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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 3Ch. 6Art. 1§ 27204 Unauthorized Document Recording Penalty

§ 27204 Unauthorized Document Recording Penalty

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 27204 Unauthorized Document Recording Penalty

Key Takeaways

  • •If the recorder says your document can't be recorded, don't try to record it again without a court order.
  • •Trying to record it anyway can get you in trouble with the law.
  • •You could go to jail for up to 6 months, pay a fine up to $1,000, or both.

Example

You try to record a deed for your house, but the recorder says it's missing important info and can't be recorded. You fix it but don't get a court order, and try to record it again.

This is against the law. You could be punished with jail time, a fine, or both.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 27204 Unauthorized Document Recording Penalty

Any person who receives a form from the recorder pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 27203, stating that the proffered document is unrecordable, and who subsequently attempts to record the document without an order from the court requiring recordation of that document, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine, or of an infraction punishable pursuant to Section 19.8 of the Penal Code. (Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 448, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

imprisonmentinfractiondocumentcrimeofferoffensefinemisdemeanor

Related Statutes

  • § 27011 County Officer Unofficial Deposits
  • § 36900 City Ordinance Violation Penalties
  • § 27203 Recorder Liability For Delays
  • § 13293.5 Department Audit Interference
  • § 25384 County Jail Transfer Authority

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 27204.
View Official Source