LA County CA Recorder Office: Norwalk Address, Deed Records & Copy Requests
Need a property deed, certified real-estate record, or a place to record a new document? The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) operates its main office at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650.
The most important thing to know before starting: LA County does not provide an online public search of its recorded real-estate indexes or deed images. You can request copies online, but looking up the underlying records generally requires an appointment or sufficient information for a record-copy request.
Below are the correct office rooms, appointment and copy procedures, recording fees, payment rules, and mailing addresses—so you can choose the right service without making an unnecessary trip.
What Can You Do at the LA County Recorder Office in Norwalk?
Norwalk is the county’s headquarters for property-document recording, real-estate record copies and several County Clerk services. The records you need determine whether to book an appointment, order online or submit an original document.
Search Recorded Deeds
Schedule an in-person records-viewing appointment. The Recorder organizes real-estate records using grantor/grantee names and recording years, not a general online street-address index.
Follow search steps →Get a Certified Deed Copy
Use the official online, in-person or mail request process. The county publishes separate certified and plain-copy fees.
Copy request instructions →Record a New Document
Submit an eligible grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust or other recordable document with the required signatures, recording information, fees and applicable taxes.
Recording requirements →How LA County Real-Estate Record Searches Actually Work
Los Angeles County maintains older and newer recorded documents in different viewing areas at the Norwalk headquarters. County guidance describes records from 1851–1957 as available in the lower level, with records from 1958 onward available on the second floor.
Older Records: 1851–1957
For historic property transfers, the county directs researchers to records available in the lower-level viewing area of Norwalk headquarters.
Have the names of previous property owners, possible recording dates and any existing document reference before the appointment.
Records: 1958 to Present
More recent real-estate records are available for review on the second floor of the Norwalk headquarters.
The office uses alphabetical indexes by name and recording year. A telephone request cannot substitute for an index search.
How to Find a Los Angeles County Deed at the Norwalk Office
Confirm the Property Is in Los Angeles County
Check your property-tax bill, closing papers or assessor account. Norwalk records LA County documents; it is not the recorder for neighboring Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino or Ventura County properties.
Collect the Owner’s Name and Approximate Recording Year
Look for the name of the buyer or seller involved in the transaction. The Recorder’s public guidance says its index is maintained by grantor name, grantee name and recording year.
If you already have an instrument number, document number or recording reference, bring it.
Open the Official Viewing Records Page
Visit the county’s View Real Estate Records page.
Find the appointment instructions. The viewing page describes appointments made up to two weeks ahead; the separate copy-request page has its own appointment guidance. Use the availability actually displayed in the scheduling service.
Visit the Correct Records Viewing Area
At 12400 Imperial Highway, follow county instructions for the records-viewing location appropriate to the document’s age. Allow extra time for entrance screening and wayfinding inside the headquarters.
Search by Party Name and Year
Use the available alphabetical indexes to locate the grantor or grantee. Check the recording date and document details before assuming a same-name result belongs to the property you are researching.
Inspect the Document and Save Its Recording Reference
Compare the grantor, grantee and legal description with your known property information. Save the reference and ask the records staff how to order the appropriate plain or certified copy.
How to Request an LA County Recorded Deed Copy
Copy requests are available through official online, in-person, mail and fax procedures. Unlike researching the index online, ordering a copy remotely is a service the county provides.
Online Record Copy Request
- Open the official Real Estate Records page.
- Select the Online Request option.
- Follow the county-linked ordering service.
- Supply the requested recording and party details.
- Choose the needed copy type and review the charges.
- Keep the order receipt or confirmation.
This orders a copy. It is not an unrestricted browser for the county’s real-estate index.
In-Person Certified Copy
Address:
Real Estate Records, Room 2207
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650
Use the county’s In-Person Request page for appointment instructions. The county’s request page describes scheduling up to three weeks ahead.
Bring the recording details and a valid payment method. The county says record copies from its maintained collection can be obtained during a scheduled appointment.
Request a Deed Copy by Mail
For an existing recorded-document copy, the official mailing destination is:
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Real Estate Records Section
P.O. Box 1130
Norwalk, CA 90651-1130
Include enough information to identify the record, the type of copy needed, payment according to the official instructions, and your return information. Confirm any required request form or supporting details before mailing.
LA County Recorder Copy and Property Recording Fees
Los Angeles County charges different amounts for buying copies and recording new property instruments. The fee for recording a deed is not necessarily just the $15 base amount because state and county surcharges and documentary transfer taxes can apply.
| Service or Charge | Published Amount | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Plain copy, first page | $5 | Each additional page: $3 |
| Certified copy, first page | $6 | Each additional page: $3 |
| Mail index search | $0.50 per name per year | $1 minimum; nonrefundable |
| Basic recording charge | $15 | Additional statutory fees may apply |
| Additional recorded page | $3 | Applies when the document exceeds its initial page |
| SB 2 Building Homes and Jobs Act | $75 where applicable | Exemptions and a transaction cap may apply |
| Restrictive Covenant Modification Program | $2 where applicable | California Government Code §27388.2 |
| Specified real-estate fraud fees | Varies by instrument | County schedule identifies $7 and/or $10 charges in applicable categories |
| Preliminary Change of Ownership Report omission | $20 when applicable | Can apply when a report is required but not submitted with a qualifying transfer document |
| Card payment service charge | $1.75 | County-listed in-person card/mobile-wallet service charge |
Check Official Recording Fees ↗
Plain Copy Example
A hypothetical four-page ordinary record copy, using the published page fees, costs:
$5 + (3 × $3) = $14
This excludes applicable ordering, mailing or payment service charges.
