Estate Planning for Polk County, Oregon Property Owners
For most Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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, Polk 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 Polk County
A transfer on death deed lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives Polk 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 Polk County are recorded with the County Clerk at 850 Main Street, Dallas, OR 97338. Phone: 503-623-9217. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM.
Recording costs $102 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.
Polk County accepts e-recording through Simplifile. E-recording available via Simplifile, CSC, Indecomm, EPN, and Hopdox.
All documents: $102 first page (up $10 from $92 effective Jul 1, 2026), $5 per page thereafter. Liens, satisfactions of liens, and completion notices: $77 first page. Closed for lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. Recording hours end at 4:30 PM.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Polk County
Address
850 Main StreetDallas, OR 97338
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
E-recording
Available via Simplifile
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $102 |
| 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 $102 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)
All documents: $102 first page (up $10 from $92 effective Jul 1, 2026), $5 per page thereafter. Liens, satisfactions of liens, and completion notices: $77 first page. Closed for lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. Recording hours end at 4:30 PM.
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 Polk 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 Polk County are recorded with the County Clerk at 850 Main Street, Dallas, OR 97338. Call 503-623-9217 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in Polk County costs $102 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.
Polk County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile. E-recording available via Simplifile, CSC, Indecomm, EPN, and Hopdox. Paper recording by mail or in person is also accepted.
The County Clerk is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM. Reach the office at 503-623-9217. 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 Polk 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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