If your home was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire, you must file this Notice of Claim to Property to protect your property!
Simply download the PDF file here, fill it in, get it notarized and return it to Los Angeles county.
Steps to Get It Recorded
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Complete the document fully:
- Fill in your name, purchase date, original seller, standard address, and especially the full legal description in ALL CAPS (lot #, block, tract/map/plat number, instrument number from your deed, etc.). This is critical — without an accurate legal description, it may be rejected. You can find that information in your existing documentation or you can look it up online here: https://portal.assessor.lacounty.gov/
- Sign it in front of a notary and get the verification section completed (notary stamp/seal must be clear).
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Add the "After recording return to" section at the top:
- Put your name and mailing address there (or whoever should receive the recorded copy back). This is required by law (Government Code § 27361.6).
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If the top of the first page doesn't have enough blank space (at least 2.5" down from the top, with the left side for your return info), attach a separate Recording Cover Sheet (free template here: https://www.lavote.gov/docs/rrcc/documents/CoverSheet.pdf — just fill in your return name/address and the document title "NOTICE OF CLAIM TO PROPERTY").
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Submit for recording:
- By mail (recommended and most common): Send the original signed/notarized document (plus cover sheet if needed) + payment to: Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Document Analysis and Recording Section P.O. Box 1250 Norwalk, CA 90651-1250
- In-person: Go to the headquarters at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650 (or other district offices like LAX, Lancaster, Van Nuys, etc. — but Norwalk is the main recording site). Appointments are encouraged: schedule at https://www.mytime.com/express_checkout/123989.
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Fees (as of 2025):
- First page: $89 (standard recording fee includes $75 SB2 Atkins fee + other base fees)
- Each additional page: $3
- If you want a certified copy back: +$6 (first page) + $3 each additional
- Pay by check or money order payable to "Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk" (include phone # on check). No cash by mail.
Current fees: Check https://www.lavote.gov/home/recorder/property-document-recording/fees or call (800) 201-8999.
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Processing time:
- Mail: Usually 4–8 weeks (sometimes longer), then they record it and mail the original back to the return address you provided.
- In-person: Same day or next day if no issues.
Once recorded, you'll get the original back with the official recording stamp, document number, date, etc., and it becomes public record (searchable online eventually at https://ttpublic.lavote.gov).
If the document gets rejected (e.g., missing legal description or notary issue), they'll mail it back with an explanation. Call (800) 201-8999 if you have questions — they're very helpful.
That's it — once recorded, your claim is on public record exactly as intended.