Can I search Los Angeles County deeds online by address?

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk does not provide public internet access to its real estate record indexes. Recorder records are indexed by grantor name, grantee name and recording year. If you only have an address, begin with the Los Angeles County Assessor Portal.

How much is a Los Angeles County deed copy?

The Recorder's published copy fees are $5 for the first page of a plain copy and $3 for each additional page. A certified copy is $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.

Can I request a deed search by telephone?

No. The Recorder states that telephone requests for real estate index searches are not accepted.

Where do I record a deed in Los Angeles County?

Property documents are recorded through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Documents may be submitted using an eligible in-person office or by mail according to current Recorder procedures.

Does the Los Angeles County Recorder provide property tax bills?

No. Recorded deeds and land documents are handled by the Recorder. Property assessment information comes from the Assessor, while tax bills and payments are handled through Los Angeles County property tax agencies.

What is the difference between a plain and certified deed copy?

A plain copy reproduces the recorded document for informational use. A certified copy includes the Recorder's certification that it is a copy of the official record and may be required for legal, court, title or administrative purposes.

Los Angeles County, California · Deeds · Recorded documents · Certified copies

Los Angeles County Recorder: Find Deeds, Records and Certified Copies

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

You can request a real estate record copy from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk online through its official request page, in person, by mail or by fax.

Q: Can the Los Angeles County Recorder search a property by street address?

The Recorder states that its real estate records are filed by grantor name, grantee name and recording year rather than street address.

Q: 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.

The Los Angeles County Recorder is part of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC), the county office that records and maintains deeds and other official real-estate documents. If you need a grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, lien, reconveyance, easement or other recorded instrument, this is the office that controls the official record.

The most important search rule is easy to miss: Los Angeles County does not provide public internet access to its Recorder real-estate index or document images. You can request a copy online, but you cannot simply type a street address into an official Recorder search and browse deeds online.

Request an official record copy Find property by address / AIN Start with only an address

Looking for a free online Los Angeles County deed-by-address search? The official Recorder does not offer one. Real-estate records are maintained in alphabetical indexes by grantor name, grantee name and recording year. Use the Assessor Portal first when all you have is a street address, then continue to the Recorder for the actual recorded instrument.

Official office Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

Online index? No public internet access to Recorder real-estate indexes.

Records available RR/CC says real-estate records are available from 1850 to present.

Main office 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650.

Recorder phone (800) 201-8999; option 3 is listed for real-estate records.

Go to the correct record

What are you actually trying to do?

“Los Angeles County property records” can mean several different records held by different government offices. Use the correct agency from the beginning so you do not waste time searching a system that does not contain what you need.

Find a deed, lien or recorded document

Use the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. This is the controlling office for recorded real-estate instruments.

Follow the Recorder search process

Find a property from an address

Start with the Los Angeles County Assessor Portal, which supports searches by address or AIN.

Convert an address into a deed search

Order a plain or certified copy

Request the complete recorded document online, in person, by mail or by fax.

See copy methods and fees

Record a new deed

Use the RR/CC Property Document Recording rules, not the real-estate copy request service.

Check recording requirements

See assessed value or parcel data

The Assessor—not the Recorder—maintains assessment and parcel information.

Open official Assessor Portal

View or pay a property tax bill

Use the Los Angeles County Property Tax Portal and Treasurer and Tax Collector resources.

Open official tax portal

Los Angeles County Recorder guide

Jump directly to the task you need to complete.

Official deed search workflow

How to find Los Angeles County Recorder deeds and real-estate records

Unlike counties that publish a searchable grantor-grantee database on the web, Los Angeles County keeps its official real-estate indexes offline. The Recorder specifically states that records are maintained alphabetically by name and recording year and that telephone index searches are not accepted.

Identify the document you need Decide whether you are looking for a grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien, release, easement, notice, CC&R or another instrument. Knowing the document title dramatically narrows the request.

Gather the grantor or grantee name Recorder records are indexed by names appearing on the document. For a deed, the grantor is generally the transferring party and the grantee is the receiving party. Use exact or likely names when possible.

