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Recording Agreement

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Recording Agreement and Contract with Publisher for Exploitation of Musical Compositions

Agreement made on the day of , 20, between of , referred to herein as Artist, and , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as Corporation.

Recording Agreement

I. Engagement of Artist and Term of Agreement

Corporation engages Artist's exclusive personal services as a recording artist to perform in connection with the production of recordings for an initial period of year(s) commencing on the effective date of this Agreement, to record during master recordings or more at Corporation's election.

II. Payments

A. Conditioned on Artist’s full and faithful performance of each and all of the terms of this Agreement, and as full compensation for his services and all rights granted or agreed to be granted by Artist, Corporation agrees, except as otherwise provided, to pay Artist as follows:

1. Corporation will pay Artist $, within days after each recording session at which master recordings are recorded.

2. Corporation will pay Artist a royalty , with respect to standard commercial recordings sold in the United States, based on of Corporation's wholesale price.

3. Corporation will pay Artist a royalty equal to of Corporation's net receipts with respect to recordings, including audiovisual devices manufactured or sold outside the United States or within the United States by Corporation's licensees.

III. Master Recordings

A. All master recordings (masters) shall be made in such a manner as Corporation in its sole discretion shall deem advisable.

B. Artist agrees to render services in connection with each recording session until the masters designated by Corporation are recorded to Corporation's satisfaction.

C. Corporation shall have the right to designate the selections to be recorded and may designate selections in which Corporation or one of its affiliates has a pecuniary interest.

IV. Costs

A. As to any performance by Artist under this Agreement, he agrees that Corporation may engage in Artist's behalf vocalists, conductors, contractors, musicians, arrangers, orchestrators, and copyists selected by Corporation in connection with such performances, and Artist authorizes Corporation to pay each and all such persons on his behalf.

B. All such payments and any other costs incurred by Corporation with respect to recording sessions held under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the cost of cartage and rental of instruments, studio costs, all costs and expenses for and with respect to the production of masters through but not including completed masters, all costs incurred in the creation and preparation of art work for covers, liners, sleeves, or any other packaging shall be deemed additional returnable advances to Artist and shall be deducted from the total royalties payable to Artist by Corporation.

C. If Artist should delay the commencement or completion of, or be unavailable for any recording session designated by Corporation under this Agreement, for any reason, Artist agrees to pay all the expenses and charges actually incurred or paid by Corporation by reason of such delay or unavailability.

D. No royalty shall be payable to Artist under this Agreement until Corporation has recouped from such royalties a sum equal to all costs advanced by Corporation and all sums paid to Artist pursuant to Section II (A) (1) of this Agreement.

V. Artist’s Obligations

A. During the term of this Agreement, Artist agrees not to perform for any other person for the purpose of making recordings, nor will Artist engage in making recordings for anyone other than Corporation.

B. Artist will not authorize the use of his name, likeness, or other identification for the purpose of distributing, selling, advertising, or exploiting recordings for anyone other than Corporation.

C. Should Artist violate the above-stated restrictions, Corporation may, in addition to any other right or remedy that it may have on account of such breach, terminate its obligation to pay Artist any further royalties under this Agreement.

D. Artist agrees not to issue or authorize any advertising or publicity of any kind regarding his recording activities without first obtaining a written clearance from Corporation.

VI. Grant of Rights

Artist grants to Corporation:

A. The ownership of all masters, positives or negatives of such masters, and recordings manufactured from such masters, the right to control and use such masters and the performances embodied on such masters on such terms and in such forms as in its sole discretion the Corporation may approve, the right to perform publicly such recordings in any media and by any means whatsoever, and any photographs, both negative and positive, that may be made or authorized by Corporation and which include Artist's likeness, including the right to secure a copyright of such photographs, pictorial representations, or likenesses in Corporation's name or the name of Corporation's designee.

B. The exclusive right to issue and authorize publicity concerning Artist and to use, reproduce, transmit, broadcast, exploit, publicize, exhibit, and control Artist's name (including any professional name previously or later adopted by him), signature, likeness, voice, and sound effects of biographical material concerning Artist in connection with recordings made under this Agreement.

C. The right and power to take such action as Corporation deems necessary, either in Artist's name or in Corporation’s name, against any person who uses Artist's services or name, likeness, or other identification of Artist in violation of Corporation's rights under this Agreement, but at Corporation's expense.

D. Artist grants and assigns to Corporation all rights of copyright to the recordings of Artist, including but not limited to copyright rights in and to sound recordings, throughout the world, for the full term of such copyrights.

Publishing Agreement

VII. Assignment

For consideration of $ paid by Corporation to Artist, Artist sells and transfers to Corporation, its successors and assigns, a certain song or musical composition, including the words and music, bearing the title , hereinafter called Composition, or any other title, name, or style that Corporation may at any time give to the Composition, together with the right to take out a copyright for or on it and each and every part, including words and music, to the full extent in all respects as Artist could or might be able to do if this Agreement had not been executed.

