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Release of Deed of Trust

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RELEASE OF DEED OF TRUST

Prepared by and after Recording Return to:

Name:

Firm/Company:

Address:

Address 2:

City, State, Zip:

Phone:

Assessor's Property Tax Parcel/Account Number:

Above This Line Reserved For Official Use Only

FOR VALUABLE CONSIDERATION OF TEN DOLLARS ($10.00), and other good and valuable consideration, cash in hand paid, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged,

does hereby certify that a certain Deed of Trust described below is hereby RELEASED AND SATISFIED IN FULL and the real estate described therein is fully released from said Deed of Trust:

Date of Deed of Trust:

Executed by (Mortgagor(s)):

Original Trustee:

Original Beneficiary:

Filed of Record: In Book , Page Document/Instrument No.

in the Office of Clerk of County Commission, West Virginia, on

Property: As described in the Deed of Trust.

Given: to secure a certain Promissory Note in the amount of $ payable to Beneficiary.

Assignment (complete if applicable): The undersigned was assigned the Deed of Trust

by assignment dated and recorded in Book , page

Document No. in the aforesaid recorders Office.

The undersigned is the present holder of the above described Deed of Trust.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this instrument was executed, signed and delivered by the undersigned on this the day of 20

Signature

Print Name

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

This instrument was acknowledged before me on (date) by

Notary Public

Printed Name:

My Commission Expires:

Prepared by and after Recording Return to:

Name:

Firm/Company:

Address:

Address 2:

City, State, Zip:

Phone:

Preparer's signature:

Mortgagee Name, Address, phone:

Current property Owner(s) Name, Address, phone:

Enter text

What a Release of Deed of Trust Is

A Release of Deed of Trust is a recorded instrument that formally removes a lender's lien on real property after a mortgage or deed of trust has been satisfied. It is typically issued by the beneficiary or trustee and must be signed, notarized, and delivered to the county recorder for filing so the title reflects the absence of the security interest. In many states the release must follow specific formatting and recordation practices; electronic signatures and remote notarization are accepted where state law and the parties' consent allow.

Why a Proper Release Matters

A correctly prepared and recorded Release of Deed of Trust clears the lender's lien from the public record, restores clear title for the borrower, and prevents future title issues or encumbrance claims.

Why a Proper Release Matters

Who Typically Uses or Prepares This Release

The document is relevant to lenders, borrowers, title companies, closing attorneys, and county recording staff when a mortgage is paid off.

  • Lenders and servicers prepare releases after full payoff to confirm indebtedness satisfied and to protect against future lien claims.
  • Borrowers request a release and use it to remove liens from title and to facilitate refinances or sales.
  • Title companies and closing agents verify recorded releases to issue clear title and to close subsequent real estate transactions.

Accurate preparation and timely recording reduce the risk of delayed closings, title exceptions, and post-closing disputes.

Step-by-Step: Completing a Release of Deed of Trust

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, sign, notarize, and record a valid release that clears the lien from title.

  • 01
    Confirm Payoff: Obtain written payoff confirmation from the lender before preparing the release.
  • 02
    Draft Release: Populate borrower, lender, legal description, and original recording reference fields accurately.
  • 03
    Authenticate Signer: Have authorized lender sign in presence of notary or use permitted RON procedures where allowed.
  • 04
    Record Document: Submit the notarized release to the county recorder for filing and request a conformed copy.

How the Release Process Flows

This overview shows the typical routing from payoff through recording and final title update.

  • Payoff Issued: Lender provides payoff statement confirming loan satisfaction.
  • Release Prepared: Authorized officer prepares the release form referencing original instrument.
  • Notarization: Signer appears before notary or completes a state-approved RON session.
  • County Recording: Recorder files and indexes the release; conformed copy returned to parties.

Typical Digital Workflow Settings

Configure your electronic workflow to match legal and county recording requirements before e-signing and submitting the release.

