San Rafael, CA – With a new state law and local resolution going into effect, Marin County residents will be paying higher fees for recording most documents beginning January 1, 2018, according to Marin County Recorder Richard N. Benson.
The Recorder's Office maintains permanent public records of documents related to the ownership and encumbrance of real property in Marin County. The new and increased fees relate to the
California Affordable Housing & Job Act Fee (SB-2), and the
Marin County District Attorney Fraud Fee.
The state's SB-2 requires an additional fee of $75 for recording most real estate documents. Details about which documents are subject to the new fee are on the Recorder’s website. A limited number of statutory fee exemptions exist. All fees collected by the Recorder’s staff go toward the state program.
Also, Marin County Board of Supervisors Resolution 2017-102, approved on September 12, increased the Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Trust Fund Fee from $3 to $10 and expanded the number of document titles to which the fee applies. The first increase in this fee since 2008, it is to deter, investigate, and prosecute real estate fraud crimes involving recorded real estate documents.
The Recorder’s Office has no discretion to exempt documents from the fees except as provided by law. If you have questions regarding these fees, or applicable exemptions, contact the Recorder’s Office at Suite 232 of the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. Call 415-473-6093 or e-mail recorder@marincounty.org for more information.