Los Angeles Recorder Office: Address & Records

Los Angeles County’s Recorder records are indexed by the names of the parties and the year of recording.

The county does not publish its recorder indexes or recorded real estate images through an unrestricted public internet search.

Search Recorder Records in Person

1. Find the relevant names.

   Use the owner, grantor, grantee or lender name appearing on the transaction.

2. Estimate the recording year.

   Use a closing statement, purchase date or earlier recorded instrument to narrow the search.

3. Review the appointment page.

   Los Angeles County maintains historical records for in-person review at Norwalk.

   View Recorder Search and Appointment Instructions
   After opening: read the appointment instructions and use the appointment option provided. Confirm availability before visiting.
4. Review the appropriate index.

   Look for the party name and recording year, then identify the relevant document reference.

5. Request the complete document.

   Use the document reference to order an ordinary or certified copy.

If You Only Know the Property Address

Start with the Assessor’s property search. Find the matching parcel and review the AIN and available ownership information.

Then use the relevant party names and approximate recording year when requesting the deed from the Recorder.

You can request recorded real estate document copies in person, by mail or using the county’s approved online ordering service.

Online copy ordering is not the same as unrestricted online record searching.

Mailing Address for Deed Copies

The county states that mail and online copy orders are generally processed within 20 working days after receipt. This is a processing estimate, not a guaranteed delivery date.

Plain Copy vs. Certified Copy

The county requires purchase of the complete document, rather than individual selected pages.

If an agency, court or lender needs an authenticated record, confirm whether a certified copy is required before ordering.

The Recorder accepts documents authorized or required by California law to be recorded.

Recording a deed can affect ownership rights, taxes and title. For uncertain transfers, have a qualified California attorney or title professional prepare or review the document.

1. Confirm that the property is in Los Angeles County.

   A Los Angeles County property document must be recorded in the correct county.

2. Prepare the legal document.

   Include the correct parties, legal description and other information required for the instrument.

3. Check signatures and acknowledgment.

   Original signatures and a proper notarial acknowledgment are generally required unless a legal exception applies.

4. Include the Assessor Identification Number.

   The county requires an APN/AIN on deeds and certain other property documents.

5. Prepare the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.

   A PCOR is generally required with ownership-change documents. A $20 fee in lieu may apply when it is missing.

6. Check recording and transfer-tax charges.

   Charges depend on the instrument, page count, exemptions and applicable taxes.

7. Submit the document.

   Use an authorized in-person, mail or other county-supported submission method.

Recording Documents by Mail

The Recorder’s base fee for many property documents is $15 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.

Additional fees may apply to deeds, trust deeds, liens and other instruments.

Why Recording a Deed Can Cost More Than $15

Deed-specific fraud notification charges, documentary transfer taxes and other statutory fees can change the amount.

The SB 2 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee is $75 per applicable instrument, subject to a $225 statutory cap and applicable exemptions.

Certain transfers subject to documentary transfer tax and qualifying residential transfers to owner-occupiers may be exempt from the SB 2 charge.

Not every Registrar-Recorder branch offers real estate recording or copies.

The Norwalk main office provides the broadest recorder services, including historical records research.

Los Angeles County operates a Homeowner Notification Program to help residents identify potentially unauthorized recordings affecting their homes.

The county sends notices for certain ownership changes, loans, notices of default and notices of sale.

Homeowners can also opt in to email notifications through the Los Angeles County Assessor’s portal.

For homeowner fraud or foreclosure-related assistance, the county directs residents to the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs.

Help: (800) 593-8222 · homehelp@dcba.lacounty.gov

Los Angeles County offers no-cost property-record assistance to residents directly affected by qualifying fires.

Eligible residents can request records to help with insurance, ownership documentation and recovery needs.

The county may require an affidavit. Applicants can request assistance by phone or email.

The following county resources provide the underlying instructions and current service information.