In short
Recording a deed means filing it with the local land records office so the transfer is on the public record. The fee is small next to other closing costs: many states charge a flat fee per document, such as $25 in Georgia or $40 in Colorado and Utah. A few states charge far more because surcharges are added to the base fee: Philadelphia charges $277.75 per deed and Washington State counties about $303.50 for the first page.
In 42 of the 51 jurisdictions below (50 states and DC), a state statute or one statewide office sets the fee, often as a flat fee per document rather than per page. The exceptions are Alabama, Delaware, Illinois and Pennsylvania, where the county sets most of it, and California, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Texas, where counties add their own fees to a state base or may choose a higher one. The table gives, for each one, who sets the fee, the amount to record a deed with its legal source, and the statewide surcharges. Where counties set the fee, it gives one county’s official schedule as an example and says so.
What recording is and why it matters
A deed transfers ownership between buyer and seller as soon as it is signed and delivered. Recording makes that transfer public. Once the deed is in the recorder’s index, the law treats everyone as knowing about it, a rule called constructive notice. That is what protects a buyer against a seller who tries to sell or mortgage the same property again, and against later creditors of the seller.
Depending on the state, the office is the county recorder, register of deeds, county clerk or clerk of court; it is one statewide office in Alaska and Hawaii, the town clerk in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the parish clerk of court in Louisiana. To find the office for a property, see how to find out who owns a property. The kind of deed you receive (warranty, quitclaim and others) does not usually change the fee; see types of deeds.
Who pays the recording fee
By custom, the buyer usually pays to record the deed, because the buyer is the one protected by recording, and the lender’s mortgage or deed of trust is recorded at the buyer’s cost too. The seller usually pays to record documents that clear the title, such as the release of an old mortgage. Custom is not law: the sales contract decides, and practice varies by state and region. On a financed purchase, recording fees appear on the Loan Estimate and the Closing Disclosure under taxes and other government fees. See closing costs explained.
Recording fee vs transfer tax
The two are often collected at the same counter but are different charges:
| Recording fee | Transfer tax | |
|---|---|---|
| What it pays for | Filing and indexing the document | A tax on the sale |
| How it is computed | Per page or flat per document | A rate on the price (for example per $500 or per $1,000) |
| Typical size | Tens of dollars | Hundreds or thousands of dollars |
| Exists in | Every state | Most states, not all |
Some states give the transfer tax a confusing name: South Carolina’s “deed recording fee” (S.C. Code § 12-24-10) is a tax on the price, separate from the $15 filing fee in the table. Compare the tax itself in transfer tax by state.
Deed recording fees, state by state
| State | Who sets the fee | Fee to record a deed | Extra statewide surcharges | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | County-set | Not confirmed statewide. Example, Madison County: $25.75 first page, $2.50 each additional page (county schedule) | Not confirmed | State fee law (Code of Ala. § 12-19-90) not read; deed tax is separate |
| Alaska | State (one statewide office) | $20 first page, $5 each additional page (11 AAC 05.200) | None found | DNR Recorder’s Office, 34 recording districts |
| Arizona | State statute | $30 flat per document (A.R.S. § 11-475(A)(1)) | Up to $4 storage surcharge, included in the $30 (§ 11-475.01) | Affidavit of property value required with a deed |
| Arkansas | State statute | $15 first page, $5 each additional page (Ark. Code § 21-6-306) | None found | Read on Craighead County’s official fee page, which cites the statute |
| California | State base + county fees | Up to $10 first page, $3 each additional page (Gov. Code § 27361). Example, Los Angeles County: $15 first page, $3 each additional | SB2 fee of $75 per document, up to $225 (§ 27388.1), not charged on transfers subject to documentary transfer tax or to an owner-occupied home | Los Angeles adds a $7 fraud fee, $2 AB 1466 fee and sometimes a $10 survey monument fee |
| Colorado | State statute | $40 flat per document since July 1, 2025 (C.R.S. § 30-1-103, HB24-1269) | $1 + $2 surcharges, so $43 in practice; documentary fee of $0.01 per $100 of price (§ 39-13-102) | Replaced the per-page fee |
