Estate Planning for Hood River County, Oregon Property Owners
For most Hood River 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 Hood River 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 Hood River 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, Hood River 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 Hood River County
A transfer on death deed lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives Hood River 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 Hood River County are recorded with the County Clerk at 601 State Street, 3rd Floor, Hood River, OR 97031. Phone: 541-386-1442. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
Recording costs $138 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.
Hood River County doesn't offer e-recording. Plan to record by mail or in person.
Fee of $138 effective Feb 19, 2026. Website domain changed from hoodriver.gov to hoodrivercounty.gov. Recording by appointment.
Hood River County is one of 4 Oregon counties where deeds must still be recorded by mail or in person; most of the state's recording offices accept e-recording. Hood River County's $138 base recording fee sits at the high end of the Oregon range ($81 to $138).
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Hood River County
Address
601 State Street, 3rd FloorHood River, OR 97031
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
E-recording
Not available
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $138 |
| 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 $138 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 effective Feb 19, 2026. Hood River County has among the highest recording fees in Oregon.
ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
Fee of $138 effective Feb 19, 2026. Website domain changed from hoodriver.gov to hoodrivercounty.gov. Recording by appointment.
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 Hood River 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 Hood River County are recorded with the County Clerk at 601 State Street, 3rd Floor, Hood River, OR 97031. Call 541-386-1442 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in Hood River County costs $138 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.
Hood River County does not offer e-recording. Plan to record by mail or in person at the County Clerk.
The County Clerk is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Reach the office at 541-386-1442. 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 Hood River 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.
Oregon Estate Planning Attorneys
Find estate planning attorneys serving Hood River County by practice area.
Oregon Estate Planning Articles
Estate planning articles for Oregon.
