Norwalk CA Recorder Office: Address, Hours & Records

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Los Angeles County · Norwalk, California

Norwalk CA Recorder Office: Address, Hours, Records & Deed Help

The office most people mean by the Norwalk CA Recorder Office is the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk headquarters at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650.

Use this office for Los Angeles County recorded real estate documents, deed recording, certified property-record copies, birth/death/marriage records, fictitious business name services and several other Recorder/County Clerk transactions. The most important step is choosing the correct service before making the trip.

Verify Norwalk office details Open official real estate records Get a property record copy
Important: Norwalk is not a separate county recorder jurisdiction. This is the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk main office located in the City of Norwalk. If your property, birth, death, marriage or recorded document belongs to another California county, you generally need that county’s recorder or clerk instead.
Main office 12400 Imperial Hwy., Norwalk, CA 90650
Recorder phone (800) 201-8999
Real estate records Copies and on-site record review are available through RR/CC procedures.
Reviewed Official information checked October 18, 2026.
Start here

Which Norwalk Recorder service do you actually need?

The Norwalk headquarters handles several unrelated county functions. Going directly to the correct service can prevent a wasted appointment or a request being sent to the wrong department.

Deed, lien or recorded property document

Use Real Estate Records when the document has already been recorded and you need to review or purchase a copy.

Go to record-copy steps
Record a new deed or document

Use Property Document Recording for grant deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust and other recordable instruments.

Go to recording steps
Property address or parcel information

Start with the Los Angeles County Assessor Portal. The Recorder’s real estate index is not an address-search portal.

Search by address correctly
Birth, death or marriage record

Use the vital-record section. Eligibility, identification, certification and delivery rules depend on the record requested.

Review vital-record routing
Property tax bill or payment

Do not use the Recorder. Property taxes are handled by the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector.

Find the correct office
Fictitious business name

Use County Clerk Business Filing & Registration services for FBN filings, searches and certified statements.

Review business-record options

Norwalk Recorder Office guide

Use these links to jump directly to the task you came here to complete.

Office information

Norwalk CA Recorder Office address, phone and hours

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650

Recorder/County Clerk: (800) 201-8999

Regular hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Use the phone menu correctly

Option 1: birth, death and marriage records.

Option 2: property document recording.

Option 3: real estate records after recording.

Option 4: business filings and registration.

Holiday check: The office is closed on applicable county holidays and weekends. Before driving to Norwalk, verify the current schedule on the official RR/CC office-location page.

The official branch directory says the Norwalk headquarters is at the corner of Imperial Highway and Volunteer Avenue. Services listed for the main office include real estate records, document analysis and recording, vital records, marriage services, fictitious business name filings, notary authentication/oaths and election services.

Deeds and recorded documents

How to request a deed or real estate record copy from Norwalk

Los Angeles County real estate records are public records, and the RR/CC allows members of the public to request copies after documents have been recorded. The office provides online, in-person, mail and fax request methods.

Information to gather first

Document type, such as grant deed, quitclaim deed or deed of trust
Grantor, grantee or other party name
Approximate year the document was recorded
Document number if you already know it
Whether you need a plain or certified copy
Correct mailing address if the record will be mailed

Option 1: request a copy online

Open the official RR/CC online request page The county directs users to its online real estate record copy-order service.
Open the official online request instructions
Choose the record-copy option Follow the county’s link to the contracted online ordering service and provide the requested document information.
Review charges before payment Certified-copy and handling charges may apply. Check the county fee schedule before completing the order.
Keep the confirmation Save the order confirmation and any document-identification information for follow-up.
Online ordering is not the same as an online deed index. Los Angeles County allows copies to be ordered online, but RR/CC says it does not provide general public internet access to its real estate record indexes.

Option 2: request by mail

For a mail search, the RR/CC instructs requesters to provide the document title, names listed on the document and the year recorded. If the exact year is unknown, specify the years that should be searched.

Mail real estate copy requests to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 1130
Norwalk, CA 90651-1130

The current mail-request page says real estate copy orders are processed within approximately 20 working days after receipt. Do not send cash. Follow the current county instructions for checks or money orders.

Official mail request steps In-person record request Fax request instructions
Recording a new document

How to record a deed or property document at the Norwalk office

Requesting a copy and recording a new document are different transactions. If you have a deed or another instrument that has not yet been recorded, use the RR/CC Property Document Recording service.

