Documents are recorded at the Recorder's Main Office.

Address:
1530 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Map/Directions

We do not conform copies.

A single check or money order made out to Kern County Recorder may be submitted to cover recording fees, copy fees, and transfer tax. Credit cards are not accepted.

If you need copies of recorded documents see the Request Copies of Recorded Documents page.

Walk-ins

Documents are recorded daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Recorder's Holiday Schedule

For walk-in recordings, the original documents will be returned to the mailing address within 3-4 weeks of the recording date.

Mailed Requests

When mailing your document(s) for recording:

• Send the original document(s) along with the appropriate recording fees to the Recorder's main office.

  Address:
  1530 Truxtun Avenue
  Bakersfield, CA 93301

• Acceptable payment methods: Check or money order made out to Kern County Recorder. Do not send cash.
• Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

For documents sent via mail, return delivery of the original document can be expected by mail within 4–6 weeks from the date of receipt.

Documents are examined only to verify that they meet Recording Requirements. Document examiners are prohibited by law from providing legal advice or assisting in document preparation; such assistance should be obtained from your legal or professional advisor. Most stationery stores do carry legal forms which may fit your situation and may be recorded if properly completed.

• Form Standardization: All documents must be in black ink on white paper and at least 8 ½" × 11", but no larger than 8 ½" × 14".
  • If any of the pages are larger or smaller than 8 ½" × 11", a penalty fee of $3.00 is charged for each page in the document.
  • Any page over 8 ½" × 14" will not be accepted for recording.
• Reservation of Space: All documents must have at least a ½" margin on the two vertical sides; the right-hand 5" of the top 2 ½" shall be reserved for the recorder label. If the proper space has not been reserved for the Recorder's use, a cover page will be added and an additional $3.00 will be charged.
• Requesting Party & Return Address: The left-hand 3 ½" of the top 2 ½" shall be used for the name of the party requesting recordation and the name and mailing address where the document is to be mailed after recording.
• Legibility: Documents must be legible and capable of reproducing a readable photographic record.
• Document Titles: All document titles must be identified on the first page, immediately below the space reserved for the recorder label (See Reservation of Space, above).
• Legal Description & Recording References: Documents referencing land must include a legal description. Recording references, if any, must be listed on the document.
• Exhibits & Riders: Exhibits and riders must be clearly marked as such and submitted with the respective document.
• Signatures: Document must contain original signatures or a certified copy of the original. Certified copies must be unaltered.
• Names of Parties: Names of the parties to be indexed must be legibly printed or typed near all signatures, and must be consistent throughout the document.
• Notary Acknowledgment: Documents affecting title to real property must be properly acknowledged.
• Modifying or Releasing Interest: Any document which modifies or releases a previously recorded document shall state the name of all parties affected or being released, as well as the recorder identification number or recorder's book and page of the document being modified or released.
• Transferring Title to Real Property: In addition to meeting all of the requirements listed above, documents transferring title must contain the assessor parcel number, the tax rate area of the property and a completed Documentary Transfer Tax declaration. To avoid penalty, a completed and signed Preliminary Change of Ownership form must accompany the document.

Other

• Pursuant to Civil Code § 1798.89, records created after January 1, 2010 displaying more than the last four digits of a social security number are not entitled for recording.
• Depending on the type of document, additional requirements may apply.

As of January 1, 2017, 2016 AB 1974 requires that any document that is presented to a California County Recorder for re-recording must be executed and acknowledged or verified (as appropriate) as a new document, unless the document is presented solely to make a minor correction (“minor” as defined in said code).

For these minor corrections, use the Corrective Affidavit form.

View full text of 2016 AB 1974, which amends Sections 27201 and 27288.1 of the CA Government Code

For a complete list of fees, see the Schedule of Fees.

A single check or money order made out to Kern County Recorder may be submitted to cover recording fees, copy fees, and transfer tax. Credit cards are not accepted.

Standard recording fee for a single, regular size document (8 ½" × 11") is $13.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. In addition:

• If any of the pages are larger or smaller, a penalty fee of $3.00 is charged for each page of the document.
• Any page over 8 ½" × 14" will not be accepted for recording.

You may purchase a recorded copy of the first page with the recording information for an additional $3.00.

Documentary transfer tax for documents transferring real property or easements (other than documents qualifying for an exemption) is calculated at the rate of 55 cents per $500.00 and is based on either the unencumbered assessed value of the property, or the purchase price, whichever is greater. For additional details see:

• Documentary Transfer Tax Table (PDF)
• Transfer Tax Exemptions (PDF)

An additional Real Estate Fraud Fee of $10.00 will apply to each of the following:

• Deed of Trust
• Assignment of Deed of Trust
• Reconveyance
• Notice of Default
• Request for Notice
• Substitution of Trustee
• Notice of Trustee's Sale
• Rescission/Cancellation of Default Notice
• All Real Estate Documents as defined in California Government Code § 27388

An additional "Building Homes & Jobs Act" fee of up to $225 ($75 per transaction, per parcel, and per title) may apply in addition to any other recording fees. If you believe that you are exempt from paying the "Building Homes & Jobs Act" fee attach the SB2 Exemption Cover Page found on the Recorder Forms page to each document you are recording.