Where is the LA County Recorder office in Norwalk?

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk main office is at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650. The Recorder/County Clerk telephone number is 800-201-8999.

Can I search Los Angeles County deeds online by address?

The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk does not provide a public internet deed index that works as an address search. Real estate records are maintained using party names and recording year. Use the Assessor Portal first when you need to identify the parcel from an address.

How do I get a copy of a Los Angeles County deed?

You can request recorded real estate records through the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk using its online request process, in person, by mail or by fax. Prepare the document title, party names and recording year.

How much is a certified real estate record copy in Los Angeles County?

The current RR/CC fee schedule lists a certified copy at $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Verify the live fee schedule before ordering.

What is the difference between the Recorder and Assessor?

The Recorder records and maintains deeds and other recorded instruments. The Assessor maintains parcel and assessment information. Property tax billing and payment are handled by the Treasurer and Tax Collector.

Can I record a grant deed at the Norwalk office?

Yes. The Norwalk headquarters provides document analysis and recording. A deed must satisfy applicable California and Los Angeles County recording requirements, including signatures, acknowledgment, APN information where required, transfer-tax information and a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when applicable.

Does the LA County Recorder give legal advice about deeds?

No. Recorder staff can explain recording requirements and recordkeeping procedures but cannot determine what deed you should use, resolve ownership disputes or provide legal advice.

How far back do Los Angeles County real estate records go?

The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk states that Los Angeles County real estate records are available from 1850 to the present. Its Norwalk viewing guidance separates older records from 1851 through 1957 and records from 1958 to the present.

Los Angeles County, California · deeds · liens · certified copies · document recording

LA County Recorder Norwalk CA: Deeds, Records & Property Document Help

The LA County Recorder in Norwalk, CA is the main Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk location for recording deeds and other real-property documents, viewing recorded real estate records, and requesting plain or certified copies.

The most important thing to know before searching is that Los Angeles County does not offer a normal public online deed index where you enter a street address and immediately see every recorded document. The Recorder’s real estate records are organized around party names and recording years, so the fastest route depends on what information you already have.

Request an official real estate record Record a property document Find a deed step by step

Grantor or grantee name Approximate recording year Document type Property address AIN / parcel number

Do not confuse the Recorder, Assessor and Tax Collector. The Recorder handles deeds and recorded instruments. The Assessor handles parcel and assessment information. The Treasurer and Tax Collector handles property-tax bills, balances and payments. Using the correct office can eliminate most failed searches.

Main office

12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650.

Recorder phone

800-201-8999. Use the recording or real-estate-record option for your task.

Record history

RR/CC states real estate records are available from 1850 to present.

Public online index

The Recorder does not publish its real estate record index for open internet searching.

Reviewed

Official procedures and published fees reviewed October 19, 2026.

Choose the correct path

What are you trying to do at the LA County Recorder?

People searching for “LA County Recorder Norwalk CA” often have very different goals. Use the route that matches your actual task rather than starting with a generic property search.

Find an existing deed

Prepare a party name, approximate recording year and document type, then use the Real Estate Records service.

Deed-search walkthrough

Get a certified copy

Use the RR/CC copy-request process and choose certification when the receiving organization requires an official certified record.

Copy methods and fees

Record a new deed

Check signatures, acknowledgment, APN, PCOR, tax declaration, page formatting and the current recording fees before submission.

Recording checklist

Search from an address

Use the Assessor Portal to confirm the parcel first. A street address is not the Recorder’s primary index key.

Address-to-deed route

Find a lien or release

Search the relevant recorded instrument and verify whether a separate release, reconveyance or later filing exists.

Document types

Check property taxes

Use the Treasurer and Tax Collector rather than the Recorder for current bills, balances or payment history.

Which office handles what?

LA County Recorder guide

Jump directly to the task you need to complete.

Norwalk headquarters

LA County Recorder Norwalk office: address, hours and contact

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

12400 Imperial Highway
Norwalk, CA 90650

Recorder/County Clerk: 800-201-8999

Published main-office hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., except applicable holidays.