Confirm that the document is recordable Open the official Los Angeles County recording requirements. The Recorder reviews submitted documents for statutory recording requirements and applicable fees.
Prepare the deed correctly For a grant deed or quitclaim deed, the RR/CC states that the document must be completed and signed by the grantor and the grantor’s signature must be notarized.
Review official deed requirements
Complete the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when required The county’s deed guidance states that a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report accompanies property-transfer deeds such as grant and quitclaim deeds.
Determine documentary transfer tax or exemption A transfer may require documentary transfer tax. If no tax is due, the deed generally needs the applicable exemption statement.
Check official transfer-tax guidance
Check the complete recording fee before submission Do not assume the base recording charge is the entire cost. Additional statutory fees can apply depending on document type, titles, pages, exemptions and the transaction.
Open the current official fee schedule
Submit the document to Document Analysis and Recording For mailed recordings, use the dedicated Document Analysis and Recording mailing address shown later in this guide. Do not mail recording packages to a district branch office.
Keep proof of the final recording Once accepted, retain the recorded document number and recording date. If needed, order a certified or conformed copy using the Recorder’s current procedures.
This office records documents; it does not prepare legal documents for you. The legal effect of a deed, ownership transfer, trust transfer or lien release can be significant. Use the county’s requirements to prepare a recordable submission, and obtain qualified legal or title assistance when you need advice about what document should be used.
Costs

Norwalk Recorder real estate copy fees

The following amounts are the RR/CC’s published real estate record copy-request fees reviewed for this guide. Always verify the official fee page before submitting payment because government fees can change.

Published Los Angeles County real estate record request fees
Service Current published fee Practical use
Certified copy – first page $6 Use when an officially certified copy is required.
Certified copy – additional page $3 each Added for each additional page of the same document.
Plain copy – first page $5 Suitable for ordinary research when certification is unnecessary.
Plain copy – additional page $3 each Added for additional pages.
Search fee $0.50 per name/per year, $1 minimum Non-refundable search charge when applicable.
Credit-card handling fee $1.75 Applies to the county’s listed credit-card transactions.
Verify real estate copy fees Verify document recording fees
Recording fees can be much more complex than copy fees. A property’s document type, number of titles, page count, statutory surcharges, SB 2 applicability, fraud-related charges and other circumstances can affect the recording total. Use the official fee schedule rather than estimating from the base fee alone.
Avoid returned mail

Use the correct Norwalk mailing address for your transaction

Los Angeles County publishes different Norwalk mailing addresses for different RR/CC sections. The county specifically instructs users to send mail to the headquarters mailing addresses rather than to district branch offices.

Real Estate Records Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 1130
Norwalk, CA 90651-1130
Document Analysis & Recording Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Document Analysis and Recording Section
P.O. Box 1250
Norwalk, CA 90651-1250
Birth, Death & Marriage Records Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
Business Filing & Registration Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Business Filing & Registration
P.O. Box 1208
Norwalk, CA 90650-1208
Do not treat 12400 Imperial Highway as the universal mailing address. Use the specific P.O. Box assigned to the service you are requesting unless the official instructions for your transaction say otherwise.
Before visiting

Do you need an appointment at the Norwalk Recorder Office?

Appointment requirements depend on the service. Real estate record review, in-person copy requests and many vital-record transactions have dedicated appointment workflows. Do not assume that simply arriving at the building is the fastest option.

Before leaving home

Verify the service is offered at Norwalk
Open the official service page and check appointment requirements
Bring valid identification when the service requires it
Bring the document number, party names and recording year when available
Check current fees and accepted payment methods
Check holiday closures before traveling
Security screening: The RR/CC’s current in-person record pages advise visitors that public entrances at the Norwalk headquarters use metal detectors and bag screening. Allow extra time before your appointment.

The county’s in-person real estate record page currently allows appointments to be scheduled several weeks in advance. Appointment windows and procedures can change, so use the official page rather than relying on an old third-party listing.

Real estate in-person request Check office hours
Other Recorder/Clerk services

Birth, death, marriage and business records at Norwalk

Many people searching for the Norwalk County Recorder are actually trying to obtain a vital record or County Clerk filing. The headquarters provides several of these services, but each has its own eligibility and application rules.

Common Norwalk RR/CC services
Need Correct service Important detail
Birth certificate Recorder – Birth Records Authorized certified copies have identity and eligibility requirements; older records may take longer.
Death certificate Recorder – Death Records Use the official application and appointment/mail process for Los Angeles County deaths.
Marriage certificate Recorder – Marriage Records Records are for marriages whose licenses were issued in Los Angeles County; confidential records have restricted access.
Marriage license County Clerk A marriage license is different from ordering an already-recorded marriage certificate.
Fictitious business name County Clerk – Business Filing & Registration The county provides FBN filing, search and copy services.

Birth certificate example

The current Los Angeles County birth-record page lists an authorized certified birth record copy at $34. For mail requests, an authorized certified copy requires a completed application and Certificate of Identity; the Certificate of Identity must be notarized. An informational copy is available under different rules and is marked as not valid to establish identity.

Birth record instructions Death record instructions Marriage record instructions Official FBN search
Avoid the wrong counter

Recorder, Assessor or Tax Collector: which Los Angeles County office do you need?

