Torrance Deed Records
Torrance deed records are kept by the Los Angeles County Recorder in Norwalk. The city does not maintain its own deed files. All property transfers in Torrance go through the county system. You can search these records online from 1977 to now or visit the recorder for older documents. Torrance sits in the South Bay area of LA County with about 147,000 residents. The city has a mix of residential neighborhoods, retail centers, and corporate offices. This creates steady deed recording activity as properties change hands throughout the year.
Torrance Quick Facts
Where Deeds Get Filed
Los Angeles County Recorder handles all deed filings for Torrance. The main office is at 12400 East Imperial Highway in Norwalk. That is about 15 miles northeast of Torrance. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. You can call (800) 201-8999 or email recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov.
Torrance does not have its own recorder. All 88 cities in LA County use the same county office in Norwalk. When you buy a home in Torrance, your title company sends the deed to Norwalk. The county records it and adds it to the public index. Then anyone can search for it online or in person.
For detailed information about Los Angeles County recording services, visit the Los Angeles County deed records page where you can find information about fees, online search tools, eRecording options, and how to get certified copies of deeds for properties in Torrance and throughout the county.
Most deeds today get filed electronically. Title companies and real estate lawyers use eRecording vendors certified by the state. Electronic filing is faster than paper. Documents submitted electronically before 3pm often record the same day. Paper deeds can take a week or more during busy periods. If you need fast recording, ask your title company about eRecording.
Search Torrance Deeds Online
LA County uses LexisNexis for online deed searches. Go to the county's search portal and select your search method. You can search by name, document number, or legal description. The database goes back to 1977. Older deeds are on file at the Norwalk office but not online.
To search by owner name, enter the last name first. Then add the first name if you know it. The system shows matching records. Click on one to see basic information like recording date and document type. If you want the full deed image, you must pay. The county charges per page for copies.
Grant deeds are the most common type in Torrance. When someone buys a house, the seller signs a grant deed transferring ownership to the buyer. California law implies two covenants in every grant deed. First, the seller has not already sold to someone else. Second, there are no hidden encumbrances except what the deed discloses. These protections apply even if the deed does not state them.
You might also see quitclaim deeds. These transfer whatever interest the grantor has without any warranty of title. People use quitclaim deeds for family transfers, divorces, or clearing up title issues. Banks usually will not accept quitclaim deeds for purchase transactions because they provide no title protection. But they work fine for non-sale transfers between people who trust each other.
Transfer Tax Rates
Torrance 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 for all LA County cities except the city of Los Angeles which has an extra city tax.
To calculate the tax, divide the sale price by 500. Then multiply by 0.55. For a $800,000 home, that is 1,600 times 0.55, which equals $880. The seller usually pays this at closing. But buyers and sellers can negotiate who pays. Check your purchase contract to see what you agreed to.
Transfer tax applies when consideration exceeds $100. Most home sales trigger the tax. Some transfers are exempt. Gifts, inheritances, and transfers between spouses for no consideration may not owe tax. If you think you qualify for an exemption, ask your title company or lawyer. You may need to submit documentation to the county to prove the exemption.
Recording Fee Schedule
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. Most deeds are two or three pages. A two-page deed costs $98. A three-page deed costs $101.
These fees apply to all LA County cities. Torrance 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 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. They do not have the seal. You can use them for your own records 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 and get mailed to you.
Other LA County Cities
Torrance is in the South Bay area of LA County. Other nearby cities use the same recorder in Norwalk. Below are nearby cities:
All LA County cities share the same deed index. If you own property in multiple cities in the county, all your deeds are in one system. This makes title research easier than if records were scattered across different offices.
Note: The city of Los Angeles has an additional city transfer tax including Measure ULA which adds significant costs for high-value properties.