Estimate the recording year If you know when the purchase, refinance, transfer, lien or release occurred, use that year. For a mail search, RR/CC says that if the exact recording year is unknown, you must provide the years you want searched. See official mail-request instructions

Choose viewing or copy ordering If you need to research several documents or trace older ownership, in-person index review may be more practical. If you already know enough about the document, request the copy directly. View official record-viewing page

Verify the document before relying on it Confirm the party names, recording number or reference, legal description, document title and recording date. If you are resolving title ownership, litigation, probate or another legal issue, do not assume that one isolated deed tells the entire title history.

Already have a recording number or book/page reference? Keep it with your request. A precise recording reference can eliminate much of the uncertainty involved in a name-and-year search.

Address → parcel → deed

If you only know the property address, start here

A common mistake is trying to use a Los Angeles street address as though it were a Recorder search key. RR/CC says its records are filed by grantor name, grantee name and recording year. The Los Angeles County Assessor Portal, however, does allow a property search by address or Assessor Identification Number (AIN).

Open the official Los Angeles County Assessor Portal Go to the county’s property search rather than a commercial deed site. Open Assessor Basic Search

Search the street address Enter the property address and open the matching parcel. If you already know the AIN, search that instead.

Confirm you have the correct parcel Compare the situs/location information, parcel map context and AIN before using information from the result. Condominiums, neighboring parcels, multi-parcel sites and similar street addresses can produce easy mistakes.

Write down the AIN and useful ownership clues The Assessor record helps establish the parcel you are researching. Gather any owner/name information you already have from tax records, closing papers, prior deeds or other reliable sources.

Estimate when the deed was recorded Use the purchase or transfer date as a starting point. If you are looking for a refinance, lien or reconveyance, use the approximate year that transaction occurred.

Continue to the Recorder Use the name and year information to view the official index in person or submit a copy/search request. Open official Recorder copy request

Current Assessor data note: when reviewed on October 16, 2026, the official Assessor Portal identified its property records as effective September 25, 2026. Because databases update, rely on the effective date displayed by the portal when you perform your own search.

Get the document

How to request a Los Angeles County deed or record copy

Any member of the public can search and request Los Angeles County real-estate record copies. RR/CC lists online, in-person, fax and mail request options.

Choose the copy-request method that fits your situation
Method	Best when	Important detail	Official path
Online	You know enough information to order the record remotely.	RR/CC routes online real-estate record requests through LexisNexis. The county says orders are processed within 20 working days from receipt.	Online request
In person	You need direct assistance, same-visit research, historical records or copies.	Use the current appointment page and verify the location’s service before traveling.	In-person request
Mail	You know the document type, names and recording year or year range.	Mail requests go to the Real Estate Records section in Norwalk. Do not send cash.	Mail instructions
Fax	You want to submit the required record information remotely and pay by accepted credit card.	RR/CC’s fax instructions list the document title, names, year, mailing address, delivery choice and daytime phone among required information.	Fax instructions

Ordering online is not the same as searching the Recorder index online. Los Angeles County permits online copy requests, but the RR/CC says the real-estate indexes themselves are not available for public internet browsing.

Document title, if known

Grantor and/or grantee name

Exact recording year, if known

Year range if the exact year is unknown

Recording number or book/page if available

Plain versus certified copy requirement

Official copy costs

Los Angeles County Recorder copy and search fees

The following amounts are published by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Always open the official fee page before ordering because government fees can change.

Published real-estate records request fees
Service	Published fee	What to know
Plain copy — first page	$5	For a non-certified copy of the recorded document.
Plain copy — each additional page	$3	The entire document must be purchased; RR/CC does not sell selected individual pages.
Certified copy — first page	$6	Use when a certified Recorder copy is specifically required.
Certified copy — each additional page	$3	Added for each additional document page.
Name search	$0.50 per name / per year	Non-refundable; published minimum is $1.
Expedited mail / UPS	$18.50	Listed as an additional delivery option.
Credit-card handling fee	$1.75	RR/CC lists this handling/service charge for applicable credit-card transactions.

Check current official copy fees

Plain or certified? Choose a certified copy only when the organization, court, attorney, title company or transaction requesting the document requires certification. For ordinary research, a plain copy may be sufficient.

Research in person

Viewing Los Angeles County real-estate records at Norwalk

For people researching older deeds, multiple transfers, liens or a chain of recorded documents, viewing the records in person can be more useful than submitting a narrowly defined copy request.

