Los Angeles Deed Records
Deed records for Los Angeles are kept by the Los Angeles County Recorder office in Norwalk. The city does not maintain its own deed files. All property transfers in Los Angeles go through the county system. You can search these records online from 1977 to now or visit the recorder office for older documents. Los Angeles is the largest city in California with nearly 4 million people spread across 503 square miles, so the county recorder handles a huge volume of property transactions every day.
Los Angeles Quick Facts
Where Deeds Are Recorded
Los Angeles County Recorder handles all deed filings for the city of Los Angeles. The main office sits at 12400 East Imperial Highway in Norwalk. This is about 15 miles southeast of downtown LA. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. You can call (800) 201-8999 or email recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov.
The city of Los Angeles does not have its own recorder office. All 88 cities in LA County use the same county system. When you buy property in LA city limits, your deed goes to Norwalk. The county stamps it, assigns a document number, and puts it in the public index. Then anyone can search for it.
For more information about Los Angeles County's deed recording services, visit the Los Angeles County deed records page where you can find detailed information about the recorder office, fees, online databases, and how to search for property documents throughout the county including the city of Los Angeles.
If you live in LA and need to record a deed, you can mail it to Norwalk, take it in person, or use eRecording through a certified vendor. Most title companies and real estate lawyers use eRecording because it is faster. Documents submitted electronically often process the same day. Paper deeds can take several days to a few weeks depending on how busy the office is.
Search Los Angeles Property Deeds
LA County uses LexisNexis for online deed searches. Go to their portal and pick your search type. You can search by name, document number, or legal description. The database goes back to 1977. Older records are on file at the Norwalk office but not online.
To search by name, enter the last name first. The system shows all matching deeds. Click one to see the basics like date recorded and document number. If you want the full deed image, you must pay. Fees are per document. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.
Most Los Angeles property deeds are grant deeds. These are the standard type for home sales. The seller grants the property to the buyer. Under California law, this implies the seller has not sold it to anyone else and there are no hidden liens besides what the deed lists. Quitclaim deeds are also common for transfers between family or to fix title issues.
The online search covers all of LA County including the city of Los Angeles. When you search, you may see deeds from other cities too if the person you are searching for owns land in multiple places. Pay attention to the legal description or address to make sure you have the right property.
Los Angeles Transfer Tax
Los Angeles has its own city transfer tax on top of the county tax. The base rate is 0.45% of the sale price. This is the same as the county rate. So when you buy a home in LA city, you pay both. That is 0.9% total just for the basic transfer tax.
In 2022, voters passed Measure ULA. This adds a much higher tax for expensive properties. If a home sells for $5 million or more, you pay an extra 4% tax. If it sells for $10 million or more, the extra tax is 5.5%. This is one of the highest transfer taxes in California. Only San Francisco has similar rates.
To learn more about Los Angeles city transfer tax rates and Measure ULA, check the City of Los Angeles Finance FAQs page which explains how the tax is calculated, who pays it, exemptions that may apply, and where the revenue goes to fund affordable housing and tenant assistance programs.
Measure ULA money goes to affordable housing programs. The tax raised hundreds of millions in its first year. Critics say it hurts the real estate market. Supporters say it helps low-income renters. Either way, if you are buying or selling high-value property in Los Angeles, factor this into your budget. A $10 million home sale will have $550,000 in ULA tax alone.
The county documentary transfer tax is separate. That is 55 cents per $500 of the sale price. Combined with city taxes, closing costs in Los Angeles can be very high compared to other California cities. Always ask your title company or lawyer for a full breakdown of fees and taxes before you close.
Fees for Recording Deeds
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. Most deeds are two or three pages. A three-page deed costs $95 + $6 = $101 to record.
These fees are the same whether you live in Los Angeles city or any other part of the county. The county sets the fees. Cities do not charge separate recording fees. They only charge transfer taxes which are different from recording fees. Transfer taxes are based on the sale price. Recording fees are based on the number of pages.
If you need a certified copy of a deed, the county charges $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Certification adds the county seal and a signed statement. Courts and lenders require certified copies. Plain copies cost $5 for the first page but do not have the seal. You can use plain copies for your own records but not for legal matters.
Other Cities in LA County
Los Angeles County has 88 cities total. All use the same county recorder in Norwalk. Below are other major cities near Los Angeles where you can find local deed information:
Note: Some LA County cities like Santa Monica, Culver City, and Pomona have their own additional city transfer taxes. Check with your title company about local taxes before closing.