Alameda 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 Alameda County Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder; sources are listed at the end.

Alameda County’s documentary transfer tax is $0.55 per $500 of value, and eight cities add their own transfer tax on top, including Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward and San Leandro. The county lists city rates from $8.50 to $25.00 per $1,000 of full value. Recording fees are separate, and a state SB2 fee of $75 per title, up to $225 per transaction, applies unless an exemption is claimed.

Alameda County recording and transfer costs at a glance

County transfer tax	$0.55 per $500 of value, or fractional part, excluding liens remaining at the time of sale
City transfer taxes	Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Hayward, Oakland, Piedmont and San Leandro charge their own, at full value
Multiple-title document	$89.00 per title, plus $3.00 per added page and any special title fee
SB2 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee	$75 per title, up to $225 per transaction, unless exempt
Non-standard page size	$3.00 supplemental fee on every page if any page is not 8.5 x 11 inches
Largest page accepted	8.5 x 14 inches
Missing PCOR	The Recorder may charge an additional $20
Payment	Cash and debit in person; checks and money orders payable to the Alameda County Clerk Recorder; no credit cards for recording

How do I record a deed in Alameda County?

The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder counts the back of a page as an extra page. Each document needs at least a half-inch margin on both sides, and the top 2.5 inches of the first page is reserved for return and recording information. If the first page lacks that space, a cover sheet is attached for an extra $3.00.

• Credit cards are accepted only for online copy requests of vital records, fictitious business name statements and official public records, not for recording.
• Checks, money orders and cashier’s checks are payable to the Alameda County Clerk Recorder.
• If you sell, escrow normally records the deed and pays the fees, so you rarely deal with the counter.
• The county says it will not calculate transfer taxes for you, but it verifies the amount when the document is presented.

What is the documentary transfer tax in Alameda County?

The county’s page quotes Revenue and Taxation Code section 11911, which lets a county tax each deed at $0.55 for each $500 of value, or fractional part, when the value exceeds $100, not counting liens that remain on the property at the time of sale. Alameda County follows that rate.

Several cities then add their own real property conveyance tax, charged on full value with no deduction for liens. The county rounds the full value up to the nearest $500 before applying the city rate.

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

The county’s Preliminary Change of Ownership Report form (BOE-502-A) says the Recorder may charge an additional $20 when a document that changes ownership is presented without one. The report helps the Assessor decide whether the property must be reassessed. Complete it with the deed and give it to escrow.

Which transfers are exempt from transfer tax in Alameda County?

The county posts a list of transactions exempt from transfer tax under the Revenue and Taxation Code, and a separate memo on SB2 fee exemptions. An exemption has to be claimed on the document itself. Your escrow officer or an attorney decides whether one applies to your deed, since the county will not calculate the tax or advise you.

Which Alameda County cities charge their own transfer tax?

The county publishes these city rates, charged on full value in addition to the county tax. They are stated per $1,000 of value.

City	Rate per $1,000 of full value
Alameda	$12.00
Albany	$15.00
Berkeley	$15.00 up to $1,700,000; $25.00 above $1,700,000
Emeryville	$12.00 under $1,000,000; $15.00 from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000; $25.00 above $2,000,000
Hayward	$8.50
Oakland	$10.00 up to $300,000; $15.00 from $300,001 to $2,000,000; $17.50 from $2,000,001 to $5,000,000; $25.00 above $5,000,000
Piedmont	$13.00
San Leandro	$11.00

Estimate the county transfer tax when you sell

The calculator below uses the county rate of $0.55 per $500 and leaves out any city transfer tax listed above, so add the city amount for a sale in one of those cities.

How to sell a house in Alameda County and handle the deed

You can sell a house in Alameda 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 Alameda County cash home buyer page and the Alameda County property tax guide.

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

Alameda County recorder and deed FAQ

What is the transfer tax in Alameda County?

The county rate is $0.55 per $500 of value. Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Hayward, Oakland, Piedmont and San Leandro add their own city tax, from $8.50 to $25.00 per $1,000.

What is the Oakland transfer tax?

The county lists $10.00 per $1,000 up to $300,000, $15.00 per $1,000 from $300,001 to $2,000,000, $17.50 from $2,000,001 to $5,000,000 and $25.00 above $5,000,000, on top of the county tax.

What is the Berkeley transfer tax?

$15.00 per $1,000 of full value up to $1,700,000 and $25.00 per $1,000 above that, in addition to the county tax.

Does Alameda County accept credit cards for recording?

No. Credit cards are not accepted in person or by mail for recording; cash, debit, checks and money orders are.

Who records the deed when I sell?

The escrow or title company normally records it and pays the recording fees and transfer tax from the closing funds.

Sources

• Alameda County Clerk-Recorder: Documentary Transfer Tax and city conveyance taxes
• Alameda County: Real property basic recording fees
• Alameda County: Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PDF)
• Alameda County Clerk-Recorder FAQs

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