices of Sale.
Optional e-Notification
Los Angeles County also offers faster email notifications. The Recorder directs owners to create a profile through the County Assessor portal and opt into e-Notification.
Open Notification Program ↗LA County Recorder Norwalk CA Address, Room, Phone & Hours
The Norwalk headquarters is the County’s principal Recorder location and is the most important office for real-estate record viewing, document recording and historical record research.
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk — Norwalk
Address:
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650
Real Estate Records: Room 2207
Recorder/County Clerk phone: 800-201-8999
Public hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., except observed holidays
Location clue: RR/CC says the Norwalk headquarters is at the corner of Imperial Highway and Volunteer Avenue.
Verify Office & Hours ↗Recorder vs Assessor: Which LA County Property Office Do You Need?
| Your Task | Best Starting Office | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Find an AIN from a street address | Assessor | The Assessor portal supports AIN and address searches. |
| Get the actual recorded deed | Recorder / RR/CC | The Recorder maintains the official recorded document. |
| Check assessed land and improvement values | Assessor | Assessment data belongs to the Assessor record. |
| Record a new grant or quitclaim deed | Recorder / RR/CC | The Recorder examines and records legally recordable instruments. |
| Find old deed wording or an easement | Recorder / RR/CC | These are recorded-instrument research questions. |
| Confirm legal title before buying property | Title professional / attorney | A public-record lookup alone is not a complete title examination. |
Official LA County Recorder and Property Record Resources
RR/CC Real Estate Records
Start here for the County’s official real-estate record options.
- Review the available request methods.
- Remember that the County does not publish its real-estate indexes online.
- Choose online, mail, fax or an in-person appointment based on the information you already have.
- Use the viewing page when you need to research the index yourself.
View Real Estate Records in Norwalk
Use for free on-site document review and name/year index research.
- Open the appointment page.
- Schedule the appropriate record-viewing appointment.
- Bring party names and recording years if possible.
- Use lower-level records for the historical period identified by RR/CC.
Request a Real Estate Record Online
Useful when the document has already been identified and you want a copy delivered through the County’s authorized request channel.
- Choose the online request option.
- Enter the information requested for the recorded instrument.
- Select plain or certified copy where offered.
- Review the final vendor and handling charges before payment.
LA County Assessor Portal
Best starting point when you only have a property address or AIN.
- Choose the basic property search.
- Enter the property address or AIN.
- Open the correct parcel.
- Save the AIN and ownership-event information.
- Use those details to narrow your RR/CC research.
Property Document Recording Fees
Use the current fee table before preparing a check or submitting a document.
- Find the exact document type.
- Count pages and indexed names.
- Check whether SB 2 or another statutory fee applies.
- Review PCOR and other possible additional charges.
- Verify payment methods before submitting the document.
Mistakes to Avoid When Searching LA County Deeds
What Often Goes Wrong
- Looking for an official public internet deed-index search that LA County does not provide.
- Searching the Recorder with only a street address instead of first using the Assessor.
- Assuming the Assessor parcel page itself is the recorded deed.
- Calling RR/CC and asking staff to perform a telephone index search.
- Using the $15 base recording fee as the entire expected recording cost.
- Ignoring special-city documentary transfer taxes.
- Confusing a deed copy with a complete title examination.
Better LA County Workflow
- Start with the Assessor if all you know is the address.
- Save the AIN, names and recording-date clues.
- Use RR/CC name-and-year index research for the actual instrument.
- Order a certified copy only when certification is actually needed.
- Check document-specific recording fees before submitting payment.
- Use a title professional for purchase or lien-clearance decisions.
What Should You Do Next?
| Your Situation | Next Step |
|---|---|
| You only know the LA County property address. | Search the Assessor portal for the parcel and AIN, then use ownership clues for RR/CC research. |
| You know the owner name and approximate year. | Use the Norwalk viewing appointment or submit a mail search request. |
| You already know the instrument number. | Order a plain or certified real-estate record copy through RR/CC. |
| You need to record a new deed. | Review recording requirements, PCOR requirements, applicable fees and documentary transfer tax before submission. |
| Your old deed contains discriminatory restrictions. | Use the Restrictive Covenant Modification process; approved modifications are recorded without charge. |
| You are worried about fraudulent recordings. | Review LA County’s Homeowner Notification Program and opt into e-Notification through the Assessor portal. |
| You need certainty about ownership or lien priority. | Use a qualified title professional or California attorney rather than relying only on a public-record lookup. |
LA County Recorder Norwalk CA FAQs
1. Can I search LA County deeds online for free?
Not through an official public RR/CC internet deed-index system. Los Angeles County says it does not provide online access to its real-estate records or indexes. You can order records online, but official index research is handled through the County’s viewing and request procedures.
2. How do I find a deed if I only know the property address?
Start with the Los Angeles County Assessor Portal, which accepts an AIN or address. Save the parcel’s AIN, owner information and recording-date clues, then use those details with RR/CC’s real-estate record process.
3. Where is the LA County Recorder office in Norwalk?
The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk headquarters is at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650. Real Estate Records services are listed in Room 2207.
4. What are the Norwalk Recorder office hours?
RR/CC lists the Norwalk main office as open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except observed holidays. Some real-estate record services use appointments, so verify the specific service before visiting.
5. How far back do LA County real estate records go?
RR/CC says Los Angeles County real-estate records are available from 1850 to the present. Its viewing page identifies 1851–1957 records in the lower level and 1958-present records on the second floor of the Norwalk headquarters.
6. How much is an LA County certified deed copy?
The current RR/CC real-estate records fee page lists a certified copy at $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Online handling or delivery charges may be additional.
7. How much is a plain LA County deed copy?
RR/CC lists a plain real-estate record copy at $5 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.
8. What information do I need for a mail deed search?
RR/CC asks for the title of the document, the names listed on it and the year it was recorded. If the exact year is unknown, specify the years you want searched. A non-refundable search fee applies.
9. What is the LA County Recorder base recording fee?
The current RR/CC schedule lists a $15 base recording fee and $3 for each additional page for many documents. The final charge can be substantially higher because SB 2, fraud, restrictive-covenant, monument, indexing and other document-specific fees may apply.
10. Does the LA County Recorder calculate documentary transfer tax for me?
No. RR/CC states that calculating documentary transfer tax is the responsibility of the document preparer. The County collects the tax when the document is recorded, but the preparer must determine the tax or applicable exemption and place the required declaration on the document.
Independent Public-Records Guide
This website is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Los Angeles County Assessor, County of Los Angeles or any title company.
A recorded deed, Assessor parcel page or Recorder index entry can help with property research, but none should be treated by itself as a guarantee of legal ownership, lien priority or marketable title.
Property-owner and real-estate record 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.