Estate Planning for Clackamas County, Oregon Property Owners
For most Clackamas County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Clackamas County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a Clackamas County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Clackamas County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Oregon probates run 4+ months and start with $278 in filing fees.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Clackamas County
A transfer on death deed lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives Clackamas County property automatically at death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerkduring the owner’s lifetime and can be revoked any time.
Before recording, a Oregon transfer on death deed needs notary acknowledgment. The deed must be recorded before the owner's death to take effect.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for Clackamas County are recorded with the County Clerk at 1710 Red Soils Court, Suite 110, Oregon City, OR 97045. Phone: 503-655-8551. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (recording accepted until 4:30 PM).
Recording costs $113 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. Page count, cover sheets, and any local transfer-tax add-ons under Oregon law can change the final amount, so confirm the total with the County Clerk before submitting.
Clackamas County accepts e-recording through Simplifile. E-recording available via Simplifile, CSC, and ePN.
Office relocated from 2051 Kaen Road to 1710 Red Soils Court. Fee breakdown: $5 record + $30 PLC + $10 A&T + $1 OLIS + $60 AH + $2 AHC + $5 GIS = $113 for a one-page deed. The PLC (Public Land Corner) fee is now $30 following the HB 3175 cap repeal. Lien and death-certificate records are $83. Third-largest county by population.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Clackamas County
Address
1710 Red Soils Court, Suite 110Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (recording accepted until 4:30 PM)
E-recording
Available via Simplifile
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $113 |
| Each additional page | $5 |
Oregon charges $5 for EVERY page including the first (ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A)) — there is no flat base fee and no "first N pages" threshold. The first page costs more only because flat per-document surcharges are added once per instrument: $76 state minimum ($5 page + $1 OLIS + $10 A&T + $60 affordable housing, per ORS 205.323(1)(a)-(c)), plus this county's local surcharges, for a $113 first-page total. Each additional page is $5. All three state surcharges apply to a TOD deed — it is in none of the ORS 205.323(2)/(3) exemption lists. Fee breakdown: $5 record + $30 PLC + $10 A&T + $1 OLIS + $60 AH + $2 AHC + $5 GIS = $113. Lien and death-certificate records are $83.
ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
Office relocated from 2051 Kaen Road to 1710 Red Soils Court. Fee breakdown: $5 record + $30 PLC + $10 A&T + $1 OLIS + $60 AH + $2 AHC + $5 GIS = $113 for a one-page deed. The PLC (Public Land Corner) fee is now $30 following the HB 3175 cap repeal. Lien and death-certificate records are $83. Third-largest county by population.
Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
A Living Trust Covers More Than One Deed
A transfer-on-death deed moves a single property. A revocable living trust holds the home, bank and investment accounts, and other assets together, so the whole estate skips the Circuit Court — not just the house. For a Clackamas County family with more than one major asset, the trust is usually the cleaner plan.
Create a Revocable Trust in 15 minutes
Legal Sources
- ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
Data sourced from Oregon statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deeds and other real property documents for Clackamas County are recorded with the County Clerk at 1710 Red Soils Court, Suite 110, Oregon City, OR 97045. Call 503-655-8551 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in Clackamas County costs $113 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. Page count, required cover sheets, and any local transfer tax can change the final total.
Clackamas County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile. E-recording available via Simplifile, CSC, and ePN. Paper recording by mail or in person is also accepted.
The County Clerk is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (recording accepted until 4:30 PM). Reach the office at 503-655-8551. Confirm whether walk-in or mail-in recording is preferred before you go.
Yes. Deeds recorded in Oregon must be signed in front of a notary before the County Clerk will accept them. A transfer-on-death deed follows the same execution rules — see the Clackamas County signing requirements.
A transfer-on-death (TOD) deed names a beneficiary who receives the property automatically when the owner dies, without probate. The deed is recorded with the County Clerkduring the owner’s lifetime. Start one with the Oregon TOD deed form.
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