Deeds & Leases - Fees
A Deed is a written document by which the ownership of land is transferred from one person/entity to another. A lease is a contractual possessory interest in real property for a specific term. Whenever the terms of a property lease is 35 years or more, documentary transfer tax may be due.
In addition to the basic recording fee of $14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each page thereafter, there are other fees which may be due on deeds and leases. Collection of fees include:
"Fee Collected By Recorder: For the limited purpose of financing the survey monument preservation fund pursuant to Section 27584, the board may impose a user fee, not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00), or an amount set pursuant to Section 54985, which shall be charged and collected by the county recorder, over and above any other fees required by law, as a condition precedent to the filing or recording of any grant deed, conveying real property. Grant deeds conveying lots created by recorded tract maps shall be exempt from the user fee, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), the fees shall be forwarded monthly by the county recorder to the county treasurer for deposit to the county survey monument preservation fund. Following the establishment of the fund, the board of supervisors may extinguish the fund if a finding is made by the board that the need for the fund no longer exists."
Preliminary Change of Ownership Report
There is no charge for the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) if it is complete and accompanies the transfer document. Otherwise, the fee is $20.00. The PCOR Form is available online.
Effective July 1, 1985, pursuant to revenue and Taxation Code, Section 480.3 and Board of Supervisors Ordinance 85-46, the Recorder will not record a document evidencing a change of ownership without the simultaneous filing of a Preliminary Change of Ownership report or the payment of a $20.00 recording fee in addition to current regular recording fee.
Effective July 1, 1991, the form must be signed by one of the new owners (transferees).
Please read and complete the attached form or return your document without the form and include an additional $20.00 payment.
Please note, as stated on the accompanying form, that the payment of the $20.00 fee will not exempt you from the requirement of filing an ownership statement sent to you by the Assessor.
Should you have any questions regarding the completion of this form, please contact the Assessor's Office at (510) 272-3800.
List of Recorded Documents Requiring a PCOR Form Adopted By the Executive Committee of the California Assessor's Association
All deeds and indentures.
Exceptions:
Deeds to, or from, governmental entities
Trustee's deed upon sale, or foreclosure
Easements
All agreements of sale, or contacts of sale, affecting real estate.
All affidavits of death
Exceptions:
Beneficiary under deed of trust
All leases (agreements, assignments, memorandums, etc.).
Exceptions:
