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District Attorney wins board approval to raise real‑estate fraud recording fee to $10
Summary
The board approved the District Attorney’s requested increase in the real‑estate fraud recording fee from $3 to $10 to narrow the program’s shortfall; DA said lower recording volumes and higher costs drove the request and pledged to return if collections exceed costs.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to raise the county’s recording fee that funds real‑estate fraud prosecution and victim restitution from $3 to $10.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer explained the fee is authorized by state law and used to investigate and prosecute real‑estate recording fraud and to notify potentially affected property owners. He said recordings and revenue have fallen in recent years (he cited approximately $27 million collected for victims over prior years), and that higher mortgage interest rates have suppressed transactions and revenues. "The request is to raise it to $10," the DA said, describing the increase as necessary to close a revenue‑expense gap and ensure continued prosecution and victim notification.
Supervisors discussed the program’s track record and emphasized the fee funds an investigative and prosecution unit that notifies people if questionable documents have been recorded against their property. Several board members said they view the increase as modest cost recovery and noted the county will review the fee annually; the DA said the fee would be readjusted downward if revenues recover.
The board approved the increase after a public presentation and questions.
What happens next: the fee change will be implemented per the board’s resolution and the DA’s office will continue to report on program revenue and costs at the required intervals.
