Search Glendale Deed Records
Glendale property deed records are stored at the Los Angeles County Recorder office in Norwalk. The city does not keep its own deed files. All real estate transfers in Glendale must be recorded with the county. You can look up these records online going back to 1977 or request older documents in person. Glendale is the fourth largest city in LA County with about 197,000 residents. It sits just north of downtown Los Angeles. The city has many single-family homes, condos, and commercial properties that generate steady deed recording activity.
Glendale Quick Facts
Where to Record Deeds
Los Angeles County Recorder handles all deed filings for Glendale. The main office is at 12400 East Imperial Highway in Norwalk. That is about 25 miles southeast of Glendale. Office hours are Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. You can call (800) 201-8999 or send email to recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov.
Glendale does not have a local deed office. All 88 cities in LA County use the same county recorder. When you buy a home in Glendale, your title company sends the deed to Norwalk. The county records it and puts it in the public index. Then anyone can search for it online or in person.
For full details on Los Angeles County recording services, check the Los Angeles County deed records page where you will find information about fees, online search tools, eRecording options, and how to get certified copies of deeds for properties in Glendale and throughout the county.
Most deeds get filed electronically now. Real estate lawyers and title companies use eRecording vendors certified by the California Attorney General. Electronic filing is faster than paper. Documents submitted before 3pm usually record the same day. Paper deeds can take several days or even a week during busy times. If you need to file a deed quickly, ask your title company about eRecording.
Online Deed Database
LA County uses LexisNexis for online deed searches. Go to the county's deed search portal and select your search type. You can search by name, document number, or legal description. The database has deeds from 1977 to now. Older records exist but you must visit the Norwalk office to get them.
To search by owner name, type the last name first. Then add the first name if you know it. The system shows all matching deeds. Click on a result to see basic details like recording date and instrument type. If you want the full document image, you must pay. The county charges per page for copies.
Grant deeds are the most common type in Glendale. When someone buys a house, the seller signs a grant deed. This transfers ownership. California law implies two covenants. One, the seller has not sold to anyone else. Two, there are no hidden encumbrances except what the deed lists. These implied covenants protect buyers even if the deed does not state them explicitly.
You might also see quitclaim deeds in your search results. These transfer whatever interest the grantor has without any warranty. People use them for gifts, divorces, or adding a spouse to title. Quitclaim deeds do not promise clear title, so lenders usually will not accept them for purchase transactions. But they work fine for non-sale transfers.
Transfer Tax in Glendale
Glendale does not have its own city transfer tax. You only pay the standard LA County documentary transfer tax. The rate is 55 cents per $500 of the sale price. This is the same rate for all cities in LA County except Los Angeles city, which has an extra city tax.
To calculate your transfer tax, divide the sale price by 500. Then multiply by 0.55. For a $600,000 home, that is 1,200 times 0.55, which equals $660. The seller usually pays this at closing, but the buyer and seller can negotiate who pays. Check your purchase contract.
Transfer tax applies when consideration exceeds $100. Most home sales trigger the tax. Transfers by gift, inheritance, or between spouses may be exempt. If you think you qualify for an exemption, ask your title company or real estate lawyer. The county has rules about what transfers are exempt and what documentation you need to prove it.
Unlike some other California cities, Glendale keeps its transfer tax simple. There are no tiered rates or special levies. Just the basic county rate. This makes calculating closing costs easier. Big cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland have much higher transfer taxes that can add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of selling a home.
Cost to Record a Deed
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 additional page costs $3. A typical two-page deed costs $98 to record. A three-page deed costs $101.
These fees are set by the county and apply to all cities. Glendale does not charge separate recording fees. If you need a certified copy of a deed, the county charges $6 for the first page and $3 for each extra page. Certification adds the official county seal and a signed attestation. Courts and lenders require certified copies for legal purposes.
Plain copies cost $5 for the first page. They do not have the seal. You can use them for your personal files but not for submitting to a court or lender. You can order copies online, by mail, or in person at the Norwalk office. Online orders usually process within a few business days.
Other LA County Cities
Glendale is surrounded by other LA County cities. All use the same county recorder in Norwalk. Below are nearby cities where you can find local deed information:
If you own property in multiple LA County cities, all your deeds are in the same county index. This makes title research easier because you only need to search one database.
Note: The city of Los Angeles has an additional city transfer tax including Measure ULA which adds significant costs for properties over $5 million.