| Connecticut | State statute | $10 first page, $5 each additional page (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 7-34a(a)) | $10 historic documents fee + $40 community investment fee (§ 7-34a(d)-(e)), so $60 for a one-page deed | +$5 if the grantee’s address is missing |
| Delaware | County-set (state surcharges) | Example, Sussex County: $9 per page + $1 maintenance fee (county schedule, July 1, 2024) | $5 housing fund + $25 Cultural Access Fund per document (9 Del. C. § 9607(b)) | New Castle County’s schedule could not be read |
| District of Columbia | District (one office) | $25 flat per document (OTR fee schedule) | $5 surcharge (D.C. Code § 42-1211) | $250 late fee if recorded more than 30 days after notarization |
| Florida | State statute | $10 first page, $8.50 each additional page (Fla. Stat. § 28.24(13)) | Records modernization and $4-per-page court technology charges, included in those totals | Documentary stamp tax is separate |
| Georgia | State statute | $25 flat per deed (O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77(f)) | None found | Read on Chatham County Superior Court’s official fee page, which cites the statute |
| Hawaii | State (one statewide office) | $41 per document up to 50 pages, $106 over 50 (Regular System); Land Court $36 / $101 | None found | Bureau of Conveyances schedule; the rule behind it was not confirmed |
| Idaho | State statute | $15 per deed up to 30 pages, $3 each page beyond (Idaho Code § 31-3205(1)(b)) | None found | Mortgages and deeds of trust cost $45 |
| Illinois | County-set within state rules | Flat fee per deed set by each county, at least $31 in first- and second-class counties (55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2). Example, Cook County: $107 | $18 Rental Housing Support Program surcharge, included in the flat fee | Cook’s $107 includes GIS and storage fees |
| Indiana | State statute | $25 flat per deed (IC 36-2-7-10.5) | None found | Read on county schedules (Ripley, Howard) citing the statute; the county auditor charges separately for the sales disclosure |
| Iowa | State statute | $5 per page (Iowa Code § 331.604) | $1 records management + $1 electronic transaction fee (§ 331.604) | A 2-page deed costs $12 |
| Kansas | State statute | $17 first page, $13 each additional page (K.S.A. 28-115) | $3 technology + $1 heritage trust per page, so $21 / $17 in practice | |
| Kentucky | State statute | $33 up to 5 pages, $3 each additional page (KRS 64.012, version effective July 15, 2026) | $6 affordable housing trust fund fee, included in the $33 | |
| Louisiana | State statute | $100 for 1-5 pages, $200 for 6-25, $300 for 26-50, then $5 per page (La. R.S. 13:844) | $5 per indexed name after the 10th | Recorded by the clerk of court of each parish |
| Maine | State statute | $35 flat per document (33 M.R.S. § 751, as amended in 2025) | Optional preservation surcharge up to $5 (§ 752) | Replaced the old per-page fee |
| Maryland | State statute | $20 up to 9 pages or for a principal residence; $75 otherwise (Real Prop. § 3-601) | $40 records improvement fund surcharge (Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 13-604) | Recordation and transfer taxes are separate and much larger |
| Massachusetts | State statute | $100 flat per deed (M.G.L. c. 262, § 38) | $50 Community Preservation Act surcharge (c. 44B, § 8) | Registries post $155 (Plymouth); the source of the extra $5 was not found |
| Michigan | State statute | $30 flat per document (MCL 600.2567(1)(a)) | Automation fund and remonumentation amounts, included in the $30 | |
| Minnesota | State statute | $46 flat per document (Minn. Stat. § 357.18) | State share and $10 technology fund, included in the $46 | Same fee in every county; deed tax is separate |
| Mississippi | State statute | $25 for the first 5 pages, $1 each additional page (Miss. Code § 25-7-9) | $1 archive fee in some counties | Read in the 2024 bill amending the section |
| Missouri | State statute | $5 first page, $3 each additional page (RSMo 59.310) | $6 user fee (59.319, raised from $4 on Aug. 28, 2026), $3 housing trust fund, $5 (59.800). Example, Clay County: $26 first page | Statute pieces do not add up to Clay County’s $26 |
| Montana | State statute | $20 first page, $10 each additional page (MCA 7-4-2632) | None found | No transfer tax |
| Nebraska | State statute | $10 first page, $6 each additional page (Neb. Rev. Stat. 33-109) | Preservation share, included | Documentary stamp tax is separate |
| Nevada | State statute + county add-ons | $25 per document (NRS 247.305) | $7 mandatory + county options up to $5 and $6. Example, Clark County: $42 | |