1851–1957 viewing

The official viewing page says records from 1851 through 1957 are available for review on the lower level at the Norwalk headquarters.

1958–present viewing

The same page says records from 1958 to the present are available for review on the second floor at Norwalk.

The broader RR/CC real-estate records information states that county real-estate records are available from 1850 to present. The viewing page separately describes the physical review locations using the 1851–1957 and 1958–present ranges.

Do not arrive expecting an address-based computer search. Prepare the grantor or grantee name and likely recording year. RR/CC says it cannot accept telephone requests for index searches.

Check viewing appointments Check branch locations

Submitting a new document

How to record a deed in Los Angeles County

Finding an existing deed and recording a new deed are separate transactions. If you are submitting a grant deed, quitclaim deed or another property instrument for recording, use the RR/CC Property Document Recording requirements.

Confirm the real property is in Los Angeles County The Recorder’s published requirements state that property covered by the document must be located in Los Angeles County.

Prepare a recordable document The document must be authorized or required by law to be recorded and must be sufficiently legible for a readable reproduction.

Check signatures and acknowledgment RR/CC’s general requirements call for original signatures unless an allowed certified copy is being recorded. Documents requiring acknowledgment must contain the proper acknowledgment.

Add the requesting party and return information Include the name of the party requesting recording and a name and address where the document is to be returned after recording.

Include the Assessor’s Parcel Number where required RR/CC identifies the Assessor’s Parcel Number as required on documents including deeds, deeds of trust/mortgages, notices of default and notices of trustee’s sale.

Prepare the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report when applicable For documents affecting a change in real-property ownership, RR/CC instructs filers to include a completed Preliminary Change of Ownership Report.

Check the page format RR/CC specifies standard formatting requirements, including an 8.5-by-11-inch standard page and reserved recording space at the top of the first page. Nonconforming pages can trigger additional charges.

Calculate fees and applicable taxes before submitting Recording charges depend on the document, number of pages, number of titles and whether special statutory fees or exemptions apply. Open current Recorder fee schedule

Submit the document using an accepted method RR/CC accepts qualifying property documents in person and by mail under its current procedures. For mailed recordings, send the submission to the Document Analysis and Recording Section—not the Real Estate Records copy-request address. Read the official recording requirements

Do not use a generic deed form without understanding its legal effect. Recording makes an eligible document part of the public record; it does not guarantee that the document accomplishes the legal result you intended. Transfers involving trusts, probate, divorce, business entities, inherited property, disputed ownership or unusual vesting can justify professional legal or title advice before signing or recording.

Recording by mail

RR/CC’s recording instructions direct mailed property documents to:

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

Document Analysis and Recording Section
P.O. Box 1250
Norwalk, CA 90651-1250

This is the document-recording mailing address. A request for a copy of an already-recorded document uses a different Real Estate Records mailing address shown below.

Do not assume one flat fee

Los Angeles County deed recording fees and transfer taxes

A deed’s total recording cost can include more than the base page charge. The RR/CC’s current published fee schedule lists a $15 base recording fee for many documents and $3 for each additional page. Depending on the document and exemption status, other statutory charges can apply.

Examples of fees that may affect a property recording
Fee category	Published amount	Important limitation
Base recording fee	$15	Applies to many recorder document types; document-specific rules control.
Additional page	$3	Added for each additional page or applicable page portion.
Building Homes and Jobs Act fee	$75 when applicable	Subject to statutory exemptions and a $225 cap described by RR/CC for a single transaction per parcel.
District Attorney fraud fee	$10 when applicable	Application depends on the instrument and statutory rules.
Restrictive Covenant Modification Program fee	$2 when applicable	Subject to statutory exemptions.

Do not calculate a complicated recording from the base fee alone. Combined documents, multiple titles, statutory surcharges, documentary transfer tax, special city transfer taxes and exemptions can materially change the amount due.

Documentary transfer tax

Los Angeles County’s Recorder states that documentary transfer tax is imposed on qualifying documents conveying real property. The published county calculation is $0.55 for each $500, or fractional part of $500, of taxable consideration/value. Certain cities impose additional or special city transfer taxes, including Los Angeles, Culver City, Pomona, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica.

