Los Angeles County, California • Recorder, deeds and real estate records guide • reviewed September 13, 2026
Los Angeles County CA Recorder: Deeds, Real Estate Records, Copies, Recording Fees and Office Guide
The Los Angeles County Recorder is part of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, often shortened to RR/CC.
This office records real property documents such as grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, easements, notices and related land records.
Los Angeles County is different from many counties because the RR/CC does not provide public online access to its real estate record indexes.
Real estate records are organized by grantor name, grantee name and recording year, not by a simple address-only public search.
Fast answer
Los Angeles County Recorder Quick Facts
Handles real property recording and real estate record copy requests.
Norwalk, CA 90650 is the main RR/CC headquarters location.
Use option 2 for property document recording and option 3 for real estate records.
RR/CC says real estate records from 1850 to present are available by request.
The RR/CC does not publish the real estate record indexes online.
Los Angeles County records are indexed by names and recording year.
Find the AIN/APN from the Assessor, identify the owner or party names, estimate the recording year, then request or view the recorded document through the RR/CC.
Office role decoder
Which Los Angeles County Office Handles Your Property Record Issue?
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Use for: deeds, recordings, real estate record copies, document recording, UCC filings, vital records and RR/CC record requests.
Address: 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: 800-201-8999
Email: recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Dean C. Logan
Open RR/CC Recorder pageLos Angeles County Assessor
Use for: AIN/APN lookup, assessed values, exemptions, ownership record updates for assessment purposes and Assessor maps.
Headquarters: 500 W. Temple St., Room 225, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 888-807-2111
Assessor: Jeffrey Prang
Open Assessor PortalTreasurer and Tax Collector
Use for: property tax bills, secured tax payments, delinquent tax status, refunds and tax-payment questions.
Official: Elizabeth Buenrostro Ginsberg, Treasurer and Tax Collector
The Tax Collector does not record deeds or provide deed copies.
Open Treasurer and Tax CollectorAssessment Appeals Board
Use for: formal property assessment appeals, not deed searches or recording problems.
Phone: 213-620-0636
For 2026 regular assessment appeals, the county portal lists a November 30, 2026 filing deadline.
Open Assessment Appeals BoardParcel identifier
Find the AIN / APN Before Requesting Los Angeles County Deed Records
Los Angeles County commonly uses the Assessor’s Identification Number, or AIN.
Many people also call it an APN, meaning Assessor’s Parcel Number.
The RR/CC does not search real estate records by address through a public online index.
Still, the AIN/APN helps you confirm that you are working with the correct property before you request or record a document.
Use the official Assessor portal to search by address or AIN.
Open Assessor PortalCheck the situs address, tax rate area, legal description and parcel map.
This helps avoid mixing up condos, vacant land or multi-parcel properties.
For real estate records, prepare grantor or grantee names and the approximate recording year.
That is more important than an address-only search at the Recorder.
The public Assessor website limits certain owner-name information online. In-person records and official copy requests may be needed for deeper ownership-history research.
Search and viewing reality
How Los Angeles County Real Estate Record Searches Actually Work
Los Angeles County does not work like a simple online deed-search database.
The RR/CC says real estate records are maintained in alphabetical indexes by name and recording year.
It also says it does not provide online public access to real estate record indexes through the internet.
Search by address: not the correct RR/CC method for real estate records.
Search by AIN/APN: useful for confirming the property, but RR/CC copy requests still need record details.
Search by grantor: use the person or entity transferring, giving or releasing an interest.
Search by grantee: use the person or entity receiving an interest or benefit.
Search by year: provide the recording year or the years you want searched.
Search by document title: examples include grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, reconveyance or lien.
RR/CC says it cannot accept telephone requests for index searches. Prepare written request details or make an appointment when deeper search work is needed.
Copies and requests
How to Request a Los Angeles County Deed or Real Estate Record Copy
You can request real estate record copies online, by mail, by fax or in person.
A certified copy is different from a plain copy. Use certification only when the receiving party requires it.
RR/CC points online copy requests to LexisNexis.
Online orders are listed as processed within 20 working days from receipt.
Include document title, names on the document and recording year.
If the year is unknown, list the years to be searched.
Use Norwalk or another branch that currently offers real estate record services.