Check official office status and services →

What Norwalk handles

Real estate records after recording
Document analysis and recording
Recorded deed and property-document copies
Birth, death and marriage record services
Other Recorder/County Clerk services listed by RR/CC

RR/CC currently advises visitors that security screening is in place at Norwalk headquarters. Allow additional arrival time and check the live appointment or location page before traveling.

Two different Norwalk mailing addresses matter. Do not send a deed for recording to the same P.O. box used for an existing-record copy request. The correct addresses are shown below.

Mail a document for recording

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Document Analysis and Recording Section
P.O. Box 1250
Norwalk, CA 90651-1250

Mail a real estate record request

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 1130
Norwalk, CA 90651-1130

Most common intent

How to find a Los Angeles County deed or recorded property document

Los Angeles County’s Recorder system is different from counties that provide a free address-based deed database. RR/CC says its real estate records are maintained in alphabetical indexes by name and the year a document was recorded, and telephone requests for index searches are not accepted.

Decide which document you actually need A “deed search” may mean a Grant Deed, Quitclaim Deed, Trustee’s Deed, Deed of Trust, Full Reconveyance, lien, release, easement, affidavit or another recorded instrument. Knowing the title dramatically narrows the request.

Prepare at least one party name Use the name of a grantor, grantee, borrower, lender, lien claimant or other person/entity expected on the document. Check spelling, middle initials, trust names and business names carefully.

Estimate the recording year Start with the year of the purchase, refinance, ownership transfer, lien, foreclosure event or other transaction. If the exact year is unknown, be prepared to identify the range that should be searched.

Open the official RR/CC Real Estate Records page Use the county’s official request hub to choose online, in-person, mail or fax service.
Open official Real Estate Records Request →

Verify the result before ordering Match the document title, party names, recording date, document or instrument number and property context. A matching surname alone does not establish that the document belongs to the property or person you are researching.

Choose plain or certified copy A plain copy is usually enough for personal research. Ask the receiving court, lender, government agency, title company or other organization whether it specifically requires a certified copy.

Best search shortcut: if you already have a prior deed, title report, escrow package or recorded document, look for the recording date and instrument/document number. Those details are usually more useful than repeatedly trying variations of the street address.

Address-only searches

If you only know the property address, start with the LA County Assessor

The Recorder is not designed as an address-first property database. If your starting point is a street address, first confirm which parcel you are dealing with through the Los Angeles County Assessor Portal.

Open the official Assessor Portal Go to the county’s property-search system and use the address search.
Open LA County Assessor Portal →

Confirm the correct parcel Compare the situs address, parcel map and property characteristics. Copy the 10-digit Assessor Identification Number (AIN).

Gather party-name information from your available records Check a current or prior deed, title report, closing papers, tax correspondence or other documents you already possess. The Recorder’s index relies on names and recording year; the AIN alone is not a substitute for the grantor/grantee search information.

Estimate the transaction year Use the purchase date, refinance date, death, trust transfer, foreclosure date or other event tied to the document you want.

Move to the Recorder record request Once you have the likely name, year and document type, use RR/CC to view or order the recorded instrument.

Do not treat an AIN as proof of legal title. The AIN identifies a parcel for assessment and tax administration. When legal ownership or the exact language of a conveyance matters, review the recorded deed and, when necessary, obtain professional title or legal assistance.

Copies and certified records

Four ways to request Los Angeles County real estate records

RR/CC says Los Angeles County real estate records from 1850 to the present can be requested through several methods. The best method depends on whether you know the document details and how quickly you need the copy.

1. In person

Best when you need to research the index yourself, resolve uncertain names or years, or obtain an available record during your visit.

Official in-person request page →

2. Online copy request

The county’s official online-request page directs users to its online record-copy ordering service. This is different from an open, free RR/CC internet deed index.

Start at the official county page →

3. By mail

Provide the document title, names appearing on the document and recording year—or the years you want searched—then mail the request and payment to the Real Estate Records P.O. box.

Official mail instructions →

4. By fax

The official fax procedure asks for document details, mailing information and payment information. Follow the live county instructions rather than sending financial information to an unverified number.

