www.lavote.net - Property Document Recording

NEW LAW REGARDING ADDITIONAL $1.00 RECORDING FEES. CLICK HERE

GENERAL RECORDING INFORMATION

The County Recorder , upon payment of proper fees and taxes, will accept any document which is authorized or required by California law to be recorded, if the document contains required information and if it is photographically reproducible.

Documents may be presented for recording at the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Headquarters location at 12400 East Imperial Highway , Norwalk , CA 90650 office hours are Mon- Friday from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Please call (562) 462-2125 for more information. The following branch offices can also assist you:

All applicable fees must be paid at the time of recording, click RECORDING FEES.

An examiner will review your document for proper completion, collect the appropriate fees and taxes, and record your document. The original document will be mailed to you within 4-6 weeks, (after the process is completed to add your document to our database for archival retention). A certified copy for a fee of $6.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page may be requested and received immediately upon recordation of the document. Please contact the branch office you wish to visit to verify that the document examiner is available prior to visiting that office. The Branch office document examining is not available at the Van Nuys or La Cienega offices on the last business day of the month or the succeeding first business day of the next month.

Document Analysis and Recording
P.O. Box 53115
Los Angeles , California 90053-0115

Each document presented for recording MUST include or comply with the following general requirements. Documents may be presented for recording in person, by mail or by a courier service. The following are helpful items to remember when recording:

If you have any questions regarding the recording process, you may call (562) 462-2125 and speak to an agent that will assist you.

GOVERNMENT LIENS AND RELEASES (Code of Civil Procedure 2104, Government Code 27360, et. seq.):

State laws and county ordinances establish fees. Recording fees are due at the time of recording.

To obtain copies of recorded real property documents, you may do so by coming into the office or sending your request by mail.

Documents are identified by the names of the grantors and/or grantees as they appear on the document and the recording date. If the document was recorded prior to 1982, you may reference the book, page and instrument number if available. If the document was recorded in 1982 or later, refer to the instrument number which consists of the recording year followed by a six digit number.

The fees for obtaining copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $3.00 for each additional page per document. The fees for copies of maps are $6.00 for the first page plus $3.00 for each additional page per map. The fee for certification is an additional $1.00 for each document or map.(only complete documents will be certified)

If you are sending the copy request by mail and are not certain what the exact copy fees are, you may leave the dollar amount blank on the check and write a limiting phrase below the line. Example - not to exceed $25.00. The clerk processing your order will complete the check and return a receipt indicating the exact amount.

If you have any questions regarding the ordering of official record copies, please call (562) 462-2133.

Most blank legal forms for recording purposes may be purchased from legal stationery stores. For your convenience, some of the most common forms can be obtained from this site. Click here to view list.

DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAXES

The County assesses a Documentary Transfer Tax on the consideration or value of the interest or real property conveyed (exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining thereon at the time of sale) exceeds one hundred dollars($100) at the rate of .55 cents per $500, rounding up to the highest $500. Also, the following five cities have passed ordinances imposing additional rates of tax per $1,000 of the consideration or value of property conveyed is added to the present $.55 cents per $500 that are collected at the time of recording.

TAX RATE / $1.000

Culver City	$4.50
Los Angeles	$4.50
Pomona	$2.20
Redondo Beach	$2.20
Santa Monica	$3.00

For, example, on a property valued, at $21,100, the amount of the County's Documentary Tax would be calculated by rounding up the amount to $21,500, dividing $21,500 by $500, and multiplying that number by 55 cents for a total of $23.65.

However, if the property in this example were located within the City of Los Angeles , an additional $4.50 per $1,000 valuation will be assessed and collected at the time of recording which adds $96.75 to the $23.65 for a total of $120.40.

The following is the format that should be used for the tax declaration:

DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX $	“Tax Amount” L.A. County 80 /	“Tax Amount” City Code
________COMPUTED ON FULL VALUE OF PROPERTY CONVEYED.
________OR COMPUTED ON FULL VALUE LESS LIENS
AND ENCUMBRANCES REMAINING AT TIME OF SALE .


	Signature of Declarant or Agent Determining tax. Firm Name

If you determine there is no Documentary Transfer Tax required, a statement must appear on the face of all documents that are exempt from the tax.

Click here for a list of acceptable exemption statements under the Documentary Transfer Tax statutes.

FORMS

** Forms are provided in PDF (Portable Document Format) and require the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader Software.
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader...

