What is a reconveyance?

A reconveyance is the recorded instrument by which a trustee releases a deed of trust lien after the underlying debt is paid, restoring title to the borrower and clearing the public record.

Who must sign the reconveyance?

The trustee named in the original deed of trust typically signs the reconveyance; in some cases an authorized officer or agent signs under a power of attorney or corporate resolution.

Reconveyances are recorded with the county recorder or registry where the property is located. Confirm county recording requirements for format, fees, and any required attachments.

Can reconveyances be e-signed?

Electronic signatures are valid under ESIGN and UETA when the recorder and state rules permit electronic recording; confirm county acceptance and any notarization or RON requirements first.

Is notarization always required?

Most states require a notary acknowledgement for instruments affecting title; some jurisdictions also require witness signatures. Check local recorder rules before execution.

What if the reconveyance is rejected?

If rejected, the recorder will typically state the reason; common fixes include correcting names, adding a proper legal description, or providing the original instrument reference for linkage.

Reconveyance

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

What a Reconveyance Document Is and When It Appears

A reconveyance is a recorded instrument that releases a deed of trust or mortgage lien after the underlying debt is paid in full. It is typically prepared by the trustee or lender and signed to transfer legal title back to the borrower free of the lien. Reconveyances are common in states that use deeds of trust rather than mortgages; recording the reconveyance with the county recorder gives public notice that the lien has been satisfied and clears the title for resale or refinancing.

Why a Reconveyance Matters for Title and Ownership

A reconveyance formally removes a lien from public land records, restoring clear title and preventing future claims based on the satisfied loan.

Who Typically Prepares or Receives a Reconveyance

Knowing each party’s role reduces processing delays and helps confirm the reconveyance is recorded correctly.

Title companies and closing agents — handle recording and ensure title is cleared for resale or refinance.
Lenders and trustees — prepare or authorize the reconveyance once the loan is paid and conditions are met.
Borrowers/homeowners — receive reconveyance as proof the lien has been released and to clear title.

Core Elements Found in a Professional Reconveyance

A reconveyance should include specific legal and recording details so county recorders and title companies can identify and index the document accurately.

Parties

Names of trustee, lender, and borrower exactly as used in the original deed of trust; errors lead to misindexing and delays.

Property Legal Description

Full recorded legal description (lot, block, subdivision) or metes and bounds matching the original deed; abbreviated addresses are insufficient.

Loan Reference

Reference to the original deed of trust date, book/page or instrument number, and loan account number to link records.

Reconveyance Statement

Clear language stating the debt is paid and the trustee reconveys title to the borrower without any remaining lien or encumbrance.

Signatures

Trustee signature and printed name, plus notarization or acknowledgement where state law requires it for recording.

Recording Data

Execution date, notary block, and space for county recorder stamps and instrument numbers for public indexing.

Step-by-Step: Filing a Reconveyance

Follow these steps in order to prepare, sign, and record a reconveyance with minimal delay.

01

Verify payoff: Confirm lender records show the loan paid and any reconveyance conditions met.
02

Draft reconveyance: Prepare the instrument referencing the original deed of trust and legal description.
03

Sign and notarize: Trustee signs before a notary if required by state law; include printed names and titles.
04

Record with county: Submit to the county recorder with correct fee and await recording number and stamped copy.

Typical Reconveyance Processing Flow

This high-level flow shows who typically performs each action from loan payoff to recorded release.

Payoff Notice: Borrower or servicer confirms final payoff and requests reconveyance issuance.
Trustee Preparation: Trustee or counsel drafts the reconveyance using original deed references.
Execution: Authorized trustee signs and completes any required notarial acknowledgement.
Recording: Reconveyance is submitted to county recorder and a copy returned to borrower and lender.

Digital Workflow Settings for Reconveyance Processing

Recommended workflow settings reduce manual steps and ensure the recorded copy is promptly distributed to stakeholders.

Field	Configuration
Signer Roles	Assign Trustee as primary signer and Lender as authorizing party where required
Authentication	Use email plus SMS code for signer verification in high-value files
Notary Option	Enable remote online notarization field where state law and platform support exist
Auto-distribution	Send recorded PDF automatically to borrower, lender, and title company

Technical Considerations for Electronic Reconveyance Workflows

Confirm the receiving county recorder accepts e-recordings and verify required metadata and fee payment methods before submission.