Check branch service availability before visiting.
Certified copy fee: $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.
Plain copy fee: $5 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.
Name/year search fee: $0.50 per name per year, with a $1 minimum.
Mail payment: check or money order payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Do not send cash: RR/CC warns not to send cash for mail requests.
Recording a deed
How to Record a Deed or Property Document in Los Angeles County
Recording a deed is different from requesting a copy of an old deed.
When you record, you submit an original property document for official recording by the RR/CC.
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Confirm the property is in Los Angeles County.
The RR/CC can record documents only for property located in Los Angeles County.
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Use a recordable document type.
The document must be authorized or required by law to be recorded.
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Use original signatures when required.
Original signatures are required unless the document is a certified public-record copy.
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Include return information.
Add the name and address where the document should be returned after recording.
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Make sure notarization is correct.
California recording often requires a proper all-purpose acknowledgment unless an exemption applies.
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Include the APN/AIN when required.
RR/CC lists the Assessor’s Parcel Number as required on deeds, trust deeds, mortgages and certain notices.
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Attach a PCOR when ownership changes.
A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is required for many documents that change ownership.
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Check page size and margins.
Standard paper is 8.5 by 11 inches. Nonstandard paper or missing recording space can create extra fees.
The RR/CC records documents but does not prepare deeds or give legal advice. Estate, trust, divorce, transfer-on-death and title-defect situations should be reviewed by a qualified professional.
Fee planning
Los Angeles County Recording and Copy Fees to Check
Recording fees depend on document type, pages, exemptions, legal description and additional statutory fees.
Always verify the total directly with RR/CC before mailing or presenting an original document.
RR/CC’s fee page lists a $15 base fee for grant deed recording.
The Building Homes and Jobs Act fee may apply unless a statutory exemption applies.
Grant deed fee details include a special real estate fraud notification fee.
The restrictive covenant modification program fee may apply unless exempt.
More pages can increase recording or copy cost.
RR/CC lists a fee in lieu when a required Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is not filed with the document.
Transfer taxes and PCOR
Documentary Transfer Tax, City Transfer Taxes and PCOR Rules
Many deeds that convey real property require transfer-tax review and a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.
Los Angeles County lists documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500, or fractional part, when the consideration or value exceeds $100.
Some cities in Los Angeles County may have additional transfer-tax rules, certificates or local clearance steps.
Grant deed: RR/CC says the grantor’s signature must be notarized and a PCOR is required when transferring property.
Quitclaim deed: RR/CC describes it as transferring whatever interest the grantor may have, without warranties.
No transfer tax: if you determine no tax is required, the deed needs an exemption statement.
City issue: City of Los Angeles, Culver City, Santa Monica and other cities may have local requirements beyond county recording.
Not legal advice: RR/CC provides sample forms and recording rules, not private transfer strategy.
Local offices
Los Angeles County Recorder Office Locations and Mailing Addresses
Norwalk is the main RR/CC headquarters.
Branch services can vary, so check the branch page before visiting for deed recording or real estate records.
12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
11701 S. La Cienega Blvd., 6th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
14340 W. Sylvan St., Van Nuys, CA 91401
Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
44509 16th St. West, Lancaster, CA 93534
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
9355 Burton Way, 4th Floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
Use 800-201-8999 before visiting with original documents or copy requests.
Mail original documents for recording
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Document Analysis and Recording Section
P.O. Box 1250
Norwalk, CA 90651-1250
Mail real estate record copy requests
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 1130
Norwalk, CA 90651-1130
Map and arrival
Los Angeles County Recorder Main Office Map
The main RR/CC office is on Imperial Highway in Norwalk.
Bring your document details, AIN/APN, grantor or grantee names, recording year, payment method and government ID when required.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Address: 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650
Recorder phone: 800-201-8999
Property recording: option 2
Real estate records: option 3
Arrival tip: allow extra time for parking, check-in, payment and document review.
Fraud and homeowner alerts
Homeowner Notification, Real Estate Fraud and Scam Protection
Los Angeles County has a Homeowner Notification Program connected to recorded real estate documents.
The program helps owners become aware when certain documents are recorded that may affect their property.
It does not replace legal advice, title review, foreclosure help or fraud investigation.
