Recording Fees 101: What They Are & What They Mean for You

There are a variety of different terms that you must become familiar with as you purchase a new home. You have to pay an application fee, underwriting fees, titles fees and more. But one that seems to leave many buyers scratching their heads is the recording fee. A recording fee is a normal part of the closing costs due when purchasing a home and may be paid by you or the seller.

What is a Recording Fee?

Recording fees are charged by a government agency whenever you need to register or record a real estate purchase. These fees allow the purchase to become part of the public record and are typically charged by the county in which the home was purchased, as this is where all records of property purchases and sales are maintained. Recording fees can vary greatly from county to county.

How Are Recording Fees Determined?

Different agencies can issue their own guideline for submitting documents and recording fees based on each document type. While the recording fee may be $10 in one county, it could be $16 in another neighboring area. Some agencies may charge a recording fee based on the size of the document submitted. For example, you may be charged $30 for the first page of the document, plus an additional $3 for each page that follows. In addition to the title for a property, your local county will also record any mortgages and liens against your home. Therefore, the final cost of recording fees required by the county will depend on the type and overall complexity of the real estate deal.

When a property is sold, a recording fee is usually included as part of the closing costs. Depending on how the sale of your home is structured, these closing costs may be the responsibility of the seller, or they could fall on you to cover before you get the keys. However, it is very common for the buyer to pay for the recording fees so their new mortgage and deed can be entered into the legal records.

Try Not to Stress Over Closing Costs

If you’re having a conversation about closing costs, that means you’re close to finally owning your new home. There are many costs associated with purchasing a home, but at the end of the day, a recording fee shouldn’t be something to be too stressed over.