*** NOTICE *** EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2008
See New Assembly Bill 886 for a Certificate of Acknowledgement and Jurat. (Click here to veiw)

AFFIDAVIT OF SURVIVING SPOUSE
AFFIDAVIT OF DEATH OF JOINT TENANT
AFFIDAVIT OF DEATH OF JOINT TRUSTEE

At the time of recording, present the completed affidavit, a certified copy of the death certificate and a “Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.” (Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is not needed for Death of Beneficiary under Deed of Trust or Affidavit of Death of Joint Trustee). This report is available at our department’s main office in Norwalk and at the County Assessor ’s office in downtown Los Angeles and at the County Assessor ’s branch offices.

For your convenience, click here for an AFFIDAVIT FORM.

"Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant" forms can be purchased at most office supply or stationery stores.

DECLARATION OF ABANDONMENT OF DECLARED HOMESTEAD

When terminating a Declaration of Homestead (Homestead Declaration), you can record a Declaration of Abandonment of Declared Homestead. The Abandonment of Homestead is completed and signed by the declared owner(s), whose signature(s) must be notarized.

The Declaration of Abandonment of Homestead can be purchased at most office supply or stationery stores.

For your convenience, click here for a DECLARATION OF ABANDONMENT OF DECLARED HOMESTEAD FORM.

HOMESTEAD DECLARATION

(See Declaration of Homestead )

DECLARATION OF HOMESTEADS

A Declaration of Homestead may be declared and recorded by owners of real property on their PRINCIPAL place of residence. Signatures on the Declaration of Homestead must be notarized.

Declaration of Homestead can be purchased at most office supply or legal stationery stores. For your convenience, click here for a DECLARATION OF HOMESTEAD FORM.

GRANT DEED

When submitting a Grant Deed for recording, the instrument must meet the following criteria:

The Grant Deed is completed and signed by the grantor, whose signature must be notarized.
Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration must be completed.
A “Preliminary Change of Ownership Report” is required

Grant Deed forms can be purchased at most office supply or stationery stores.

For your convenience, click here for a GRANT DEED FORM.

QUITCLAIM DEED

When submitting a Quitclaim Deed for recording, the instrument must meet the following criteria:

The Quitclaim Deed is completed and signed by the grantor, whose signature must be notarized.
Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration must be completed.
A “Preliminary Change of Ownership Report” is required.

Quitclaim Deed forms can be purchased at most office supply or stationery stores.

For your convenience, click here for a QUITCLAIM DEED FORM.

SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE

When the present Beneficiary under Deed of Trust desire to substitute a new Trustee under Deed of Trust, a Substitution of Trustee form may be completed and signed by the present Beneficiary, whose signature must be notarized.

Substitution of Trustee forms can be purchased at most office supply or stationery stores.

For you convenience, click here for SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE FORM.

FULL RECONVEYANCE

When a deed of trust/mortgage is paid in full, you can record a Full Reconveyance from the trustee stating publicly that the loan has been paid. The Full Reconveyance form is completed and signed by the trustee, whose signature must be notarized.

Full Reconveyance formcan be purchased at most office supply or stationery stores. Usually the trustee named on your Deed of Trust will also have forms available and will issue the Full Reconveyance. For your convenience, click here for FULL RECONVEYANCE FORM.

SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE AND FULL RECONVEYANCE

The Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance form consist of two documents, which are serially incorporated into one form or sheet.

The Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance is signed by the present Beneficiary and present Trustee under Deed of Trust, whose signatures are notarized.

See Deed of Reconveyance.
See Substitution of Trustee.

Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance forms can be purchased at most office supply or stationery stores.

For your convenience, click here for SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE AND FULL RECONVEYANCE FORM.

DEEDS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

When transferring property, a Preliminary Change of Ownership Form IS REQUIRED. These forms are available at the Main Office of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk in the City of Norwalk , at the County Assessor 's Office in downtown Los Angeles , and at the County Assessor 's branch offices.

Or click here for a PRELIMINARY CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP FORM

TERMINATING JOINT TENANCY FORM

If parties hold title as joint tenants and one is deceased, the survivor may file an "Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant". It may be advisable to consult an attorney because of the legal aspects involving a change in ownership of real property.

LIENS

The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk serves notification by mail to debtors when an involuntary lien is recorded against them. An INVOLUNTARY LIEN is a lien that a property owner did not sign.

If you have received a copy of a lien from this office and have questions, you must contact the person or agency that filed the lien. By law, the County Recorder cannot make any changes or alterations on a lien document.

Once you have contacted the person or agency that filed the lien and have resolved the issue, a Release of Lien must be submitted to our office in Norwalk for recording. The party who signed the original lien and, in most cases, notarized must sign the Release and, in most cases, it must be notarized.

