Imperial 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 Imperial County Recorder and Assessor; sources are listed at the end. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

An Imperial County home sale ends with a deed recorded at the County Recorder’s office, which collects the recording fees and the documentary transfer tax. The Recorder’s fee page lists the charges, and the Assessor’s page covers the ownership-change report. This guide summarizes both.

Imperial County recording at a glance

What the Imperial County Recorder needs

The Recorder publishes cover sheets for the documentary transfer tax and the SB 2 fee. Staff cannot give legal advice, and a title change may trigger reassessment. The tax is calculated on value, so for example a $400,000 sale is 800 units of $500, or $440 in county tax at $0.55 per unit. Ask escrow for the final total, since fees vary by document.

The Recorder lists 18 exemption categories for transfer tax. They do not include a line for a transfer by reason of death, but they do include a living-trust line and a bona fide gift line.

The Preliminary Change of Ownership Report

The Assessor says a $20 fee applies if the report is not filed at recording. File it with the deed so the Assessor can reassess correctly. See our Imperial County property tax guide for how reassessment affects your bill, and our Imperial County probate guide if the sale follows a death.

How to sell a house in Imperial 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 transfer tax cover sheet and PCOR go in with the deed.
4. Pay at recording. 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 Imperial County.

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

Imperial County deed and recording FAQ

What is the documentary transfer tax in Imperial County?

$0.55 per $500 under Revenue and Taxation Code 11911.

What does the Recorder charge for the first page?

$14 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.

What if the PCOR is not filed?

A $20 fee applies if it is not filed at recording.

What are the Recorder’s hours?

Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Is there an exemption for a transfer into a living trust?

The Recorder’s exemption list includes a living-trust line.

Sources

• Imperial County Recorder: Fees and Documentary Transfer Tax
• Imperial County Assessor: Real Property

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