Jordan Z. Marks

ASSESSOR | RECORDER | COUNTY CLERK

County of San Diego

Legal Document Assistant


Legal Document Assistants are those who, for compensation, provide any self-help service to members of the public who are representing themselves in a legal matter. A legal document assistant is a non-lawyer authorized to prepare legal documents in a ministerial manner for people representing themselves.

Professional Registrations are only accepted in person at our San Diego Main Office from 8am to 3pm, Monday through Friday. 


To register as a Legal Document Assistant in San Diego County, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Appear in person with a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state identification card, or passport.

  • Complete the Legal Document Assistant - Individual registration form.

  • For your first registration, the registration date must be the effective date on the bond.

  • Submit a bond in the amount of $25,000 in favor of the State with County named in bond. The bond must have original signatures, original acknowledgement, show the beginning and ending dates or show the term of the bond is two years. 

  • Provide supporting educational documentation as required in Business and Professions Code Sections 6400, 6402, & 6408. Please keep in mind that documents provided will be kept on file and will not be returned. 

  • Provide two 1 in. x 1 in. photos (headshot only) for the identification cards. Our office can provide photos for a fee. No passport photos. 

  • If filing is a renewal, applicant shall sign a statement that he or she has completed 15 hours of continuing legal education courses. 

To register as a Legal Document Assistant in San Diego County, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Appear in person with a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state identification card, or passport.

  • Complete the Legal Document Assistant - Corporation registration form.

  • The application must be signed by the presider or chairman or vice president and the secretary/assistant secretary/chief financial offider/assistant treasurer.

  • Each officer/partner must individually qualify and file separate individual registrations but may be covered under Corporate Bond. Employee cards will not be issued. 

  • For your first registration, the registration date must be the effective date on the bond.

  • Submit a bond in the amount of $25,000 for one to four assistants; $50,000 for five to nine assistants; and $100,000 for ten or more assistants. The bond must have original signatures, original acknowledgement, show the beginning and ending dates or show the term of the bond is two years. 

  • Provide supporting educational documentation for one of the corporate officers or one of the general partners as required in Business and Professions Code Sections 6400, 6402, & 6408.

  • If filing is a renewal, applicant shall sign a statement that he or she has completed 15 hours of continuing legal education courses. 

Fees:

  • $175 Registration fee (includes one Identification Card)
  • $35 Filing fee
  • $14 Recording fee for the first page and $3 for each additional page
  • $32 Additional/Replacement Cards
  • $11 Identification Photos – Two 1 in. X 1 in.

The fee is payable by cash, check or money order, or credit/debit card.

An additional $2.50 surcharge is applicable for card payments.

Check or money order payable to: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk.

Important : Professional Registrations are done in person only at our San Diego Main Office Office from 8am to 3pm, Monday through Friday.