San Diego County Recorder and Deed Transfer Guide for Sellers

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. Facts come from the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk; sources are listed at the end. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

A San Diego County home sale ends with a deed recorded by the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, which collects the documentary transfer tax at recording. This guide covers the tax rate, the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, recording fees and where to send or bring documents.

San Diego County recording at a glance

Documentary transfer tax	$0.55 per $500 (Revenue and Taxation Code 11911), collected at recording
Exemptions	Must be marked on the face of the document
PCOR	Required (Revenue and Taxation Code 480.2); the Recorder may charge an extra $20 if it is missing
SB 2 fee	$75, up to $225 maximum; not imposed on transfers subject to documentary transfer tax or on a residential dwelling transferred to an owner-occupier
Card payments	$2.50 surcharge
Recorder phone	(619) 238-8158

Where to record in San Diego County

• By mail: overnight to Chula Vista at 590 3rd Ave, Suite 204, or by regular mail to P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750.
• In person: the Recorder’s page says in-person recording is not available at the Kearny Mesa office.
• Notary: notary service is offered only at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 402.
• Help with forms: the office cannot give legal help, but courtesy deed forms are available online.

In a normal sale, your escrow or title officer prepares the deed and handles recording.

Documentary transfer tax in San Diego County

The Recorder collects the tax at recording at $0.55 per $500 of value. Claimed exemptions must be marked on the face of the document. Example: a $950,000 sale is 1,900 units of $500, so the county tax is 1,900 times $0.55, or $1,045. Cities in the county may charge their own transfer tax, so ask your escrow officer for the total.

The Preliminary Change of Ownership Report

The Recorder requires a PCOR when a document changing ownership is recorded and may charge an additional $20 if it is missing. The report helps the Assessor decide whether the property is reassessed. For how reassessment and supplemental bills work, see our San Diego County property tax guide. If the deed follows a death, read our San Diego County probate guide first.

How to sell a house in San Diego County: the recording steps

1. Open escrow. Escrow orders title and drafts the grant deed.
2. Sign before a notary. The deed needs a notary acknowledgment.
3. Complete the tax paperwork. The PCOR and any exemption statement go in with the deed.
4. Pay at recording. Taxes and fees are normally paid from seller proceeds.
5. Title transfers. The recorded deed becomes part of the public record.

A cash buyer can close and record on your schedule. See how we buy houses in San Diego County.

Questions about selling a San Diego County house? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. There is no cost and no obligation.

San Diego County deed and recording FAQ

What is the documentary transfer tax in San Diego County?

$0.55 per $500 of value, collected at recording.

What if the PCOR is missing?

The Recorder may charge an additional $20.

Does the SB 2 fee apply to a home sale?

The Recorder says it is not imposed on transfers subject to documentary transfer tax, nor on a residential dwelling transferred to an owner-occupier.

Can I record a deed in person at Kearny Mesa?

No. The Recorder’s page says in-person recording is not available at that office.

Does the Recorder record wills?

No. The Recorder does not record wills or hold probate records.

Sources

• San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk: Recorder

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rates and fees change; confirm with the San Diego County Recorder or your escrow officer.