Recording fees are county government charges for officially entering the deed and mortgage into public records. They are a required closing cost on every purchase and refinance, though the amount varies dramatically by state and even by county within a state.
How Recording Fees Are Structured
Most counties charge a flat fee per document plus a per-page rate. A deed recording might cost $10 to $15 per page; a mortgage with multiple riders could run 15 to 25 pages. Total recording fees on a typical purchase transaction range from $50 in low-cost counties to over $300 in high-cost counties. New York, New Jersey, and California counties tend to charge on the higher end.
TRID Classification and Tolerance
Recording fees are a Section C fee under TRID and are subject to zero tolerance. This means the actual amount charged at closing cannot exceed the amount disclosed on the Loan Estimate unless a valid change of circumstance applies. MLOs must obtain the actual recording fee schedule from the title company or county recorder before issuing the LE to avoid cure obligations at closing.
What Gets Recorded
- ✦The deed, which transfers ownership from seller to buyer.
- ✦The mortgage or deed of trust, which creates the lender's lien on the property.
- ✦Any subordination agreement, power of attorney used in the transaction, or assignment.
- ✦On a refinance, the old mortgage discharge or reconveyance must also be recorded, often at additional cost to the borrower.
Aria can explain recording fee TRID rules, identify the tolerance that applies, and clarify what documents trigger recording charges on a given transaction. Ask at vicariointel.com.
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