North County residents soon will be able to record official documents with the County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk at a branch office in San Marcos. The new service becomes available Monday, Aug. 3. Previously, same-day recording could only be done at the downtown office.

"Through the innovative use of available technology, we are now able to provide ‘real time’ recording for the citizens of North San Diego County," said Gregory J. Smith, County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk. "Our Automated Document Recording System allows us to record documents on the spot."

Although some counties allow the public to leave documents at branch offices for later recording, San Diego will be the first California county to offer same-day recording at a full-service branch office. The branch is at 141 East Carmel St. San Marcos, CA 92078, and will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

County Supervisor Bill Horn praised the "customer-friendly" style of the Assessor/Recorder/Clerk’s office under Smith’s leadership and said this new service is another example of the County’s drive to be both more efficient and easier for citizens to deal with. "This new service will save North County residents time, money and the frustration of a 70-mile round trip to San Diego simply to record documents," Horn said.

The number of document recordings in San Diego County has soared due to low interest rates and rising property sales. At the San Marcos branch office, North County residents also can record homestead exemptions, mechanic’s liens and other real estate documents. The number for the San Marcos branch office is (760) 940-6866.