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Deed of Trust and Security Agreement

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SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE

WHEREAS, on , executed a Deed of Trust to

Trustee for the use and benefit of , which Deed of

Trust is on file and of record in the office of the Chancery

Clerk of Mississippi, in Deed of Trust Record Book

at Page thereof; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is the present holder and beneficiary of the deed of trust referred to above; and

WHEREAS, under the terms of said Deed of Trust the beneficiary or any assignee is authorized to appoint a Trustee in the place and stead of the original Trustee or any successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust.

NOW THEREFORE, the undersigned does hereby appoint and substitute as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, the said

, to have all the rights, powers and privileges of the Trustee named in said Deed of Trust.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be signed on this the day of , 20

BY:

ITS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

PERSONALLY appeared before me, the undersigned authority in and for the jurisdiction aforesaid, who acknowledged to

me that he is of , formerly The and

as Attorney-in-fact for and acknowledged to me that he

signed and delivered the above and foregoing Substitution of

Trustee on behalf of formerly The as attorney-in-

fact for after being first duly authorized so to do.

GIVEN UNDER my hand and official seal, this the day of

, 20

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:

Enter text

What the Deed of Trust and Security Agreement Is

A Deed of Trust and Security Agreement is a combined instrument that creates a security interest in real property or related collateral to secure repayment of a debt or performance of other obligations. It typically identifies the trustor (borrower), beneficiary (lender), and trustee, provides a full legal description of the secured property, states the debt and payment terms, and specifies remedies for default such as trustee sale or foreclosure. In many U.S. jurisdictions it operates similarly to a mortgage but follows distinct procedural and recording rules; it may also reference additional collateral, guaranties, or subordination terms to broaden enforcement rights.

Why Parties Use a Deed of Trust and Security Agreement

This document gives lenders a clear, recordable lien and streamlined remedies on default while defining rights and duties for all parties. It centralizes collateral description and enforcement terms, reduces title risk by public recording, and creates an enforceable framework for modification, assignment, and release.

Why Parties Use a Deed of Trust and Security Agreement

Who typically prepares and signs this agreement

Common users include lenders, borrowers, title professionals, and counsel who manage secured lending or real estate finance.

  • Commercial and residential lenders who require a recordable security interest to protect loan repayment.
  • Borrowers and guarantors who provide property or personal assets as collateral under loan terms.
  • Title companies, closing agents, and real estate attorneys who prepare documents and ensure proper recording.

Each participant has different responsibilities at drafting, execution, recording, and enforcement stages; knowing these roles reduces execution errors.

Typical signatories and stakeholders

Lender — Counsel

Bank counsel or in-house counsel typically drafts or approves deed language and ensures the security interest meets underwriting and title requirements. They coordinate conditions precedent to closing, review recording statutes, and prepare any rider or collateral schedule necessary to secure the lender’s interest.

Borrower — Officer

An authorized corporate officer, managing member, or individual borrower must sign the document with authority to encumber property. The signer should confirm legal entity name, capacity, and supporting corporate resolutions or authority documentation to avoid later challenges to validity.

Essential data fields inside the agreement

Legal Description: Full lot/metes & bounds
Grantor Name: Exact legal entity name
Grantee/Beneficiary: Lender legal name
Trustee: Named neutral trustee
Loan Amount: Principal sum secured
Recording County: County where property recorded

Core clauses to include for enforceability

A professional Deed of Trust and Security Agreement includes clauses that establish the security interest, priority, enforcement, and administrative mechanics to prevent ambiguity and reduce litigation risk.

Granting Clause

Conveys a lien on described property and collateral to secure obligations, specifying scope and limitations.

Obligations Secured

Lists the principal debt, interest, fees, and contingent obligations covered by the security interest.

Default Remedies

Defines events of default and specific remedies, including trustee sale, acceleration, and collection procedures.

Covenants

Includes affirmative and negative covenants such as maintenance, insurance, and restrictions on additional liens.

Assignment and Subordination

Permits transfer of the beneficial interest and specifies any subordination arrangements impacting priority.

Release/Reconveyance

Details conditions and procedures for releasing the lien after satisfaction of secured obligations.

Step-by-step: completing the Deed of Trust and Security Agreement

Follow a consistent sequence to reduce errors: prepare draft, confirm party info, execute with required authentication, record promptly, and distribute recorded copies to stakeholders.