| New Hampshire | State statute | $10 first page, $4 each additional page (RSA 478:17-g) | $25 LCHIP surcharge paid by the buyer; up to $2 in some counties (478:17-j) | |
| New Jersey | State statute | $40 first page, $10 each additional page (Morris County clerk schedule) | $3 homelessness surcharge in participating counties | Statute text (N.J.S.A. 22A:4-4.1) not read |
| New Mexico | State statute | $25 flat per document (Sandoval County clerk schedule) | None found | Statute text not read |
| New York | State statute + county option | $5 + $3 per page, or $20 + $5 per page where the county opted in (CPLR 8021). Example, Erie County: $45 + $5 per page. New York City: $32 + $5 per page | $5 records management + $15 cultural education fee; RP-5217 filing fee $125 residential | Erie’s $45 is $5 more than the statute adds up to |
| North Carolina | State statute | $26 for the first 15 pages, $4 each additional page (G.S. 161-10) | None | Uniform throughout the state |
| North Dakota | State statute | $20 for 1-6 pages, $65 over 6 pages (N.D.C.C. 11-18-05) | $3 preservation share, included | |
| Ohio | State statute | $34 for the first two pages, $8 each additional page (R.C. 317.32) | Half is the Ohio Housing Trust Fund fee, included; county option up to $5 | Version effective Oct. 24, 2024 |
| Oklahoma | State statute | $8 first page, $2 each additional page (28 O.S. 32) | $10 records preservation fee, so $18 for one page | |
| Oregon | State statute + county fees | $5 per page (ORS 205.320) | $71 per document: $60 housing, $10 assessment and taxation, $1 land information (ORS 205.323). Example, Multnomah County: $86 first page | |
| Pennsylvania | County-set | Example, Montgomery County: $87.75 up to 4 pages, $4 each additional page (June 25, 2026). Philadelphia: $277.75 | Philadelphia’s fee includes a $110 housing trust fund fee | No single statewide amount |
| Rhode Island | State statute | $80 flat per deed, $1 each additional page (R.I. Gen. Laws 34-13-7) | $4 Historical Records Trust fee, so $84 in practice | The $4 was read on North Kingstown’s schedule |
| South Carolina | State statute | $15 flat per deed (S.C. Code § 8-21-310) | None found | The state “deed recording fee” on the price is a transfer tax |
| South Dakota | State statute | $30 for the first 50 pages, $2 each page over 50 (SDCL 7-9-15) | None found | |
| Tennessee | State statute | $5 per page, $10 minimum (T.C.A. § 8-21-1001) | $2 data processing fee; optional $2 e-filing fee | Read on the state’s county advisory service (CTAS) and Cocke County, not in the code itself |
| Texas | State statute + county add-ons | $5 first page, $4 each additional page (Local Gov’t Code § 118.011) | County records fees up to $10 + $10, technology $2. Example, Harris County: $25 first page | |
| Utah | State statute | $40 flat per document (Utah Code § 17-71-407, effective May 6, 2026) | +$5 in some smaller counties | Formerly § 17-21-18.5 |
| Vermont | State statute | $15 per page (32 V.S.A. § 1671) | $15 to file the property transfer tax return | Recorded by the town clerk |
| Virginia | State statute | $18 for 1-10 pages, $32 for 11-30, $52 over 30 (Va. Code § 17.1-275) | $8 Technology Trust Fund (raised from $5 on July 1, 2026); $20 deed processing fee; $3 open-space fee; $1 transfer fee | Legal basis of the $20 fee not read |
| Washington | State statute | $5 first page, $1 each additional page (RCW 36.18.010) | Surcharges including $183 (RCW 36.22.250); total $303.50 for the first page in Snohomish County | Not all components of the total were traced to a statute |
| West Virginia | State statute | $30 per deed, $1 each page over 5 (W. Va. Code § 59-1-10) | None on top; the $30 is split among funds | |
| Wisconsin | State statute | $30 flat per document (Wis. Stat. § 59.43(2)(ag)) | None on top | Transfer fee is separate |
| Wyoming | State statute | $12 first page, $3 each additional page (W.S. 18-3-402) | None found | No transfer tax |
“Not confirmed” means Payotte could not read the fee in an official text. A row marked “Example” gives one county’s schedule, not a statewide amount. Amounts are for a standard deed; mortgages, plats and nonconforming documents often cost more. Fees change often: check the recorder’s current fee list before you pay.
State notes
- Alabama. Recording is done by the probate judge of each county, and fees differ by county. Madison County’s posted schedule dates from 2013.
- California. Counties add authorized fees on top of the state base, so totals differ by county. A normal sale deed usually pays documentary transfer tax and so escapes the $75 SB2 fee.
- Colorado. HB24-1269 replaced the old per-page fee ($13 first page, $5 each additional page) with a flat $40 per document.
