Recording Requirements

On this web page you will find the recording requirements for a number of documents as compiled by the Document Reference Manuel Committee of the County Recorder's Association of California. The criteria used in developing the requirements were the Federal, California State and local codes. Each listed requirement was substantiated by a code section and/or a written legal opinion and in consideration of the uniform recording rules of the association. In many cases the Document Reference Manuel Committee found it difficult to separate "traditional requirements" from "actual requirements." However, in doing so, the committee felt that the result of their work would provide a more valuable training and information resource.

For more Basic Document Requirements (PDF) Pursuant to California Government Code.

Questions

If you have questions about these items, please call the Recorder's Office at 530-265-1221. 

Fees

Download the Recorder's Fees Schedule (PDF)

Forms

Many forms are available from the Assessor's Office

Original Signature Required

GC 27201(c): Requires original signatures on all instruments, papers or notices presented for recording except as otherwise provided by law. A certified copy is also acceptable.

All-Purpose Acknowledgment

CC 1188 and CC 1189: Any California notary public or other officer taking acknowledgments in California must complete the California all-purpose notary acknowledgment.

Legibility

GC 27361.7: Documents presented for recording must be sufficiently legible to reproduce a readable photographic copy. This includes notary seals and any attachments or exhibits. State law dictates that documents that cannot be reproduced legibly must be rejected.

Page Size

GC 27361.5: A page is defined as one printed side of a single piece of paper measuring 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. A sheet is defined as one printed side of a single piece of paper that is not exactly 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches but is no larger than 8 1/2 inches by 14 inches.

Page Margins

GC 27361.6: All documents submitted for recording must have at least a 1/2 inches margin along each vertical side. In addition, the top 2 1/2 inches of the first page or sheet must be reserved for recording information. The left 3 1/2 inches of this space is used to show the name of the party requesting the recording and where to mail the document after it is recorded.

Cover Page

GC 27361.6: If the first page of the document does not have required space (see above) for the recording information, a separate page or cover sheet must be attached to the front of the document. This cover sheet must show the name of the party requesting the recording, where to mail the document after it is recorded and the title or titles of the document. Recording fees will be charged for this page.

Document Title

GC 27324: All documents submitted for recording must indicate the title or titles of the documents contained therein. Titles should appear on the first page, directly below the space reserved for the Recorder.

Additional Titles Indexed

GC 27324: The Recorder is required to index all titles shown on the first page. Additional titles may be also be identified and indexed at the discretion of the Recorder. Additional titles indexed by the Nevada County Recorder's Office include, but are not limited to, Assignment of Rents and Assignment of Leases found in the body of the document. When a document contains more than one title to be indexed, the recording fee will increase $8 for each additional title to be indexed.

Recording Reference Number Required

GC 27361.6: Any document that modifies, releases or cancels the provisions of a previously recorded document must contain the recording reference number of that prior document.

Basic Recording Fees

GC 27361: All recording fees are due at the time of recording. The Nevada County Recorder's Office charges $15 for the first page and $3 for each additional page per document. For a complete list of our fees, please see our Recorder's Fees (PDF).

Recording Fee for Non-Conforming Documents

GC 27361: If any part of a document does not measure 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches an additional non-conforming fee of $3 will be charged for each page of the document. For a complete list of our fees, please see our Recorder's Fees (PDF).

Documentary Transfer Tax

How to calculate: Documentary Transfer tax is imposed on each deed, instrument, or writing by which any lands, tenements, or other realty sold within the County shall be granted, assigned, transferred, or otherwise conveyed to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons by his or their direction. The tax is at the rate of $0.55 for each $500 or fractional part thereof, when the net consideration or value of the property exceeds $100 exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining thereof at the time of sale. (Revenue and Taxation Code 11911).

Other Information

For further information regarding laws that govern legally recordable documents, please refer to the State of California legislation website. Choose the type of code in which you are interested; you may also search specific topics.