Tuolumne County Recorder and Deed Transfer Guide for Home Sellers

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. Fees come from the Tuolumne County Recorder’s published schedule; sources are listed at the end.

When you sell a house in Tuolumne County, the deed to the buyer is recorded by the County Assessor-Recorder, which collects the documentary transfer tax at recording. The county posts a one-page schedule of fees and states its recording office hours. Escrow normally handles recording, but the facts below help if a relative prepared the deed or you are clearing title on an inherited house.

Tuolumne County Recorder at a glance

How much is the transfer tax in Tuolumne County?

The county’s Recorder page says documentary transfer tax is due on all taxable conveyances worth more than $100, at $0.55 per $500, or fractional portion, of real property value. The county’s own code adds that the recorder will not record a deed subject to the tax unless it is paid at the time of recording. On a $400,000 sale with no loan assumed, the tax is $440.

What will recording a sale deed cost in Tuolumne County?

A two-page grant deed would pay $14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for the second, or $17.00, plus the $75.00 SB 2 housing fee where it applies, plus the transfer tax. If the Preliminary Change in Ownership Report is left off, add $20.00.

Pages in the wrong size, or with poor legibility, can cost more, and the schedule lists a $1.00 penalty per page for legibility. The county says it accepts cash or check only, so bring one of those or let escrow handle payment.

The housing fee exemption

The county posts an SB 2 exemption worksheet. It explains that the state law requires county recorders to charge an additional $75.00 on every instrument that is recorded, with some exceptions. A sale of a residence is generally not exempt, but a document that qualifies for an exemption must declare it. Escrow will check this.

Plan around the early closing time

The recording office closes to recording at 2:00 p.m., which is earlier than in most Central Valley counties. If your sale is set to close on a Friday, ask escrow when they plan to submit the deed so it records the same day instead of the next business day.

How to sell a house in Tuolumne County when title needs work

A sale closes only when the recorded chain of title is clean. If an owner has died, the seller must show authority, such as a court order or trustee certification. If an old deed was signed but never recorded, record it first. A cash buyer can often close faster than a buyer who needs a lender.

1. Order the vesting deed from the Recorder.
2. Check for liens. Loans, tax liens and judgments are paid from escrow.
3. Decide who pays the transfer tax. Put it in the contract.
4. Sign the PCOR with the deed to avoid the $20.00 penalty.

See how we buy houses in Tuolumne County, or read our Tuolumne County property tax guide and the California transfer tax report.

Have a Tuolumne County house with a title problem? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. There is no cost and no obligation.

Tuolumne County Recorder FAQ

What are the Tuolumne County recording hours?

The county’s fee schedule lists recording office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

How much is the transfer tax in Tuolumne County?

$0.55 per $500 of value, due at recording on taxable transfers worth more than $100.

What is the first-page recording fee?

$14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each added letter-size page, plus the $75.00 SB 2 housing fee where it applies.

Does Tuolumne County take credit cards?

The county’s schedule says cash or check only.

Sources

• Tuolumne County Recorder’s Schedule of Fees
• Tuolumne County Recorder
• Tuolumne County: SB2 Exemption Worksheet

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and rules can change; confirm them with the Tuolumne County Recorder.