The Recorder Cover Sheet (ACR 238) is a page issued by the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder that is added to a document being recorded, to give the recorder room for recording information. If you searched for Riverside County property tax, note that this is a recording form: it has a line for where tax statements are mailed, but it does not calculate or pay tax. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the county at rivcoacr.org.
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What is ACR 238?
The Recorder Cover Sheet (ACR 238) is the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder form placed at the front of a document to be recorded, carrying the recording requester, mailing instructions, the document title and statements about documentary transfer tax.
The form is headed "Please complete this information" and asks for three addresses or names: who requested the recording, where the document is to be mailed when recorded, and where tax statements are to be mailed. Below a "Space above this line for recorder's use only" area, it asks for the Title of Document, the TRA and the DTT.
It also prints two fee notices. One cites Assembly Bill 1466 (GC Code Section 27388.2), effective January 1, 2022, which allows a fee for recording the first page of a real estate instrument, paper or notice, per transaction per parcel. The other cites Senate Bill 2, the Building Homes and Jobs Act (GC Code Section 27388.1), effective January 1, 2018, under which a fee is paid at recording, subject to a stated cap, with exceptions for documents expressly exempted from recording fees. The amounts are printed on the form.
Two pairs of check boxes follow: one for a transfer subject to documentary transfer tax, or a document recorded in connection with such a transfer, and one for a transfer of a residential dwelling to an owner-occupier, or a document recorded in connection with one. Each pair has a Document reference line. The form can also serve as an added page, for which an additional recording fee applies. The form is marked ACR 238 (Rev. 6/2023) and available in alternate formats.
Who needs to file ACR 238?
People who are submitting a real estate document for recording with the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and need a cover page for the recording information use this form. The cover sheet is added to the document being recorded rather than filed on its own.
You complete the top section with who requested the recording, where to mail the document afterward and where to mail tax statements. You also check the transfer boxes only when they describe your document:
- Documentary transfer tax: check the box that says the document is a transfer subject to documentary transfer tax, or the box for a document recorded in connection with such a transfer, and give the document reference.
- Owner-occupier: check the box that says the document is a transfer of real property that is a residential dwelling to an owner-occupier, or the box for a document recorded in connection with one, and give the document reference.
The form lists documents expressly exempted from recording fees as an exception to the fee notices. It names no other eligibility rule, so questions about whether your document needs a cover sheet go to the Recorder's office.
When to file ACR 238
You use the Recorder Cover Sheet when you submit a document for recording, because the form is a page added to that document. It prints no separate deadline of its own.
The form's statement that the page was "added to provide adequate space for recording information" and that an additional recording fee applies means the cover sheet should be prepared at the same time as the document it accompanies. For any deadline that applies to the document itself, such as a transfer or other real estate instrument, check that document's own requirements or ask the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder.
How to fill out ACR 238
Enter who requested the recording
Under "Recording requested by," write the name of the person or company requesting that the document be recorded.
Enter the return mailing address
Under "And when recorded mail to," enter the name and mailing address where the recorded document should be sent.
Enter the tax statement address
Under "And mail tax statements to," enter the name and address that should receive tax statements.
Leave the recorder's space blank
Do not write in the area labeled "Space above this line for recorder's use only."
Enter title, TRA and DTT
Write the Title of Document, then complete the TRA and DTT lines as the form asks.
Read the recording fee notices
Review the Assembly Bill 1466 and Senate Bill 2 statements. They describe the fees that may apply to recording and the exceptions for documents expressly exempted from recording fees.
Mark the documentary transfer tax box
If it applies, check whether the document is a transfer subject to documentary transfer tax or is recorded in connection with one, and fill in the Document reference.
Mark the owner-occupier box
If it applies, check whether the document is a transfer of residential property to an owner-occupier or is recorded in connection with one, and fill in the Document reference.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check each entry against the document you are recording, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and place it with that document.
How to submit ACR 238
The Recorder Cover Sheet goes to the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder together with the document to be recorded. The form prints no mailing address, portal or appointment rule of its own, so use the recording channels the agency publishes at rivcoacr.org or ask the Recorder's office.
- With the document: place the completed cover sheet at the front of the instrument, paper or notice you are recording.
- Fees: the form states that recording fees apply and that the Building Homes and Jobs Act fee is paid at the time of recording, unless the document is expressly exempted from recording fees. It also states that an additional recording fee applies when the page is added. The amounts are printed on the form; confirm the current total with the agency.
- Return mail: the recorded document is mailed to the name and address you enter on the line "And when recorded mail to".
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the top section blank: the form asks you to complete who requested the recording, where to mail the document when recorded and where to mail tax statements.
- Writing in the area marked "Space above this line for recorder's use only", which the recorder reserves.
- Checking a documentary transfer tax box without entering the document reference line under it.
- Checking the owner-occupier box for a document that is not a transfer of a residential dwelling to an owner-occupier, or not recorded in connection with one.
- Mixing up the two versions of each statement: one says the document itself is the transfer, the other says it is recorded in connection with a transfer.
- Overlooking the fee notices, including the additional recording fee that applies when this page is added to provide space for recording information.
- Using an older revision instead of the current ACR 238 (Rev. 6/2023) published by the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Recorder Cover Sheet (ACR 238)?
It is a Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder form that is added to a document being recorded. It collects who requested the recording, where to mail the recorded document and tax statements, the document title, and transfer-tax statements.
Is ACR 238 the same as a Riverside County property tax form?
No. It is a recording cover sheet. It has a line for where tax statements are mailed and asks about documentary transfer tax, but it is not a property tax bill or payment form.
Can I fill out the Recorder Cover Sheet online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not record or file it; the completed sheet goes to the county with your document.
Is there a fee to record with this cover sheet?
The form says fees apply to recording, including the Building Homes and Jobs Act fee paid at recording and a possible first-page fee, except for documents expressly exempted. An additional fee applies when this page is added. Confirm current amounts with the agency.
Where do I send the Recorder Cover Sheet?
Send it with the document to be recorded to the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder. The form prints no address or portal, so use the recording channels published at rivcoacr.org or ask the Recorder's office.
What do the owner-occupier check boxes mean?
They state that the document is a transfer of real property that is a residential dwelling to an owner-occupier, or is recorded in connection with such a transfer. Check one only if it describes your document, and give the document reference.
What revision of ACR 238 is this?
The form is marked ACR 238 (Rev. 6/2023), and the county's file name shows an effective date of 7/14/2023. The form also states that it is available in alternate formats.
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