VOTE411 Voter Guide

The recorder is a constitutional officer, elected for a term of four years by vote of the county at large, but prohibited from serving more than eight years within a 12-year period. The chief function of the recorder is to preserve public records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, leases, articles of incorporation and amendments, certificates authorizing foreign corporations to do business within the state, army and navy discharges, bankruptcy notices and other documents. The recorder receives a fee for recording instruments and certificates, which are paid to the county treasury. The recorder cannot accept recording instruments that do not bear printed, typewritten or stamped names of the people signing them, unless accompanied by an affidavit certifying the correctness of the names represented by the signatures. This rule does not apply to court orders, decrees and judgments, writs, wills, death certificates or instruments executed outside of the state.