- Delaware. Each of the three counties sets its own page fee by ordinance; the $5 and $25 state surcharges apply in all three.
- Hawaii. One statewide office, the Bureau of Conveyances, records every deed. Land Court (Torrens) property has its own fees.
- Illinois. The flat-fee rules in 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2 cover first- and second-class counties; Cook County sets its schedule by ordinance.
- Kentucky. The current version of KRS 64.012 took effect July 15, 2026.
- Maine. The $35 flat fee comes from a 2025 amendment; Payotte did not read its effective date in the official text.
- Massachusetts. A deed costs $150 under the two statutes read; registries post $155.
- Missouri. The $6 user fee took effect on Aug. 28, 2026. Clay County’s $26 is the practical figure; the statute pieces Payotte read add up to less.
- New Jersey, New Mexico. The official statute sites refused access; the figures come from county clerk schedules.
- New York. Every deed needs a real property transfer report (RP-5217) and a transfer tax return (TP-584), each with its own filing fee.
- Pennsylvania. Each county sets its fees. Philadelphia’s total includes a $110 housing trust fund fee and a $40.25 Access to Justice fee.
- Tennessee. The official code is hosted by a private publisher; the figures come from the University of Tennessee’s county advisory service and a county schedule.
- Virginia. The Technology Trust Fund fee rose from $5 to $8 on July 1, 2026.
- Washington. Most of the cost is surcharges, mainly the $183 document recording surcharge for housing programs; the first page costs about $303.50.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to record a deed?
It depends on the state and sometimes the county. Many states now charge a flat fee per document, such as $25 in Georgia, $30 in Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin, or $40 in Colorado and Utah. Surcharges push some places much higher: about $303.50 in Washington and $277.75 in Philadelphia.
Who pays to record the deed, buyer or seller?
Usually the buyer, because recording protects the buyer’s ownership. The seller usually pays to record releases of old liens. The sales contract and local custom decide.
Is the recording fee the same as the transfer tax?
No. The recording fee pays for filing the document and is usually tens of dollars. The transfer tax is a percentage of the price and can run into thousands. See transfer tax by state.
What happens if a deed is not recorded?
The transfer is still valid between buyer and seller, but it is not public. A later buyer or lender who records first, without knowing of the earlier deed, can take priority, depending on the state’s recording statute. Some places also charge a late fee, such as $250 in the District of Columbia.
Can I record a deed myself?
Yes. Any party can bring or mail a deed to the recorder, and many counties accept electronic recording through approved submitters. The deed must meet the state’s format rules (margins, page size, notarization), or it can be rejected or charged a higher fee for nonconforming documents.
Why does the fee depend on the number of pages?
Many states still charge per page, with a higher first-page fee. More and more states have switched to a flat fee per document, which makes the cost predictable whatever the length.
General information drawn from the official sources cited and dated on this page. It is not legal, tax or financial advice: for your own situation, ask a licensed professional.
More buying guides
- Steps to buy a home in the United States
- How long does it take to buy a home?
- Closing costs explained: what each line means
- Earnest money: how much and when you get it back
- Buyer agreements after the 2024 NAR settlement
- Real estate commission: how agents are paid now
- Home inspection cost and what it covers
- Home appraisal cost and how it works
- Land survey cost and when you need one
- Buying land: costs, financing and checks
- Title insurance explained
- Local transfer taxes: what counties and cities add
- Mansion taxes: when a higher price triggers a higher rate
- Manufactured Homes: HUD Code, Title and Financing
- Buying a Condo: Documents, FHA Approval, Insurance
- Types of Deeds: Warranty, Special Warranty, Quitclaim
- Buying New Construction: Contracts, Warranties, FHA/VA
- How to make an offer on a house: terms, deposit, contingencies
- Home purchase contingencies: inspection, financing, appraisal
- What happens at closing: documents, walk-through, funds
- Title search: what it checks before you close
- How to find out who owns a property: records by state
- Buying a foreclosed home: HUD Homes and bank-owned sales
- Rent vs buy: what goes into the comparison
Sources
- Madison County, AL Probate Judge – Recording fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Alaska DNR Recorder's Office – Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- A.R.S. § 11-475 Fees; exemptions (consulted October 21, 2026)
- A.R.S. § 11-475.01 Document storage and retrieval fund (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Craighead County, AR – County fees (circuit clerk recording fees) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 27361 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 27388.1 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk – Recording fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Colorado General Assembly – HB24-1269 Modification of Recording Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- El Paso County Clerk and Recorder – New recording flat fees take effect July 1 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Weld County – Recording Department fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 92 (§ 7-34a) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Delaware Code Title 9 ch. 96 (Recorders) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Sussex County Recorder of Deeds – Fee schedule (consulted October 21, 2026)
