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

Monterey County charges a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 per $500, and a deed that pays transfer tax costs $13.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each added page. A document that does not pay transfer tax costs $98.00 for the first page, because it carries the $10 real estate fraud fee and the $75 SB2 fee. The county’s fee schedule was revised on March 3, 2026.

Monterey County recording and transfer costs at a glance

Documentary transfer tax	$0.55 per $500 or fractional part
Document paying transfer tax, all pages 8.5 x 11	$13.00 first page or title; $3.00 each added page
Document paying transfer tax, not all 8.5 x 11	$16.00 first page or title; $6.00 each added page
Document not paying transfer tax, all pages 8.5 x 11	$98.00 first page or title; $3.00 each added page
Document not paying transfer tax, not all 8.5 x 11	$101.00 first page or title; $6.00 each added page
Real estate fraud fee	$10.00, up from $9.00 on March 3, 2026
Survey monument preservation fee	$10.00 per document
Recorded without a PCOR	$20.00

How do I record a deed in Monterey County?

The Monterey County Recorder accepts any document California law authorizes or requires to be recorded, if it has the required recording information and can be photographically reproduced, once fees and taxes are paid. The top right of the first page must reserve a 2.5 by 4.5 inch space for recording information, or you attach a page that does for an extra $3.00.

• To skip the real estate fraud fee, the first page of the document itself, not a cover sheet, must carry a transfer tax declaration with the amount due, or state that it is recorded concurrently with a transfer subject to documentary transfer tax.
• To skip the $75 housing fee, the first page must carry one of the county’s listed exemption statements, such as a transfer tax declaration showing the tax due.
• Failing to include the required statement means the fee is charged and is not refundable.
• Additional indexing is $1.00 per name for the first 10 names, then $1.00 per group of 10.

What is the documentary transfer tax in Monterey County?

Monterey County’s fee schedule lists the documentary transfer tax at $0.55 per $500 or fractional part, citing Revenue and Taxation Code section 11911. The tax is paid when the deed is recorded.

Because the county charges a much lower recording fee on a document that pays transfer tax, a deed in a taxable sale costs far less to record than a deed with no transfer tax. The county page does not list any city transfer tax.

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

A document recorded without a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report costs an extra $20.00 under Revenue and Taxation Code section 480.3. The Assessor’s Office also lists a $20 penalty per recording when a change-of-ownership statement it requested is not returned within 90 days, with larger penalties set by state law for later failure to file.

Which transfers are exempt from transfer tax in Monterey County?

Monterey County’s fee schedule explains how to claim exemption from the real estate fraud fee and the SB2 fee by printing the required statement on the first page of the document. Transfer tax exemptions themselves come from state law, so your escrow officer or an attorney decides whether one applies, and the Recorder’s contact page can answer fee questions.

Estimate the county transfer tax when you sell

The calculator below uses the county rate of $0.55 per $500. The county page lists no city transfer tax.

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

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

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

Monterey County recorder and deed FAQ

What is the transfer tax in Monterey County?

$0.55 per $500 or fractional part of value.

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

A document paying transfer tax costs $13.00 for the first page and $3.00 per added page. A document not paying transfer tax costs $98.00 for the first page.

What is the Real Estate Fraud Prosecution fee in Monterey County?

$10.00, which rose from $9.00 on March 3, 2026, raising the standard recording fee from $22 to $23 per title.

What happens if I record without a PCOR?

The county adds a $20.00 fee.

How do I avoid the $75 SB2 fee?

Place one of the county’s listed exemption statements on the first page of the document, such as a documentary transfer tax declaration showing the tax due.

Sources

• Monterey County: Fee schedule (Recorder fee schedule revised March 3, 2026)
• Monterey County: Recorder

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