Official fax instructions →

Viewing historical records in Norwalk

RR/CC’s viewing guidance places records dated 1851-1957 in the lower-level research area and records from 1958 to the present on the second floor at the Norwalk headquarters. The broader Real Estate Records page states that the county maintains real estate records dating to 1850.

Check current viewing and appointment instructions →

Current published charges

LA County Recorder copy fees

The following amounts come from the current RR/CC Real Estate Records fee schedule reviewed October 19, 2026. Check the official page again before ordering because county fees and service charges can change.

Published Los Angeles County real estate record request fees
Service	Current published fee	When it matters
Plain copy — first page	$5	Personal research and situations where certification is not required.
Plain copy — each additional page	$3	Added for remaining pages of the same document.
Certified copy — first page	$6	Use when the receiving party requires official certification.
Certified copy — each additional page	$3	Added for remaining pages.
Search fee	$0.50 per name/per year; $1 minimum	Important when the exact document number is not already known.
Expedited mail / UPS	$18.50	Additional delivery option listed on the current fee schedule.
Credit-card handling	$1.75	Published handling/service charge for applicable card orders.

Verify real estate copy fees Check document recording fees

Recording a new document

How to record a deed at the LA County Recorder

Recording a deed is different from ordering a copy of a deed that has already been recorded. RR/CC reviews submitted documents for statutory recording requirements, fees and applicable taxes, but Recorder staff cannot choose the correct deed for you or provide individualized legal advice.

Property must be located in Los Angeles County.

Document must be legally recordable.

Original signatures are generally required unless an allowed certified copy is used.

Include the recording requester’s name and return address.

Document must be properly acknowledged unless an exemption applies.

AIN/APN is required on deeds and certain other specified documents.

Notary seal and all text must reproduce clearly.

Include a PCOR for qualifying changes in ownership.

Check documentary transfer tax or exemption wording.

Check page size, margins and first-page recording space.

Micro step-by-step: preparing a Grant Deed or Quitclaim Deed

Confirm the deed type before signing A Grant Deed and Quitclaim Deed have different legal effects. If you are uncertain which instrument is appropriate, obtain legal or title advice before recording.

Complete the deed Enter the parties, return address, property information and legal description required for the transaction. Confirm spelling before notarization.

Sign and notarize as required RR/CC’s deed guidance states that the grantor signs Grant Deeds and Quitclaim Deeds and the signature must be notarized.
Open official deed guidance →

Add the transfer-tax declaration or valid exemption statement The document preparer is responsible for determining the applicable documentary transfer tax or the reason an exemption applies.

Complete the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when required A PCOR generally accompanies deeds and other documents that change ownership. Omitting a required PCOR can result in an additional Recorder fee.

Review the current fee page Recording totals can include a base fee plus document-specific charges, statutory surcharges, per-page fees and taxes. Do not assume every deed has the same total.
Open current recording fees →

Submit in person or by the approved mail route For mailed recording, send the document and payment to the Document Analysis and Recording Section at P.O. Box 1250, Norwalk, CA 90651-1250.

Page formatting matters. RR/CC identifies 8.5-by-11-inch paper as the standard page size, requires recording space at the top of the first page, and requires minimum side margins. Nonconforming pages can trigger extra fees.

Do not guess the total

Understanding Los Angeles County recording fees

The current regular recording schedule includes a $15 base fee, but that is not necessarily the final price. Depending on the document and available exemptions, additional amounts can include the Building Homes and Jobs Act fee, fraud-related fees, the restrictive-covenant modification program fee, additional-page fees and other title-specific charges.

RR/CC currently lists the SB 2 Building Homes and Jobs Act charge at $75 per applicable real estate instrument, paper or notice, subject to statutory exemptions and a maximum of $225 in the circumstances described by the law. The county’s fee page should be used to calculate the actual submission rather than multiplying a generic “per deed” number.

A rejected or underfunded recording can delay the transaction. Check the live fee schedule and any applicable exemption language before mailing a document. If a title company, escrow holder or attorney prepared the transaction, coordinate the recording amount with that professional.