File Formats: PDF/A or standard PDF files accepted by most recorders
Integrations: Works with title systems and cloud storage integrations
Authentication: Supports multi-factor signer verification

Essential Information Elements to Protect and Verify

Trustee: Verify legal identity and authority

Borrower: Match name to title and ID

Property: Use full recorded legal description

Notary: Include jurisdiction and commission expiry

Recording Info: Record date and instrument number

Payoff Proof: Attach payoff statement or release memo

Common Pitfalls When Preparing a Reconveyance

Using an abbreviated address instead of the recorded legal description, which causes recorder rejection or misindexing.
Mismatched signer names or titles compared to the original deed of trust, delaying acceptance by the county recorder.
Failing to include the original instrument reference (book/page or instrument number), making it difficult to link records.
Assuming every county accepts electronic reconveyances; many require specific e-recording formats or in-person submission.

Consequences and Risks of an Incorrect Reconveyance

Title Clouding: Unrecorded or misfiled reconveyance leaves liens on title

Recording Rejection: County may reject documents with errors

Liability: Trustee or preparer could face legal exposure

Delay Costs: Refinance or sale timelines may be extended

Additional Fees: Re-recording and attorney fees may apply

Tax Reporting: Incorrect records can complicate property tax history

Timing and Typical Processing Expectations

Processing times depend on lender action, trustee availability, and county recorder workload; plan for both document execution and recording.

Request After Payoff:

Submit reconveyance request once lender posts final payment; timing varies by servicer

Trustee Preparation Time:

Trustee or counsel typically needs 3–14 business days to prepare documents

Notarization Window:

Signatures should be notarized at execution; some counties require original notarized paper

Recording Turnaround:

County recording may take 1–10 business days, longer in high-volume periods

Distribution:

Recorded copy returned to borrower and title company within days of recording

Key Milestones from Payoff to Recorded Release

Sequential milestones show expected steps and where delays most often occur during reconveyance processing.

01

Final Payoff Posted

Loan servicer confirms full payoff and authorizes reconveyance preparation.

02

Reconveyance Drafted

Trustee or legal counsel prepares instrument referencing original deed of trust.

03

Execution and Notarization

Authorized trustee signs and completes required notarial acknowledgement.

04

County Recording

Submit with fee; recorder indexes instrument and returns stamped copy.

Real-World Reconveyance Scenarios

Examples show how reconveyances are used across common transactions and which parties handle each step.

Refinance Closing

A borrower refinances and pays off the deed of trust

Title company requests reconveyance from the trustee
The recorded reconveyance is required before funds are disbursed and the new lender records its lien.

Loan Payoff by Seller

A homeowner pays off mortgage before selling the property

Trustee issues reconveyance after verifying payoff
The seller provides the recorded reconveyance to the buyer to ensure clear title at closing.

eSignature and Workflow Vendor Comparison for Reconveyance Workflows

Basic pricing and capability differences that matter when choosing an eSignature provider for reconveyance and title workflows.

	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	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies by plan
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Common Questions About Reconveyance and Practical Answers

Answers to frequent questions about who signs, how to record, and whether electronic methods are acceptable for reconveyance documents.

Need help? Contact support

What is a reconveyance?
A reconveyance is the recorded instrument by which a trustee releases a deed of trust lien after the underlying debt is paid, restoring title to the borrower and clearing the public record.
Who must sign the reconveyance?
The trustee named in the original deed of trust typically signs the reconveyance; in some cases an authorized officer or agent signs under a power of attorney or corporate resolution.
Where is it filed?
Reconveyances are recorded with the county recorder or registry where the property is located. Confirm county recording requirements for format, fees, and any required attachments.
Can reconveyances be e-signed?
Electronic signatures are valid under ESIGN and UETA when the recorder and state rules permit electronic recording; confirm county acceptance and any notarization or RON requirements first.
Is notarization always required?
Most states require a notary acknowledgement for instruments affecting title; some jurisdictions also require witness signatures. Check local recorder rules before execution.
What if the reconveyance is rejected?
If rejected, the recorder will typically state the reason; common fixes include correcting names, adding a proper legal description, or providing the original instrument reference for linkage.

Explore Templates

Minnesota Homestead Minnesota Sheriff's Certificate of Sale Affidavit Statement Form Self Assessment Tax Return Minnesota Mechanic's Lien Notice of Lis Pendens Foreclosure

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now