El Monte Property Deed Search
El Monte deed records are filed with Los Angeles County Recorder in Norwalk. The city has no deed office. All property transfers in El Monte must be recorded at the county level. Los Angeles County maintains deed records for 88 cities including El Monte, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Glendale. You can search the online database from 1977 to now or visit the county office for older records. El Monte is located in the San Gabriel Valley about 12 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The city has approximately 113,000 residents across 9.6 square miles. El Monte has a diverse population and serves as a bedroom community for the greater Los Angeles area.
El Monte Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Recorder
Los Angeles County Recorder handles all deed filings for El Monte. The office is at 12400 East Imperial Highway in Norwalk, about 18 miles south of El Monte. Call (800) 201-8999 or email recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov for questions. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
You do not need to visit in person for most services. The county offers online searches, mail-in requests, and electronic recording through certified vendors. Most real estate professionals use eRecording because it is faster. Documents submitted electronically often process the same day.
When a deed is recorded, the county stamps it with the official date and time. This establishes priority over other claims to the property. California uses a race-notice system which means the first person to record generally wins if there are competing claims.
For detailed information about Los Angeles County recording, visit the Los Angeles County deed records page which covers fee schedules, links to the online search system, instructions for electronic recording, and details about how the county processes property documents for El Monte and all other cities in LA County.
Search El Monte Deeds Online
LA County uses LexisNexis for online deed searches. Go to the LA County online records database to search for El Monte property documents. The system covers 1977 to present. You can search by name, address, document number, or legal description.
To search by name, enter the last name first. The system shows all matching deeds with basic information. Click one to see details like recording date and document number. If you want the full deed image, you must pay a fee. Certified copies cost $6 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page.
Most El Monte home sales use grant deeds. These transfer ownership with implied warranties that the seller has not sold the property to anyone else and there are no hidden liens. Quitclaim deeds are also common for transfers between family or to fix title issues. They give no warranties.
The online system covers all of LA County. When you search, you may see deeds from other cities if the person owns multiple properties. Check the address or legal description to confirm you have the right property in El Monte.
El Monte Recording Costs
LA County charges $95 to record the first page of a deed. This includes the $15 base fee, $75 SB2 housing fee, and $5 fraud prevention fee. Each extra page costs $3. A typical two-page deed costs $98 total. These fees apply throughout the county including El Monte.
Copy fees are $6 for the first page of a certified copy plus $3 for each additional page. Plain copies cost $5 for the first page. You need certified copies for legal matters. Plain copies work for personal records.
The SB2 fee is mandated by state law. The money goes to a statewide fund for affordable housing. Every county in California collects this fee. The amount is $75 per transaction for most documents with a maximum of $225 for complex transactions.
Check the official LA County Recorder fees page for current recording costs, copy fees, and any updates to the fee schedule set by the county board.
El Monte Transfer Tax
El Monte does not have a city transfer tax. You pay only the county documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of the sale price. For a $500,000 home, the transfer tax is $550. This is much lower than Los Angeles city which adds the ULA tax of up to 5.5% for expensive properties.
The seller usually pays transfer tax at closing but this is negotiable. The tax is based on the actual money that changes hands. If a buyer assumes an existing loan, that amount does not count toward the taxable consideration.
Transfer tax is collected when the deed is recorded. The county stamps the tax amount on the document. This becomes part of the public record so anyone can see what was paid and estimate the sale price.
Do not confuse transfer tax with property tax. Property tax is an annual charge based on assessed value. Transfer tax is a one-time fee charged only when ownership changes. Some transfers like gifts between spouses may be exempt.
California Grant Deed Warranties
California law creates automatic warranties when someone uses a grant deed. The California Civil Code Section 1113 states that the word grant implies the grantor has not conveyed to another and the estate is free from encumbrances made by the grantor.
Recording fees are capped by state law. The California Government Code Section 27361 sets maximum fees counties can charge for recording property documents including El Monte deeds.
Other LA County Cities
Los Angeles County has 88 cities total. All use the same county recorder in Norwalk. Below are other major cities near El Monte:
Some LA County cities like Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Pomona have their own city transfer taxes. El Monte does not charge city transfer taxes so transaction costs are lower.