Form REC320, Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant with Penalty of Perjury – San Diego County, CA

Form REC320, Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant with Penalty of Perjury, is the San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk form on which an affiant swears that the decedent in an attached death certificate is the joint tenant named in a recorded instrument.

The one-page form is laid out as a document to be recorded. It opens with the Recording Requested By and When Recorded Mail To blocks and the Assessor's Parcel Number line, and it keeps a space marked "Above Space for Recorder's Use Only". The body is a sworn statement in the State of California. The affiant gives the decedent's name, says the decedent is the same person named in a certain recorded instrument executed to the parties "as joint tenants", and identifies that instrument by type, date, parties, Instrument No., recording date, Book and Page, and the county of record. The form also describes the property and states that the value of all real and personal property the decedent owned at the date of death, including the full value of the described property, did not then exceed a sum written on the form.

The affiant signs, then certifies under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the statements are true and correct, with a date and signature. The printed footer reads REC320, Rev: 06/30/2025. The Recorder/County Clerk lists it among its recording courtesy forms; the county's recording page explains the fees, taxes and format rules that apply to any document presented for recording.

The form is for the person who prepares a sworn statement about the death of a joint tenant in real property so that the statement can be recorded with the San Diego Recorder/County Clerk. The affiant must be "of legal age", as the form states, and signs under penalty of perjury.

Conditions that come from the form and the county's recording page:

• The form refers to a recorded instrument that names the decedent as one of the joint tenants, so you need that instrument's recording details.
• It refers to an attached certificate copy of the Certificate of Death for the same person.
• The property must be located in San Diego County, a general requirement the Recorder sets for every document it records.
• The document must be authorized or required by law to be recorded; the Recorder reviews documents against federal and state government codes.

Do not use this form to record a document at the Kearny Mesa office, which does not offer recording. The form does not say who may sign for someone else, so ask the Recorder's staff at (619) 238-8158 about a representative signing.

You complete the affidavit after the joint tenant has died, when you are ready to present it for recording: it refers to the decedent's Certificate of Death and to the value of the decedent's property "at date of death". The form prints no due date, and the county's recording page sets no deadline for this form.

Recording is done when you present the original signed document with the fees. At the Recorder's offices in downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, Santee and San Marcos, appointments are not required. By mail, the original must be sent with a check or money order. All applicable fees must be paid at the time of recording, so have the payment ready when you present or mail the document.

The San Diego Recorder/County Clerk takes the original affidavit in person at its offices or by mail.

• In person: record at the downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, Santee or San Marcos office. Appointments are not required. This service is not available at the Kearny Mesa office.
• By mail, overnight or express: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, 590 3rd Avenue, Suite 204, Chula Vista, CA 91910.
• By mail, standard U.S. Mail: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750.

When mailing, send the original document with a check or money order. All applicable fees must be paid at the time of recording. Fees are payable by cash, credit/debit card (in person only), check or money order made payable to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk; card payments carry a surcharge. Amounts are in the county's fee schedule, not on this page.

Complete the Recording Requested By and When Recorded Mail To blocks so the Recorder knows where to return the document. The county advises original signatures, white paper, black ink and clear print. Questions go to the Recorder's staff at (619) 238-8158 (se habla español). FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.