Because city rates and thresholds can change, especially for high-value transfers, use the official transfer-tax page rather than relying on an old closing worksheet or a generic online calculator.

Check documentary transfer tax Check current recording fees

Know what you are asking for

Common Los Angeles County Recorder documents explained

Recorded documents you may encounter during property research
Document	What it generally relates to	Why someone searches for it
Grant deed	A transfer of an interest in real property.	Verify a purchase, transfer, grantee or legal description.
Quitclaim deed	A transfer of whatever interest the signer may have without the same implied assurances associated with some other deed forms.	Research transfers between family members, spouses, trusts or other parties.
Deed of trust	A security instrument commonly connected with real-estate financing in California.	Research financing, lender/trustee information or encumbrances.
Reconveyance	A recorded instrument associated with release of a deed-of-trust security interest after the secured obligation is satisfied.	Check whether a prior loan lien was released of record.
Lien	A recorded claim or encumbrance that may affect property or title.	Due diligence before a sale, refinance or ownership dispute.
Release	A document releasing or satisfying a previously recorded interest or claim.	Confirm whether an older encumbrance remains outstanding.
Easement	A recorded right affecting the use of specified real property.	Research access, utilities, driveways or other property-use rights.
Notice of Default / Sale	Documents associated with specified stages of a nonjudicial foreclosure process.	Understand a foreclosure-related recording affecting the property.
CC&Rs	Recorded covenants, conditions and restrictions affecting property.	Research private restrictions that may apply to a subdivision or development.

A deed is not the same thing as the Assessor’s owner display. The Recorder preserves the actual recorded instrument. The Assessor maintains assessment and parcel records. For serious title research, use the recorded documents rather than treating an assessment database as a substitute for the deed history.

Contact and visit

Los Angeles County Recorder office, phone and mailing addresses

Norwalk Main Office

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

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

Recorder/County Clerk: (800) 201-8999

Real Estate Records — Copy Requests by Mail

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

This address is for real-estate record requests, not for submitting a new deed for recording.

Phone menu that saves time

Option 2

RR/CC lists option 2 for Property Document Recording.

Option 3

RR/CC lists option 3 for Real Estate Records after recording.

Email

recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov is listed for vital and real-estate records requests.

Can I use a branch office?

Some RR/CC district offices provide property-document recording and/or copies of newer real-estate records, but the available services and hours vary by location. The official branch directory, for example, lists recording and real-estate copy services at locations including LAX/Courthouse and Van Nuys. Check the current branch service list before driving to an office.

Check current RR/CC branches Open official contact page

Avoid the wrong department

The Recorder does not hold every property-related record

Use the agency that actually controls the record you need
You need	Start with	Official resource
Deed, lien, easement or recorded property instrument	Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk	Recorder
AIN, assessed value, parcel information or Assessor property search	Los Angeles County Assessor	Assessor Portal
Property tax bill or payment	Los Angeles County property tax agencies / Treasurer and Tax Collector	Property Tax Portal
Building permit in an LA County Public Works jurisdiction	LA County Public Works or the responsible city	Building & Safety permits
Will filed with a court	Superior Court rather than the Recorder	RR/CC’s real-estate FAQ specifically says wills are filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court.

Trying to identify a current owner? Start with the Assessor to identify the parcel and available owner/assessment information, but use the recorded deed and relevant subsequent instruments when the legal ownership history actually matters.

Homeowner protection

Get notified about documents recorded against your property

Los Angeles County operates a Homeowner Notification Program for certain documents recorded against residential property. The RR/CC says the program can send homeowners copies of documents involving ownership changes, loans, Notices of Default or Notices of Sale.

The county has also added an e-Notification option. RR/CC instructs property owners to create a profile through the Los Angeles County Assessor’s portal and opt in for e-Notification.

Read Homeowner Notification Program Open Assessor homeowner services

If you receive an unfamiliar deed, loan, default or sale notice involving your home, do not ignore it. Compare the document with your known transactions and use the county contact information on the official notification page if you believe the recording may be unauthorized.

Fast problem solving

What to do when you cannot find the Los Angeles County deed

You only know the address

Use the Assessor Portal first. Confirm the exact parcel and AIN, then gather owner names and a likely recording year.