Deed transfer costs

Documentary transfer tax when recording a deed

Los Angeles County states that documentary transfer tax generally applies to documents conveying real property when the taxable consideration or value of the interest conveyed exceeds $100. The county rate is calculated at $0.55 for each $500, or fraction of $500, of the taxable amount.

Certain cities in Los Angeles County impose additional city transfer taxes. RR/CC specifically publishes additional-rate information for Culver City, Los Angeles, Pomona, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica. Rates and thresholds can change, so a high-value transaction should be checked against the current official schedule immediately before recording.

RR/CC also makes clear that determining the correct tax is the responsibility of the document preparer, not the Recorder.

Check current transfer-tax rates

Know what to request

Common Los Angeles County recorded property documents

Common documents you may encounter in the Recorder’s real estate records
Document	What it generally indicates	Useful when researching
Grant Deed	A common California instrument transferring an interest in real property with statutory implied warranties.	Purchase or ownership-transfer history.
Quitclaim Deed	Transfers whatever interest the grantor may have without the same warranties associated with a Grant Deed.	Family, trust, divorce or title-cleanup transfers, depending on the transaction.
Deed of Trust	Instrument securing a debt or obligation with real property.	Mortgage and loan history.
Full Reconveyance	Commonly records release of a deed of trust after the secured obligation has been satisfied.	Checking whether a recorded loan was later released.
Lien	Recorded claim or encumbrance associated with a debt or obligation.	Researching recorded claims against property.
Release of Lien	A later instrument showing that a particular recorded lien has been released.	Following up on an older lien that may no longer be active.
Trustee’s Deed	A deed issued by a trustee following a sale under a deed of trust.	Foreclosure-related ownership history.
Affidavit of Death	A recorded document used in certain ownership-successor situations following a death.	Tracing a transfer involving a joint tenant or trust.
Easement	Records rights affecting use of another property or a defined portion of land.	Access, utilities and property-use research.
Notice of Default / Sale	Foreclosure-process notices associated with a deed of trust.	Understanding a foreclosure timeline.

A recorded document proves that an instrument was accepted into the county’s public record, but interpreting its legal effect can require reviewing related instruments in chronological order. For a title question, one document rarely tells the entire story.

Lien research

What to do when you find a lien in LA County records

If a lien appears in the Recorder’s records, first identify exactly who recorded it, the recording date and the instrument number. Then search for later documents that may relate to the same obligation, such as a release.

RR/CC explains that when an involuntary lien is recorded, questions about the underlying debt should generally be directed to the person or agency that filed the lien. The Recorder cannot simply alter a recorded lien. After the matter is resolved, an appropriate Release of Lien must generally be prepared and submitted for recording by the responsible party.

Get the lien document Confirm the claimant, debtor, recording date and document number.

Identify the filing party Contact that party or agency about the underlying obligation rather than asking the Recorder to decide whether the debt is valid.

Search for a later release An older lien appearing in the chain of records does not by itself tell you whether it remains enforceable today.

Get professional help when legal status is unclear For unresolved title, foreclosure, judgment or lien-priority questions, consult an attorney or qualified title professional.

Property protection

Sign up for Los Angeles County property recording alerts

Los Angeles County operates a Homeowner Notification Program designed to alert property owners when certain documents are recorded against their property. The county has expanded the program with electronic notifications.

The official instructions direct owners to create a profile through the Los Angeles County Assessor system and opt in for Homeowner Alert/e-Notification. The current registration description says an alert can include the AIN, document type, recording date and recorded document number after a qualifying recording is completed.

Read the official notification program Open Assessor account registration

Practical habit: keep your most recent deed, title policy, AIN, lender information and Recorder document numbers together. If an unexpected recording alert arrives, you can compare the notice against your known property documents immediately.

Office routing

Recorder vs Assessor vs Tax Collector: which LA County office do you need?

Use the agency that controls the information you need
Your question	Correct office	What to do
I need a deed or recorded lien	Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk	Use Real Estate Records to view or request the recorded document.
I need to record a new deed	Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk	Use Property Document Recording and verify current requirements and fees.
I only know a property address	Assessor	Search the official Assessor Portal for the parcel and AIN, then continue to Recorder research.
My square footage or property characteristics look wrong	Assessor	Use Assessor property-data and correction services.
I need my tax bill or payment history	Treasurer and Tax Collector	Use the County property-tax portal or tax payment-history service.
I have a legal ownership dispute	Attorney / title professional	Obtain the recorded documents, then seek professional interpretation. Recorder staff do not adjudicate title.

