San Benito County Recorder and Deed Transfer Guide for Homeowners and Sellers

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. Fees and rules come from the San Benito County Clerk-Recorder; sources are listed at the end.

San Benito County charges a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 per $500, and every deed must include a county Transfer Tax Affidavit. The county’s fee ordinance lists $15.00 for the first page of a deed, $3.00 for each added page and a $20.00 charge if a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is missing. The recorder’s office is at 1601 Lana Way in Hollister.

San Benito County recording and transfer costs at a glance

Documentary transfer tax	$0.55 per $500 or fractional part, excluding liens of record
First page (8.5 x 11)	$15.00
Each additional page	$3.00
SB2 fee	$75.00 per instrument, paper or notice, where it applies
Non-conforming page size	$3.00, charged on all pages
Recorded without a PCOR	$20.00
Penalty print	$1.00 per page
Recording hours	Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 8:30 to 8:45 reserved for title companies

How do I record a deed in San Benito County?

The San Benito County Recorder says documents must be drafted before you bring them in, because the office does not prepare documents or tell you which form to use. Documents can be brought in, dropped off or mailed to 1601 Lana Way, Hollister, CA 95023.

• The property must be in San Benito County, and the document must be authorized to be recorded and submitted with the proper fees and taxes.
• Documents must have original wet signatures or be a certified copy of a government agency record.
• Documents that fail the recording requirements are rejected with a letter listing what is missing.
• Recorded documents are kept one to two business days for indexing and scanning, then mailed to the return address on the document.

What is the documentary transfer tax in San Benito County?

The county’s recording information page says documentary transfer tax is due on all changes of ownership unless an applicable statutory exemption is cited.

It is computed at $0.55 per $500, or fractional portion, of real property value, excluding liens or encumbrances already of record, and it is collected, together with any applicable city conveyance taxes, at recording. San Benito County’s Ordinance Code section 5.03.001 sets out its property transfer tax.

If a transfer is exempt, enter 0 on the tax line and give a valid Revenue and Taxation Code exemption and reason, signed by the party computing the tax or claiming the exemption.

What is a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR)?

The county says a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is needed to record all deeds, affidavits of death, easements and leases over 35 years. The buyer files it at the time of recording. If it is not provided, a $20.00 penalty fee can be assessed.

The county also requires a Transfer Tax Affidavit for any deed under Ordinance Code 5.03.001, and its information must match the tax declaration on the first page of the deed.

Which transfers are exempt from transfer tax in San Benito County?

Exemptions come from state law and must be cited on the document with the Revenue and Taxation Code section and a reason. The county does not give legal advice, so your escrow officer or an attorney decides which exemption applies. The county’s page links to title company transfer tax calculators as general resources, which it does not endorse.

Estimate the county transfer tax when you sell

The calculator below uses the county rate of $0.55 per $500.

How to sell a house in San Benito County and handle the deed

You can sell a house in San Benito County as is, and the deed to the buyer is recorded at closing by the escrow company. Whether you sell on the open market or for cash, the steps are the same.

1. Decide how to sell. A listing brings showings, repairs and a buyer’s loan approval. A cash sale closes on a date you choose.
2. Open escrow. The escrow officer prepares the grant deed, the transfer tax declaration and the PCOR.
3. Sign and notarize. The deed is signed and notarized by everyone on title.
4. Escrow records the deed. The recording fees and transfer tax are paid from the closing funds.

We buy houses across the county as they are. See our San Benito County cash home buyer page and the San Benito County property tax guide.

Selling a San Benito County house and want a clear number? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. There is no cost and no obligation.

San Benito County recorder and deed FAQ

What is the transfer tax in San Benito County?

$0.55 per $500 or fractional portion of value, excluding liens already of record.

What is the Transfer Tax Affidavit in San Benito County?

A form required by County Ordinance Code 5.03.001 with every deed, matching the information on the deed’s transfer tax declaration.

How much does it cost to record a deed in San Benito County?

The county’s fee ordinance lists $15.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each added page, plus the $75 SB2 fee where it applies.

What if I record without a PCOR?

A $20.00 penalty fee can be assessed.

Where do I record a document in San Benito County?

At the County Recorder, 1601 Lana Way, Hollister, or by mail, with recording hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Sources

• San Benito County Clerk-Recorder: Recording information
• San Benito County Code: Clerk/Recorder fee schedule, section 5.01.036
• San Benito County: Recorder

This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. Fees and rates can change; confirm the current amount with the San Benito County Clerk-Recorder or your escrow officer.