How do I get a copy of a recorded deed in Los Angeles County?
Request the copy from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC). Start with the official real estate records service, identify the deed, and choose an online, mail, or in-person request. Any member of the public may request these records; you do not have to be the property owner.
Prepare the names and recording year: The Recorder indexes records by grantor name, grantee name, and year of recording. A property address or Assessor's Identification Number (AIN) alone is not a substitute for those search details.
Independent information: This website is not affiliated with Los Angeles County. We do not accept deed orders, collect fees, or issue recorded documents.
Identify the Deed You Need
Gather as much of the following information as you have:
- Document title: For example, Grant Deed or Quitclaim Deed.
- Names on the document: The grantor transferring the interest and the grantee receiving it.
- Recording year: Use the year the deed was recorded, which may differ from its signing date.
- Recording reference: Include the document or instrument number and recording date if available.
The Recorder's real estate records FAQ explains its name-and-year indexing. If you have an older copy or closing paperwork, check it for the deed's recording reference.
If you only know the property address and need an owner name before searching, see how to obtain property ownership information in Los Angeles County. The Assessor's parcel information can help identify the property, while the recorded deed copy comes from the Recorder.
Choose a Request Method
| Method | Official starting point | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Online real estate records request. | Follow the County's link to LexisNexis. Online orders are charged the certified-copy fee. |
| By mail | Mail request instructions. | Send a written request with the required search details and payment. |
| In person | In-person request and appointment information. | Arrange an appointment and confirm the service location before traveling. The County states that copies are provided at the scheduled appointment. |
Online ordering is different from online record browsing. The Recorder does not provide public online access to its real estate records or indexes. An online copy order does not give you a searchable deed database or guarantee an immediate download.
The online and mail instruction pages currently list processing within 20 working days after receipt. Allow for delivery time and check current instructions if you need the copy by a particular date.
Request a Deed Copy by Mail
Follow the official mail instructions. Your written request should identify the document title, names listed on the document, and recording year. If the exact year is unknown, specify the years you want searched.
State whether you want a plain or certified copy and include your return mailing information. Confirm the total fee before sending payment, especially if the page count or required search is uncertain.
Make the check or money order payable to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and mail the request to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Real Estate Records
P.O. Box 1130
Norwalk, CA 90651-1130
Do not mail cash. The County does not accept e-checks or temporary checks for mailed requests. Use the mailing address specified in the current copy-request instructions.
Choose the Copy Type and Check Fees
Ask the person or organization receiving the deed whether a plain copy is sufficient or a certified copy is required. Specify that choice when ordering through a channel that offers it.
The official fee page currently lists these mail-request charges:
- Plain copy: $5 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.
- Certified copy: $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page.
- Search fee: $0.50 per name per year, with a $1 minimum; the search fee is nonrefundable.
The complete document must be purchased; the Recorder does not sell selected pages from a document. Review any applicable handling or delivery charges and the total for your selected ordering method before paying.
If you were directly affected by fires, the County's real estate records page also describes no-cost property records assistance and the required affidavit process. Confirm eligibility and instructions with RR/CC.
Check the Copy and Follow Up
When the copy arrives, compare its document title, names, recording date, recording number, and property description with the deed you intended to order. Check that all pages are included and that the copy type matches your request.
If the document cannot be located or the copy does not match your request, contact RR/CC at 800-201-8999. Have your order reference, request date, search names, and recording details available. The telephone number provides assistance; the County's mail instructions state that copy requests are not accepted by telephone.
For broader Recorder services, see our Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk page. Submit deed orders and supporting information through the designated official service; messages sent to this website do not reach the Recorder.