# Recording fee

> A recording fee is the government charge to record your deed and mortgage in the public land records. Where it appears and how much it can change.

URL: https://mortgage-math-us.com/glossary/recording-fee/  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-29 · By the MortgageMath US Editorial team

## Quick answer

A **recording fee** is the charge a state or local government office, usually the county recorder, collects to record your deed, mortgage or deed of trust and other loan documents in the public land records. It is listed with “Taxes and Other Government Fees” in section E on page 2 of the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cap on total increases for recording fees and lender-listed services | 10% | [CFPB](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/can-my-final-mortgage-costs-increase-from-what-was-on-my-loan-estimate-en-172/) | Sep 11, 2024 |

## Why the documents are recorded

Recording gives public notice of who owns the home and that the lender holds a [lien](https://mortgage-math-us.com/glossary/lien/) on it, which sets the lien’s priority against later claims. A title search relies on these records, and when you pay off the loan, a release of the lien is recorded the same way. Either the buyer or the seller may pay the fees, depending on the document and local practice.

## How much it can change

Counties set their own fees, often per document or per page, so check your county recorder’s schedule. Between the Loan Estimate and closing, recording fees fall in the group of charges that can rise by no more than 10% in total, together with third-party services you pick from the lender’s list. If the total goes over, the lender must refund the excess.

Don’t confuse the fee with a [transfer tax](https://mortgage-math-us.com/glossary/transfer-tax/) or a [mortgage recording tax](https://mortgage-math-us.com/glossary/mortgage-recording-tax/): both are also collected when documents are recorded, but they’re based on the price or the loan amount and can run far higher. See how they add up in the [closing costs guide](https://mortgage-math-us.com/buying/closing-costs/).

## Related terms

- [Deed of trust](https://mortgage-math-us.com/glossary/deed-of-trust/) and [title insurance](https://mortgage-math-us.com/glossary/title-insurance/)

## Sources

- [CFPB](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/can-my-final-mortgage-costs-increase-from-what-was-on-my-loan-estimate-en-172/) — Cumulative limit on increases for recording fees and lender-listed services (Sep 11, 2024)
- [CFPB: What are government recording charges for a mortgage?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-are-government-recording-charges-for-a-mortgage-en-159/)

_General information, not financial advice._