Inglewood Property Deed Records
Inglewood deed records are maintained by Los Angeles County Recorder in Norwalk. The city has no recording office. All property transfers in Inglewood must be filed at the county level to become official. Los Angeles County processes deed filings for 88 cities. You can search the online database from 1977 to now or visit the county office for older documents. Inglewood is located in southwest Los Angeles County about 10 miles from downtown LA and close to Los Angeles International Airport. The city has approximately 107,000 residents across 9.1 square miles. Inglewood is home to SoFi Stadium and the Kia Forum entertainment venue.
Inglewood Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Recording
Los Angeles County Recorder processes all deed filings for Inglewood. The office is at 12400 East Imperial Highway in Norwalk, about 10 miles east of Inglewood. Call (800) 201-8999 or email recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov for questions. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
You do not need to visit in person for most services. The county offers online searches, mail requests, and electronic recording through certified vendors. Most real estate closings use eRecording because it is faster and more reliable than paper submissions.
Recording creates an official public record that protects your property ownership. California uses a race-notice system which means the first person to record generally has priority over later claims. This is why prompt recording after closing is important.
For detailed information about Los Angeles County recording, visit the Los Angeles County deed records page which covers fee schedules, online search access, eRecording options, and how to request certified copies of property documents for Inglewood and all other LA County cities.
Find Inglewood Deeds Online
LA County uses LexisNexis for online deed searches. Go to the LA County online records database to search for Inglewood 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 like recording date and document type. 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 Inglewood 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 beyond those disclosed. Quitclaim deeds are used for family transfers or to fix title problems. 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 Inglewood.
Inglewood 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 Inglewood.
Copy fees are $6 for the first page of a certified copy plus $3 for each additional page. Certification adds the county seal and a signed statement. Plain copies cost $5 for the first page and work for personal records but not legal purposes.
The SB2 fee is mandated by state law to fund affordable housing. Every California county collects this $75 fee per transaction. The maximum is $225 for complex transactions involving three or more parcels.
If you use electronic recording, your vendor may charge service fees on top of county fees. Most title companies include these in their closing costs. Ask for a complete breakdown before closing on Inglewood property.
Inglewood Transfer Tax
Inglewood has no city transfer tax. You pay only the county documentary transfer tax of 55 cents per $500 of the sale price. For a $600,000 home, the transfer tax is $660. This is much lower than nearby Los Angeles city which adds the ULA tax that can reach 5.5% for expensive properties.
The seller typically pays transfer tax at closing unless the parties negotiate otherwise. The tax is based on the actual money that changes hands. If a buyer assumes an existing mortgage, that loan amount does not count toward the taxable value.
Transfer tax is collected when the deed is recorded. The county stamps the tax amount on the document as part of the public record. Anyone can see what transfer tax was paid and estimate the sale price by working backward from the tax.
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 qualify for exemptions.
California Deed Requirements
California requires property transfers to be in writing and properly executed. The California Civil Code Section 1091 establishes this requirement to protect property rights and prevent fraud.
Inglewood property deeds must be signed, notarized, and recorded with LA County to create a valid transfer. Verbal agreements to transfer real estate are not enforceable in California.
Nearby LA County Cities
All Los Angeles County cities record deeds at the same office in Norwalk. Below are other major cities near Inglewood:
Some LA County cities like Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Culver City have their own city transfer taxes. Inglewood does not charge city transfer taxes so transaction costs are lower.