Pasadena Property Deeds
Pasadena deed records are filed with the Los Angeles County Recorder in Norwalk. The city of Pasadena has no deed office of its own. Every property transfer in Pasadena goes through the county system whether you live in Old Pasadena, the Rose Bowl area, or near Caltech. Los Angeles County maintains all real estate documents for Pasadena and the other 87 cities in the county. You can search these records online or request certified copies from the county recorder. The database includes deeds back to 1977 with older documents available at the Norwalk office. Pasadena has roughly 138,000 people and sits ten miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Pasadena Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Recorder
All Pasadena deed records get filed at the Los Angeles County Recorder office located at 12400 East Imperial Highway in Norwalk. This office is about 25 miles south of Pasadena. You do not need to go there in person for most tasks. The county offers online searching, mail requests, and electronic recording.
The recorder office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. If you need help, call (800) 201-8999 or send an email to recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov. Staff can answer questions about fees, processing times, and how to get copies of deeds. They cannot give legal advice or tell you how to fill out forms.
When you record a deed in Pasadena, it goes to this county office. The county stamps it with the date and time, assigns a document number, and adds it to the official index. Anyone can then search for it using the online database. Recording creates a public record that protects your ownership rights against future claims.
For detailed information about Los Angeles County recording services, visit the Los Angeles County deed records page where you can find the complete fee schedule, links to the online search system, instructions for electronic recording, and information about how the county processes property documents for Pasadena and all other cities in LA County.
Search Pasadena Deeds Online
Los Angeles County uses a LexisNexis portal for online deed searches. The system covers Pasadena and all of LA County from 1977 to now. You can search by name, address, document number, or legal description. Most people search by the property owner name.
To search, go to the LA County online records database and pick your search type. Enter the last name first for owner searches. The system shows matching results with basic information like recording date and document type. If you want to see the full deed image, you must pay a fee.
Certified copies cost $6 for the first page plus $3 for each extra page. You need certified copies for legal matters like refinancing or title disputes. Plain copies cost $5 for the first page. These work fine if you just want to check who owns property or when it last sold.
The online system does not include deeds recorded before 1977. For older Pasadena property records, you must visit the Norwalk office in person or send a written request by mail with a check for copy fees.
When searching, pay attention to the address or legal description. The database covers all of LA County so you might see results from other cities if someone owns multiple properties. Make sure you have the right document before paying for a copy.
Recording Costs in Pasadena
LA County charges $95 to record a deed of one page. This includes the $15 base fee, $75 SB2 housing fee, and $5 fraud prevention fee. Each additional page is $3. Most residential deeds run two to three pages so expect to pay around $98 to $101 total.
These fees apply county-wide. Pasadena has no separate city recording fees. You pay the same rates whether your property is in Pasadena, Glendale, or Norwalk. The county board sets these fees and they match the limits in state law.
If you use electronic recording through a certified vendor, the vendor may charge extra service fees on top of the county fee. Many title companies and real estate attorneys absorb these costs as part of their closing services. Ask your title company for a full breakdown before you close.
You can check the official fee schedule on the LA County Recorder fees page which lists all recording costs, copy fees, and surcharges mandated by California law including the SB2 fee that funds affordable housing programs statewide.
Deed Transfer Tax
Pasadena does not have its own city transfer tax. You pay only the standard county documentary transfer tax when property changes hands. The rate is 55 cents per $500 of the sale price. On a $600,000 home, that works out to $660 in transfer tax.
This is much lower than some other LA County cities. Los Angeles city has the ULA tax that adds up to 5.5% for expensive homes. Santa Monica and Culver City also have high city rates. Pasadena keeps it simple with just the county tax.
The seller usually pays the transfer tax at closing but this is negotiable. The tax gets calculated based on the sale price minus any loans the buyer assumes. If the buyer takes over an existing mortgage, that amount does not count toward the taxable value.
Transfer tax is separate from recording fees. The county collects both at the same time when you file a deed. Your title company calculates the tax and includes it on your closing statement along with all other fees and costs.
California Recording System
California law requires all deed transfers to be recorded with the county recorder to provide public notice of ownership changes. The state does not maintain a central database but oversees county recording standards through various agencies. You can learn more about notary requirements at the California Secretary of State Notary Division which regulates the notaries who must acknowledge most deed signatures.
Most deeds in Pasadena require notarization before the county will accept them. The notary verifies the identity of the person signing and adds their seal. This prevents fraud and makes the deed legally enforceable.
Nearby Los Angeles County Cities
Los Angeles County has 88 cities total and all use the same recorder office in Norwalk. Below are other major cities near Pasadena where you can find deed information:
All these cities record deeds at the same LA County office. Transfer tax rates vary by city so check local rates before closing on property.