Kern 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 Kern County Assessor-Recorder’s document recording page; sources are listed at the end. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

A Kern County home sale ends with a deed recorded by the Assessor-Recorder at 1530 Truxtun Ave in Bakersfield. The office lists the fees, the transfer tax rate and what a transfer document must include. This guide summarizes them.

Kern County recording at a glance

What a Kern County transfer document needs

• The Assessor’s Parcel Number and tax rate area.
• A documentary transfer tax declaration.
• A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, to avoid the penalty.

Re-recording follows AB 1974, and Social Security numbers are limited to the last four digits. In a normal sale, escrow prepares and records the deed. Example: a $450,000 sale is 900 units of $500, so the county tax is 900 times $0.55, or $495, assuming the sale price is the greater figure.

The Preliminary Change of Ownership Report

The Recorder’s page says to include a PCOR with a transfer document to avoid the penalty. See our Kern County property tax guide for how reassessment affects your bill, and our Kern County probate guide if the sale follows a death.

How to sell a house in Kern 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 declaration and PCOR go in with the deed.
4. Pay at recording. Fees and tax are normally paid from seller proceeds.
5. Title transfers. The recorded original comes back in 3 to 6 weeks.

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

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

Kern County deed and recording FAQ

What is the documentary transfer tax in Kern County?

55 cents per $500, on the greater of the unencumbered assessed value or the purchase price.

What does the Recorder charge for the first page?

$13 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.

Can I pay by credit card?

No. Pay by check or money order payable to Kern County Recorder.

How long until I get the original deed back?

About 3 to 4 weeks for walk-in recording and 4 to 6 weeks by mail.

Is a PCOR needed?

Yes. Include it with a transfer document to avoid the penalty.

Sources

• Kern County Assessor-Recorder: Document Recording

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