Recording an online-notarized document in Orange County, California

The recording office

Office

Orange County Clerk-Recorder

Official website

ocrecorder.com/recorder-services/property-documentsdocument-recording-services

Address

601 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Phone

(714) 834-2887 (document examiner); main (714) 834-2500

eRecording

Accepted via SECURE (operated by Orange County with Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego)

Remotely notarized documents

The county pages we read don't mention remote online notarization. The county says it implemented the nation's first electronic recording delivery system in 1997, records 80% of documents electronically, and SECURE has 3,444 authorized submitters (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. Orange County accepts electronic recording through SECURE (operated by Orange County with Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego), 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 Orange County Clerk-Recorder 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.