Certified Copy Example
A hypothetical four-page certified copy, using the published page fees, costs:
$6 + (3 × $3) = $15
This is not a guarantee of the full checkout amount if other services are selected.
How to Record a Grant Deed or Other Document in Norwalk
Recording a new deed is a different transaction from requesting a copy of an existing document. The Recorder reviews submitted instruments for recordability and collects applicable fees and taxes; it does not provide legal drafting advice or guarantee title.
Confirm That the Document Is Recordable
The property must be located in Los Angeles County, and the instrument must be authorized or required by California law to be recorded. Make sure the document has the necessary original signatures or qualifies for an applicable certified-copy exception.
Check Formatting and Required Information
Review first-page recording-space requirements, document titles, return-mailing details and margins. The county calls for at least a half-inch blank space along the vertical sides and proper recording space on the first page.
A nonconforming document may require a separate cover page or additional fees.
Review Applicable Deed Fees and Taxes
Identify the exact instrument type, additional pages and any tax or fee exemption. When required, include the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report and any necessary exemption declaration.
Choose the Correct Recording Method
Check the official Recording Requirements page for in-person and mail instructions. Appointments and submission rules differ depending on how the document is presented.
The county specifies drop-off procedures for certain documents submitted by couriers, third-party representatives and attorney services.
Submit the Document and Exact Required Payment
Use an accepted payment method. When recording by mail, send the original instrument and payment to the Document Analysis and Recording Section rather than the Real Estate Records copy-request section.
Keep the Recording Confirmation
Save the recorded instrument information and retain the returned document. If a transaction requires a certified copy, ask for one when recording or follow the existing-record copy process.
Mail New Recording Documents Here
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Document Analysis and Recording Section
P.O. Box 1250
Norwalk, CA 90651-1250
Make payments payable to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Do not send cash. The county says e-checks, temporary checks and most foreign checks are not accepted.
LA County Recorder Office Norwalk CA: Address, Phone, Rooms and Directions
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk — Headquarters
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650
Recorder phone:
(800) 201-8999
Recorder email:
recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, except observed holidays.
Location clue:
The headquarters is at Imperial Highway and Volunteer Avenue.
Where to Go Inside the Building
Real Estate Records certified copies:
Room 2207
Historical viewing:
Lower level for records dated 1851–1957, according to county guidance.
1958–present records:
Second-floor viewing area.
New document recording:
Follow the Document Analysis and Recording appointment or drop-off instructions for your submission method.
Security:
The county’s in-person request page advises that visitors pass through a metal detector and bag screening at public entrances.
Norwalk headquarters location. Parking and accessibility arrangements should be confirmed with the county when planning a visit.
LA County Recorder vs. Assessor vs. Tax Collector
| What You Need | Responsible Office | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Find a recorded deed or deed of trust | Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk | Use the record-viewing and copy-request procedures |
| Record a new grant deed or quitclaim deed | Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk | Check document requirements and recording fees |
| Check an Assessor’s Identification Number or assessed value | Los Angeles County Assessor | Use official assessment and property information services |
| Pay or investigate a property-tax bill | Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector | Use the official tax payment or customer-service channels |
| Resolve an ownership or title dispute | Qualified California real-estate attorney / title professional | Review recorded instruments and title evidence |
| Request a court-filed will | Superior Court | Use court records rather than the Recorder’s land records |
What if You Cannot Find a Los Angeles County Property Deed?
You Only Know the Street Address
- Check your escrow or closing documents.
- Use official Assessor information to identify the correct parcel and owner information.
- Find the likely grantor or grantee.
- Estimate the transfer or recording year.
- Arrange an appropriate Recorder index-viewing appointment.
The Name or Year Does Not Match
- Try a previous owner’s name.
- Look for trust, company or estate ownership.
- Check maiden or former names when relevant.
- Expand the recording-year range.
- Use any prior instrument reference appearing on your title papers.
You Need Only a Mortgage Release
Search for a recorded reconveyance or other appropriate release associated with the deed of trust. Paying off a loan is not the same as receiving a new ownership deed.
If no release is recorded, contact the lender, servicer or title professional.
A Copy Request Is Incomplete
Check whether the request has enough information to locate the document. Name, recording year, document type and instrument reference can be useful.
For an uncertain older record, an index-viewing appointment may be more useful than repeatedly ordering copies without a reliable reference.
Paid Deed Solicitation Letters, Ownership Changes and Title Verification
Los Angeles County provides a notice warning homeowners about mail solicitations offering property-record copies. A private company may charge considerably more than the county’s official copy fees.
