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Deed of Trust
Recording Service

Record Deeds of Trust with any of California’s 58 county recorders — online, in 24–48 hours, without leaving your desk.

All 58 California Counties 24–48 Hr Turnaround Flat $130 Fee Secure Upload
24 Hour Avg. Turnaround
$130 Flat Service Fee
58 CA Counties Served
Bank-Level Secure Transmission
Same-Day Submission
County-Compliant Formatting
Trusted by Attorneys & Title Firms
About This Document

What Is a Deed of Trust?

A Deed of Trust is a security instrument used in California real estate financing. Unlike a traditional mortgage, it involves three parties: the borrower (trustor), the lender (beneficiary), and a neutral third party (trustee) who holds legal title to the property as security for the loan. It is the standard instrument used by lenders in California in place of a mortgage.

When You Need It

When to Record a Deed of Trust

A Deed of Trust must be recorded when real property is used as collateral for a loan. This includes purchase money loans from lenders, seller-carried financing, hard money loans, and private loans secured by real property. Recording the Deed of Trust establishes the lender's lien priority against the property.

Who We Serve

Built for Professionals & Individuals

  • Lenders and mortgage companies securing real estate loans
  • Real estate attorneys drafting private or seller-carried financing arrangements
  • Title and escrow companies processing purchase transactions
  • Real estate investors using hard money or private financing
Also Available

Other Documents We Record in California

eFileRecorder submits all major document types accepted by California county recorders, including:

Don’t see your document type? Contact us — if your county accepts it, we can record it.

Process

How It Works — 3 Simple Steps

1
Select Your County & Document
Choose your California county and select Deed of Trust from the document list. Takes under 2 minutes.
2
Upload Your Document
Securely upload your prepared Deed of Trust via our encrypted platform. Need document preparation first? We offer that too.
3
Submit Payment & We Handle the Rest
Pay the flat $130 service fee plus applicable county recording fees. We submit to the county recorder and notify you when your Deed of Trust is officially recorded — typically within 24–48 hours.
FAQ

Deed of Trust Recording FAQ

What is the difference between a mortgage and a Deed of Trust in California?

California primarily uses Deeds of Trust rather than mortgages. The key difference is the involvement of a trustee who holds legal title during the loan term. Deeds of Trust allow for non-judicial foreclosure (trustee's sale), which is faster than judicial mortgage foreclosure.

Does a Deed of Trust need to be notarized before recording?

Yes. A Deed of Trust must be notarized before it can be recorded with the county recorder's office. eFileRecorder submits your notarized document electronically.

How does a Deed of Trust get released once the loan is paid off?

Once the loan is paid, the beneficiary instructs the trustee to execute a Full Reconveyance, which releases the lien and returns full title to the borrower. eFileRecorder also handles Full Reconveyance recording.

How long does Deed of Trust recording take?

Most Deeds of Trust submitted through eFileRecorder are recorded within 24-48 business hours.