VIII. Royalties

Corporation agrees that, in the event of publication by it of the musical composition, it will pay to Artist royalties in such amounts as describe as follows:

A. Corporation will pay Artist a royalty , with respect to standard commercial recordings of Composition sold in the United States.

B. Corporation will pay Artist a royalty equal to of Corporation's net receipts with respect to recordings of Composition, including audiovisual devices manufactured or sold outside the United States or within the United States by Corporation's licensees.

IX. Representations and Warranties

Artist represents and warrants to that he has not sold, mortgaged, assigned, or encumbered any right, title, or interest in or to the Composition or any part and has not made or entered into an Agreement with any person, firm, or corporation in anyway affecting the Composition, and that he is the author and composer and absolute owner, and has the full right, power, and authority to make this Agreement.

X. Payments

Royalty payments described in Sections II and VIII shall be made , during the whole term in existence of this Agreement. Any payment when made and accepted shall operate as a release to Corporation, its successors or assigns, from any further claim or liability for any royalty to that date.

XI. Accounting

Corporation shall maintain books of account concerning the sale, distribution, and exploitation of the Composition and recordings made under this Agreement. Artist may select an independent certified public accountant on his own behalf who may, at Artist's expense, on reasonable notice and at reasonable intervals, during Corporation's usual business hours, examine Corporation's books pertaining to the payments to be made to Artist under this Agreement.

XII. Termination

A. Corporation reserves the right, at its election, to terminate the operation of this Agreement if, for any reason, Artist refuses or is unavailable to perform under this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Such termination shall be on written notice to Artist. In case of such refusal or unavailability of Artist, Corporation, at its discretion, may elect to suspend the operation of this Agreement for a period of time equal to the Artist's period of unavailability.

B. If Artist's voice should be materially and permanently impaired, or if Artist should cease to work seriously at and pursue a career as a singer, composer and entertainer in the entertainment field, or if Artist should fail, refuse, or neglect to comply with any other of his obligations under this Agreement, corporation, in addition to any other rights or remedies it may have, may elect to terminate Artist's engagement under this Agreement by notice in writing.

XIII. No Waiver

The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

XIV. Governing Law

It is agreed that this Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

XV. Entire Agreement

This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties, and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

XVI. Modification of Agreement

Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

XVII. Mandatory Arbitration

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any dispute under this agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

XVIII. Notice

Notices required pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent by certified mail to the parties at the addresses above mentioned and shall be deemed given when so sent.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

Artist Signature:

By:

Name and Office:

Enter text✕

What a Recording Agreement Is and when it matters

A Recording Agreement is a contract that governs the preparation, delivery, and filing of an instrument with a public recorder or registry so that the instrument becomes part of the public record. Typical uses include deeds, mortgages, easements, liens, and subordination or intercreditor arrangements where the parties agree how and when an instrument will be presented for recording. The agreement clarifies which party will prepare the recorded document, who pays recording and related fees, any required notarization or witness steps, and how original documents are delivered to title companies, lenders, or county recorders to preserve priority and clear title.

Why a Recording Agreement protects title and priorities

A Recording Agreement reduces uncertainty about who will submit documents to the recorder, allocates fees and responsibilities, and preserves lien or title priority by fixing a recording process and timeline under clearly defined terms.

Why a Recording Agreement protects title and priorities

Who typically prepares and signs a Recording Agreement

In complex transactions the agreement reduces disputes about timing, fees, and custody of originals during the recording process.

  • Title companies and closing agents coordinating recordation and delivery instructions.
  • Lenders and servicers protecting lien priority and setting submission rules.
  • Grantors/grantees and attorneys confirming document format, notarization, and fee allocation.

Who signs and approves the Recording Agreement

Title Officer

A title officer or closing agent often prepares the Recording Agreement, reviews legal descriptions, confirms payoff figures, and coordinates delivery of originals to the county recorder or escrow holder. They are responsible for checking that recording instructions match the lender's requirements and that all signatures and notarial acknowledgements are present.

Lender Counsel

Lender counsel or closing attorney approves the recording sequence, confirms priority language, and ensures any subordination or intercreditor clauses are correctly referenced. They typically sign on behalf of the mortgagee or lienholder and confirm which party will pay recording fees and taxes.

Essential elements included in a professional Recording Agreement

A complete Recording Agreement names parties, identifies the instrument to be recorded, sets delivery and payment logistics, and provides legal assurances to protect priority and enforceability.

Parties

Full legal names and capacities of the signatories (individuals vs. entities), including authorized signers and their titles, to ensure the recorder accepts the document and it binds the correct parties.

