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
Why the documents are recorded
Recording gives public notice of who owns the home and that the lender holds a 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 or a 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.
Related terms
Sources
- CFPB — Cumulative limit on increases for recording fees and lender-listed services (Sep 11, 2024)
- CFPB: What are government recording charges for a mortgage?
Last reviewed Figures are checked against the sources above. Read our editorial policy. This page is general information, not financial advice — see the disclaimer.