The fees, forms and wording the Santa Cruz County recorder publishes for a deed into a revocable living trust, quoted from the county.
“First page of all titles not associated with the Real Estate Fraud Fee $ 14.00 ... Each additional page (8½ x 11) $ 3.00”
County source
“The fee shall not be imposed when recorded concurrently or on any real estate instrument, paper, or notice recorded in connection with a transfer subject to the imposition of a documentary transfer tax ... or on any real estate instrument, paper, or notice recorded in connection with a transfer of real property that is a residential dwelling to an owner-occupier.”
County source
“A declaration of valid exemption may be placed on the face of each document, or on an SB2 Exemption Cover Page ... If no valid exemption is declared, the fee will be assessed.”
County source
“State Fee -Per Title (Effective Jan. 1, 2018. A new State Housing Fee $ 75.00 GC27388.1”
County source
“When transferring property to anyone, a "Preliminary Change of Ownership Report" is REQUIRED ... If a "Preliminary Change of Ownership Report" is required but not submitted at the time of recording, there is an additional recording fee of $20.”
County source
“Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) Fee in Lieu of $ 20.00 R&T 480.3”
County source
“A Documentary Transfer Tax Declaration must be completed and signed for all deeds. If no Documentary Transfer Tax is due, indicate “0” on the tax line, sign the declaration, and include the applicable Revenue and Taxation exemption code.”
County source
Yes, $75 per parcel, unless the deed is exempt and the exemption is declared on it. For a home you live in, the exemption that can apply is Gov. Code 27388.1(a)(2)(B), a transfer of real property that is a residential dwelling to an owner-occupier. The statute does not define 'owner-occupier,' so whether a deed into your own trust qualifies is decided when the deed is prepared.
Change in ownership exclusion for trusts, Revenue and Taxation Code section 62(d)
"Any transfer by the trustor, or by the trustor’s spouse or registered domestic partner, or by both, into a trust for so long as" ... "(1) the transferor is the present beneficiary of the trust, or (2) the trust is revocable". Section 62 opens with: "Change in ownership shall not include:"
Official text
Property Tax Rule 462.160, subdivision (b)(2)
“(b) EXCEPTIONS. The following transfers do not constitute changes in ownership:” ... “(2) Revocable Trusts. The transfer of real property or an ownership interest in a legal entity holding an interest in real property by the trustor to a trust which is revocable by the trustor. However, a change in ownership does occur at the time the revocable trust becomes irrevocable unless the trustor-transferor remains or becomes the sole present beneficiary or unless otherwise excluded from change in ownership.”
Official text
Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, Revenue and Taxation Code section 480.3(b)
"If a document evidencing a change in ownership is presented to the recorder for recordation without the concurrent filing of a preliminary change in ownership report, the recorder may charge an additional recording fee of twenty dollars ($20)."
Official text
All California counties · Estate planning with The Flaig Law Firm
Quoted from Santa Cruz County and California government sources, checked November 1, 2026. Legal information, not legal advice for a specific property. The Flaig Law Firm, APC, Donald W. Flaig, Esq., 5707 Corsa Avenue, Suite 104, Westlake Village, CA 91362.
The Flaig Law Firm prepares the deed that moves your home into your living trust, with the transfer tax statement, the SB2 declaration and the PCOR, and records it with the recorder in the county where your home sits.