Instrument Description

A clear reference to the exact document being recorded (type, date, and any exhibit or attachment) so the county recorder can index and link the recorded instrument to the correct property.

Legal Description

Full property legal description or parcel identifier required by the recorder; using accurate metes and bounds or assessor parcel numbers avoids rejection or misindexing.

Recording Instructions

Which party will submit the instrument, acceptable recording counties, required notary or witness procedures, and instructions for handling returned originals or certified copies.

Fees and Payment

Who pays recording fees, transfer taxes, courier or RON session fees, and any penalties for late submission; also include how reimbursements are handled after closing.

Representations & Indemnities

Warranties about authority to record, accuracy of the instrument, and indemnities for errors, misfiling, or lost priority to allocate risk among parties.

Step-by-step: completing and executing a Recording Agreement

Follow these core steps to prepare, sign, and submit the recording instrument with supporting documentation.

  • 01
    Draft: Prepare the agreement and attach the instrument and legal description.
  • 02
    Review: Obtain lender, title, and counsel approvals before signature.
  • 03
    Sign & Notarize: Have authorized signers execute and complete required notary or witness steps.
  • 04
    Submit: File with the county recorder or use remote online notarization and eSubmission where permitted.

Digital workflow settings to streamline recording

Configure your eWorkflow to capture signatures, notarization, and delivery in the correct sequence to meet recorder requirements.

Field Configuration
Signature Order Sequential signing to ensure lender and title signatures precede recording.
Notary / RON Enable RON or notary fields; include audio-video retention settings where required.
Attachments Auto-attach plat maps, legal descriptions, and exhibits to the instrument.
Notifications Automatic alerts to parties when recording is complete or if county returns the document.

How instruments move from signature to public record

Recording typically follows a predictable path from final signature through submission and confirmation by the county recorder.

  • Finalize Document: Confirm all signatures, initials, and notarizations are present before submission.
  • Carrier or eFile: Deliver originals via courier or submit digital files per county eRecording rules.
  • Recorder Processing: County indexes, stamps, and returns recorded instruments or provides certified copies.
  • Distribution: Send recorded originals or certified copies to the title company, lender, and parties as specified.

Technical capabilities to support secure eSignature and filing

Platforms that meet these technical requirements streamline secure eSubmission, retain legal evidence such as timestamps and IP logs, and support integrations with title and loan systems while preserving audit trails.

  • File formats: PDF and DOCX support with preserved metadata.
  • Integrations: Connectors for Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365, and cloud storage.
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, and optional two-factor or certificate-based methods.

Security and compliance features to look for

In-transit encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3
At-rest encryption: AES-256
Audit trail: Comprehensive event logs
Access controls: Role-based permissions
Regulatory compliance: ESIGN, UETA, 21 CFR Part 11
HIPAA support: BAA available where needed

Consequences of improper preparation or late recording

Loss of priority: Later liens may take precedence
Recording rejection: County may refuse improper forms
Tax exposure: Transfer tax errors and penalties
Title defects: Clouds on title requiring cure
Fraud risk: Unauthorized recordings or forged signatures
Contract disputes: Indemnity claims and litigation

Common mistakes that delay recording

  • Using incomplete legal descriptions or P.O. boxes instead of parcel identifiers causes misindexing and rejection.
  • Mismatched signer names, missing notarial wording, or absent witness statements are frequent causes of county returns.
  • Failing to follow county eRecording file naming or formatting rules can block automated processing and add days to turnaround.
  • Assuming every county accepts RON or third-party eFiling; jurisdictional acceptance varies and must be verified first.

Time-sensitive items and typical processing expectations

Recording timing affects priority and post-closing obligations; many steps have predictable windows or statutory retention requirements.

Submit after closing:

File the instrument promptly to preserve lien priority; delay risks intervening filings.

County processing time:

Processing often takes 1–30 business days depending on county workload.

RON retention:

Audio-video records typically retained 5–10 years under RON rules.

Notary journal:

Notaries must retain journals per state law; durations vary.

Tax reporting:

Recording may trigger transfer tax filings and local deadlines.

Key milestones from signing to recorded return

Track these milestones in sequence to confirm recording, document delivery, and updates to title and loan files.

01

Document Finalization

Confirm all attachments, exhibits, and notarizations before submission.

02

Submission to Recorder

Deliver via courier or electronic filing according to county procedures.

03

Recording & Indexing

County stamps, indexes, and returns a recorded copy or provides a certificate.

04

Distribution of Originals

Return recorded originals to title company, lender, or custodian per agreement.

Comparing eSignature pricing and key features for recording workflows

Vendor pricing and feature availability vary; signNow is listed first and comparison entries reflect common plan starting prices and feature flags.

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

Frequently asked questions about Recording Agreements

Answers to common legal, technical, and process questions about preparing, signing, notarizing, and filing recording instruments.


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