Recording fees, defined and explained

Recording fees are a common closing cost when buying a home. These mandatory fees are paid to your local government to transfer legal ownership of the property. As you’re knee deep in the home buying process, learn what a mortgage recording fee is, and how much you may pay.

What are recording fees?

State and local government agencies charge recording fees to register the transfer of the ownership of a property. More specifically, the fee is paid to legally record the deed to the property and any related documents for your home loan.

The fees also go toward making the deed official and putting it into the public record. Doing so offers official documentation that you own the home.

How much are recording fees?

Recording fees vary and are usually assessed by the county where you’re purchasing the home. Each county sets its own requirements for the number and type of documents that need to be filed, as well as the fees charged.

For example, some counties charge recording fees per page. The more pages you have for a deed of trust, for example, the more you may need to pay.

Recording fees are typically negligible compared with other costs you’ll pay. The Home Buying Institute says home buyers in 2024 usually were charged $50 to $150 for mortgage recording fees.

What kinds of documents require recording fees?

Most real estate transactions charge recording fees. Some of the documents that need to be recorded include:

• Mortgages
• Affidavits
• Changes of title
• Deeds of trust
• Bills of sale
• Liens

Who pays recording fees?

Home buyers usually pay recording fees for all related documents. In some situations, you may be able to negotiate seller concessions and have the seller pay some of the cost.

What happens if you don’t pay your recording fees?

Most mortgage lenders are unable to close on a house until the county officially records the property transfer. Failing to record your purchase could lead to legal problems.

Not recording the deed or bill of sale as part of the public record means that there may not be any evidence of ownership. The previous owner may still be on record at the county recorder's office. If there are any disputes, it could end up being an expensive and time-consuming process to resolve.

Can you pay recording fees online?

Each county has its own requirements and ability to accept payment of recording fees online. For example, some county recorder's offices accept recording fee payments by credit card, whereas others will require a check. Most will not accept cash payments.

To see what your options are, see what’s available in the county where you’re purchasing the home. These fees may be rolled into your closing costs set by the lender, so you may not be responsible for paying them individually on your own.

Are mortgage recording fees tax-deductible?

Recording fees are not tax-deductible, though other mortgage-related costs are. For example, you may be able to deduct mortgage interest if you itemize your income taxes.

To check what may be tax-deductible, check IRS Publication 530, which provides tax information for homeowners.

The bottom line: Paying recording fees makes your homeownership official

Recording fees are an integral part of the home closing processing when getting a mortgage. It ensures that any key documents related to the home sale are made public and part of the official records at the relevant county.

Lenders like Rocket Mortgage^® will help walk you through the home loan process, including guiding you through recording fees. Our Home Loan Experts are ready to help you start your mortgage application.