(1125) Recorder Division

The Division of the Recorder provides the underlying framework for the County’s real estate transactions and is responsible for recording legal documents that determine ownership of real property. The Recorder Division assesses and collects transfer taxes, and maintains, indexes, and issues official copies of all recorded documents.

• FY 2020/21 the Recorder processed 23,000+ land title transactions which allowed for the collection of $700,000+ in County and City Transfer Tax.

• Pursuant to the Building Homes and Jobs Act, the Recorder must collect a fee on mortgage refinances and other real estate transactions. FY 2020/21 the Recorder collected $980,000+ on 10,000+ transactions.

• The County has deferred maintenance to the Hall of Records it would be good to address in the upcoming years.

• CY 2021 the Recorder will implement an Electronic Recording Delivery System. This will enable the Recorder to examine and record documents that deal with ownership of land titles digitally.

• CY 2022 the Recorder will undertake a comprehensive study of current charges, resolving conflicts with Government Code Section 54985 for County approved fees.