Document Recording

The Recorder-County Clerk, 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 the required information and is photographically reproducible.

State law requires the transferee/buyer of real property to file a completed Preliminary Change of Ownership Report concurrently with the recordation of any document resulting in a change in ownership of real property. If the form is not filed, the recorder will charge an additional fee of $20.

Notary Acknowledgement

The form used for a California Notary Acknowledgment shall be in the format as shown.

  • An acknowledgment is to be completed legibly by either type or legible block print. It is to be completed with blue or black ink only.
  • A complete notary acknowledgment includes a completed venue, meaning the state and county is to be completed.
  • A complete notary acknowledgment includes the date the document was signed in front of the notary.
  • A complete notary acknowledgment includes the name of the notary as set out on his/her oath and the entire title of the notary public.
  • A complete notary acknowledgment includes the name(s) of the parties that the notary witnessed sign the document.
    • Must be complete names for each signor. Example, John and Jane Smith would not be acceptable. Example, John Smith and Jane Smith is acceptable.
  • Must contain a legible notary seal. All characters and numbers must be clearly legible.

An acceptable/recordable notary acknowledgment must:

  • Be completed by the notary.
  • Liquid correction or correction tape is never acceptable on a notary acknowledgment. It is best to attach a new notary acknowledgment if a correction is needed.
  • The notary must legibly complete all required fields.

Verification vs. Notary Acknowledgment

  • Different documents have different recording requirements based on statute.
  • A notary acknowledgment is not “better” than verification and cannot be used in lieu of.

Caption vs. Signature vs. Acknowledgment

  • Caption means the name as set out in the body of the document. On a deed this would be the grantor.
  • Signature means the signature of the person named in caption along with the name printed below the signature.
  • Acknowledgment means the name of the person being acknowledged set out in the notary acknowledgment.
  • It is required that the name in all three locations be the same.

Legible Document

  • Statute requires that the document be photographically reproducible. This includes all portions of the document, including areas completed by pen, signatures and/or seals.
  • Type must be complete. No chipped type will be accepted.
  • Maps, diagrams and pictures are strongly discouraged. Scanning is done in black and white; therefore, colored images/documents often lose their detail when imaged.

Documentary Transfer Tax (DTT) Statement

  • Documentary Transfer Tax is due on all taxable conveyances in excess of $100 at a rate of $.55 per $500 or fractional portion of real property value, excluding any liens or encumbrances already of record. Transfer tax is collected at the time of recording.
  • A Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration must be completed for all conveyances. DTT dollar amount is not considered an acceptable documentary transfer tax declaration.
  • Per RTC11911, a declaration of the amount of tax due, signed by the party determining the tax or his or her agent, shall appear on the face of the document in compliance with RTC11932, “Every document subject to tax that is submitted for recordation shall show on the face of the document the amount of tax due and the incorporated or unincorporated location of the lands, tenements, or other realty described in the document.”

Fees Information

  • Prior to submitting the document for recording, refer to the Fee Calculator.
  • The Recorder’s Office accepts Not To Exceed (NTE) checks. All checks submitted for recording fees are to include a current date, be made payable to San Bernardino County Recorder and state on the memo line the NTE amount. Do not write after the dollar sign $ or on the dollar line. Be sure to sign your check.
  • Checks must have the name and address preprinted on the check. Temporary checks are not acceptable.

Conformed Copy

  • A conformed copy is an exact photo copy of the completed document, made by the customer and presented to the examiner at the time of the recording.
  • For a fee, the examiner will affix the recording information, which includes the document number and date of recording on the copy to be conformed. If the document is being submitted via mail, a self-addressed stamped envelope is required.

Recording UCC-1 Forms

  • UCC-1 Finance Statements are to be filed with the Secretary of State.
  • UCC Fixture Filings are recordable at the Recorder’s office in the County where the property is situated.
  • A completed coversheet is required and must include the name and address where the recorded document is to be returned, as well as the title of the document being recorded.

How to obtain this service…

Step 1: Prepare Your Document

Our office is prohibited by law from giving legal advice including the selection and preparation of document(s). You may find template forms by clicking on the link below.

Template Forms
Step 2: Calculate the Recording Fee

For your convenience we offer a fee calculator and full fee schedule on our website. Please click on the links below.

Please make checks or money orders made payable to the San Bernardino Recorder.

Note: Our office accepts Not to Exceed (NTE) checks. Please ensure that the not to exceed amount is clearly written on the memo line or above the amount box of the check. 

Fee Calculator | Complete Fee Schedule
Step 3: Mail-In Your Document

Mail-in your original completed document with the appropriate fees to:
San Bernardino County Recorder
222 W. Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022

*Appointments are strongly encouraged and prioritized.

Step 1: Prepare Your Document

Our office is prohibited by law from giving legal advice including the selection and preparation of document(s). You may find template forms by clicking on the link below.

Template Forms
Step 2: Calculate the Recording Fee

For your convenience we offer a fee calculator and full fee schedule on our website. Please click on the links below.

Payments accepted In-Person:

  • Cash
  • Check or Money Order
    • Payable to San Bernardino County Recorder
  • Debit/Credit
    • Processing fee of 2.95% or $2.00 (whichever is greater), will be added to each transaction.
Fee Calculator | Complete Fee Schedule
Step 3: Book your appointment online.

Once you have fully prepared your document, click on the link below to book your in-person appointment.

Note: Only (5) documents may be recorded per appointment.

Book Your Appointment Here

First Page of Title: $14

First Page of Title with Real Estate Fraud Fee: $24

Each Additional Page: $3

Complete Fee Schedule

San Bernardino Hall of Records

Hesperia High Desert Government Center

We do not provide the following services:
  • Passports
  • Divorce Filings
  • Court Records
  • Traffic Tickets
Legal Advice Limitation
  • The office of the Assessor-Recorder-Clerk is prohibited from giving legal advice.

FAQ

Document Recording
  • A conformed copy is an exact photo copy of the completed document, made by the customer and presented to the examiner at the time of the recording.
  • For a fee, the examiner will affix the recording information, which includes the document number and date of recording on the copy to be conformed. If the document is being submitted via mail, a self-addressed stamped envelope is required.
  • Prior to submitting your document for recording, refer to the Fee Calculator.
  • The Recorder’s Office does accept Not To Exceed (NTE) checks. All checks submitted for recording fees are to include a current date, be made payable to San Bernardino County Recorder and state on the memo line the NTE amount. Do not write after the dollar sign $ or on the dollar line. Be sure to sign your check.
  • Checks must have the name and address preprinted on the check. Temporary checks are not acceptable.
  • Documentary Transfer Tax is due on all taxable conveyances in excess of $100 at a rate of $.55 per $500 or fractional portion of real property value, excluding any liens or encumbrances already of record. Transfer tax is collected at the time of recording.
  • A Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration must be completed for all conveyances. DTT $dollar amount is not considered an acceptable documentary transfer tax declaration.
  • Per RTC11933 a declaration of the amount of tax due, signed by the party determining the tax or his or her agent, shall appear on the face of the document in compliance with RTC11932 “Every document subject to tax that is submitted for recordation shall show on the face of the document the amount of tax due and the incorporated or unincorporated location of the lands, tenements, or other realty described in the document.”
  • Statute requires that the document be photographically reproducible. This includes all portions of the documents including areas completed by pen, signatures and/or seals.
  • Type must be complete. No chipped type will be accepted.
  • Maps, diagrams and pictures are strongly discouraged. Scanning is done in black and white therefore colored images/documents often lose their detail when imaged.
  • The form used for a California Notary Acknowledgment shall be in the format as shown.
  • An acknowledgment is to be completed legibly by either type or legible block print. It is to be completed with blue or black ink only.
  • A complete notary acknowledgment includes a completed venue, meaning the state and county is to be completed.
  • A complete notary acknowledgment includes the date the document was signed in front of the notary.
  • A complete notary acknowledgment includes the name of the notary as set out on his/her oath and the entire title of the notary public.
  • A complete notary acknowledgment includes the name(s) of the parties that the notary witnessed sign the document.
    • Must be complete names for each signor. Example, John and Jane Smith would not be acceptable. Example, John Smith and Jane Smith is acceptable.
  • Must contain a legible notary seal. All characters and numbers must be clearly legible.

Legal Advice Limitation:

  • The Assessor’s Office is prohibited from giving legal advice. It may be advisable to consult an attorney because of the legal aspects involved in holding title to property or transferring title.

How To Transfer Title:

  • Name changed to the tax records on real property cannot be made by request, only by documents recorded in the Office of the San Bernardino County Recorder.
  • To change the name(s) on real property, the present owner(s) may execute a new deed conveying the property from the name(s) as they presently appear, to the name(s) that will be used to hold title. Full names of all parties must be used. The new deed should state how title will be held, i.e., joint tenants, tenant in common, etc. The new deed must be acknowledged by a Notary Public.
  • Deed forms may be obtained from stationery stores that carry legal forms. They are not available in this office, however, some forms can also be found on the Recorder’s Website.
  • The deed must be recorded in the county where the property is located. There is a fee for the recordation.
  • A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report should be completed, signed, and returned with the document. If it is not completed and submitted, an additional fee of $20.00 will be required for recording. If you need assistance in completing this form, call (909) 387-8307.

For property in San Bernardino County, please contact the Recorder’s Office for information regarding procedures.

San Bernardino County Recorder
Hall of Records
222 W. Hospitality Lane
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022
Telephone: (909) 387-8306

Forms

Type Name
pdf Document Cover Sheet – SB2 Exemptions Printable
Preliminary Change of Ownership Report External Link