Recording Process Time & Return

The Clerk-Recorder’s Office is open for all in-person services between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm.  Customers will be assisted on a first "come first served" basis.   The number of customers in the lobby area is strictly regulated, so it may be necessary to wait in the hallway for your turn to be assisted.  

To avoid wait time, documents to be recorded, Clerk filings, copy order requests, and vital records certificate requests may also be submitted by any of the following: 

  • Drop box located outside the Clerk Recorder’s Office door.  Self service forms are available on our forms page and next to the drop box.
  • US Mail or Express mail
  • VitalChek online service (vital record copies only)

If you have any questions please contact us directly by phone at:

 (707) 445-7593

 or send email to:

clerkrecordergeneral@co.humboldt.ca.us


Record in Person: 

  • Documents may be submitted in person at the Recorder’s Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. excluding holidays and weekends.  Note: Documents that cannot be processed by 5:00 p.m. will be held (along with the proper payment of fees to be recorded on the following business day.
  • Each recorded document is returned two weeks after the date of recording in a windowed envelope directed to the address printed on the top left-hand corner of the first page of the document, or cover-sheet. 
  • Conformed copies are available at the time of recording.  However to receive a conformed copy you must, in addition to your original, provide a copy of your document and pay an additional $2 fee at the time of recording.  
  • Documents that do not meet recording requirements are returned immediately to the submitter.  To decrease the possibility of having your documents returned unrecorded, please review the information provided under "Basic Recording Requirements" and "Recording Tips" available on our website.  

Record by Mail:

  • Documents received by mail are generally recorded within 48 hours of being received. (excluding holidays and weekends)    
  • Each recorded document is returned two weeks after the date of recording in a window envelope to the address printed on the top left-hand corner of the first page of the document, or cover-sheet.
  • Conformed copies are returned by mail at the time of recording.  However, to receive a conformed copy, you must include with your original, one copy of the document, an additional $2 fee and a self-addressed postage paid envelope for return. 
  • Documents that do not meet recording requirements are generally returned within 3 days of being received.  The original document, all accompanying paperwork and the check or money order will be returned to the submitter along with a return receipt explaining the reason for rejection.  To decrease the possibility of having your documents returned to you unrecorded, please see "Basic Recording Requirements" and "Recording Tips" available on our website.

Notice:  All information provided by the Clerk-Recorder’s Office through this website is subject to change without notice.  The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace information or advise obtained from your attorney or other legal professional.