These departments deal with the same property but maintain different records. A deed question, assessed-value question and property-tax payment question should not all be sent to the Recorder.

Los Angeles County property task routing
Your question Correct office Start here
I need a deed, lien, release or recorded document. Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Real Estate Records
I want to record a new deed. Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Property Document Recording
I need the parcel/AIN or property assessment information. Los Angeles County Assessor Assessor Portal
I need my property tax balance or payment history. Treasurer and Tax Collector Property Tax Public Inquiries
Fastest workflow for property research: identify the parcel through the Assessor, obtain the recorded deed or related instrument through the Recorder, and use the Treasurer and Tax Collector only when you need tax-bill or payment information.
Practical scenarios

What to do in common Norwalk Recorder situations

You bought a home and want to verify the deed

Gather the buyer/grantee name and approximate closing or recording date. Use Real Estate Records to obtain the recorded document. Do not rely only on a property-tax or assessor screen as a substitute for the recorded deed.

You inherited property

Start by identifying what document was recorded or must be recorded to reflect the change. Estate, probate and trust transfers can have legal consequences, so distinguish between obtaining an existing record and preparing a new recordable instrument.

You need proof for court, lender or government use

Ask whether the recipient requires a certified copy. A plain copy may be sufficient for research, while formal proceedings commonly require certification.

You only know the street address

Use the Assessor Portal first to identify the parcel. Then gather the party names and approximate recording year needed for the Recorder’s name-and-year record system.

You received a suspicious deed solicitation

Before paying a private company for copies, check the official RR/CC copy process and published government fees. Many public documents can be obtained directly from the county at the official rates.

You need to pay property taxes

Do not send the payment to the Norwalk Recorder Office. Use the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector’s official secured-property-tax system instead.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Norwalk CA Recorder Office

What is the address of the Norwalk CA Recorder Office?

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk main office is located at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650. The county describes the headquarters as being near the corner of Imperial Highway and Volunteer Avenue.

What are the Norwalk Recorder Office hours?

The main Norwalk office publishes regular hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding county holidays. Check the official office-location page immediately before visiting.

What is the Los Angeles County Recorder phone number?

Call (800) 201-8999. Use option 2 for property document recording and option 3 for real estate records after recording. Option 1 covers birth, death and marriage records.

Can I search Los Angeles County deeds online by street address?

Not through a public RR/CC real estate-record index. The Recorder states that its real estate indexes are maintained by name and recording year and are not made available as a public internet index. If you only know the property address, begin with the official Los Angeles County Assessor Portal to identify the parcel.

Can I order a deed copy online even though there is no online index?

Yes. These are separate functions. RR/CC provides an online copy-order option while restricting general public internet access to the underlying real estate record indexes.

How much does a certified deed copy cost?

The current RR/CC fee schedule lists a certified real estate record copy at $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Verify the official fee page before ordering because fees can change.

Can I record a quitclaim deed at the Norwalk Recorder Office?

Yes, if the document satisfies California and Los Angeles County recording requirements. RR/CC states that a quitclaim deed should be completed, signed by the grantor with the signature notarized, accompanied by the required Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, and include applicable transfer-tax information or an exemption statement.

Does the Norwalk Recorder Office handle property tax payments?

No. The Recorder records property documents. Los Angeles County secured property tax bills, balances, payment history and payments are handled by the Treasurer and Tax Collector.

Can anyone obtain Los Angeles County real estate records?

The RR/CC states that real estate record copies are available to members of the public. The request process and fees depend on whether you order online, in person, by mail or by fax and whether you need a plain or certified copy.

Should I mail a record request directly to 12400 Imperial Highway?

Not automatically. Los Angeles County publishes dedicated P.O. Box addresses for Real Estate Records, Document Analysis and Recording, vital records and Business Filing & Registration. Use the mailing destination specified for your transaction.

Bottom line

Use Norwalk when you need the actual Los Angeles County recorded record

For most property-record users, the key is understanding what the Recorder actually controls. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk in Norwalk is the place to record property documents and obtain copies of recorded deeds, liens and other real estate instruments. It is not the county’s property-address assessment search and it is not the property-tax payment office.

If you know the grantor or grantee, document type and approximate recording year, start with the RR/CC real estate record request process. If you only know the street address, identify the parcel through the Assessor first. If your goal is a tax balance or payment, go directly to the Treasurer and Tax Collector.

Official real estate records Official recording requirements Official Assessor parcel search
Official-source note: Office information, service routing, record availability, request methods and fees in this guide were checked against Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Los Angeles County Assessor and Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector resources on October 18, 2026. Government hours, fees, appointment procedures and forms can change, so use the linked official page before submitting documents, money or a time-sensitive request.

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