Yolo County Recorder and Deed Transfer Guide for Home Sellers

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. Fees and rules come from the Yolo County Clerk-Recorder (ACE Department); sources are listed at the end.

When you sell a house in Yolo County, the deed to the buyer is recorded by the Yolo County Clerk-Recorder, part of the county’s Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections (ACE) Department. The county’s recording page explains that recording keeps a public ledger of property ownership, including transfers and liens.

Escrow normally handles recording, but the details below help if a relative prepared the deed or you are clearing title on an inherited house.

Yolo County Recorder at a glance

How much is the transfer tax in Yolo County?

Yolo County states its documentary transfer tax as $1.10 per $1,000 of value. That is the same rate other counties write as $0.55 per $500. On a $450,000 sale with no loan assumed, the tax is $495. The county also provides a Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration form, and a deed that claims an exemption must cite the specific Revenue and Taxation Code section.

The fee increase on January 1, 2027

The county announced that, pending approval by the Board of Supervisors, base recording fees are scheduled to increase effective January 1, 2027, to $20 for the first page. If your closing could slip into January, ask escrow which schedule applies on the day of recording. Do not assume the old fee.

The change of ownership report

The county’s page on transferring ownership of real property says that if the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is not presented at the time of recording, an additional recording fee of $20.00 is assessed. The form is free. Have it filled in and signed along with the deed.

How to sell a house in Yolo 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 fee.

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

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

Yolo County Recorder FAQ

How much is the transfer tax in Yolo County?

The county lists it at $1.10 per $1,000 of value, which is the same as $0.55 per $500.

What is the first-page recording fee in Yolo County?

$15.00 for the first page of most documents. A scheduled increase to $20 on January 1, 2027 is pending Board of Supervisors approval.

What happens if I leave out the change of ownership report?

The county adds a $20.00 recording fee if the form is not presented at the time of recording.

Who should the check be payable to?

The county’s forms page says checks should be payable to Yolo County Clerk-Recorder.

Sources

• Yolo County ACE: Recording Fees
• Yolo County ACE: Transferring Ownership of Real Property
• Yolo County ACE: Clerk-Recorder

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