Marin 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 Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk; sources are listed at the end.

Marin County charges a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 per $500 of full value less assumed liens, and the City of San Rafael adds $2.00 per $1,000. A deed costs $14.00 for the first page per title, plus a $75 SB2 fee, a $10 real estate fraud fee and a $10 survey monument fee on transfer documents. The county has said its recording fees and requirements change on January 1, 2027.

Marin County recording and transfer costs at a glance

County transfer tax	$0.55 per $500 (or portion), based on full value less assumed liens, all areas
City of San Rafael tax	$2.00 per $1,000 (or portion) of full value, in addition to the county tax
Basic recording fee	$14.00 first page per document title; $3.00 each added page
SB2 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee	$75.00 per document title, limited exemptions
District Attorney real estate fraud fee	$10.00 per document title
Survey Monument Preservation Fee	$10.00 on transfer documents only
Non-standard page	$3.00 on all pages if a page is not 8.5 x 11 inches
No PCOR filed at transfer	$20.00

How do I record a deed in Marin County?

The Marin County Recorder says every document must meet California recording laws before it is accepted. Documents must be reviewed before 3 p.m. for same-day recording, and all documents need original wet signatures when mailed or recorded in person.

• Use white 8.5 x 11 inch paper of at least 16 lb. bond weight. No page may exceed 8.5 x 14 inches.
• Leave a 2.5 inch by 3.5 inch return address space at top left and a 2.5 inch by 5 inch blank space at top right for the Recorder.
• The county offers a documentary transfer tax transmittal form to calculate the tax on full property value.
• The Recorder’s office phone is 415-473-6092.

What is the documentary transfer tax in Marin County?

Marin County applies the state rate of $0.55 per $500, or portion of $500, to the full value of the property less liens the buyer assumes, in every part of the county. The City of San Rafael adds $2.00 per $1,000 of full value on top of that.

The county’s transmittal form lets you work out the tax before you submit the deed, and for a financing document it has a separate version based on loan value.

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

Marin law requires a Preliminary Change in Ownership Report when you record a property sale or transfer. The county says the form is used only for property appraisal, is confidential and is not shared with the public. If it is not filed when you record, the office charges a $20 fee and sends a request for the form.

Which transfers are exempt from transfer tax in Marin County?

Transfer tax exemptions are set by state law, and the exemption must be claimed on the transmittal form or the document. The Marin Recorder does not advise on whether a transfer qualifies, so ask your escrow officer or an attorney.

Are Marin County recording fees changing?

Yes. The county’s basic recording requirements page says recording fees and requirements change on January 1, 2027, and its fees page says a proposed updated fee schedule goes to the Board of Supervisors on December 8, 2026. The figures in this guide are the current ones listed by the county. Confirm the amount with the Recorder or your escrow officer if your closing falls near or after the change.

Estimate the county transfer tax when you sell

The calculator below uses the county rate of $0.55 per $500 and leaves out the San Rafael city tax, so add $2.00 per $1,000 for a sale in San Rafael.

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

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

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

Marin County recorder and deed FAQ

What is the transfer tax in Marin County?

$0.55 per $500 of full value less assumed liens. The City of San Rafael adds $2.00 per $1,000 of full value.

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

$14.00 for the first page per title and $3.00 for each added page, plus a $75 SB2 fee, a $10 fraud fee per title and a $10 survey monument fee on transfer documents.

What happens if I record a deed without a PCOR in Marin County?

A $20 fee is charged, and the office sends a request for the form.

Are Marin County recording fees changing?

The county says fees and requirements change on January 1, 2027, and a proposed schedule goes to the Board of Supervisors on December 8, 2026.

When is the same-day recording cutoff?

Documents must be reviewed before 3 p.m. for same-day recording.

Sources

• Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk: Fees
• Marin County: Basic recording requirements
• Marin County: Change in ownership and PCOR
• Marin County: Documentary transfer tax transmittal

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