Real Property in Orange County
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 24, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
If you own, are buying, or are selling real estate in Orange County, the documents that transfer or secure title — deeds, deeds of trust, and transfer-on-death deeds — are recorded with the county.
In Orange County, that’s the Clerk-Recorder in Santa Ana. Recording puts the transfer on the public record, and a deed should always be recorded in the county where the property is located.
Start with how to hold title (which decides whether the property avoids probate), selling a home, and selling inherited or probate property. If the property is part of an estate, see probate in Orange County.
Recording property documents
County Recorder: Orange County Clerk-Recorder, 601 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Deeds and other real property documents for Orange County are recorded with the Clerk-Recorder in Santa Ana. Always record a deed in the county where the property is located. Verify current hours, fees, and e-recording or appointment options on the office's official site before filing.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Where do I record a deed in Orange County?
- Deeds for Orange County are recorded with the Clerk-Recorder, 601 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Record the deed in the county where the property is located, and confirm current hours and fees on the office's official site.
- Where are transfer-on-death deeds recorded in Orange County?
- A California transfer-on-death deed is recorded with the county recorder where the property sits — for Orange County, the Clerk-Recorder in Santa Ana.
- Is inherited Orange County real estate handled in probate?
- Only if it isn't in a trust or held with right of survivorship. If probate is needed, Orange County probate is handled at the Costa Mesa Justice Complex — see probate in Orange County.