Recording Fee
Definition and meaning of Recording Fee in real estate.
A recording fee is a government charge paid to the county recorder's office to cover the administrative cost of entering property documents into the official public record.
In more detail
This fee is paid at closing and is typically categorized as a closing cost. It is charged on a per-page or flat-rate basis, and the cost varies depending on the county regulations and the specific type of document being filed. Both deeds and mortgages must be recorded, meaning a typical buyer will pay separate fees for each document.
The responsibility for paying these fees is negotiated in the purchase contract, although the buyer usually pays for recording the deed and mortgage, while the seller pays to record lien releases.
Key facts
| Category | Legal, Titles & Closing |
|---|---|
| Who pays | Typically the buyer, but negotiable |
| Charged by | Local county government |
| Payment timing | Due at closing |
As part of their closing costs, the buyers paid a typical recording fee of one hundred dollars to have the county register their new mortgage and deed.
Frequently asked questions
Is a recording fee the same as a transfer tax?
No, a recording fee covers the administrative cost of filing documents, whereas a transfer tax is a state or local tax based on a percentage of the property's sale price.
Can recording fees be waived?
Recording fees are set by local government regulations and cannot be waived by the real estate agent, lender, or title company.