Deed Recording

Deed recording is the official process of filing the original deed to a property with the appropriate county government office, typically the county recorder or county clerk. This legal document, called a real estate title deed, transfers ownership of real estate from the seller to the buyer and must include identification of both parties, a description of the property, and the seller's signature.

The purpose of recording a deed is to create a public record of property ownership, which helps prevent disputes over ownership, clarifies the chain of title, and allows for accurate title searches and tax assessments. Recording also establishes legal priority of ownership and any liens or mortgages on the property, as governed by state recording statutes.

Usually, the responsibility for recording the deed falls on the buyer's title or escrow agent, who files the deed with the county office shortly after closing. However, buyers should verify that the deed has been properly recorded because errors, lost documents, or administrative mistakes can occur, potentially jeopardizing legal ownership recognition.

In summary:

• Deed recording is the filing of the property deed with the county government to publicly document ownership.
• It ensures legal recognition of ownership, clarifies title history, and protects against ownership disputes.
• The county recorder or clerk manages the recording and indexing of deeds.
• Buyers typically rely on title or escrow agents to record the deed but should confirm the recording was completed successfully.

This process is essential for securing and protecting property rights.