The Document Cover Sheet is a recording form published by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. It gives a document extra space for its recording information: the name and address the recorded document is mailed back to, and the document title. The County Clerk's notary instructions require it on the notary bond, titled "Notary Public Bond". On FillingPDF you can fill out the Document Cover Sheet online and download or print the completed PDF; the original form is published by the county at arc.sbcounty.gov.
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What is Document Cover Sheet – San Bernardino County, CA?
The Document Cover Sheet is a form of the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk that provides extra room for the recording information of a document: the return name and mailing address, the document title and the space the Recorder reserves for its own use.
The form is built around three printed areas. The first, headed "Recording requested by and when recorded mail document to," has lines for a name, a street address and a city, state and ZIP code. The second is a line marked "Please fill in document title(s) on this line." The third is a block labeled "Space above for Recorder's use only," which you leave to the office.
A note printed on the sheet states that it was added to provide adequate space for recording information and that an additional recording fee applies. The form does not print the amount in a way you can rely on here, so confirm the current fee with the office.
The County Clerk's notary page lists this sheet among the items for filing a notary public's oath and bond. There it is added to the bond for recording and completed with the return mailing address and the document title "Notary Public Bond." The sheet is not the notary application: appointment as a notary public goes through the California Secretary of State. The form shows no form number or revision date.
Who needs to file Document Cover Sheet – San Bernardino County, CA?
The main group is anyone who is recording a document with the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk and needs the sheet's space for the return address and document title.
The County Clerk's notary instructions name one specific case: a newly commissioned notary public who is filing an oath of office and a bond in San Bernardino County. That notary adds the Document Cover Sheet to the bond, completes it with the return mailing address and uses "Notary Public Bond" as the document title.
Conditions that apply to that case:
- The filing must take place in the county where the notary maintains a principal place of business, as shown in the application on file with the California Secretary of State. If the commission names another county, contact that county for its filing and fee requirements.
- The notary's commission itself comes from the Secretary of State, not from this form.
The sheet printed by the county does not describe other uses or say who may sign or sign for someone else; it has no signature line. Check with the office if your document is not a notary bond.
When to file Document Cover Sheet – San Bernardino County, CA
Complete the Document Cover Sheet at the moment you prepare the document it travels with, because it is added to that document for recording. The form itself sets no separate due date.
For a notary bond, the County Clerk's page ties the filing to a deadline: once the commission is issued, the notary has 30 calendar days from the beginning of the term in the commission to take and file the oath of office and file the bond. If they are not filed in that time, the commission is not valid and the person may not act as a notary public until a new appointment is obtained. The county makes no exception for mail delays, so allow enough time when mailing. The term of office is four years, starting on the date specified in the commission.
Documents you need
- Copy of the notary commission certificate issued by the California Secretary of State, when the cover sheet accompanies a notary bond filed by certified mail.
- Two completed oaths of office, signed and subscribed before another notary public in the same county where the filing takes place; for a notary bond filing.
- Original notary bond for a term of four years, with the same dates as the oaths of office and signed by the notary (principal); the cover sheet is added to this bond.
- Copy of the bond to be conformed and a self-addressed, stamped envelope; both optional, for mailed notary filings.
- Fees, payable by preprinted check or money order made out to "San Bernardino County" when mailing; cash, preprinted check, money order or card are accepted in person.
How to fill out Document Cover Sheet – San Bernardino County, CA
Enter the return name
Under "Recording requested by and when recorded mail document to," write the name of the person or business that should receive the document after recording on the NAME line.
Enter the street address
On the STREET ADDRESS line, write the street address where the recorded document should be mailed.
Enter city, state and ZIP code
On the CITY, STATE & ZIP CODE line, add the rest of the return mailing address.
Type the document title
On the line marked "Please fill in document title(s) on this line," write the title of the document being recorded. For a notary bond, use "Notary Public Bond."
Leave the Recorder's space blank
Do not write in the area labeled "Space above for Recorder's use only." The office uses it for its own recording information.
Note the additional recording fee
The sheet states that an additional recording fee applies. Plan to include it with the recording fees when you submit.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the name, address and title, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and add it to the document, as described under How to submit.
How to submit Document Cover Sheet – San Bernardino County, CA
The cover sheet is not filed on its own. It goes with the document being recorded. For the notary bond, the County Clerk accepts the package through two channels:
- Certified mail: send it to San Bernardino County Clerk, 222 W. Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022. Include the fees as a preprinted check or money order payable to "San Bernardino County," and a daytime phone number with area code. You may submit a "not to exceed" check with the limit written on the memo line, so the clerk can write in the actual amount.
- In person by appointment: book an appointment online through the County Clerk's notary page. For the Hesperia office, call (909)387-8306. Appointments are strongly encouraged and prioritized. Payment in person may be cash, preprinted check, money order or card; card payments carry a processing fee. American Express, Cash App Cards, prepaid cards, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay are not accepted.
The county asks for the fees to accompany the package, and an additional recording fee applies when the cover sheet is used. Ask the office or check its fee information for current amounts. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the document title line blank; for a notary bond the county's instructions call for the title "Notary Public Bond."
- Omitting the return name and mailing address under "Recording requested by and when recorded mail document to."
- Writing in the box marked "Space above for Recorder's use only," which is reserved for the Recorder.
- Forgetting that an additional recording fee applies whenever the cover sheet is added to a document.
- Filing the notary oath and bond after the 30-calendar-day limit; the county makes no exception for mail delays.
- Sending a notary filing by ordinary mail; the Clerk's office processes these by appointment and certified mail only.
- Presenting oaths of office that were not signed and subscribed before another notary public in the same county as the filing.
- Paying a notary filing with American Express, a prepaid card, Cash App Card or a mobile wallet, none of which the county accepts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Document Cover Sheet used for?
It provides extra space for recording information on a document recorded with the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk: a return name and address and a document title. A printed note says it was added to provide adequate space and that an additional recording fee applies.
Is the Document Cover Sheet a San Bernardino County property tax form?
No. It is a recording cover sheet from the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, and nothing printed on it concerns property tax. It asks only for a return name and address and a document title. For tax questions, contact the county directly.
Do I need a cover sheet for a notary public bond?
Yes, for a bond filed with the San Bernardino County Clerk. The Clerk's notary page lists the Document Cover Sheet among the items, added to the bond for recording and completed with the return mailing address and the title "Notary Public Bond."
Is there a fee to use the Document Cover Sheet?
Yes. The sheet states that an additional recording fee applies. Notary filings carry other fees too. This page does not give amounts: confirm the current ones with the County Clerk, whose notary page lists them.
Where do I mail a notary oath and bond with the cover sheet?
Send it by certified mail to San Bernardino County Clerk, 222 W. Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022. Include the fees, a daytime phone number with area code, and all documents the county lists for the filing.
How long do I have to file a notary oath and bond?
30 calendar days from the beginning of the term in the notary commission. If the oath and bond are not filed in that time, the commission is not valid, and the county makes no exception for mail delays.
Can I fill out the Document 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 file or record the document; you deliver it through the County Clerk's channels.
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