Warranty Deed in California

A warranty deed transfers real estate with the seller's promise that the title is good. Before you record it, check your state's signing and recording rules below and your county recorder's formatting rules (margins, preparer and return-address blocks, transfer-tax forms) — recorders reject deeds that miss them.

What California law says

Signing and recording a deed	To be recorded, a deed must be properly acknowledged before a notary (California's all-purpose acknowledgment form), unless exempt, with a notary seal legible enough to be filmed. It must show the Assessor's Parcel Number, the name of the party requesting recording, and a return name and address, on standard 8.5" x 11" pages. A deed that changes ownership should be accompanied by a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR); if it is filed later, the recorder may charge a $20 fee, and a transferee who files neither a PCOR nor a requested Change in Ownership Statement can face penalties. Recording requirements summarized from the state Board of Equalization and the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder; other counties may add local requirements and documentary transfer tax rules. Source: Cal. State Board of Equalization, Change in Ownership FAQs; Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, Recording Requirements
Signing and recording a deed	A deed must be in writing and signed by the owner (or an agent authorized in writing). To be recorded, a grant deed or quitclaim deed must be acknowledged before a notary; proof by a subscribing witness is not allowed for deeds. Deeds are recorded with the county recorder. Counties (and some cities) may charge a documentary transfer tax (county rate $0.55 per $500 of value when consideration exceeds $100), and the new owner generally must file a change in ownership statement (Preliminary Change of Ownership Report) with the county recorder or assessor. City transfer tax rates vary. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1091; Cal. Gov. Code § 27287; Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §§ 480, 11911

Signing and recording a deed

To be recorded, a deed must be properly acknowledged before a notary (California's all-purpose acknowledgment form), unless exempt, with a notary seal legible enough to be filmed. It must show the Assessor's Parcel Number, the name of the party requesting recording, and a return name and address, on standard 8.5" x 11" pages. A deed that changes ownership should be accompanied by a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR); if it is filed later, the recorder may charge a $20 fee, and a transferee who files neither a PCOR nor a requested Change in Ownership Statement can face penalties.

Recording requirements summarized from the state Board of Equalization and the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder; other counties may add local requirements and documentary transfer tax rules.

Source: Cal. State Board of Equalization, Change in Ownership FAQs; Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, Recording Requirements

Signing and recording a deed

A deed must be in writing and signed by the owner (or an agent authorized in writing). To be recorded, a grant deed or quitclaim deed must be acknowledged before a notary; proof by a subscribing witness is not allowed for deeds. Deeds are recorded with the county recorder. Counties (and some cities) may charge a documentary transfer tax (county rate $0.55 per $500 of value when consideration exceeds $100), and the new owner generally must file a change in ownership statement (Preliminary Change of Ownership Report) with the county recorder or assessor.

City transfer tax rates vary. Re-verified 2026-10-27.

Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1091; Cal. Gov. Code § 27287; Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §§ 480, 11911

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Recording requested by and return to: [name and mailing address]

WARRANTY DEED

For [consideration], [grantor name(s)], of [grantor address] ("Grantor"), grants and conveys to [grantee name(s)], of [grantee address] ("Grantee"), [how grantees take title], the following real property in [county] County, [state]:

Legal description: [full legal description copied from the current deed]

Commonly known as: [street address] Parcel / tax ID: [parcel number]

Grantor warrants the title to the property, as provided by [state] law, subject only to: [exceptions, e.g. easements and restrictions of record, current taxes].

Signed on [date signed]. Grantor signature(s): ____________________

[Acknowledgment before a notary public, in the form your state requires, and any witness signatures your state requires]

Send tax statements to: [name and address for tax bills]

Warranty Deed for other states · California tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.