Received a Letter Demanding Payment for a Deed?
Check whether it comes from the government or a private business. Compare the advertised price with the Recorder’s published plain and certified copy fees before paying.
You generally do not need to purchase an unnecessary duplicate deed merely because a mailer recommends it.
Need to Add or Remove an Owner?
Recording a new deed can have legal and property-tax consequences. It may also affect reassessment, transfer-tax treatment, mortgages, inheritance issues or other property rights.
Ask a qualified California real-estate attorney or title professional to review the proposed transfer before signing.
LA County Recorder Office Resources and How to Use Them
These are official Los Angeles County government pages. Use the instructions under each link to reach the relevant action rather than guessing which Recorder service you need.
1. Real Estate Records — General Information
Official overview of real-estate records, copy methods and access restrictions.
- Read the explanation of record accessibility.
- Choose the online, in-person, mail or fax request path.
- Review which information your request needs.
- Follow the instructions specific to that request method.
2. View Real Estate Records by Appointment
Official explanation of historical indexes and records-viewing arrangements.
- Check the records period you need.
- Read the appointment information.
- Use the county’s booking instructions.
- Bring grantor/grantee names and likely recording year to Norwalk.
3. In-Person Real Estate Record Copies
Current county instructions for obtaining copies during scheduled appointments.
- Review appointment availability and security requirements.
- Prepare the document information.
- Confirm the copy type and fee.
- Arrive at the designated Norwalk records service area.
4. Official Property Document Recording Requirements
For submitting a new grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust or other eligible document.
- Check recording eligibility and formatting.
- Check the signing and acknowledgment requirements.
- Choose the relevant in-person or mail process.
- Review payment instructions and taxes before submission.
5. Recorder Fee Schedule
Document-specific recording charges, plain copies, certified copies and special surcharges.
- Find the document category.
- Review its base and additional-page fees.
- Check SB 2 exemptions and relevant surcharges.
- Account for documentary transfer taxes and applicable filing requirements.
6. Norwalk and Branch Office Locations
Official addresses, services, telephone numbers, branch limitations and mailing destinations.
- Find Norwalk (Main Office).
- Check that the requested service is offered there.
- Review the correct department mailing address.
- Check county holidays before traveling.
After You Find or Request an LA County Recorded Document
If You Need Proof of a Recorded Transfer
Request the full deed and compare the grantor, grantee, legal description and recording information. Ask whether the receiving party needs a certified copy.
If You Need to Record a New Transfer
Make sure the instrument is legally appropriate, correctly executed and properly formatted. Review county fees and taxes before submitting it for recording.
If an Owner’s Name Looks Incorrect
Compare your recorded deed with title documents and the assessor account. A legal correction may require a new recordable instrument rather than a database edit.
If You Suspect an Unauthorized Recording
Save the recording reference and request the document. Contact the Recorder for record information and consult a qualified attorney or appropriate authorities about suspected fraud.
LA County Recorder Office Norwalk CA FAQs
1. What is the address of the Los Angeles County Recorder Office in Norwalk?
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk main office is at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650. The main Recorder/County Clerk phone number is (800) 201-8999.
2. What are the Norwalk Recorder Office hours?
The Norwalk main office lists Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except observed holidays. Certain record-viewing and copy services require appointments.
3. Can I search LA County recorded deeds online?
No. Los Angeles County states that its real-estate records and indexes are not publicly accessible for online searching. You can request a record copy online, but the public internet does not provide the county’s complete Recorder index and document images.
4. How do I find a property deed by address in Los Angeles County?
The Recorder indexes real-estate records by grantor, grantee and recording year rather than offering an online street-address deed search. Use your title papers or property assessment records to identify the relevant owner names, then follow the Recorder’s record-viewing procedure.
5. How much does an LA County certified deed copy cost?
The published fee is $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Other ordering, shipping or payment charges may apply depending on the request.
6. Where do I go for a certified deed copy at Norwalk headquarters?
The Recorder lists Real Estate Records, Room 2207, at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650 for certified-copy requests. Review appointment instructions before visiting.
7. Can I request an LA County property record by mail?
Yes. Existing real-estate record-copy requests use the Real Estate Records Section, P.O. Box 1130, Norwalk, CA 90651-1130. Check the official request details and required payment before mailing.
8. How much does it cost to record a grant deed in LA County?
The county publishes a $15 basic recording charge, but grant deed recording can involve additional fraud-notification fees, SB 2 charges when applicable, page charges, the restrictive covenant modification fee and documentary transfer taxes. Review the official grant-deed fee schedule for the final amount.
9. Can I record a new property deed by mail to Norwalk?
Yes, eligible documents can be submitted through the Recorder’s mail recording process. Send them to the Document Analysis and Recording Section, P.O. Box 1250, Norwalk, CA 90651-1250, following the official document and payment requirements.
10. Does the Norwalk Recorder Office provide notary services or legal advice?
The Recorder’s FAQ says notary services are not available at its offices. The office also does not serve as a legal adviser for preparing deeds, changing ownership or resolving title disputes. Use a qualified California professional for legal drafting or title questions.