You may record documents in person or by mail. If recording in person, bring the document to the Clerk-Recorder's main office during business hours. Recording is performed ONLY at the main office, not at satellite offices. If your document meets all the requirements and you pay the proper fees, your document will be recorded while you wait. The Clerk-Recorder will keep the document for processing and mail the original back to the name and address shown on the upper left corner of the first page. Documents are usually mailed back within 5 business days of recording.

If submitting documents by mail, remember to include payment. For fee calculation, see Recording/Filing Fees . Mail your document and payment to this address:

Clerk-Recorder's Office
1055 Monterey Street Room D120
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408-3237

When your document is examined, it will be either accepted or rejected for recordation. If it is rejected, your document (and payment) will be sent back unrecorded with an explanation of why it was rejected. Accepted documents will be processed as described above. An image of the document is kept in the Recorder's Office permanent record collection where it becomes part of the public record.

By recording a document, the document becomes part of the public records of the County Recorder. Many types of documents are recorded to provide the public with notice of chain of title or other interest in real property. You may only record documents that are authorized or required by law to be recorded. The Clerk-Recorder's office cannot advise you how to prepare legal documents, nor can it advise you about which documents you need to record; such information should be obtained from your legal advisor(s). Most stationery stores, however, carry legal forms which may fit your situation and, if properly completed, may be recorded.