The owner’s name changed

Search likely prior names, trust names, entity names, spouse names or other parties that may appear on the transaction.

You do not know the recording year

Estimate from the purchase, refinance, inheritance or transfer event. For a mail search, specify the range of years that should be searched.

You found the Assessor record but not the deed

The Assessor and Recorder are separate systems. Parcel identification alone is not the same as searching the Recorder’s grantor-grantee index.

You need one page only

RR/CC says the complete document must be purchased; individual pages or segments cannot be ordered separately.

You need the record immediately

Online and mail requests are not an instant-download system. RR/CC currently states that those orders are processed within 20 working days. Consider the current in-person options when timing is critical.

Official resources

Los Angeles County Recorder links worth bookmarking

Recorder home

Main RR/CC gateway for real-estate records and property document recording.

Open Recorder

Request a real-estate record

Official starting point for copies of recorded deeds and related documents.

Request a copy

View Recorder records

Use for current instructions on in-person real-estate record review.

View record instructions

Recording requirements

Review document formatting, acknowledgment, parcel-number and submission rules.

Check requirements

Recorder fees

Check document-specific recording and copy charges before paying.

View current fees

Los Angeles County Assessor Portal

Best official starting point when you have an address or AIN instead of Recorder search information.

Search Assessor records

Frequently asked questions

Los Angeles County Recorder FAQs

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

Not through the official Recorder’s public real-estate index. RR/CC states that its real-estate records and indexes are not available for public internet access and that records are filed by grantor name, grantee name and recording year. If you only know the address, use the Los Angeles County Assessor Portal first.

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

Use the RR/CC Real Estate Records Request service. Copies can be requested through the available online, in-person, mail or fax methods.

How much does a Los Angeles County deed copy cost?

RR/CC currently publishes a plain-copy fee of $5 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. A certified copy is $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Additional search, delivery or payment-processing fees may apply.

Can I buy only one page of a multi-page deed?

No. The Recorder’s FAQ states that the complete document must be purchased and that individual pages or portions are not available separately.

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

RR/CC’s general real-estate record information states that records are available from 1850 to the present. Its in-person viewing page describes on-site review locations for records dated 1851–1957 and 1958–present.

Can I call the Los Angeles County Recorder and have staff search a deed for me?

The official viewing page states that telephone requests for index searches are not accepted. The Recorder/County Clerk contact number is (800) 201-8999; option 3 is listed for Real Estate Records.

What is the difference between a plain copy and a certified copy?

A plain copy is a reproduction of the recorded document for reference. A certified copy includes official certification from the Recorder and may be requested when a court, government agency, title professional or other recipient requires a certified public record.

Where do I mail a request for an existing deed copy?

Mail real-estate record requests to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Real Estate Records, P.O. Box 1130, Norwalk, CA 90651-1130. Follow the official mail-request instructions and do not send cash.

Where do I mail a new deed that I want recorded?

RR/CC’s recording instructions list the Document Analysis and Recording Section, P.O. Box 1250, Norwalk, CA 90651-1250. This is different from the mailing address used to order an already-recorded document.

Does the Recorder handle assessed values and property tax bills?

No. The Recorder handles recorded legal documents. The Los Angeles County Assessor establishes assessed values and maintains assessment records, while property tax billing and collection involve the Auditor-Controller and Treasurer and Tax Collector. Use the official Los Angeles County Property Tax Portal for tax-related tasks.

Bottom line

Use the Recorder for the recorded document—not as an address search engine

The fastest way to navigate Los Angeles County property records is to separate the parcel search from the recorded-document search. When you only know an address, identify the parcel through the Los Angeles County Assessor Portal. Then gather the names and approximate recording year needed to locate the deed, lien, reconveyance or other instrument through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

If you already know the document you need, skip commercial middlemen and begin with the county’s official copy-request page. If you are recording a new deed, use the separate recording-requirements and fee pages so the document, acknowledgment, parcel information, ownership report, transfer tax and applicable statutory fees are handled correctly.

Request official real-estate record Find parcel by address / AIN Record a property document

Los Angeles County Recorder: Deeds, Records, Copies & Recording Guide