Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder; sources are listed at the end.

Santa Clara County charges a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 per $500 on a sale, and San Jose, Palo Alto and Mountain View add a city conveyance tax of $1.65 per $500. A standard one-page deed costs $102 to record, and the county charges a $20 fee if a required Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) is missing. Large transfers can also owe Measure E (transfers of $2,000,000 or more) or Measure G (transfers of more than $6,000,000).

Santa Clara County recording and transfer costs at a glance

County transfer tax	$0.55 per $500 of consideration or value, or fraction
City conveyance tax	$1.65 per $500 in San Jose, Palo Alto and Mountain View, in addition to the county tax
Measure E	Real property tax on transfers of $2,000,000 or more
Measure G	Real property tax on transfers of more than $6,000,000
Standard document, first page	$102.00 (includes $75 SB2 fee, $10 fraud fee and $2 restrictive covenants fee); each added page $3.00
Documents subject to transfer tax	Subtract the $10 fraud prevention fee
Multi-titled documents	$102.00 per title
PCOR if missing, incomplete or wrong	$20.00
Conformed copy	$5.00 (include a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail)

How do I record a deed in Santa Clara County?

The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder says a document must be submitted with the proper fees and applicable taxes. Documentary transfer tax and city conveyance taxes are collected when the deed is recorded, so title and escrow companies usually send the funds with the deed.

• Standard-size documents (8.5 x 11 inches) cost $102 for the first page. The county says every page of a document with a non-standard page carries an extra $3.00 fee, and the maximum sheet size is 8.5 x 14 inches.
• If a deed is subject to documentary transfer tax, the county says to subtract the $10 Real Estate Fraud Prevention Fee from the $102.
• Cite any exemption on the face of an eligible document. The SB2 Building Homes and Jobs Act fee is $75 under Government Code 27388.1(a)(1), and exemptions must be cited on eligible documents.
• Additional indexing is $1.00 per group of 10 names after the first 10, and $1.00 for each added recording reference.

What is the documentary transfer tax in Santa Clara County?

The county’s documentary transfer tax is $0.55 per $500 of the consideration or value of the interest conveyed, or any fraction of $500.

The Recorder says it is computed on the real property value, excluding liens or encumbrances already of record, and that it is due on all changes of ownership unless a statutory exemption is cited.

San Jose, Palo Alto and Mountain View add a city conveyance tax of $1.65 per $500, charged on top of the county tax.

Measure E and Measure G add real property transfer taxes on high-value sales; the county has separate pages for each, and sellers of homes above those thresholds should read them or ask escrow for the figure.

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

A PCOR is required with a transfer of real property. The county charges $20.00 if a required PCOR is missing, incomplete or incorrect when you record. The county also notes PCORs are required for leases, memoranda of lease and assignments of lease, with listed exceptions. File it with the deed so the Assessor can review the change in ownership.

Which transfers are exempt from transfer tax in Santa Clara County?

The Recorder says the documentary transfer tax is due on all changes of ownership unless an applicable statutory exemption is cited, and exemptions must be cited on eligible documents.

The common exemptions are set by state law (Revenue and Taxation Code sections 11921 to 11930), such as certain trust transfers that are not sales, gifts, and transfers under a divorce judgment. Your escrow officer or an attorney decides whether one applies; the Recorder cannot advise you.

Estimate the county transfer tax when you sell

The calculator below uses the county rate of $0.55 per $500 and leaves out the city conveyance tax and Measure E and Measure G, so ask escrow for the exact total on a San Jose, Palo Alto or Mountain View sale.

How to sell a house in Santa Clara County and handle the deed

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

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

Santa Clara County recorder and deed FAQ

What is the transfer tax in Santa Clara County?

$0.55 per $500 of value for the county. San Jose, Palo Alto and Mountain View add $1.65 per $500.

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

$102.00 for a standard first page, which includes the $75 SB2 fee, a $10 fraud fee and a $2 restrictive covenants fee, plus $3.00 per added page. Subtract the $10 fraud fee if the deed pays transfer tax.

What are Measure E and Measure G in Santa Clara County?

Real property transfer taxes on high-value sales: Measure E for transfers of $2,000,000 or more and Measure G for transfers of more than $6,000,000.

What if the PCOR is missing from a deed?

The county charges a $20.00 fee for a PCOR that is missing, incomplete or incorrect when one is required.

When is the transfer tax paid?

It is collected at the time of recording, usually through escrow at closing.

Sources

• Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder: Recording document fees
• Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder: Recording real estate
• Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder: Fee schedule

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