Recording
Direct definition
Recording is the process of filing documents like the deed and mortgage with the local government office to create a public record of ownership and liens.
Written by the Vabasso Mortgage Editorial Team · Reviewed against agency and federal sources · Read our editorial policy for how we research and review mortgage content
Plain-English explanation
After closing, the deed transferring ownership and the mortgage or deed of trust securing the loan are submitted to the county recorder's office. This creates an official public record establishing who owns the property and what claims exist against it.
Why it matters
Recording protects both the buyer's ownership claim and the lender's security interest by making them part of the public record.
Where you may see it
- Closing disclosure (recording fees)
- Deed
- Title records
A real-world example
Educational and illustrative only
A common misunderstanding
Recording is not the same as closing itself — closing is signing and funding, while recording is the administrative step that finalizes the public record afterward.
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- Author
- Vabasso Mortgage Editorial Team
- Reviewed by
- Vabasso Mortgage Licensed Advisory Team
- Last reviewed
- July 30, 2026