Los Angeles County Deed Records
Los Angeles County deed records are kept by the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office in Norwalk. You can search these files online or visit the office in person. The database has deed records from 1977 to now. Older deeds are on file but you must go to the office to see them. Most people search by name or address to find property ownership documents. This is the largest county in California by population with over 10 million residents across 88 cities and many unincorporated areas.
Los Angeles County Quick Facts
County Recorder Office
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk handles all deed recordings for the county. Their main office sits at 12400 East Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. You can call them at (800) 201-8999 or email recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov with questions.
This office does more than just deeds. They also file marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, business names, and notary commissions. The recorder section specifically handles land documents. When you buy or sell property in LA County, the deed goes here. They stamp it with the date and time, assign a document number, and put it in the public index. Anyone can then search for it.
To view the Los Angeles County Recorder homepage and learn about their services, visit the main recorder page where you can find information about recording documents, ordering copies, and accessing their online database through the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website.
Staff at the counter can help you find old deeds or make copies. They cannot give legal advice. If you need help filling out forms or understanding what type of deed to use, talk to a lawyer or title company. The recorder only files what you give them. They do not check if it is a good idea or legally sound.
The office is closed on all county holidays. If you need to record a deed on a holiday, some title companies offer same-day eRecording through third-party systems. The document still gets recorded with that day's date even though the office is closed. Next business day, staff will review it and either accept or reject it based on formatting rules.
Search Deed Records Online
LA County uses LexisNexis to host their online deed database. You can search from 1977 forward. Go to the search portal and pick your search type. You can search by name, document number, or legal description. Name searches are free to start but cost money to view full documents.
Most people search by the grantor or grantee name. Type in the last name first, then first name. The system shows a list of all deeds that match. Click on one to see basic info like the date recorded and document number. If you want to view the actual deed image, you must pay. The fee is per document. Certified copies cost more.
LexisNexis powers the search function for Los Angeles County deed records, and you can access the online records search database to look up documents from 1977 to present using grantor/grantee names, document numbers, or legal descriptions with fees for viewing full document images.
If the property changed hands before 1977, you will not find it online. You must visit the Norwalk office in person. They have paper records and microfiche going back to the 1800s. Bring the address or APN if you have it. That makes the search faster. Staff can pull files from storage for you to review.
eRecording is available in Los Angeles County through certified vendors. Title companies and attorneys use this service daily. It lets them upload deeds electronically instead of driving to Norwalk. The system is faster and more reliable than mail. Most eRecordings process within hours. Paper deeds can take days or weeks depending on how busy the office is.
Fees and Costs
Recording a deed in Los Angeles County costs $95 for the first page. This includes the $15 base fee plus a $75 SB2 housing fee and a $5 fraud prevention fee. Each extra page costs $3. If your deed is three pages long, the total is $95 + $6 = $101.
For a detailed breakdown of what you will pay to record deeds and other documents in Los Angeles County, check the recording fee schedule page which lists all fees including the base recording fee, SB2 affordable housing fee, fraud prevention fee, and per-page charges for additional sheets.
Documentary transfer tax is separate from the recording fee. The county charges 55 cents per $500 of the sale price or consideration. Some LA County cities also charge their own transfer tax on top. Los Angeles city has Measure ULA which adds up to 5.5% for high-value properties over $5.3 million. This can add tens of thousands of dollars to your closing costs.
Copy fees are lower than recording fees. A plain copy costs $5 for the first page. Certified copies are $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Certification adds the county seal and a signed statement that the copy is a true record. You need certified copies for legal matters like court cases or loan applications.
Types of Deed Documents
Grant deeds are the most common type in LA County. When you buy a house, you get a grant deed. It says the seller grants the property to you. 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. These have no promises at all. People use them to transfer property between family members or to clear up title issues. If you divorce, you might quitclaim your interest in the house to your ex-spouse. Or if your name is spelled wrong on an old deed, you can quitclaim it to yourself with the correct spelling.
Deeds of trust show up in the index when you search. These are not ownership deeds. They are loan documents. When you get a mortgage, you sign a deed of trust. It gives the lender a security interest in your home. If you do not pay, they can foreclose. When you pay off the loan, the lender files a reconveyance deed to release their claim.
Other documents in the recorder index include liens, easements, covenants, conditions, and restrictions. Tax liens go here when the IRS or state files against your property. Mechanic liens from contractors who did not get paid. HOA liens for unpaid dues. All of these affect your title and show up in searches.
Transfer on death deeds let you name someone to inherit your home without probate. You file the deed while you are alive but it does not take effect until you die. You can revoke it any time. These became popular in California in recent years as a simple estate planning tool.
Major Cities in LA County
Los Angeles County has 88 incorporated cities. All property deeds for these cities are recorded at the Norwalk office. Below are the largest cities where you can find more local information:
- Los Angeles
- Long Beach
- Glendale
- Santa Clarita
- Pasadena
- Torrance
- Pomona
- Downey
- Inglewood
- El Monte
- West Covina
- Norwalk
- Burbank
Note: Each city may have its own transfer tax in addition to the county documentary transfer tax.
Nearby Counties
If the property you are looking for is not in Los Angeles County, try these neighboring counties: