Recording an online-notarized document in Los Angeles County, California

The recording office

Office

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

Official website

www.lavote.gov/home/recorder

Address

12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650 (headquarters)

Phone

(800) 201-8999

eRecording

Accepted via SECURE (multi-county electronic recording system; authorized submitters only)

Remotely notarized documents

The county pages we read don't mention remote online notarization. The recording requirements say the notary seal must be legible for microfilm reproduction (Gov. Code § 8207). Orange County's Clerk-Recorder says Los Angeles is a SECURE partner county; SECURE is used by title, escrow, financial and government institutions.

California online notarization rules

Can California notaries notarize online? Not yet (law passed, not in effect). SB 696 (Stats. 2023, ch. 291), the Online Notarization Act. Per the CA Secretary of State, the online-notarization provisions become operative when the SOS completes its technology project or by January 1, 2030, whichever is earlier.

Maximum fee for a remote notarization: Remote notarization not yet implemented.

Online notarizations from other states: California recognizes notarial acts performed by notaries of other states, but its remote online notarization framework is not yet in effect. Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1182, 1189, &1193 and Cal. Gov't Code § 8232.1 Our check: Cal. Gov. Code § 8232.1 (effective Jan 1, 2024) gives a notarial act performed in another state the same legal effect as a California notarization.

Full details, with statute citations: online notarization in California.

What you'll need to record it

1. The notarized document itself. An online notarization produces an electronic document. Los Angeles County accepts electronic recording through SECURE (multi-county electronic recording system; authorized submitters only), so a title company or eRecording vendor can usually submit the electronic file directly.
2. Recording fees. Fees are set by the county and state and change; check the current fee schedule on the official Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk site before you submit.
3. Any required state forms for your document type (for example, transfer or property-tax forms for deeds). The county site lists what it requires.
4. Confirmation the recipient accepts it. The receiving office or party decides whether to accept a remotely notarized document. If unsure, call the office before your notary session.

This page combines facts from the county's official site with California's rules as summarized on our state page. It is not legal advice.