LA County Assessor Portal LA County Property Tax Portal LA County Recorder services

Avoid wasted trips

Before going to the Norwalk Recorder office

Confirm the office is open and check observed holidays.

Check whether your service requires or benefits from an appointment.

Bring the grantor/grantee name and recording year for record research.

Bring the document number if you already know it.

Bring the complete original document when recording.

Bring an accepted payment method.

Allow time for current entrance security screening.

Confirm whether you need a plain or certified copy before paying.

Mail warning: RR/CC directs mailed Recorder/County Clerk transactions to its service-specific Norwalk mailing addresses. Do not assume a branch-office street address is an acceptable mailing destination.

Frequently asked questions

LA County Recorder Norwalk CA FAQs

Where is the Los Angeles County Recorder office in Norwalk?

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk headquarters is at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650. The published main-office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except applicable holidays. The Recorder/County Clerk telephone number is 800-201-8999.

Can I search LA County deeds online for free by street address?

The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk does not provide an open public internet index of its real estate records. The Recorder maintains the records using party names and recording year rather than a simple address-search interface. If you only have an address, first use the official Assessor Portal to identify the parcel.

Can I call the Recorder and ask staff to search a deed for me?

RR/CC states that telephone requests for real-estate index searches are not accepted. Prepare the party name, recording year and document type, then use the county’s in-person or record-request process.

How do I get a certified copy of a Los Angeles County deed?

Start with the official RR/CC Real Estate Records Request page and choose the available online, in-person, mail or fax method. The current fee schedule lists certified copies at $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Check the live fee page before placing the order.

What information should I have before requesting a deed?

The most useful information is the document title, the names appearing on the document, the year it was recorded and, when known, the document or instrument number. A prior deed, title report or closing package can be very helpful.

How far back do LA County Recorder real estate records go?

RR/CC says Los Angeles County real estate records are available from 1850 to the present. Its in-person viewing page directs users to different research areas for records dated 1851-1957 and those from 1958 to the present.

Do I need a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report with a deed?

California law requires a PCOR with many deeds and other documents that change ownership. RR/CC states that when an applicable ownership-change document is presented without the required PCOR, an additional $20 recording fee may be charged. Review the current PCOR instructions for your transaction.

Can the Recorder tell me whether I should use a Grant Deed or Quitclaim Deed?

Recorder staff can explain filing and recording requirements but do not provide legal advice about which deed should be used or how a transfer affects title, taxes, inheritance, community property or creditor rights. Seek legal or title advice when the correct instrument is uncertain.

Where do I check my Los Angeles County property-tax balance?

Use the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector’s property-tax services, not the Recorder. The Recorder maintains recorded land documents; it does not collect your secured property-tax payment.

What should I do if I receive notice of an unfamiliar deed or lien?

Obtain the recorded document, confirm the document number and filing party, and compare it with your known property records. For an unfamiliar lien, contact the filer. For suspected fraud or an unauthorized ownership document, contact appropriate county consumer-protection or law-enforcement resources and obtain legal advice promptly.

Official resources

Direct Los Angeles County Recorder links

Bottom line

The fastest way to get the Los Angeles County property record you need

If you already know the name, recording year and document type, go directly to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Real Estate Records service and request or view the document.

If you only know the street address, begin with the official LA County Assessor Portal to confirm the parcel and AIN, then gather the party-name and transaction information needed for Recorder research.

If you are recording a new deed, do not stop at the $15 base recording fee. Review the complete recording requirements, PCOR rules, transfer-tax declaration, statutory surcharges and current fee schedule before submitting the document.

And if your real goal is a property-tax balance or payment, skip the Recorder entirely and use the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector.

Request recorded property document Find parcel by address Prepare document for recording

LA County CA Recorder: Deeds, Property Records & Norwalk Office