  • 01
    Prepare Draft: Populate party names, amounts, legal description, and key dates.
  • 02
    Review Authority: Obtain corporate resolutions or power of attorney proving signatory capacity.
  • 03
    Execute and Authenticate: Sign before required witnesses and notary or remote notary as allowed.
  • 04
    Record and Distribute: File with county recorder and share certified copies with lender and title insurer.

Typical document flow from draft to recorded lien

A clear routing sequence speeds closing and limits rework: drafting, approvals, execution, notarization, recording, and post-recording administration.

  • Drafting: Prepare the deed and collateral schedules for internal review.
  • Approvals: Lender and borrower counsel confirm terms and necessary attachments.
  • Execution: Signatures collected in required order with notary/witness authentication.
  • Recording: Submit to county recorder; obtain instrument number and certified copy.

Checklist for an electronic signing workflow

When using an eSignature platform, configure fields, signer order, authentication, and recording outputs to mirror the physical closing process.

Field Configuration
Signature Fields Assign to each signer with date and initials
Signer Order Sequential signing to enforce execution order
Authentication Use email plus SMS or stronger KBA where required
Notary/Remote Notary Enable RON or attach notarization packet

Digital signing and technical considerations

Choose a platform that supports required file formats, signer authentication, and archival audit trails before e-execution.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX supported
  • Integrations: Works with CRMs and document storage
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger options

Key timing points and deadlines to track

Timely execution and recording preserve lien priority and avoid title defects; track deadlines at closing and afterward for releases and notices.

Execution Date:

Sign on or before closing date to ensure correct effective date

Recording Timing:

Record the deed promptly to protect priority against subsequent encumbrances

Release Deadline:

Prepare reconveyance after payoff; some servicers set internal timelines

Notice Periods:

Follow any statutory notice requirements before trustee sale

Retention Schedule:

Keep originals per institutional and legal retention rules

Milestones from negotiation to lien release

Track major milestones to coordinate parties and service providers and to meet recording and enforcement windows.

01

Draft Approval

Finalize language and attachments before signature circulation.

02

Execution & Notarization

Collect signatures and required notary/witness acknowledgements.

03

County Recording

Submit to recorder and obtain instrument number and certified copy.

04

Post-Record Administration

Monitor payments, prepare releases, and maintain recorded file.

Common preparation and execution mistakes

  • Using an incorrect legal description or abbreviated party name that causes the recorder to reject or misindex the instrument.
  • Failing to confirm signatory authority such as corporate resolutions which later invite challenges to validity.
  • Omitting required witness or notarization formalities for the jurisdiction, leading to unenforceability or recording refusal.
  • Not aligning the electronic signing workflow with county recording requirements for wet or remote notarization.

Consequences of errors or incomplete documentation

Invalid Lien: Lien may be unenforceable
Foreclosure Delay: Remedies could be postponed
Recording Rejection: Instrument may be returned
Tax Exposure: Incorrect reporting risk
Perjury Risk: False statements carry penalties
Priority Loss: Later liens may take precedence

Real-world examples using secure e-signing

Two brief examples show how organizations streamline deed of trust execution while preserving legal formality and recording readiness.

Optica Ventures — Closing Remote

Optica Ventures used a secure eWorkflow to gather signatures from remote investors and borrowers

  • Completed notarization via RON in a single session
  • The process produced a tamper‑evident signed PDF and recorded instrument, reducing turnaround and preserving lien priority while maintaining required audit records.

Martin Properties — Mobile Signing

Martin Properties executed deeds at multiple project sites with tablet signing and on‑the‑spot notarization

  • Signatures captured and notarized at closing
  • This eliminated courier delays, allowed same‑day recording in the county recorder’s office, and ensured certified copies reached the lender promptly for their loan files.

Frequently asked questions about execution and recording

Answers to common questions on eSigning, notarization, signatory authority, and recording to reduce delay and risk during closing.


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eSignature provider comparison for executing Deed of Trust workflows

Comparing common capability and price dimensions helps choose a provider that supports notarization, audit trails, and HIPAA or enterprise needs; signNow is listed first for parity in comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Small process improvements reduce recording errors, speed closings, and preserve lien priority; apply consistent controls at each stage.

Verify party names early
Confirm legal names and signatory authority before preparing the document; discrepancies are a leading cause of rejection and title issues.
Use full legal descriptions
Always copy the exact legal description from the title report; street addresses alone are insufficient for recorders and can cause indexing errors.
Coordinate notarization
Check county notary and witness requirements in advance and choose wet or remote notarization methods that the recorder will accept.
Maintain audit-ready records
Keep executed originals, certified copies, and a complete audit trail (timestamps, IP, authentication) to support enforcement or title inquiries.
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