Estate Planning for Linn County, Oregon Property Owners
For most Linn 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 Linn 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 Linn 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.
Skipping this planning step means the Circuit Court decides who receives the property: a simple Oregon probate takes 4+ months and opens with $278 in court filing fees.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Linn County
A transfer on death deed lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives Linn 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 Linn County are recorded with the County Clerk at 421 Water Avenue NE, Suite 1300, Albany, OR 97321. Phone: 541-967-3829. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (recording accepted until 4:00 PM).
Recording costs $105 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.
Linn County accepts e-recording through Simplifile. E-recording available via Simplifile.
Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 100, Albany, OR 97321.
Deeds and mortgages: $105 first page ($5 recording + $10 LCP + $10 REV + $19 GIS + housing/A&T), $5 each additional page. Liens and covenants: $95. Each additional title on a document is $5. Office moved from 300 SW 4th Avenue to 421 Water Avenue NE (Aug 29, 2025). Recording phone: 541-967-3829.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Linn County
Address
421 Water Avenue NE, Suite 1300Albany, OR 97321Mailing: PO Box 100, Albany, OR 97321
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (recording accepted until 4:00 PM)
E-recording
Available via Simplifile
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $105 |
| 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 $105 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.
ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
Deeds and mortgages: $105 first page ($5 recording + $10 LCP + $10 REV + $19 GIS + housing/A&T), $5 each additional page. Liens and covenants: $95. Each additional title on a document is $5. Office moved from 300 SW 4th Avenue to 421 Water Avenue NE (Aug 29, 2025). Recording phone: 541-967-3829.
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 Linn 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 Linn County are recorded with the County Clerk at 421 Water Avenue NE, Suite 1300, Albany, OR 97321. Call 541-967-3829 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in Linn County costs $105 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.
Linn County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile. E-recording available via Simplifile. 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 4:00 PM). Reach the office at 541-967-3829. 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 Linn 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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