Recorded lien notice: RR/CC says it may be required by law to notify affected persons when certain involuntary liens are recorded.
Real estate fraud help: RR/CC directs fraud questions to the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs.
DCBA phone: 800-593-8222
DCBA email: homehelp@dcba.lacounty.gov
If a suspicious deed appears: get the recorded copy, contact DCBA and speak with an attorney or title professional quickly.
High-value local tips
Common Los Angeles County Recorder Mistakes
Looking for an online deed index: LA County real estate record indexes are not published online for public browsing.
Searching by address only: RR/CC records are indexed by grantor, grantee and recording year.
Confusing AIN with deed history: the Assessor portal helps identify the parcel, but it is not the Recorder’s deed index.
Buying the wrong copy: confirm document title, names and year before ordering.
Recording without PCOR: many ownership-change documents need a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.
Ignoring transfer tax: county and city transfer-tax rules can affect recording.
Assuming a quitclaim deed is always safe: quitclaim deeds contain no warranties and can create legal risk.
Expecting the Clerk to draft forms: RR/CC says it does not provide legal advice or prepare legal documents.
Decision path
What to Do Next
Gather the grantor or grantee name, document title and approximate recording year.
Then use the RR/CC real estate record request process.
Start with the Assessor portal to find the AIN/APN and confirm the parcel.
Then prepare party names for the RR/CC record request.
Review recording requirements, APN, notarization, PCOR and transfer-tax rules.
Use legal help if you are unsure what document should be recorded.
Order the recorded lien copy to identify who filed it.
Then contact the filer about a release or speak with a legal professional.
Get a copy of the suspicious document and contact DCBA.
Do not wait if ownership, foreclosure or title is at risk.
Use the Treasurer and Tax Collector for bills and payments.
Use the Assessor or Appeals Board for value and assessment issues.
Important notice
Independent Information, Legal Caution and Property-Records / FCRA Notice
This page is independent informational content.
It is not the official website of Los Angeles County, the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, the Assessor, the Treasurer and Tax Collector or any government agency.
It is not legal advice, title advice, tax advice, a title search, a deed-preparation service or an official property record.
Recording rules, fees, forms, office hours, request methods and transfer-tax rules can change.
Verify current details directly with the responsible office before recording, paying, ordering or relying on a document.
Do not use property-record information for employment, tenant screening, credit, insurance or any FCRA-regulated consumer-reporting purpose.
FAQs
Los Angeles County Recorder FAQs
What is the Los Angeles County Recorder called now?
The Recorder is part of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, also called RR/CC.
The office records real property documents and provides real estate record copies.
Can I search Los Angeles County deeds online by address?
No. The RR/CC says its real estate records are not available through a public online index.
Records are indexed by grantor name, grantee name and recording year.
How do I find the AIN or APN for a Los Angeles County property?
Use the Los Angeles County Assessor Portal to search by address or AIN.
The AIN/APN helps confirm the parcel before requesting or recording documents.
How do I get a copy of a Los Angeles County deed?
Request a real estate record copy online, by mail, by fax or in person through the RR/CC.
You generally need the document title, party names and recording year.
How much is a certified copy of a Los Angeles County real estate record?
The RR/CC fee page lists certified copies at $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.
Verify the current fee before ordering.
Where do I record a deed in Los Angeles County?
The main RR/CC office is at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650.
You may also review current branch services before visiting another RR/CC office.
What is required to record a deed in Los Angeles County?
The property must be in Los Angeles County, the document must be recordable, signatures must be proper and APN/AIN requirements may apply.
Many ownership transfers also need a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.
What is documentary transfer tax in Los Angeles County?
Los Angeles County lists documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500, or fractional part, when the consideration or value exceeds $100.
Some cities may have additional transfer-tax rules.
Can the Recorder remove or hide a public deed record?
The RR/CC FAQ says public records generally cannot be masked or removed unless ordered by a court.
For privacy, fraud or legal-risk issues, seek professional help.
Who handles Los Angeles County property taxes and assessments?
The Assessor handles assessed value and parcel information.
The Treasurer and Tax Collector handles tax bills and payments, while the Assessment Appeals Board handles formal assessment appeals.
Official resources