INFO PAGE

Helpful reminders for recording documents

Frequently asked questions about recording a document.

How to record a document

You can record your document with our office two ways, in-person and via mail. For more information including what types of payment our Office accepts and what our hours are, you can check out our recording a document page.

Common types of recorded documents

Deed 

A Deed is the written document that transfers title of land or real property between the grantor and the grantee. The grantor is also known as the transferor or seller or the party transferring an interest in land or real property. The grantee is also known as the transferee or the buyer or the party receiving an interest in land or real property.

Deed of Trust 

A Deed of Trust is the loan document that involves three parties: trustor (borrower), beneficiary (lender such as a bank or mortgage company) and trustee (third party who has the power to sell the property if the borrower does not pay the mortgage). This document shows the land or real property used as collateral, interest rates, loan amount and other terms.

Affidavit of Death

An Affidavit of Death is the written document that is sworn to or affirmed before an officer who has the authority to administer an oath or affirmation (for example, a notary public). Otherwise, it may be signed under penalty of perjury that the contents are true and correct. This document verifies the death of a decedent as a former interest holder for a specifically described real property.

Substitution of Trustee

A Substitution of Trustee is the written document that is used to change the trustee in a Deed of Trust.

Reconveyance

A Reconveyance is the written document that the trustee executes when a loan is paid off.

Subordination Agreement

A Subordination Agreement is the written document that the lender executes when it gives a new loan priority over an existing loan. 

Assignment of a Deed of Trust 

An Assignment of a Deed of Trust is the written document that transfers the beneficial interested in a deed of trust from one party to another party. It transfers a lender's rights for money to another party. 

Notice of Default

A Notice of Default is a notice showing that the borrower under a deed of trust is not paying the mortgage. 

Abstract of Judgement 

An abstract of judgment is a lien for money payment by a judgment creditor against the judgment debtor. 

Mechanic's Lien

A mechanics lien is a "hold" against your property, filed by an unpaid contractor, subcontractor, laborer, or material supplier. For those seeking to record a Mechanic's Lien, forms are not provided by our office. 

The Assessor-Recorder’s Office is not authorized to release any Federal, State, Mechanic, Local Liens or Abstracts of Judgment from your real property or your name without a Release of Lien issued by the party that recorded the lien. Please do not contact the Assessor-Recorder’s Office to dispute any lien issues unless the lien was placed by the Assessor-Recorder for Delinquent Transfer Taxes. You may obtain copies of any document recorded in our office, such as Lien, either in-person, online, or by mail.  Copy fees apply.