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Recording fees

The fees the county charges to record the deed and mortgage in the public records. Small compared to other closing costs, but never zero.

Taxes & insurance · Updated September 2026

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Where this comes up: closing

This word belongs to the closing part of a sale. Here is what that part holds, in order.

  1. Clear titleConfirm every lien will be released · Issue title insurance
  2. Clear to closeConfirm the closing date and time · Keep the deal on track
  3. Closing dayFinal walkthrough · Verify wire instructions by phone
  4. Closed and fundedHand over keys and access · Cancel utilities and services

Your Room keeps this list for your own sale, with your dates on it.

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Part 1 of 4

Why a seller cares

The county charges to record the deed and the mortgage release, and the fees are small and on the settlement statement. By custom the seller pays to record the release of their own mortgage and the buyer pays to record the deed.

Part 2 of 4

A simple example

At closing you pay about $60 to record your mortgage release, and the buyer pays about $150 to record the deed and their mortgage.

Recording fees: a simple example
The documentWho usually pays to record it
The deedThe buyer
The buyer's mortgageThe buyer
The release of the seller's mortgageThe seller

Recording fees are small, fixed, and split by who benefits from each document.

Part 3 of 4

What people get wrong

That recording fees are the transfer tax. The tax is a percentage of the price; the fee is the clerk's charge per page.

Part 4 of 4 · where to read next

Where it appears in the sale

Closing dayClosing · the step this word belongs to

What a definition is, and what it isn't

Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.

Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish

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