If the person or agency that filed the lien is not available or is no longer in business, you may wish to contact an attorney to seek resolution of the matter.

If you are calling to inquire about how to file a lien against someone, you may wish to seek legal advice regarding your particular situation. Law prohibits the Recorder's office from offering legal advice on these matters.

The appropriate court issues liens created as a result of a lawsuit. Certified copies of judgments, which affect title to real property, may be recorded.

DOCUMENT TYPES AND DEFINITIONS:
INSTRUMENT		DEFINITION
Abandonment of Homestead	ABD Homestead	Document recorded to terminate a homestead.
Abstract of Judgment	ABST JDGT	A summary of the essential provisions of a money judgment. When recorded, it creates a general lien on real property of the judgment debtor in the county in which the abstract is recorded.
Assignment of Rents	ASSIGNMENT RENTS	A document that gives the beneficiary the right to collect rents of the secured property in the event of a default.
Certificate of Tax Lien	CTF TAX LIEN	A lien for nonpayment of property taxes. Attaches only to the property upon which the taxes are unpaid.
Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R’s)	RESTRICTION	A term used in some areas to describe the restrictive limitations which may be placed on property. In other areas, simply called restrictions.
Declaration of Homestead	HOMESTEAD	Document recorded by a homeowner to protect his home from forced sale in satisfaction of certain types of creditors’ claims.
Deed	DEED	Written instrument which, when properly executed and delivered, transfers title to real estate.
Deed of Reconveyance	RECONVEYANCE	An instrument used to transfer title from a trustee to the equitable owner of real estate, when title is held as collateral security for a debt. Most commonly used upon payment in full of a trust deed.
Deed of Trust		(See Trust Deed)
Easement	EASEMENT	The granting of a right which one has in the land of another. It is either for the benefit of land, such as a right to cross, or “in gross,” such as a public utility easement.
Federal Tax Lien	FEDERAL TAX LIEN	A lien attaching to property for nonpayment of a federal tax (estate, income, etc.)
Fictitious Deed of Trust	FICTITIOUS TR DD	A deed of trust recorded by a trustee which discloses all the terms of the trust deed but does not relate to a specific transaction and is used for reference only.
Grant Deed	DEED	Form of deed, common in California , which contains implied warranties to the effect that the grantor has not previously conveyed or encumbered the property.
Judgment	JUDGMENT	The final determination of a court of a matter presented to it. Money judgments, when recorded, become a lien on real property of the defendant.
Lien	LIEN	A charge upon property for the payment of debt or obligation.
Mechanic’s Lien	MECHANIC’S LIEN	Statutory lien in favor of laborers and material suppliers who have performed work or furnished materials or supplies to a work of improvement. If not paid, they have a right to record a lien within a prescribed period of time.
Notice of Completion	NOTICE COMPLETION	Notice recorded under the California mechanic’s lien law within ten days after completion of a structure; it shortens the time to file a mechanic’s lien.
Notice of Default	DEFAULT	Recorded notice that a default has occurred under a deed of trust. It is the first step in non-judicial foreclosure of a deed of trust.
Notice of Rescission	RESCISSION	A recorded notice to rescind a notice of default of a mortgage or deed of trust.
Notice of Trustee Sale	NT TRUSTEE SALE	Foreclosure sale conducted by the trustee under a deed of trust after a default occurs.
Power of Attorney	POWER OF ATTORNEY	Instrument used to appoint an attorney-in-fact.
Quitclaim Deed	QUITCLAIM DEED	A deed used to transfer any interest in real property that the grantor may have. It contains no warranties of any kind.
Release	RELEASE	An instrument releasing property from the lien of the mortgage, judgment, etc. When a trust deed is used, the instrument is called a reconveyance. In some areas, a “discharge” is used instead of a release.
Request for Notice of Default	REQUEST NOTICE	A recorded notice made by the beneficiary of a trust deed that he be notified in the event that foreclosure proceedings are commenced by another party of interest.
State Tax Lien	STATE TAX LIEN	A lien attaching to property for nonpayment of state income tax.
Subordination Agreement	SUBDN AGMT	Agreement under which a prior or superior lien is made inferior or subject to an otherwise junior lien.
Trust Deed (Deed of Trust)	TR DEED	Written instrument by which title to land is transferred to a trustee as security for a debt or other obligation.
Trustee’s Deed	TRUSTEES DEED	Deed given by the trustee when property is sold under the power of sale in a trust deed.
Uniform Commercial Code Financing Statement	UCC FINANCING STMT	A mortgage or security agreement using personal property as the collateral. These agreements are recorded in county if real property is affected.