- OTR – General Recording Requirements and Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- D.C. Code § 42-1211 Surcharges (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Fla. Stat. § 28.24 Service charges (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Chatham County Superior Court – Real Estate Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances – Recording Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Idaho Code § 31-3205 Recorder's fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- 55 ILCS 5/3-5018.2 Predictable fee schedule (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Cook County Clerk – Recording Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Ripley County Recorder – Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Howard County – Indiana County Recorder's Fee Schedule (eff. Jan. 1, 2021) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Iowa Code 2026 § 331.604 Recording and filing fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- K.S.A. 28-115 Fees of register of deeds (consulted October 21, 2026)
- KRS 64.012 Fees of county clerks (consulted October 21, 2026)
- La. R.S. 13:844 Fees of ex officio recorders (consulted October 21, 2026)
- 33 M.R.S. § 751 Schedule (consulted October 21, 2026)
- 33 M.R.S. § 752 Records preservation surcharge (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Md. Code, Real Property § 3-601 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 13-604 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- M.G.L. c. 262, § 38 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- M.G.L. c. 44B, § 8 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Plymouth County Registry of Deeds – Fee Schedule (consulted October 21, 2026)
- MCL 600.2567 Register of deeds; fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. § 357.18 County recorder fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Mississippi Legislature – S.B. 2792 (2024) conference report amending § 25-7-9 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Harrison County Chancery Clerk – Recording (consulted October 21, 2026)
- RSMo 59.310 Recorder's fee (consulted October 21, 2026)
- RSMo 59.319 User fee (effective Aug. 28, 2026) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- RSMo 59.800 Additional five dollar fee (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Clay County Recorder of Deeds – Fee Schedule (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Clay County Recorder of Deeds (consulted October 21, 2026)
- MCA 7-4-2632 Fee when recording done by mechanical means (consulted October 21, 2026)
- MCA 7-4-2631 Fees of county clerk (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 33-109 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- NRS Chapter 247 (NRS 247.305) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Clark County Recorder – Fee Schedule (Jan. 1, 2020) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Clark County Recorder – Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- RSA 478:17-g Recording Fees and Surcharge (consulted October 21, 2026)
- RSA 478:17-j Register of Deeds Equipment Account (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Morris County Clerk – Registry fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Sussex County Clerk – Recording Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Sandoval County Clerk – Recording Fees Payment Information (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Lincoln County Clerk – Recording Documents (consulted October 21, 2026)
- N.Y. CPLR 8021 (NY Senate) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Erie County Clerk – Record a Deed (consulted October 21, 2026)
- NYC Department of Finance – ACRIS Recording Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 161-10 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- N.D.C.C. ch. 11-18 (Recorder) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Ohio Rev. Code 317.32 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Oklahoma Statutes Title 28 (Oklahoma Legislature) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Carter County Clerk – Requirements and fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- ORS chapter 205 (2025 edition) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Multnomah County – Recording Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds – Fee Schedule effective 6/25/2026 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- City of Philadelphia – Understanding your deed recording fee (Aug. 14, 2025) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- R.I. Gen. Laws 34-13-7 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- North Kingstown – Recording Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- S.C. Code Title 8 ch. 21 (§ 8-21-310) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- SDCL 7-9-15 Fees of register of deeds (consulted October 21, 2026)
- CTAS – Proper Fees for Recording or Filing (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Cocke County – Register of Deeds (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Tex. Local Gov't Code ch. 118 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Harris County Clerk – Real Property fee schedule (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Utah Code § 17-71-407 (effective 5/6/2026) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- 32 V.S.A. § 1671 Town clerk (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Va. Code § 17.1-275 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Va. Code § 17.1-279 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Va. Code § 58.1-817 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Prince William County Circuit Court – Land Records Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- RCW 36.18.010 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- RCW 36.22.170 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- RCW 36.22.175 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- RCW 36.22.240 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- RCW 36.22.250 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Snohomish County – Recording Fees (consulted October 21, 2026)
- W. Va. Code § 59-1-10 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Wis. Stat. § 59.43 (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Wyo. Stat. 18-3-402 (Enterprise Technology Services copy) (consulted October 21, 2026)
- Fremont County Clerk – Fee schedule (consulted October 21, 2026)