Field Configuration
Document Upload Use a PDF/A or standard PDF; include original deed reference on page one.
Signer Authentication Require ID verification, SMS code, or knowledge-based methods where permitted.
Notary Option Select in-person notary or Remote Online Notarization if state law allows.
Recording Delivery Export signed PDF and submit to county recorder per local format rules.

Technical and Platform Considerations

Ensure the e-signature platform supports authentication, audit trails, and notarization workflows required by the jurisdiction.

  • Authentication: Email plus optional SMS or ID verification.
  • Audit Trail: Capture timestamp, IP, and signer actions.
  • File Formats: PDF and PDF/A for recorder compatibility.

Choose a platform that offers secure storage, export of signed PDFs, and integration with title or closing systems to simplify downstream processing.

Key Information Required on the Form

Borrower Name: Exact legal name
Lender Name: Beneficiary name on deed
Property Description: Full legal description
Original Recording: Book/page or instrument number
Notary Acknowledgement: Notary block and seal
Signature Date: MM/DD/YYYY format

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using a borrower or lender name variant that does not match the recorded deed, which often causes county rejection and delays.
  • Omitting the original deed of trust instrument number or county reference, making it difficult for the recorder to link the release to the proper record.
  • Failing to include a proper notary acknowledgement or following the state's RON rules, which can render the release non-recordable.
  • Submitting an unsigned or improperly signed release; lender signatures must be by an authorized officer or agent per company resolution.

Consequences of an Incorrect or Missing Release

Recording Rejection: Requires correction and re-submission
Title Exceptions: Can impede sales or refinances
Liability Exposure: Borrower may pursue damages
Duplicate Liens: Erroneous encumbrances remain
Escrow Delays: Closings postponed pending cure
Increased Costs: Additional attorney and filing fees

Typical Timelines and Processing Expectations

Processing and recording times vary by lender, title company, and county recorder; plan for notification and recordation steps when scheduling closings.

Payoff to Release:

Lender issues release after the final accounting and satisfaction of payoff conditions

Lender Processing Time:

Small servicers may take several business days; institutional servicers have formal release workflows

County Recording:

Recorder processing ranges from same-day to multiple weeks depending on local backlog

Title Update:

Title companies usually confirm recording and clear exceptions within one to two weeks

Remote Notary Sessions:

RON sessions are immediate, but county acceptance of electronically recorded documents varies

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Preparing and Signing Releases

Basic vendor capabilities and starting prices for eSignature platforms used to prepare, sign, and store Release of Deed of Trust documents. Compare authentication and compliance when selecting a provider.

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 plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Real-World Examples of Release Usage

These brief examples show how organizations have processed releases in remote and integrated workflows.

Optica Ventures — Closing Efficiency

Optica used digital workflows to reduce signer friction and speed investor closings.

  • Simpler interface improved turnaround.
  • Brian Fitzgibbons, COO of Optica Ventures LLC, said: "The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

Martin Properties — Mobile Execution

A property manager executed release paperwork entirely online for remote sellers.

  • Mobile signing allowed same-day completion.
  • Tim Martin, Founder of Martin Properties, reported processing online with full compliance and secure storage, enabling efficient closings without in-person meetings.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Releases

Adopt these practices to reduce recording errors, speed title clearance, and maintain an audit-ready record.

Verify Names and References
Cross-check borrower and lender names, original instrument numbers, and legal descriptions against the recorded deed of trust to avoid county rejections and title exceptions.
Use Proper Notary Procedures
Follow the state's notarial requirements or approved RON identity-proofing procedures; retain the notary journal or recorded RON session per state retention rules.
Keep Conformed Copies
Obtain a conformed copy from the recorder and provide it to borrower, lender, and title insurer; store copies in encrypted records for retention compliance.
Coordinate with Title Counsel
Engage the title company or closing attorney early to confirm local recording format, fees, and any required cover letters or attachment pages.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about preparation, authentication, recording, and post-recording steps for Release of Deed of Trust forms.


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