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Looking for a SmartDeeds alternative in California?

If you're transferring a California property, here's what each includes, who prepares your deed, and what you actually pay by the time it's recorded.

Updated October 20262 min readPrepared by a California LDA
$295 ALL IN SimpleDeeds $399* SmartDeeds $149 deed only +$85 research +$80 forms +$85 recording
One flat price versus a $149 deed that grows to $399 once you add what we include. *Per smartdeeds.com/pricing, checked October 20, 2026.

Both SimpleDeeds and SmartDeeds prepare and record real estate deeds, and both are self-help document services rather than law firms. The difference is who does the work and what it really costs. SimpleDeeds is a California service run by a registered California Legal Document Assistant, with offices in Redding, Roseville, and Sacramento. SmartDeeds is an out-of-state document service based in Henderson, Nevada.

What you actually pay

A low advertised price isn't a low total price. SmartDeeds' $149 Starter plan is the deed only: you download the required county forms and fill them out yourself. Having them do the research is +$85, the county forms +$80, and recording +$85. With everything a deed needs to actually record, you're at $399, the same as their Professional plan.*

SimpleDeeds is $295 flat, all in. That single price includes preparation, vesting and legal-description research, the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report, the documentary transfer-tax affidavit, every required county form, and e-recording with your county. Nothing is added at checkout. If you don't live in the home (a rental, second home, or commercial property), it's $395: the extra $100 is California's $75 SB 2 recording fee plus $25 for the extra paperwork.

A low entry price isn’t a low price — it’s just the first number of several.

Side by side

SimpleDeeds SmartDeeds
All-in price$295 flat$399*
Pricing modelOne price, nothing added at checkout$149 is the deed only; you fill out the county forms yourself or pay extra*
Who prepares itRegistered California LDAOut-of-state self-help document service (not attorneys)
Based inRedding & Sacramento, CAHenderson, Nevada
ResearchIncluded+$85*
County formsIncluded+$80*
RecordingIncluded+$85*
NotaryAvailable**Not included

*SmartDeeds prices from smartdeeds.com/pricing, checked October 20, 2026. Our $295 is for a home you live in; even our $395 for rentals and other property comes in under their $399. Both companies are self-help document services, not law firms.

**Notary isn’t included in the price. It’s available free when you sign in person at our Redding or Sacramento office, or you can use any notary (most banks are free).

Why California homeowners choose SimpleDeeds

One predictable price, a registered California LDA preparing every document, the research, county forms, and recording already included, and free notary available in person at our Redding or Sacramento office. Nothing to fill out yourself and nothing added at checkout.

$295 flat · all in

Have us prepare and record it for you.

One flat price from a registered California Legal Document Assistant. Give us a name and a property address — we handle the research, the forms, and the recording.

Start my deed — $295

Related guides

Guide

California deed transfer

The full overview — deed types, taxes, fees, and recording.

Deed type

Grant deed

The standard California deed, with two implied warranties.

Use case

Put your home in your trust

The step many homeowners miss after escrow closes.

FAQ

Is SimpleDeeds cheaper than SmartDeeds? +
Yes. SimpleDeeds is $295 flat for a home you live in, with research, county forms, and recording included. SmartDeeds starts at $149 for the deed only and reaches $399 once research, forms, and recording are added (per smartdeeds.com/pricing, checked October 20, 2026). Even our $395 price for rentals and other property is less.
What's the difference between SimpleDeeds and SmartDeeds? +
SimpleDeeds is a California service prepared by a registered California Legal Document Assistant, at one flat price with everything included. SmartDeeds is an out-of-state self-help document service based in Henderson, Nevada, whose $149 starting price is the deed only.
Are these services law firms? +
No. Both are self-help document services, not law firms, and neither provides legal advice. For legal advice, consult an attorney.
Does SimpleDeeds work outside California? +
Not yet. We prepare and record deeds for California properties only, in all 58 counties.